Mateship helps overcome mining tragedy
Thursday May 4 18:39 AEST
"Aussie mateship" will help the Tasmanian community of Beaconsfield overcome the death of a miner and desperate bid to retrieve two others, says the mayor of a Queensland town stung by mining tragedies.

The 3,000-strong community of Moura, in central Queensland, has been watching, with more interest than most, the painstakingly-slow mission to free Todd Russell, 34, and Brant Webb, 37 from a cramped cage almost a kilometre underground.

Rescue efforts to free the pair continue 10 days after an earthquake caused a rockfall at Beaconsfield Gold Mine, north-west of Launceston, trapping three workers. Larry Knight, 44, died in the accident.

Banana Shire Council Mayor Glenn Churchill said "Aussie mateship" had helped Moura endure the loss of dozens of lives in several disasters over the past 30 years.

He said such camaraderie had been displayed by the two surviving Beaconsfield miners, who have joked about football and wanting to read the newspaper to find another job.

"Their strong display of mateship - it's all about that," Mr Churchill said.

"Never under-estimate the power of the Aussie spirit in the local community because that spirit is the glue that brings people together and brings strength to each other."

He said Moura's "thoughts, understanding and prayers" were with Beaconsfield.

"When any mining accident, especially underground, occurs we have a tendency, as a community, to remember," Mr Churchill said.

"It's very sad the gentleman Larry Knight died and it's wonderful the other two are alive.

"Our deepest sympathies must go to the family of the miner killed because in Moura family, friends and the workmates of those lost underground never ever got the opportunity to say goodbye and that's something our community has had to deal with