Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 10 - Fortescue Festival, Croatian Club, Retro House, Returning to Newman

In this podcast Sheena and Mick Simunovic remember the Fortescue Festival and the kebabs made by the Croatian Community. Lisa also describes the Retro house that is available as a B&B. They both discuss the possibility of returning to Newman for a visit, because Newman was a very positive experience for their family

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 9 - Reflections on BHP as a company, FIFO workers, stress in the workplace

In this podcast Sheena and Mick Simunovic reflect on how good BHP/MNM was as a company. They also discuss the positives and negatives of the introduction of FIFO workers, Mick also remembers how stressful his job became, both in workload and some of the responsibilities that came with the job.

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 8 - Redmont Camp

In this podcast Mick Simunovic recalls  what Redmont camp was like - he describes it as the best! Best food, cleaning was done for you - even your bed was made! It had married quarters, so a few couples were able to live there together. Mick was the boss and answered directly to the Mine manager.

Sheena and Mick Simunovic Part 7 - The Big strike of 1988, Floods that affected the Railway

In this podcast Mick Simunovic recalls  the big strike of 1988, and the impact that had on him as staff  member, and the split it had on the town, including wives and families. He also remembers the flood in 1984 which washed out part of the line - he had to work 29 hours straight to sort that out. 

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.