When the bushfires hit in the Summer of 2019/2020, Koppers Australia wanted to help those working on bushfire relief and rebuilding initiatives.

Staff at its head office and its Newcastle (NSW), Grafton (NSW), Bunbury (WA), Longford (TAS) and Takura (QLD) plants held barbecues to raise funds for wildlife rescue organisation WIRES and BlazeAid. Koppers added funding to take the total donations to more than $30,000.

BlazeAid helps rural communities to rebuild after natural disasters. The charity was able to purchase a fully equipped trailer (pictured) for its teams to use in local communities. WIRES used donations from the combined Koppers team to rehabilitate native wildlife devastated by the impact of the fires.

Koppers Australia Managing Director Richard Lyons said colleagues in Koppers’ global head office in the United States also donated $US6800 to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

“Koppers and its staff wanted to play our part in contributing to the bushfire recovery effort,” Mr Lyons said.

“These fires affected so many Australians, including in the communities in which we operate,” he said.

Mr Lyons said that under its corporate social responsibility program, Koppers and each plant supports local communities where it operates. 

For example, the Newcastle plant has supported numerous organisations over the past five years, including:

• Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service
• Zara’s House for Refugee Womens and Children
• Local schools – Mayfield East Public School, Mayfield West Public School, Hunter River High School, San Clemente High School, Riverview Early Learning Centre
• Firstchance
• Own Town Model Show
• 200BALES (farm drought relief)
• Children’s Diabetes Service
• Ronald McDonald House
• Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea
• Nuswim
• White Ribbon
• Mission to Seafarers
• Delta Dog Therapy
• Australian Plant Society
• The Rainbow Club

“Giving back to the community has long been a Koppers tradition.”

“As well as contributing to local jobs and economies, we try to be a responsible neighbour and support the causes that are most important to local community needs.”

ENDS