Mine donation embarrasses

The Shoo Cockatoo campaign made a surprise appearance at the Hume Coal-sponsored event, hosted by Berrima Horse Trials, at Dr John and Kathy Roche's "Araluen" property.

Hume Coal, a joint venture between Cockatoo Coal and Korean steel manufacturer POSCO, is conducting coal exploration in Belanglo State Forest. The 115km2 lease covers most of Sutton Forest and Exeter.

It participated in the job expo at Mittagong RSL last month and also sponsored Eventing Equestriad Australia at Camden in May.

The $2500 sponsorship for the Australian Championships was organised by the Berrima Trial sponsorship committee.

Vince Roche is the Berrima Trials president.

The deal was put together while Dr and Mrs Roche were in Queensland. Southern Highlands Coal Action Group's Peter Martin said his neighbours were "upset and embarrassed" about the deal.

"They are violently opposed to coal mining and coal seam gas in the Highlands and were foundation members of SHCAG," he said.

"They've owned the property for more than 40 years and have progressively built one of the best eventing locations in Australia.

"They have been stalwarts of the community and don't want to see it trashed by mining companies such as POSCO and Cockatoo Coal."

Mr Martin said the Roches allowed SHCAG on to the property and they set-up shop right next to the Hume Coal stall, manned by community liaison manager Julie Gander.

He said they signed up 150 more members and the group now had more than 3500 people on its mailing list.

Kathy Roche said the trials committee was "fantastic" and "hardworking" and she wasn't looking to blame anyone over the deal. She said although she wasn't happy about the sponsorship, she "had to go along with it".

"This is extremely sad for us. We've put so much effort into building up the cross-country course," she said. "It (a mine) will take away the lifestyle."

Mrs Roche said she "didn't want to see the area destroyed by mining".

"It won't help our economy much. In fact the vast, vast percentage of profit goes oversees. Australia is left to pick up the bill."

Mr Martin said sponsoring community events was a standard tactic of mining companies.

"It just shows how the miners try to weasel their way in and divide communities with small (and sometimes) large amounts of money," he said.

"Ask them if they would be doing this if they didn't want to mine in the area.

"A donation to a local school or charity will probably be next. It's all out of the mining companies' 'divide the community' playbook and some people fall for it."

Cockatoo Coal's spokesman was contacted for comment but didn't reply by time of going to press.