Welcome Message from the Chair June 2026

Dear Hunter Branch members,

Hunter Branch committee has been busy organising events for our members.  The first of which is an insight into the assessment of rock stress from wireline information, to be presented by Harvey Rock Physics and sponsored by Groundsearch at Singleton Diggers Club on 8th July from 6:30pm.  Please come along, meet up with other members and enjoy some refreshments and light meal.  The event is completely free for members; thanks to Groundsearch for the support.

Secondly, we have an awesome networking social event to be held at the Grand Junction Hotel in Maitland on 23rd July.  Come and hear a little about the history of coal mining in the Maitland area and hear about the network of private railways that were used to transport the coal; hosted by our committee member Dale Sims.

Our students have been busy with exams and are about to enter break, but towards the start of next Semester we have an exciting and new event to be held at the Uni called Quick Fire.  The aim is to hear what our students have been up to in a fast, fun format.  Watch this space for more information.  Cash prizes will be on offer. 

Please watch out for information on our JORC seminar to be held in Singleton on 19 August.  Come and learn about the changes to the Code, hear from competent persons and mingle with like-minded estimators.  This event is always a highlight on our calendar.

If you have any interest in joining our committee, we are always happy to accommodate additional members who wish to volunteer their time. In principle, it involves very little time; a monthly meeting of around one hour (usually on-line), attendance of events and perhaps some organisation of one of our events.  We’d love to have you on board.  In the interest of diversity, we would particularly like to hear from metallurgists/process engineers, geologists and women. Send through an email to Tim.baitch@tactech.com.au if you are interested.

Also, members are reminded that the AusIMM annual awards are open for nominations. You can nominate a member here.

Welcome to any of our new members. We hope to see you and all members at an AusIMM event sometime soon.

Kind regards,

Tim Baitch

Chair AusIMM Hunter Region Branch