With the sugar cane crushing season fast approaching, Wilmar Sugar’s “Sam the cane train” safety mascot visited the Cowboys’ regular LGIAsuper Community Hub feature at 1300SMILES Stadium for last night’s home game against the Newcastle Knights.
With cane trains already on the move in Wilmar Sugar’s four milling regions ahead of the start of the 2016 crushing season, Sam and the Wilmar Sugar team were at game day to promote the importance of staying safe around cane trains.
The free fairy floss from Amusements Plus was a hit and the Wilmar Sugar team also handed out Sam temporary tattoos and cane train safety activity sheets.
Wilmar Sugar owns and operates eight sugar mills in “Cowboys country” between Ingham and Sarina.
“Our Burdekin mills are set to start crushing on 7 June and all of our other mills will be going within a couple of weeks of that date,” Wilmar Sugar community relations manager Kylie Newman said.
“It’s important children know never to play or ride on cane railway tracks and to stay away from cane trains, whether they’re moving or not.
“Motorists should approach all cane railway crossings with caution and always give way to oncoming cane trains.
“We want everyone in the community, as well as our loco crews, to stay safe this crushing season.”
The crushing season runs from June to November, with cane trains operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The LGIAsuper Community Hub at home games reflects the Cowboys’ commitment to assist local charities and organisations to build awareness and support from the local community.
Sponsor of Community Hub LGIAsuper manages almost $9.5 billion in retirement savings or around 90,000 current and former Queensland local government employee members.
LGIAsuper Chief Executive Officer, David Todd, said: “Train safety is an important issue for all of us, wherever we live. We’re proud to support Wilmar Sugar in raising awareness for railway crossing safety and the need to give way to cane trains.”
“Our members build strong, safe and resilient communities across the state and through the LGIAsuper Community Hub we can further connect with them, their families and their friends by supporting those who give so much of their time to improve the lives of Queenslanders,” Mr Todd said.
