Bravus helps bring Meals for Mums to Rockhampton

Bravus Mining and Resources is helping the White Cloud Foundation expand its Meals for Mums service into Rockhampton as part of the company’s enduring commitment to regional Queensland communities.

Meals for Mums delivers 14 nutritious, ready-to-heat meals to mums who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, perinatal depression, as a complement to their clinical care.

The ongoing partnership was announced at the White Cloud Foundation’s Boardies and Bubbles fundraising lunch in Townsville, QLD, and builds on the success of the Bravus-supported Meals for Mums program in north Queensland to ensure the same practical assistance is provided to parents in central Queensland.

White Cloud Foundation founder and chairman Professor Adam Scott says early-intervention support programs are critical to assist people who are at risk or living with mental health conditions.

“It’s the small things in life that make the biggest impacts,” he said.

“We know practical support is crucial. By providing a single meal to someone in a time of need to give them the energy and the mental strength to support their family and kids, that’s absolutely huge.”

Professor Scott says White Cloud Foundation programs are aimed at overcoming barriers to access for both clinical and social supports for mental health.

“We’ve removed the barriers,” he said.

“We’re helping mothers during that perinatal period when we know it is really challenging having a baby.

“We’re really proud to have Bravus as one of our sponsors to support the Townsville and Rockhampton communities.”

Professor Scott started the not-for-profit in 2011 to address access to mental health services across the country.

White Cloud Foundation has since expanded to provide practical and targeted supports through Meals for Mums, a telehealth service for mental health, a social support program for men experiencing depression or anxiety, and a service for elite sportspeople.

Bravus Mining and Resources head of community Kate Campbell says the business is proud to support White Cloud Foundation’s work in regional Queensland.

“We’re proud to operate in regional Queensland and we always seek to back our local communities,” she said.

“We recognise that many people who live in regional areas experience challenges in mental health and face additional difficulties accessing help.

“The White Cloud Foundation delivers evidence-based, practical supports to people when they need it, such as the standout Meals for Mums service.

“This is just another way we are helping regional communities to thrive on top of the jobs we support that help local families and the opportunities we create for local businesses.

“Our Carmichael mine is exporting coal and ramping up production to meet growing demand so we are looking forward to sharing these kind of benefits with people in north and central Queensland for decades to come.”

The sponsorship is funded under the Bravus Community Partnership Program, which offers grants of up to $10,000 for not-for-profit businesses, groups, or associations in central and north Queensland.

The program is aimed at enhancing communities through education, skills development, health, sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social welfare.

Ms Campbell urges local community groups to apply for the annual program, which is awarded each quarter.

“If your local group has a great community initiative, we would really encourage you to jump on our website and put in an application,” she said.

Since construction commenced on the Carmichael Mine and Rail Project, Bravus has contributed more than $2m to not-for-profit, charities, school groups and other organisations across the businesses’ operational footprint.

Rockhampton and Townsville remain the primary employment hubs for the Carmichael mine and continues to recruit workers who can drive to site from the Isaac Region.

About 18 flights leave Rockhampton each week carrying local workers to the Carmichael mine.

During the construction of the mine and rail projects, Bravus Mining and Resources paid more than $80m directly to local Rockhampton contractors and many millions more in indirect spending.

Through Bravus Mining and Resources’ Community Partnership Program the business has supported numerous Rockhampton community groups and not-for-profit organisations including: the Glenmore Bulls AFL Club, the White Could Foundation, Rugby Capricornia Limited, Rockhampton Musical Union Youth Choir, Breast and Prostate Cancer Association of Queensland, Indian Association for Central Queensland, the Fitzroy River Fish Stocking Association and CQ First Aid volunteers.

Bravus Mining and Resources also recently extended its sponsorship of Rockhampton Basketball, taking that association to six years and making it the business’ longest running Major Partnership.

The Carmichael mine produces high quality coal for export and is ramping up production 10mtpa.

More than 2,600 people were employed and more than $1b paid to regional Queensland contractors and businesses since construction began on the Carmichael project in 2019.

Although the primary construction phase is finished, Carmichael still has more than 750 people on site at any time while another third are on days off.

Carmichael coal is high quality with low sulphur, low trace elements and low ash which meets the import requirements of many international markets, including those in the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information about Bravus Mining and Resources Community Partnership Program, head to our website.

More information about the White Cloud Foundation and its services can be found here.