Media Release

Sun Smart Huntly Pre Schoolers

22 October 2009                                                                                                                                          

Solid Energy has distributed more than 450 Cancer Society-approved sunhats in the past week to preschool children at 11 public preschools and kohanga reo in the Huntly area. 

The biennial sunhat distribution is the third by Solid Energy in Huntly and is timed to emphasize the ‘Sun Smart’ message ahead of Labour Weekend as the traditional start of summer.  

Craig Smith, General Manager Solid Energy North Operations, says: “Health and safety is an integral part of our business and being ‘Sun Smart’ is especially important in New Zealand.   This is a practical way for Solid Energy to help youngsters to be more aware of the need to cover up and to protect their skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

“The children love their new sunhats. They’re especially useful since many centres have ‘no hat no play’ policies in place.”

During the week Undercover Cody, a Sun Smart turtle with his own natural shade cover suit, made a guest appearance at Huntly Kindergarten.  The Cody mascot, an initiative of the Waikato – Bay of Plenty Division of the New Zealand Cancer Society, teaches children about staying safe in the sun through dance, rhyme and mime.

Each of the 11 preschools and kohanga in Huntly involved in the sunhat project received a hat for every enrolled pupil.  Hats were also provided for staff to wear as positive ‘Sun Smart’ role models. 

Solid Energy staff members wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and sunscreen for sun protection, and are encouraged to wear specially-designed cloth brims on their safety helmets when working in the Rotowaro Opencast coal mine, west of Huntly.