Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

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!

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.

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 th...

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.

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.

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. 

In this podcast Owen and Mary-Anne discuss the changes that happened during their stay in Newman. One they especially noted was the introduction of the Aboriginal children from the Pumajina camp, on the outskirts of town, to the school system, with adjustments needed all around. They also recalled the excitement in town, with the building of the Red Sands Pub! Both Owen and Mary-Anne agree that th...

In this podcast Owen and Mary-Anne describe their involvement with the Anglican Church. They also describe some characters who were present in Newman during their time there - including their neighbour Sgt Jim Guy who was a Policeman and Roy Aveling, who was the AMP man. They recall the sense of a lack of relationship between the mine workers and the Teachers and Police - who were seen as transien...

In this podcast Owen and Mary-Anne recall the joys of camping at Karijini and beyond. They also discuss the friendships that were formed among the teaching community that have endured beyond their time in Newman,  and the social life enjoyed by all the teaching staff. They  remember their involvement in various sporting activities - especially T-Ball, and also Mary-Anne's involvement in a school a...

In this podcast Owen and Mary-Anne discuss bullying in schools and the proportion of males v females in town. They also address the issue of drinking in the town and at school. Owen describes his experience at the Speedway. They both reflect on any major influences at school, especially the disparity in wages between professional people in town, and those employed at the mine. 

In this podcast  Mary-Anne describes getting a job at Newman Primary as a music specialist, and also reveals the issues for people in Newman needing child care. Owen goes on to describe the Science program at NSHS  and both the advantages and disadvantages of having such a small school. They also discuss the demise of the teacher transfer system to country schools, and how getting back to the city...

In this podcast Owen and Mary-Anne describe their arrival in Newman in 1991, after Owen was posted there as the Head of Science at Newman Senior High School. They drove up with two little boys and were greeted by a massive Newman downpour as soon as they arrived. which was a blessing in disguise as it filled all the water holes around the town. They also describe the places they would bring visito...

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

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.

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.

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. 

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 c...

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.

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 purp...

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. 

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.

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. 

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...

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 dom...

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 inju...