Resource Industry Network

Last Friday night, it was an absolute privilege to attend the annual awards evening of Resource Industry Network, formerly known as the Mackay Area Industry Network, MAIN, when it was formed some 20 years ago. We were able to celebrate their 20-year anniversary. At the Friday night RIN Awards gala dinner we acknowledged 10 individuals who played a pivotal role in the organisation's history as well as two stakeholders who have supported the Resource Industry Network tremendously.

Resource Industry Network was formed as a cluster similar to that of HunterNet in the Hunter Valley, supporting mining, engineering, technical services and businesses to work more collaboratively together. The individuals who have contributed to the 20-year history include Alan Ruming, the late Tony Britton, Peter Van Iersel, Margaret Cameron, Karen McIntyre, Narelle Pearse, Julie Boyd, Mick Crowe, Tony Caruso and Adrienne Rourke. Organisations that were also recognised for their contribution included Mackay Regional Council and Central Queensland University.

I am proud to have been part of the council, formerly as deputy mayor, and a former Resource Industry Network board member and work collaboratively to match the state government's investment in what is now the Resource Centre of Excellence. The council leased the land on a long-term basis to the Resource Industry Network and the Resource Centre of Excellence to ensure that they could expand. Stage 2 planning to support the METS sector and the resource sector is well underway. I also acknowledge the hard work and contribution of the former Mackay Regional Council CEO, Craig Doyle, and his team who helped facilitate that funding arrangement with the state government and Resource Industry Network, which was very challenging at time, to ensure we could deliver what is an excellent facility and the underground coalmining stimulator.

I also take the time to congratulate chairman, Dave Hartigan, for his commitment and the leadership that he and his board continue to demonstrate. We fought for payment terms and fairness for the resource industry's large mining houses and companies and facilitated the Go Galilee Basin rally on the lawns of the council grounds to fight for our coalmining sector. I acknowledge the safety leadership that is demonstrated through the annual safety conference and the continued facilitation of innovation, export and excellence across the METS sector. I take the opportunity to acknowledge all of the award winners on the night. It was a very successful night. Here is to another 20 years of representation of the resource industry and METS sector.