Wesfarmers Resources, a leading metallurgical coal producer with interests throughout Australia, has pledged $100,000 over two years towards the development of the Wesfarmers Resources Regional Acting Studio, which will form the backbone of Queensland Theatre Company’s Regional Program.

Queensland Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Michael Gow says, “The Wesfarmers Resources Regional Acting Studio is a vital part of Queensland Theatre Company’s commitment to enhancing and growing arts activities within local communities and developing artists in regional areas.”

“This exciting new initiative would not be possible without the support of Wesfarmers Resources and it’s great to find a partner with existing interests in the regions that’s willing to invest back into the cultural development of the local community,” Michael added.

Wesfarmers has a long and proud history of supporting the arts and with this partnership that association is further enhanced.

The Managing Director of Wesfarmers Resources Stewart Butel says, “Wesfarmers Resources is excited to partner with The Queensland Theatre Company with this new regional initiative.

“We wanted to extend the support Wesfarmers provides to the arts community while looking to support a program that takes theatre into regional Queensland and we’re very pleased to have found that with The Queensland Theatre Company and their Regional Acting Studio,” Stewart added.

Queensland Theatre Company will be partnering with local arts organisations and venues to roll out the Wesfarmers Resources Regional Acting Studio.  The program offers a unique combination of three or five day workshops for teenagers and young adults in various acting techniques led by Queensland Theatre Company actors.  The workshops culminate in a group performance by the participants showcasing the new skills and techniques they have learnt, with the local community invited to attend.

Wesfarmers Curragh has picked up its second award for its overland conveyor when the Curragh North Conveyor project won the Queensland Engineering Excellence Products and Manufacturing Facilities category at the Queensland awards ceremony on October 17.

The conveyor designed, constructed and commissioned by Laing O’Rourke which at 20.02 kilometres is the longest single flight conveyor in the world, has already won the 2007 Bulk Handling Facility of the Year.

The project has achieved significant reductions in power draw as well as capital and operating cost savings of about 40 per cent.

Commissioned in 2007, the overland conveyor transports ROM coal from Wesfarmers Curragh’s new mine at Curragh North to its existing mine at Curragh. All coal processing and rail loading facilities are located at the existing Curragh mine.

Wesfarmers Curragh Project Manager, Stephen Downs said the design of the Curragh North Materials Handling facility had minimised local environmental impacts such as dust, visual amenity, noise and vibration.

“The project delivered Wesfarmers Curragh a high-quality reliable asset which would assist to underpin the viability of the Curragh North mine in the long term,” Stephen said.

“The Curragh North coal reserves exceed 130 million tonnes of coal so it was vital to ensure a materials handling system could transport these volumes efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner.”

The project is now in the running for the national award which will be announced in November.