Mining is a highly dangerous occupation. Developments in mine equipment and workplace practices have seen dramatic improvements in death and injury rates in countries like Australia. Nevertheless, safety messages need to be kept uppermost in the minds of people working in mines. It is the task of government departments, safety organisations and employers to keep these messages fresh and conspicuous. In workplaces where mostly men are employed, blokey humour is often used to convey serious messages. A calendar that can be hung in offices and lunchrooms, with a new cartoon every month, is an efficient way of attracting attention.

The NSW Department of Mineral Resources calendar has been produced for a number of years with illustrations by Bob Groves, whose cartooning skills are combined with his working knowledge of the mining industry.

The calendar was produced by NSW Department of Mineral Resources (Safety Operations and Metalliferous and Extractive Industries Safety Advisory Committee) in St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia, 2001. The calendar was co-ordinated by Keith Chilman, cartoons drawn by Bob Groves, graphic design and layout by Dora Lum; and publications covers photography by David Barnes.

According to Mr Bob Groves, the 2001 edition of the Mine Safety Calendar was not issued until February or March that year.

The calendar was donated to the Powerhouse Museum by the artist Bob Groves at a time when the Museum was augmenting its collection of material relating to public health and workplace safety. Mr Groves believed that would be the last calendar produced by the NSW Department of Mineral Resources because of lack of staff time within the department. His understanding was that there was no lack of sponsorship.

Calendar, '2001 Mine Safety Calendar', paper, cartoons drawn by Bob Groves, produced by NSW Department of Mineral Resources, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia, 2001

Landscape-format yearly calendar printed in full colour on coated paper, with one month per page. The front cover features an arrray of various cartoon alongside the text, '2001 Mine Safety Calendar' in dark green against a bright yellow background. Each month is accompanied by a safety message, illustrated with a cartoon. On the back cover there is a colour photograph of Bob Groves, the cartoonist. The calendar also contains contact details for the NSW Department of Mineral Resources departmental offices and advertisements sponsored by mining equipment companies.

Made: 2001

Printed on back cover in white ink, 'Calendar is co-ordinated by Keith Chilman / Cartoons drawn by Bob Groves / Graphic design and layout by Dora Lum / Publications covers photographed by David Barnes'.

2005/190/1

2001

211 mm

296 mm