Beaconsfield Mine rescue crew, with mayor Peter Abbott at Darren’s community talk on
Thursday night at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club.
One of the people who was intrinsic to the
rescue of the trapped Beaconsfield miners in
2006, explosives expert Darren Flanagan,
spoke about that experience in Cobar last
week.
Mr Flanagan was a guest speaker for Cobar
Shire Council’s staff ‘Wellness Day’ session
last Thursday and he also recounted his story
at a public event on Thursday night at the Cobar
Bowling & Golf Club.
He gave a very detailed and very personal
report of his involvement in the rescue in an
effort to make his listeners “really think about
the big picture” with regards to working safely
and looking after their mental health.
Mr Flanagan recalled hearing the news from
15 years ago on April 25, 2006 of how an
earthquake had triggered a rock fall at the Beaconsfield
Mine in Tasmania trapping three
miners.
He was called in on Day 6 of the rescue
when two of the miners, Brant Webb and Todd
Russell were found to be alive and in “pretty
good” health.
During his talk, Mr Flanagan went into great
detail to explain the rescue process, how mining
is carried out and how explosives are used.
He painted a very graphic picture of the Beaconsfield
event for his audience and talked
about how the people who were involved in
the incident felt or were affected by it.
He wanted people to understand that taking
risks (eg unsafe work practices etc) can have a
wide ranging impact on many people.
Mr Flanagan spoke not just about how it had
affected the individuals and their family members,
but also the workmates, the bosses and
the other people involved in the rescue like
himself.
He also explained how, so many years down
the track, many are still scarred by it all.
Mr Flanagan also wanted people to spread
the word that even the toughest, blokiest miners
out there have struggled with mental health
issues, and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
He encouraged anyone who was struggling
to seek help with their mental health.
