Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

Merv Welsh Part 1 - Arrival, Initiation, Transport, Dozers, Changes in town, People who worked there

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  recalls his trip to Newman in 1969 - his first trip in a plane. He describes his initiation and his working conditions on the Hill. He spent a short time in Transport, but was then recalled to work on the Mine. He remembers the advantages of working on the dozers, when no ore was produced on Sundays - leading to an eighteen hour shift. Merv and Lisa recall some of the changes in the town as it grew, and some of the people who worked there -especially Charlie Snell and his contribution to the town. 

Cliff and Kay Harding Part 5 - Nullagine stories, Broken Hill and Wittenoom connections, Roger Farr and Norm Smithson

In this podcast Cliff and Kay later share some random memories. These includes the rapid opening and closing of the Blue Spec Mine in Nullagine, the day they drank the pub dry - also in Nullagine. And a memorable story of the gentleman who lost his teeth in the septic tank - and later retrieved them!!! Cliff recalled many people who had come from Broken Hill to work in Newman and also from Wittenoom. He concludes with a story about Roger Farr and Norm Smithson. 

Cliff and Kay Harding Part 4 - Strikes, Nurses, Football, Animals, Changes in the town, Characters

In this podcast Cliff recalls the strikes during his time, especially the one surrounding the change to continuous shifts. They discuss the nurse who helped deliver their son, Tony, and the centrality of football in the town. They remember their animals who were part of their life in Newman and beyond. Their concluding comments compared the town of Newman to their time there. Sadly the comparisons were mostly unfavourable. They also briefly mentioned some characters they remembered from their time in Newman.

Cliff and Kay Harding Part 3 - Resilience, Major Influences, Highlights

In this podcast Cliff and Kay discuss the resilience of the people of Newman. Cliff remembers getting across the river in flood, before the bridge... They both recall the major influences in their life in Newman., which for Cliff was related to the Mine and for Kay was life as a young Mum. They also described the highlights of their life up there.

Cliff and Kay Harding Part 2 - Housing, Jobs, Dr Peter Eckhart

In this podcast they describe their houses in Newman and their neighbours. Cliff  then outlines his various jobs at the mine, and Kay recalls her time at the Kindy. She also remembers the birth of her son and the role played by Doctor Peter Eckhart - who also was called to attend to an elephant when the circus came to town!

Cliff and Kay Harding Part 1 - Coming to Newman, Working Conditions, Kay at the Kindy

In this podcast Cliff  recalls how they came to be in Newman, and their journey to get there. He also describes the working conditions at that time - working 6 days a week, with a 6 am start. Kay remembers how she became the Kindergarten teacher and the many students that were enrolled.

Craig (Budgie) Hamilton Part 4 - Radio 6NEW, Chronicles, Bowling Club, Indoor Cricket, Moto-X and Enduro, Newman Reunions

In this podcast Budgie describes his time volunteering in radio 6NEW, collecting the Chronicles, being part of the Bowling Club, indoor cricket at Saints, involvement in Moto-X and Enduro. He also recalls the many changes that happened  in both the town and the Mine over his 37 years in Newman. Budgie is also a active participant in the Newman Reunion at Whiteman Park and shares his memories of the early days of this and the present day reunions. 

Craig (Budgie) Hamilton Part 3 - Strikes, Bands, Family, Leaving Newman

In this podcast Budgie talks about the main strikes of 1988 and 2000, and the effect they had on the town. He recalls many of his mates were in bands and how he took his son around to various regional competitions for bands, He tells of his  family who also moved to Newman, including his Mum, who worked in the medical centre for the doctors.

Craig (Budgie) Hamilton Part 2 - Working in the warehouse and lab. Major Influences and highlights, weather events

In this podcast Budgie recalls his time in both the warehouse and the lab and the colleagues he worked with. He discusses the influences during his time and the major highlights, including getting married and having a son, and winning some sporting trophies. He remembers the weather events and the Pilbara rain.

Craig (Budgie) Hamilton Part 1 - Arrival, SMQ living, Facilities, Bands that visited town including his son's.

In this podcast Budgie recalls when he first came to Newman in 1975 and his early impressions of the town and the SMQ where he stayed. He describes the facilities that were available in the town in these early days, and some of the bands that would visit town. His son also became involved in a band that toured  various places down south and  including some Pilbara towns.