The mine was celebrating 20 years of operation, and on the morning of the birthday party, it was announced that Northparkes Farm Manager, Geoff McCallum had been selected as a finalist in the Farmer of the Year competition.

The farming operation is a key component of the Northparkes Mines business.

Geoff joined as Farm Manager in February 1997.

He is a finalist in the 2014 Australian Farmer of the Year – Grain Grower of the Year section. The awards are conducted by the Kondinin Group.  

The awards dinner is in Melbourne on September 10.

Sumitoma have been long time partners of Northparkes Mines, and made a special celebration of a Japanese doll to the company at the 20th anniversary celebration on Friday.

Sumitoma said they were proud of the association with Northparkes, but said the 20 years was a drop in the ocean for the company which had been in the copper-gold smelting business since the 17th century.

Managing Director, Stef Loader said Northparkes would take up the challenge to continue for 300 years - “just 280 to go,” she said.