Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 6 - Croatian Hour 6NEW, Rail Line Camps, Fights in Newman, Living conditions in the line camps

In this podcast Sheena Simunovic describes the Croatian hour on 6NEW every Thursday. Then Mick Simunovic describes the various rail line camps between Hedland and Newman. He outlines what the facilities were like in the camps. He recalls some of the people who worked with him, and the many nationalities that were represented. He also recalls a few fights at the Newman Club and the Walkabout.  He continues to describe the actual set out of the camp and how the guys all lived on top of each other. In 1976 there was no air conditioning, but this changed as the years passed. 

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 5 - Beginnings of Newman hospital, Major Traumas, Ambulance Service, Summary

In this podcast Sheena Simunovic recalls the beginnings of Newman hospital, and the role played by Dr Peter Eckhart and his wife Marjorie, who was the matron. She also remembers how the staff pulled together during major traumas, and the role of the Ambulance service. Sheena then summarises her time in Newman as a very positive experience.

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 4 - Dr Eckhart and Jigalong, Nurses she worked with, Challenges of being a nurse in Newman, Memorial Rose Garden

In this podcast Sheena Simunovic recalls how Dr Eckhart used to fly out to Jigalong each Wednesday and hold a clinic out there. Along with Lisa Rickert, she remembers some of the nurses she used to work with at the hospital. Again she recalls some of the challenges of being a nurse at the hospital - especially working in a small town, you knew everyone who came through. She also describes the purpose the memorial rose garden that was attached to the hospital.

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.