Stanford Merthyr grandfather Darryl Cook will reunite with past workmates in June to mark the start of the BHP steelworks 100 years ago.
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While the steelworks closed 15 years ago many of the workers still feel they belong there.
A feeling born out of strong sense of camaraderie.
Mr Cook started his boilermaker’s apprenticeship there in 1966 at just 14 years, 10 months old.
“I worked with a lot of new Australians,” he said.
“I was only 16 when I first worked out in the plant with them after the apprenticeship.
“They introduced me to things like coffee and cheese – things [Australia] is only starting to appreciate now.”
Mr Cook lived at Chinamans Hollow then and would catch a double-decker bus to work each day at 5.30am.
Once he completed the apprenticeship he worked in the wagon repair workshop.
Mr Cook worked there until the 1980s and remembers it was very safe during his years.
“I still wish to this day I stayed at BHP,” he said.
He left for better money in the mines but missed the superior conditions and safety.
A workplace incident at Lemington No2 forced Mr Cook’s retirement.
“When the roof came in on the pit, they knew it wasn’t my fault, but those guys [BHP workers] were surprised,” he said.
“I was always very safe – I got that from BHP.”
Hunter residents, especially past BHP workers and their families, are invited to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Newcastle Steelworks opening on June 2 at 10am.
Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association will host the event at “The Muster Point” entrance to the former Steelworks on the corner of Industrial Drive and Selwyn Street, Mayfield.
A sculpture will be unveiled to mark the occasion.
A time capsule will be placed in a concrete slab not to be opened for 50 years.
People can just turn up as there is no need to book.
