Grahame Kelly

General Secretary
Mining and Energy Union
Australia

Grahame Kelly is the General Secretary of the Mining and Energy Union.

He has dedicated most of his life to working as a coal miner and representing coal miners. Growing up in Singleton, in the heart of the Hunter Valley region, Grahame has been deeply connected to one of the largest coal mining regions in the country, with a history spanning 200 years and a significant role in global trade.

Grahame began his career in the coal mining industry at the Warkworth mine in 1985, starting as a trades assistant and later becoming a washery operator.

In 1996, he was elected as the Union’s Lodge Secretary at Warkworth, and in 2000, he joined the Northern District Regional Board of Management. By 2003, Grahame had stepped into the role of District Vice President, and in 2006, he was elected District Secretary.

His leadership journey continued, and in November 2017, he was elected General Secretary of the Mining and Energy Union.

Grahame also represents the Union on a large number of boards and industry bodies such as Mine Super, Coal Long Service Leave Corporation and MATES in Mining & Energy. As well as being a Director of Unity Bank.

However, his primary responsibility remains to advance the rights and interests of workers in mining communities.