Coal & Allied continues support of The Song Room

Pictured: The Song Room's Amy Sullivan and Coal & Allied Principal Community Investment Stephen Sneddon with students at Muswellbrook South Public School.

Upper Hunter children in disadvantaged schools will continue to benefit from The Song Room's 'Community and Harmony at School' project thanks to support from the Coal & Allied Community Development Fund.

The Song Room works at increasing numeracy, literacy and retention for children in disadvantaged schools by providing the opportunity for students to participate in music and the arts.

The Song Room Chief Executive Caroline Aebersold said that support from the Coal & Allied Community Development Fund has delivered workshops to over 24 school communities and 11 music camps for schools in the region.

"The support from the fund has meant we've been able to change the lives of over 7000 children and their families in the region and we are extremely grateful for Coal & Allied's ongoing support and belief in our work," Ms Aebersold said.

"Every child deserves a chance to have exposure to diverse, quality education programmes to enhance their development and academic outcomes.

"Since 2007, we've received $450,000 from the Coal & Allied Community Development fund with a further $520,000 being committed for the next three years.

"This has enhanced our partnership with Coal & Allied and has brought the Hunter Valley Creative Communities programme to the Upper Hunter."

Muswellbrook South Public School Principal Rebecca Langdon said that she is really pleased that The Song Room's programme will continue to be provided to students and teachers.

"The programme is run every Friday and coordinated by a facilitator from The Song Room who gives students exposure and cultural awareness to different forms of music, drama and dance," Ms Langdon said.

"Each term various classes have a different focus such as drumming, rap, cultural and popular culture music.

"Many students wouldn't normally have the opportunity to participate in these activities so it really benefits them and enhances their learning."

Principal Community Investment Stephen Sneddon said that Coal & Allied understands the importance of education and is proud to support The Song Room.

"The Song Room provides an invaluable opportunity for students in the Hunter to enhance their learning through music and the arts," Mr Sneddon said.

"We partner with organisations such as The Song Room to support educational programmes to the community and build sustainability in the region.

"Since 1999, the Coal & Allied Community Development Fund has invested more than $11M in the Hunter Valley through projects such as the Song Room.

"A further $4.5M has been recommitted over three years and is available for projects that build sustainability in the region."

About Coal & Allied

Coal & Allied has been part of the Hunter Valley community for more than 165 years and today manages three open cut coal mines. We aim to achieve shared value with members of the communities in which we operate. Our operations create not only economic value - but value for society by addressing communities' needs and challenges.

In 2011 our operations employed more than 2500 employees and 1000 contractors, and spent more than $1.7 billion with more than 1300 businesses across NSW. To date our community development funds have invested more than $11 million into 100 NSW community projects and partnerships, of which $3.6 million was directed towards education initiatives, to build stronger, smarter and more sustainable communities around our operations.

ENDS

Website: www.coalandallied.com.au/media
Email: naomi.jamieson@riotinto.com
Media Enquiries: Naomi Jamieson 07 3625 4159/ 0457 824 672

Media release - Coal & Allied continues support of The Song Room [PDF: 122 KB]