Thomas Goes to Appin Mine

It's not just the good pay that keeps tradesmen working for mines happy. The commeradery, sense of fun and mateship enriches their careers.

At the Appin BHP mine, apprentices and tradesmen in the mechanical workshop have a depth of satisfaction about the social and friendship aspects of their work life and trade skills.

The apprentices and leading tradesmen include mechanical trades such as boilermakers, welders, fitter machinists and engineers who, in the time they spend waiting for equipment to re-surface, they've chosen to restore an out-of-service locomotive into a new 'Thomas The Tank Engine'.

As a team effort it's allowed the workshop staff to use their daily trade skills and expertise for something a bit more light-hearted that brings smiles to the faces of other workers, their children and the local community.

VJ John Young