March 11, 2019
Former Ergon workers got together to swap stories and share memories in Wondai recently, and the group now plans to make it a regular event.
The idea for the reunion was sparked by regular catch-ups that retired and current Ergon staff have been holding elsewhere in Queensland.
“The idea was started in Hervey Bay by Alan Melville and others several years back,” retired Kingaroy-based Ergon Energy staff member John Box said.
“Retired and current Ergon staff have a weekly coffee and catch-up at 6:00am every Wednesday.
“The idea was then taken up by retired Ergon staff in Maryborough who now meet every second Tuesday at 10:00am.”
The inaugural “Ergon – South Burnett Ole Farts Smoko” was held at Dan’s Diner in Wondai on February 27.
Sixteen past employees gathered for smoko and enjoyed some great fellowship and stories of adventures in days past.
The oldest attendee was 87-year-old Dale Castle, from Yarraman.
“The group are the boys who built power lines and kept the power on in the South Burnett, come storms, hell and high water from the days of the WBBEB to Ergon Energy,” John said.
They now hope to hold monthly gatherings on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Those who were able to make the first smoko were: John Box (Kingaroy), Jim Carlile (Kingaroy), Dale Castle (Yarraman), Col Coulson (Tablelands), Darryl Dove (Kingaroy), Bill Ewing (Kingaroy), Maurie Hansen (Murgon), Cliff Hurt (Wondai), Noel Hooper (Murgon), Darryl Koy (Murgon), Neil Polzin (Mannuem), Norm Walker (Murgon), Pat Williams (Memerambi), Ray Wilton (Kingaroy), Greg Schulz (Kingaroy) and Lawrence Seng (Kingaroy).
[Photos: John Box]
It is great to see old workmates and to be able to remember old times. I would love to catch up over a coffee and cake, but looking at the photos some don’t need to have cake. I am still working for Benchmark Power, which was started by an old boy, John Robinson (Robbo) ex-Kingaroy who has now retired from the company. I will forward the details on to Robbo to add him into the loop.