Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

In this podcast Sandy, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  recalls some of her many jobs in Newman, including working as a receptionist at the Rec Centre. Also at DES, Allied Pickfords, Video City,  and Australia Post. She discusses why they ultimately left Newman and the effects it had on her. She remembers the Creches that were available. She shares her memories of the  Fortescue Festival  and a...

In this podcast Sandy, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  describes some of the sports she was involved in, including hockey, badminton, and basketball

In this podcast Sandy, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  recalls coming to Newman in 1989 after time already spent in the Pilbara. She arrived in winter and was surprised at the cold! She was really impressed with all the sporting facilities and the friendliness of the people. She describes the involvement of herself and her children in multiple sports, but her special love was gymnastics, where...

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, shares his memories of the Fortescue Festival and the "Fair-Go" Games. He goes on to describe the beginnings of the Aussie Rules Footy competition in Newman and how the teams were named, and the jumpers chosen. They played on Boomerang Oval, with no change rooms, and the grass was watered from the sewerage plant. 

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, recalls the early footy trips to other towns, especially Tom Price. He goes on to reminisce about how safe the town was in the early days and how people took pride in their place and especially their gardens. Merv and Lisa discuss mines that no longer exist, such as Shay Gap and Goldsworthy. Merv also recalls some fatalities on the mine duri...

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, recalls Cyclone Kerry and how it wiped quite a bit of the railway track. He  recalls stories about some of his workmates and also some characters from that time. He also remembers various events that were held in the Community Hall, including the Rolf Harris and Alf Garnett shows, and various sporting personalities. He discusses his football...

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, remembers the beginnings of Tigers footy club, including the building of the Clubhouse. He laments what has happened to the Newman Club and the Community Hall and remembers his girls dancing in Miss Pam's Dancing School. Together Lisa and Merv recall the Dancing Schools and their teachers and those who attended. He goes on to recall when he...

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, talks about his involvement in footy, golf club, gymkhana and Speedway. He recalls how the company allowed use of their equipment to help construct the Speedway, and people volunteered their time and skills to work the machines. He recalls attending Greg Williams funeral and some of the people who were there. He goes on to describe his jobs...

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, describes his involvement with some of the cattle stations in the surrounding district. and the musters, and also the gymkhanas that took place that were very popular and included people from as far as Mt Magnet and Meekathara. He recalls the Morgan family and its various members. He also recalls the two Terrys who found and restored Stan Hi...

In this podcast Merv, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  recalls the beginnings of the TAB and the trouble getting reception to hear the races! He describes the beginnings of Kumarina roadhouse - and the Capricorn roadhouse. He remembers the various places he lived in - the SMQ, Trotman Ave, Rudall Ave and all the "top brass" that lived in Giles Ave. He talks about the teachers who taught his chi...

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...

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 Witteno...

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...

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.

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...