Australian Porphyry Stone Quarry Queensland

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 the Bar Barrum, 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 Jarby's Logistics, an Indigenous Training and Mentoring Business contacted Italian Porphyry on behalf of the Bar Barrum people 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 the traditional land owners of the Atherton Tablelands.

Our joint venture is currently providing on-site training for 15 local 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. .

'We don't want government handouts', said Tom Congoo, Elder of the Bar Barrum. '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:

Keith Davies 0427 737 947
Andrea Tomaselli 0403 424 074
John Cook 0409 596616

Our webpage www.australianporphyrystone.com.au will be online in the next 2 weeks, in the mean time you can source information about Porphyry Stone at www.italianporphyry.com.au or email us.

From Left: Tom Congoo - Robert Turpin - Andrea Tomaselli - Keith Jarby Davies