Media Release, 13th December 2010
LEIGHTON GROUP CHIP INTO REGIONAL PROJECT !
Today, in a major demonstration of support for local regional community development, the retiring CEO of Leighton Holdings, dropped in on the construction site of the new Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey, with a special gift. Mr. Wal King AO presented the Slim Dusty Foundation Chair, Joy McKean OAM (and wife of the late Slim Dusty) with a cheque for $100,000 ... a joint donation to the Slim Dusty Foundation from Leighton Holdings, Leighton Contractors and John Holland Group.
The Foundation are nearing the lock up stages of construction of the new living museum and community cultural Centre, in the hometown of the Australian King of Country, Slim Dusty. The Slim Dusty Centre, to be located on the Pacific Highway at Kempsey is destined to become one of the nation's prominent tourist attractions plus provide a community facility to host travelling exhibitions, seminars, events. Located just 1 km in from the pending Southern interchange, the Slim Dusty Centre will become a gateway statement for the town, enticing travellers to stop and stay, becoming more significant once the Kempsey Highway Bypass is complete.
Mr. King said on presenting the cheque to Joy McKean...“Leighton Holdings and its operating companies, Leighton Contractors and John Holland, are thrilled to be able to support the development of the Slim Dusty Centre. Our companies are constructing vital infrastructure in the Kempsey region and we appreciate the significant boost the Centre will provide to the local tourism industry in Kempsey and the surrounding areas. Slim was an Australian legend and as one of Australia’s leading construction and engineering businesses we are honoured to support his legacy in this way.” Over the past three years, the Leighton Group has contributed over $11 million in sponsorships and donations to give back to the community.
"It's just so good to see major companies like Leighton leading the way in community investment, especially in the regional towns in which they operate. I am very pleased that Leighton Holdings and Mr. King have supported the Slim Dusty Centre project in this way, and it shows that not only do they recognise the importance of Slim's Australian legacy, but it also shows that they appreciate the ongoing effect that the Centre will have providing regional jobs and more visitors for the Mid North Coast" ...said Joy McKean, who with her daughter Anne Kirkpatrick, were in Kempsey to receive the generous donation and express appreciation on behalf of the Foundation.
"The Centre’s construction by local Kempsey builders, Lahey Constructions is progressing well, with the building expected to be complete to lock up next month, despite the year of wet weather. We will then commence in 2011 the long and detailed process of internal exhibition fit out (which will include some spectacular 3D and interactive displays). We can’t actually announce an official opening date yet, not until full funding levels of all the internal exhibitions and displays are realised," ...said Interim CEO / BDM of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold.
While in Kempsey Mr. King also visited the Kempsey Bypass Alliance Project and undertook a full tour of the site together with project staff. As part of the Building Australia Fund, the Federal Government announced that it would provide $618 million for the construction of the Kempsey bypass, which is part of the approved Kempsey to Eungai project. The Kempsey Bypass is 14.5 km long and involves building a four-lane divided highway which bypasses Kempsey and Frederickton including 2.2km of major bridge crossings of the Macleay River and floodplain. It is the first stage of the approved Kempsey to Eungai upgrade project, which comprises the construction of about 40 km of four-lane divided highway south of Kempsey to north of Eungai Rail. The bypass officially started in July 2010 and is expected to be complete in 2014.
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Mr Wal King AO CEO of Leighton Holdings, handing over the $100,000 donation cheque to Chair of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Joy McKean OAM. |
Left to right Lane Brettschneider, Anne Kirkpatrick Director Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold Interim CEO Slim Dusty Foundation, Wal King AO CEO Leighton Holdings, Joy McKean OAM Chair Slim Dusty Foundation and Andrew Lahey of Lahey Constuctions. |
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Mr Wal King AO CEO of Leighton Holdings, Joy McKean OAM Slim Dusty Foundation and Andrew Lahey of Lahey Constructions.
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Members of the Kempey Bypass Alliance
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For information regarding the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims, please contact
Kathryn Yarnold, CEO on (02) 6562 6533
Or Phone 1800 18 SLIM, or visit the website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au |
