Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 3 - Balancing work and family, role at the hospital, Challenges as a nurse

In this podcast Sheena Simunovic explains how she managed full time work as nurse at Newman hospital, with bringing up a young family. She also describes her role at the hospital and some of the challenges she faced as a nurse there. 

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 2 - Newman Schools, Moving to Perth and adjusting to city life

In this podcast Sheena Simunovic talks about the schools her children attended in Newman and the challenge of children who had a second language. In 1994 Adrian received an Aviation Scholarship to Kent St in Perth, and eventually it was decided it was better to move to Perth, but that presented its own adjustments and challenges too, especially for the boys.

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 1 - Arriving in Newman from SA. Belonging to the Croatian Community, Mick's work as supervisor on the line camps.

In this podcast Sheena and Mick Simunovic describe their journey to Newman in 1981, just after their marriage in South Australia. They travelled across the Nullabor and eventually arrived in Newman, where they found friends among the Croatian Community. Mick describes his work in the rail line camps, especially Cowra, and how he later ended up as a Supervisor. 

Samantha Jenkinson Part 5 - School Balls, Exchange Students

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, continues to recall  her experiences at Newman Senior High School. Sam describes her first School Ball, which was held at the Community Hall. She also remembered how Exchange students came to the school, and that inspired Sam to apply  to become an exchange student herself. She describes the process of her application and how that was an important part of her development.

Samantha Jenkinson Part 12 - The good and bad of growing up in Newman, the role that Community has played in the evolution of our town.

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, reflects on both the good and the bad of growing up in the Pilbara. She recalls the many good things of her years in Newman, especially time spent at the pool and that sense of community that came from living there.. But she also acknowledges the shortfalls, including the amount of alcohol drunk in town, and the hidden curse of domestic violence. Without an honest acknowledgement of the past, we can't move on and embrace the future. But she emphasizes the importance of community, and the role that has played in the evolution of Newman town.

Samantha Jenkinson Part 11 - Life after school, Curtin Uni, Serious Car accident, learning to adapt to life in a wheel chair, lessons learned from Newman days

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, recalls her journey post school years. She attended Curtin Uni, then in second year, became involved in Guild politics. In that role, she was involved in running the Orientation Day camp in Collie and it was during the journeys to and from the camp, that she was sadly involved in a serious car accident and suffered spinal cord injuries. She spent  over seven months in hospital and has been confined to a wheel chair ever since. She believes that her growing up in Newman and her Exchange Student experience helped her to adapt to changed set of circumstances. Sam explained the poetry that she wrote about 10 years later, which described being in that hospital environment. It was an awakening of an awareness of her true self - that her disability did not define her as a person.

Samantha Jenkinson Part 10 - Bali trip in Year 12

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, recalls her Year 12 trip to Bali with some teachers and other senior students.

Samantha Jenkinson Part 9 - Final Years at NSHS, Future careers of her classmates

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, describes her final years at High School, Because students started leaving school at Year 10, and the numbers at the top of the school were small, the School Ball was opened to Yrs 10-12. She outlines the future careers of some of her class mates, including herself.

Samantha Jenkinson Part 8 - Positives and Negatives of attending NSHS

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, reflects on the positives and negatives of attending Newman Senior High School. This includes the tensions of being a young woman, surrounded by young single men in town - including the teachers!

Saad Didan Part 4 - Stand out people, House sitting, family BBQs, VER, Living in Jordan, Returning to Pert

In this podcast, Saad Didan, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  recalls people who stood out for him.  When he was in the SMQ, he remembers being a very popular house sitter. But when he was married  they moved to Yanboomah Close, he had family gatherings and BBQs, both at home and out at the Dam. HIs kids played soccer, and he played squash.  He took VER in 1996 and he and his family moved to Jordan. He found it hard to get employment there, even trying to sell Hills Hoists! He moved back to Australia but left his family in Jordan, whilst going back once a year. After  4 years he and his family moved back to Australia, where he now works as a taxi driver, and often picks up ex-Newmanites!