“Love Your Work” Free Community Event
+ $3,000 Scholarship for 18–24 Year Olds –
Muswellbrook
Free event connecting young Upper Hunter locals to renewable energy careers. Includes short film screening, live career panel with local experts, a musical performance from ARIA winner Elana Stone and a free BBQ. Hosted by a lifetime coal miner (Darryl Best) and an out of work actor (Yael Stone).
MUSWELLBROOK, NSW – “Love Your Work” is a free community event from Hi Neighbour designed to connect local residents, especially young people, with real career and training opportunities emerging from the Hunter’s renewable energy transformation.
The event will be held on Saturday 24 October at 12 noon at Muswellbrook RSL, and is free and open to the public. Bookings are essential at www.hineighbour.com.au
Attendees will experience:
● A screening of the “Love Your Work” short documentary, featuring real stories from scholarship awardees and their journeys into renewable energy careers
● A Clean Energy Career Q&A, featuring local experts unpacking the real job and training pathways available in the Upper Hunter (see speakers below)
● The announcement of a “Love Your Work” Youth Scholarship, offering $3,000 plus bespoke support to a local 18–24 year old pursuing a renewable energy career pathway
● A free live musical performance by ARIA Award winner Elana Stone
● A free BBQ, cooked on a BBQ powered by our electric vehicle using vehicle-to-load technology
Meet the speakers
● Claire Quigley, University of Newcastle – A business growth and innovation specialist who has worked with Upper Hunter businesses and entrepreneurs, including through the University of Newcastle’s presence in Muswellbrook. Claire will speak about the education, enterprise and training pathways opening up for locals as the region’s economy diversifies.
Laurie Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation – Laurie leads the Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation, which represents Wonnarua people, the Traditional Owners of the Upper Hunter. The Corporation works on cultural heritage, community development and economic opportunities for Wonnarua people. Laurie will share how First Nations employment, enterprise and caring for Country can sit at the heart of the energy transition with particular insight into land rehabilitation for mine sites
● Andrew Bosch, Economic Development Officer, Muswellbrook Shire Council -Muswellbrook Shire Council is deeply invested in the energy transformation and has been leading the charge on planning and development for the shift. Andrew Bosch will share a broad vision for how MSC is invested in the shift balancing old with new, with proper attention to all stakeholders.
● Muswellbrook Solar Farm project leader from Bouygues Construction Australia – Bouygues Construction Australia, together with Equans Solar & Storage Australia, is delivering the Muswellbrook Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System on the site of a rehabilitated former coal mine. The project combines a 135 MW solar farm with a 100 MW battery and is expected to create up to 200 jobs during construction. Our speaker will explain the types of roles on a large-scale solar build and how locals can get started.
“REZ communities deserve practical, positive career information at a time of cost-of-living pressure and energy transformation. The communities shouldering the transformation should also receive the employment benefits,” said Yael Stone, Founder of Hi Neighbour. “This is very much a two way learning opportunity. We are keen to come and learn from folks in the Upper Hunter to understand how we can best support them.”
The Muswellbrook event is part of a four-stop tour across NSW’s Renewable Energy Zones, which began in Armidale and also visits Newcastle and Dubbo through September and October. Each stop selects a local scholarship awardee, whose story will be documented in a future Hi Neighbour film to inspire the next generation in their region.
About Hi Neighbour
Founded by Yael Stone in 2023, Hi Neighbour works to build equity in Australia’s clean energy transformation. Born out of the Illawarra, the organisation partners with industry, training bodies and communities to deliver bespoke scholarships and practical support prioritising under-utilised, knowledge-rich groups, including coal-connected communities, women, and First Nations individuals, helping build a diverse, dynamic clean energy workforce.
The “Love Your Work” REZ Tour is supported by Flow Power, Groundswell and 1 Million Women.
Event details
● What: Love Your Work REZ Tour – Muswellbrook
● When: Saturday 24 October, 12 noon
● Where: Muswellbrook RSL
● Cost: Free, open to the public. Bookings essential via Humanitix: LOVE YOUR WORK – Muswellbrook
