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Indigenous Stone
Set to Pave a Sustainable Future
Featherstone Quarries Pty Ltd is a new Australian Porphyry Stone quarry located
near Dimbulah at Emuford in far North Queensland.
The quarry is owned and operated by
Tom Congoo and his Family, the traditional owners of the Native Title and yields
high quality Porphyry stone ranging from earthy ochre and reds to green/blue
grey hues.
Porphyry Stone is a high glass
(silica) content volcanic stone structured in parallel slabs and is highly
regarded as a non-slip oil resistant paving product for exterior surfaces. It is
stronger and harder wearing than bluestone or granite and has been used for
centuries for walling, paving and roads, in the form of cobblestones and random
mosaic tiles.
This exciting new collaboration
began when Keith Davies from Jarby’s Logistics, an Indigenous Training and
Mentoring Business contacted Andrea Tomaselli from Italian Porphyry on behalf of
Tom Congoo and family for information and advice on the logistics of production,
marketing and distribution of Australian Porphyry Stone.
The result was the establishment of
Featherstone Quarries a partnership that is dedicated to the promotion and
production of high quality Australian porphyry and the training and welfare of
this indigenous family in Far North Queensland.
Our joint venture is currently
providing on-site training for indigenous employees and is supported by the
Metropolitan South Institute of Tafe.
Training includes the various
skills needed to run, maintain and develop quarry operations, including plant
and machinery licenses and tickets, Hospitality and Catering, Housekeeping,
First Aid and Occupational Health and Safety Courses.
Tom Congoo, Indigenous Elder and
traditional owner of the title says ‘It is important that our people have pride
in their work and earn their living from their land’.
Quarry operations began in early
July and Australian Porphyry Stone will be available throughout Australia from
August 2010.
For further information please
contact:
Andrea Tomaselli
Sales Manager
Phone 0403 424 074
Keith Davies
Training and Indigenous Mentoring
Phone 0427 737 947 |
