CAT 793D a dream canvas for students

Students from Muswellbrook Follow the Dream program, an initiative of the not-for-profit Polly Farmer Foundation, have taken their art to new heights on one of our massive CAT 793D truck trays in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. 


The tray got the makeover as part of a community project that Thiess is supporting with the Foundation which delivers after-school academic enrichment programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Australia. 
18 students worked with local Wanaruah artist, Leanne Ward, to design and paint the artwork for Thiess at our operations at Mt Arthur Coal.  

Our Thiess team was excited to provide the students with the opportunity creatively express their culture through art. Inspired by the theme “Living in harmony”, the artwork features a totem Eagle with Australian animals in the background was two months in the creating.  
The Thiess team presented a plaque to the students in recognition of their time and effort on the project and showed the truck tray in action at the Mount Arthur Coal site.  

- Watch the video - hear from Uncle Glen who a shares a story about the artwork

Muswellbrook Follow the Dream program coordinator Arti Trasi thanked Thiess for the opportunity to celebrate local Indigenous culture at their operations.  

Thiess’ involvement in the program is one of ways Thiess is delivering on its reconciliation commitments through strengthening cultural awareness and understanding and supporting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through education, training and employment programs. 
About the Polly Farmer Foundation 

Founded in 1994 after AFL great Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, the Foundation focuses on the delivery of primary and secondary education support, further STEM education learning and building a strong alumni network.  

The Foundation has operated since 2012 in Muswellbrook and supports approximately 35 Indigenous students from Muswellbrook High School. 

The purpose of the Foundation’s programming is to provide post-school pathways to direct employment, university, apprenticeships, traineeships and technical training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.