The anniversary, organised by the Gunnedah Miners Support Group, kicked off on Saturday with a parade along Conadilly Street.

The street parade saw NSW Fire & Rescue Gunnedah lead the procession, with other participants including members of the Plains Pipes and Drums, Uke-Alypts and Gunnedah Shire Band. 

Gunnedah Vintage Vehicle Club was also out in force, ferrying retired miners for the march. 

Miners Support Group president, Colleen Fuller said there was a fantastic turn-out at the parade.

“A lot of people lined the street, right up at McDonald’s and right down to the memorial,” she said.

“It was one of the best I’ve seen in years and it’s what people are ringing me about and asking me to do again.”

The parade finished at Brock’s Court where a memorial service took place. Curlewis Public School principal Peter Baum emceed the service and Paddie and Elinor Gorman recited A Prayer for the Fallen.

Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, former local and Retired Miners Association NSW president, Lionel Finlay, and Swansea Retired Mine Workers representative, Ken Boyd, were among those who addressed the audience. 

Wreaths and roses were also laid on the statue of the miner and Mrs Fuller said it was “very moving” when the Wise family came forward because of their history in mining.

That night, locals took to the stage to receive apprentice of the year awards and a women's award, life memberships and scholarships. 

Mrs Fuller said the events brought a number of visitors to town and showcased community spirit.

“It really enlightened the community that we were all so involved in it; that it can be done successfully,” Mrs Fuller  

“It was a buzz for the town.”

The president said she believed that mining and farming could co-exist to the town’s benefit.

“Gunnedah as a community of mining could work together with agriculture industries and the farming sector,” she said. 

“I know that we can work together. I’ve seen it happen whilst Gunnedah had the drought a few years ago in which Whitehaven employed the farming sector and they are still employed today.

“I can see a great future for the industries like the Aztec, Typhoon, Idemitsu and Whitehaven, all of those, that are now taking up apprentices in this area, and they’re doing it well.

“I'm absolutely over the moon about that.”

Mr Anderson said he congratulated all those who put work into the events and had contributed in the mines.

“Mining plays an important role in the economic and social fabric of Gunnedah, which is why it is important to celebrate its contribution,” he said.

“I want to fight to make sure that where possible we use a local workforce in our mines and not the fly-in, fly-out approach. 

“We always need to ensure we look local first so that we can continue to grow our communities and our economy.”

Gunnedah’s first coal mine was established on the slopes of Blackjack Mountain after well-sinkers discovered a coal seam almost two metres thick in the late 1870s.

Following the discovery on the property, “Thornberry”, further shafts were sunk and thus began the town’s association with coal mining.

- The Way We Were

Gunnedah and District Historical Society