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BBMC Celebrates 10 Years: A decade of milestone moments

08 September 2020 | BBMC News

As we mark the beginning of the BBMC’s second decade of operation, there’s no better time to remember a few milestone events that influenced the resource sector.

The BBMC has deliberately fostered a media ‘closed door’ policy at all luncheon events. This creates a ‘safe’ space for speakers to share industry updates and insights to like-minded businesspeople. Over many luncheons, club members have been the first to hear about program launches, new developments and innovations ahead of the industry.

2010 – the BBMC launches

In the midst of a momentous 2010, the Bowen Basin Mining Club launched amid a quietly optimistic and confident local mining sector.

What was the rest of the world doing? Here’s a quick reminder:

The whole country copped floods, storms and cyclones throughout the year.
The last thrashes of the global economic downturn affected global trading.
Prolonged terrorist warfare in the Middle East dominated news cycles.
Federal government was led by Kevin Rudd, and from June, Julia Gillard. Anna Bligh headed up the Queensland government.
Changing taxation policies for the mining industry caused division.
Global resources were in the spotlight – notably the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the Shen Neng disaster, closer to home in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Still, 156 people came along to our first luncheon in Mackay that September, and luncheons continued bi-monthly. Emerald and Moranbah joined the location line-up in 2012, and Rockhampton in 2017.

2014 – the first Queensland Mining Contractor Awards

In partnership with QME and industry sponsors, the BBMC organised and launched the first of our Awards at the end of 2013. We filled a gap in recognising and celebrating of the spirit of innovation and excellence in the mining sector, with the Gala Dinner a highlight of QME every two years. The Awards give the smaller players the chance to share the limelight with mining giants and highlight the importance of a diversified supply chain.

We’ve added new categories over the years, including a popular category for the major resource companies, and an environmental category. Support from large and small businesses, industry and community sponsors remains strong over the long term, evidence of the prestige and door-opening power of being an award winner!

Our first winner was Ausenco Rylson in the Greyhound Cost Saving initiative category, with SMW Group taking out the title of first Mining Contractor of the Year.

2018 – the first BBMC Yearbook

Expanding the reach and influence of Bowen Basin contractors, suppliers and major project proponents is at the heart of why we exist. In a natural extension, we launched the first Yearbook publication, looking back at 2018. We included opportunities for thought leadership pieces, page advertising and a short-form supplier directory.

The concept proved so popular that the initial publication ended up being almost double the planned length, and by mid-2019, the Yearbook was proudly showing up all around the country on reception coffee-tables, in boardrooms, in motels and camps and on executive desks.

We couldn’t do it without the people behind our milestones…

In our next short trip down memory lane, we’ll highlight a few of the main players – our excellent advisory committee, sponsors and speakers who have enabled and supported the BBMC all the way.