Another successful Newmont Boddington Gold Vital Behaviours Family Day was held in March, with more than 500 family members of employees visiting the mine site.

Monique Warnock from Big Fish Media & Events assisted Newmont to coordinate the four hour tours which departed with buses of 50 people every 20 minutes. It is the fourth Vital Behaviours Family Day Tour that Monique has coordinated.

The tours took in the giant pit, the Primary Crusher, the Overland Conveyor, Processing Plant, the Emergency Services and Westrac yards and the Accommodation Village.

Adults and children alike explored the giant machinery at the Westrac Yard and saw the Go Line where haul trucks change drivers at Mining West.

The highlight for many children was donning fire hats and jackets and spraying the fire hose, making an emergency call on the radio and taking part in a mock rescue.

The Boddington Football Club cooked a sausage sizzle and visitors browsed through a Marradong Country Display organised by the Shire of Boddington, while the kids had their faces painted, enjoyed lollies from Bobo the Clown and jumped on the bouncy castle.

Vital Behaviours Coordinator Tania Dawson said about 2200 employees and their family members had toured the mine during the four family days that started in 2013.

“We get some great feedback from people who were fascinated to see where their loved ones work,” Tania said. “We will continue to hold the family days so that everyone has the chance to go on the tour.

“The day takes a lot of organisation and logistics and is a real team effort from many people across site who work with the VB team to make it happen and volunteer on the day.”

The next Vital Behaviours Family Day will be held in September 2015. The date will be announced shortly.

Photos:  Natalie Matsen, Carolyn Banks and Mathew Lister.