The new year is somewhat happier for The Bloomfield Group (Bloomfield) than it might have been, thanks to emergency support provided by NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Singleton Unit.
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A severe storm that passed over Bloomfield’s Rix’s Creek North (RCN) Mine on December 20 caused considerable damage, including the administration building roof being half torn off and the muster area and bathhouse building roof tearing off entirely.
When RCN staff made calls for help, local SES volunteers mobilised quickly, using their expertise to protect the damaged buildings with tarps and ropes.
The volunteers returned over ensuing days to assist with further protecting the damaged buildings against the elements and prising the administration roof back into place. Some functions such as IT and mains power supply for both buildings are almost back to normal, thanks to the assistance provided by the SES volunteers.
Overall disruptions to operations were minimal. Rix’s Creek staff are hosting a barbeque lunch to say thank you to the volunteers and also present a $5,000 donation which will enable the SES to purchase smart boards and other electronic equipment for its Singleton office.
“We can say from experience that the Singleton SES team are unsung heroes in the way they respond to calls for help,” Rix’s Creek Mine Manager Luke Murray said. “At our time of need they were here quickly, turning what could have been a highly dangerous situation into something far less serious.
“Their professionalism was extraordinary. These men and women reflect what core community support is all about and we can’t thank them enough.”
NSW SES Singleton Local Controller Simon Merrick said the Bloomfield donation would go to good use.
“Any donations are welcome and this support from Bloomfield will enable us to serve the community that little bit better. “Putting on a lunch to say thank you is a gesture all the volunteers appreciate very much.”
The SES donation is a continuation of Bloomfield’s commitment to community support, with the company donating more than $3.5 million to a variety of local causes over the past ten years.
