Digger driver Will has been in the mining industry for over 25 years. Starting on diggers when he was 16 up in Weipa. What’s it like working in the top end of Australia, among the crocs? Will’s stories of his mining journey and tips for newbies are gold. He’s a real character and I am sure you will enjoy this insight into the mining lifestyle as much as we did. What ah ha moment did Mad Mumzie have about a dream the night before? Freaky!
Time Stamps from this episode
6:43-Nicknames
9:02-Favourite Beverage
11:57-How MM and Will met
14:08-Mining journey starts
16:00-Newbies. Don’t give up
17:20-Funny magazine glossy playboys and stuff lol
18:24-First stick steer loaders with no steering wheel.
24:07-What machines have you drive in 25 years
24:30-Aged 16 i got on the diggers
25:34-What is a quick hitch?
26:50-Nearly got killed..
28:41-Machines got bigger. 1971 HQ Holden into Weipa!
31:58-Voluntary redundancies
32:54-Variety in the diggers
33:00-MM croc dream and croc stories begin
34:18-My Uncle’s mate killed by a croc in 1974
35:52-Only 2 16 graders in Weipa he was one of them
42:00-Crocs like stupid tourists who don’t listen
44:25-Worked in nearly all the Charters Towers Mines.
46:21-Its handy working underground mate..yeah why?
47:37-The mine flooded!
49:27-The drill I was on couldn’t get out
51:33-Roos and pigs
52:35-MM can’t deal with pig hunting
54:25-Crocs like pig hunting dogs
56:32-Grader got run over
57:12-Belly dumpers & cats
58:23-Clowning around
58:52-Old horns on trucks!
59:19-Blue paper towel
1:03:40-Newbies in wet weather
1:08:03-17 years back to Weipa. What had changed?
1:09:00-Labour hire petition
1:11:17-Why it sucks to be labour hire for 3.5 years
1:16:07-I drove first Liebherr 9800 that came to Australia
1:16:56-Why isnt a 9800 called a 998??
1:19:40-Digger tips for newbie truckies
1:19:56-A backhoe aint a 996 !
1:23:39-Radio is a fatigue thing mate. fitters listen up!
1:24:57-Best way to get into the mines
1:29:18-Tips for newbies already on crew
1:31:59-Your biggest struggles when first started?
1:34:17-Favourite roster and why?
1:36:18-Sleeping tips on night shift
1:38:54-Old PPE
1:42:11-Steel Cap stories
1:45:14-Women
1:47:02-Your happy place?
1:48:27-Escape plan!!
Sign video we were talking about. Do signs become part of the landscape and thus useless?
Part 2 of Will’s chat all about prospecting:
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Thanks to my “Girlfriend” Cookie for the tunes!
Until next time, stay safe, be real, be special and have fun
