On 20th February 100 people gathered in Singleton for the Hunter Renewal Summit to meet special guests from other coal communities that have adjusted to economic change and hear from experts about new opportunities and pathways to creating a thriving future for our region that doesn’t cost the earth.
Speakers included:
- Luke van der Meulen, retired Latrobe Valley miner & former President of the CFMEU Victorian Mining & Energy District
- Lisa Lumsden, Port Augusta City Councillor & founding member of Repower Port Augusta
- Carl Shoupe, retired coal miner & member of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
- Scott Shoupe, Energy Intern at Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development (Kentucky US)
- Dr Amanda Cahill, The Next Economy
- Nicky Ison, Community Power Agency
- Prof. Daryll Hull, Centre for Workforce Futures Macquarie University
- Stewart Ewen, Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association
- Dr Neil Perry, Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability UWS
- Scott Franks, Plains Clan of the Wonnarua People
- Prof. Bob Lusby, Tintilla Estate vigneron
Scott & Carl Shoupe (above) came all the way from Harlan County, Kentucky USA to share their story of horror and hope (check them out on our news page)
A series of three workshops were conducted throughout the day to capture ideas and nuggets of wisdom about how we can get the ball rolling on a timely and orderly transition from coal in the Hunter.
There was some gold in all that paper! We sorted the comments into common themes and listed all the most popular ideas - you can access the list here