As reported in the The Australian Financial Review, Santos director Peter Coates was a guest, while former James Hardie chairman Meredith Hellicar and influential Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine also made an appearance.

Coates, a former chief executive of Xstrata’s global coal business, was reportedly full of nothing but kind words for Cameron, despite some past clashes over business deals.

Cameron left his usual colourful tie at home as the event had a black-tie theme.

Other coal industry attendees at the farewell included Endocoal chairman Alan Broome and White Energy chief executive Brian Flannery.

Cameron has always been dedicated to making Centennial a successful company and credits the company’s success to its people.

“I have lived and breathed Centennial Coal and been a staunch advocate of the coal mining sector for many decades,” Cameron said back in March when he announced he would switch from managing director to chairman of the company at the end of June.

“I will continue to be an ambassador for Centennial and remain ever mindful that Centennial’s past, present and future success continues to be directly attributed to its people.”

Over 22 years Cameron transformed Preston Coal from a $2 million, 150,000 tonnes per annum mine employing 30 people to the 20Mtpa Centennial Coal mining group that was acquired by Thai energy giant Banpu for $2.5 billion last year.