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Written by Squadron Energy |

When Clarke Creek 11-year-old local Harley Needham needed to profile a notable person for a Year 6 English assignment, he selected Squadron Energy owner Andrew Forrest AO.

The Rockhampton Grammar School student had to research Dr Forrest’s life and present a speech to the school community, dressed as his chosen subject.

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Harley’s family is a host family of Squadron Energy’s Clarke Creek Wind Farm, which last week officially opened.

“I chose Andrew Forrest because he has a wind farm on our property and he originates from a farm too,” Harley said.

Little did Harley know, but his term 3 ‘Day of Notables’ assignment would inspire a chance meeting with Dr Forrest when he arrived to mark the wind farm’s opening.

Harley’s mum, Kylie Needham, had reached out to Squadron when she heard of Dr Forrest’s planned visit: “I sent through some photos and information as I knew how much it would mean to Harley to know that Dr Forrest was aware of his interest in his life story. It was a big achievement for Harley to deliver his first public speech since moving to Rockhampton Grammar from our local Clarke Creek State School of just 23 students.”

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The email sparked a meet and greet between the Needham family and Dr Forrest at Clarke Creek Wind Farm, ahead of the opening.

Harley and his 13-year-old brother Jensen were gifted vouchers for R.M.Williams boots by Dr Forrest when they met. The family was then invited to watch the press conference, held underneath a wind turbine.

“I like wind turbines on my property because you can still run cattle under them and they’re good for the environment,” Harley said.

Stage one of Clarke Creek Wind Farm – the biggest wind farm to open in Australia this year – will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 330,000 Queensland homes and avoid 738,000 tonnes of carbon pollution each year.

Clarke Creek Wind Farm includes a Community Benefit Fund, contributing $200,000 a year for the life of the project. A portion of the fund is dedicated to scholarships, to support the costs of attending and undertaking education. Harley and Jensen were both scholarship recipients in 2024.

CCWF 02 Harley Needham and his notable person display  
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