Newmanhistory6753 Podcast

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...

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

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.

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!

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 Jo...

In this podcast, Saad Didan, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  continues to recount  his memories of the Newman Mosque and how it affected his life. He describes how the Company allowed him to go to pray during his lunch break. He then outlines his jobs at the mine, including being a Drill Sampler and a Lab Assistant. He recalls some outstanding characters from his time in Newman, but also found...

In this podcast, Saad Didan, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  recalls his different living quarters in town. He describes his wife, Amenah, having her babies and how they used to play in the Park. He also describes how the Muslims in town had nowhere to pray, so they fundraised at the Fortescue Festival, and ended up buying the spider building of the SMQ, which was then transported along Newman...

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, describes her time working at Woolies - both part time and full time, and her involvement with the YMCA and the radio station  on a voluntary basis. She also discusses the awkward nature of interacting with staff members who were part of her sporting teams,  and who were not far apart in age from the students.

In this podcast, Saad Didan, in conversation with Lisa Rickert,  describes his arrival in Newman in 1980. After his arrival in Perth from Baghdad his brother, Basil, brought him straight up to Newman where he found a job as a Shovel Greaser. He describes his journey to Newman and his struggle with homesickness. He lived in Q block in the SMQ and describes the facilities available. After 4 years he...

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, recalls her experience of going to Jigalong and how it changed her opinion of  some aboriginal people in town. She was grateful to her teachers for exposing her to that new understanding of the aboriginal culture, and the multicultural aspects of Newman.

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, continues to recall  her experiences at Newman Senior High School. Sam describes how her class was part of the first Year 10 School Balls, which were 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 proc...

In this podcast, Sam Jenkinson, in conversation with Lisa Rickert, recalls her experiences at Newman Senior High School. These include being an Exchange Student in USA, and using computers in Year 8 Maths (provided by the Mine). The school had both advantages and disadvantages, as the subjects offered were often dependent on the teachers' skills. Sam recalls her interest in drama and the formation...