THE Hunter Coal Festival will return in April with a full line-up of events focusing on the themes of “community + co-existence + innovation + education”.
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Organised by Singleton Business Chamber with support from Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Singleton Shire Council, the 2018 edition is scheduled to run from April 6 to 15.
Singleton Business Chamber president Sue Gilroy said, while events and details were still being finalised, a number of major activities had been fully locked in.
“The festival will kick off with its popular Mining Leaders Lunch on Friday, April 6, at Club Singleton which will feature industry updates from high-profile keynote speakers,” she said.
“A massive community celebration will take place on Saturday, April 7, with the Singleton Community Day at the Singleton Showground preceded by a parade down John Street.”
Ms Gilroy said the Singleton Community Day was designed to be a celebration of the co-existence between the mining industry and community with family-orientated entertainment and activities featuring throughout the day.
The showground would be centre stage for children’s activities, industry sponsor community engagement and educational displays, bus tours to local mine sites and tug of war, touch footy and coal-shovelling competitions and more.
As a major drawcard, the showground will also come alive with the thrilling aerial antics of the Freestyle Kings Motorcross Show.
The professional motorcross riders are scheduled to perform three shows throughout the day.
The Singleton Business Chamber also encouraged local schools, groups and companies to participate in the John Street parade.
“We hope to have a huge turnout from local groups and companies parading down John Street and we are now taking expressions of interest,” Ms Gilroy said.
People and groups interested in participating in the parade can find out more information by emailing admin@singletonchamber.org.au
On Sunday, April 8, the Hunter Coal Festival will move to Kurri Kurri for the Kurri Coalface Pedal.
For the first time, the annual charity mountain bike ride joins the festival line-up as an associated event.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service fundraising event offers bush rides which range from “easy to hard” and more information and entry details are available at www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/events
Singleton Business Chamber’s lunch on Monday, April 9, will feature an industry update from NSW Mining CEO Stephen Galilee.
He will also present the update at a Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry breakfast on Tuesday, April 10.
The Tom Farrell Institute’s annual Mined Land Rehabilitation Conference will again join the festival as an official event on Thursday, April 12, at the University of Newcastle.
Other events still being planned include:
* A careers/innovation expo at Muswellbrook
* An Upper Hunter Synoptic Plan community update at Muswellbrook
* An art competition in Singleton
* Science Technology Engineering Maths (STEM) tours for local students
* A charity golf day in Singleton
Ms Gilroy said the festival line-up was shaping up well with a spread of events aimed at entertaining and educating the community.
“The festival is again enjoying strong support from the mining industry through sponsorship and hands-on involvement in the planning,” she added.
“Companies that would like to support the festival can still get on board through sponsorship.
“Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should contact the chamber at info@singletonbusiness.org.au or phone 0417 432 081.”
