Harmony CSA Mine has helped improve conditions for Cobar Rotary Club volunteers by funding the construction of a new covered work area at the club’s Return and Earn processing facility.
The roofed workspace was officially handed over to Rotary Club president Fr Paul Finucane by Harmony CSA General Manager Rob Gracey on July 25.
Fr Finucane acknowledged Harmony CSA Mine’s support of the project, which will provide volunteers with shelter from the heat, cold and rain while they sort and pack recyclable containers.
The Cobar Rotary Club approached Harmony CSA Mine through the mine’s Community Support Program after recognising the need to upgrade its basic open-air processing facility.
The club has operated its Return and Earn container collection program in Conduit Street since January 2020, using it as both an environmental initiative and a community fundraiser.
Rotary has around 30 collection cages located throughout Cobar, which allow residents and visitors to deposit eligible drink containers for recycling.
The containers are then transported to the Rotary processing facility where volunteers sort and bag them before they are taken to the Cobar Rugby Union Club’s Return and Earn collection depot for redemption.
Since launching the program, the Rotary Club has raised more than $60,000, with the proceeds supporting a wide range of local community groups as well as regional charities including the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Macquarie Home Stay.
At the club’s recent Changeover Dinner, $11,500 was distributed to local organisations from funds raised through its Return and Earn program.
