9 December 2025

Driving community connection and opportunity. Kelvin Allen’s role at Whitehaven.

Whitehaven’s NSW Indigenous Engagement Advisor, Kelvin Allen, has enjoyed a career spanning health, housing, land rights and now mining, but one thing has remained constant – his commitment to community outcomes.

Kelvin was born in Quirindi and spent his early childhood in Werris Creek before settling in Tamworth, a community that has remained home for most of his life. Kelvin attended Newcastle University where he completed a Diploma in Aboriginal Studies and discovered a growing interest in working with community-focused organisations.

Kelvin’s career has spanned a wide range of roles across regional NSW. He commenced with NSW Health as an Indigenous Trainee Environmental Health Officer on the Mid North Coast, before returning to Tamworth for an archaeology role with the local Land Council. After a decade with Housing NSW in Inverell and Armidale, Kelvin moved to the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, contributing 12 years in both support and senior project roles, followed by a period with Aboriginal Affairs NSW working with a broader mix of Indigenous organisations and service providers.

His commitment to community outcomes led him to Whitehaven just over a year ago.

“Every role I’ve taken has been about creating better outcomes for Indigenous communities. Irrespective of the industry, my focus has always been on building trust and delivering real opportunities.”

“It’s about advancing people, strengthening cultural connection and creating space for communities to thrive. Whitehaven is an organisation that enables me to do that work.”

Kelvin plays a central role in strengthening Whitehaven’s relationships with Indigenous communities across the region. He leads a suite of community programs, including a developing driver licensing initiative with Narrabri and Northwest Training that supports young people from their first introduction with the road rules through to gaining their P-plates. He also works closely with the Whitehaven community engagement team on sponsorships and events that build trust and engagement with local communities, including initiatives like the Goanna Academy Day.

Kelvin’s work also extends into cultural heritage and land matters. He advises on heritage assessments, assists with major project approvals, provides advice across land rights and native title, and helps coordinate annual and biannual Registered Aboriginal Parties meetings. Through these activities, he helps to ensure the voices of Traditional Owners and local Indigenous groups are considered in decision making.

Coming from a strong land rights background, Kelvin’s move into mining initially raised questions for some in his community but he firmly believes the sector offers significant and often underestimated opportunities for Indigenous communities.

“Mining is life changing. The amount of money and wages Whitehaven provide directly to Gomeroi people within our footprint here is just mind boggling from a community point of view.

“The long-term stability of corporate planning means we can focus on delivering longer-term, sustainable outcomes, which is often in contrast with the short-term cycles of government programs that can stall community progress.”

Outside of work, Kelvin lives in Breeza with his wife, where he raised his three boys. Having made the community his home for the past eight years, life revolves around his family and their love of sport with weekends filled with rugby league and rugby union games and other on country activities.

Kelvin’s family has been particularly supportive of the career move into mining.

“Unlike my previous roles in land rights and government, which often demanded long days and late nights, I now enjoy being home each evening with my family. Mining provides stability, financial security and work-life balance, and that matters.”

Kelvin’s eldest son, Cameron, is currently working at Whitehaven’s Maules Creek Mine and has just completed a Cert III in surface extraction operations. Angus, the second child, has been awarded a Yalari Indigenous Scholarship to attend St Ignatius College Riverview in Sydney, leaving just the youngest Gryffen at home.

When asked what advice he’d give to anyone considering a career in mining, he said “One thing that I’ve consistently told my children is that everybody’s got limits, but the important thing is to be pushing your limits to achieve beyond even your own expectations.

“I would encourage people to jump into mining. To find out what it’s about and what the companies actually do to get a factual, wider-world view.”

If you’d like to find out more about Whitehaven’s work in the area of Indigenous engagement, visit our website.

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