Meet the Locals – Ann Coull

Ann, you started at Oaky Creek North (OCN) on 24th July 1995, just weeks after it had opened. What do you remember about that day?
I was so nervous on my first day due to the fact I had never worked in coal mining before, but I remember being extremely delighted to be part of a brand new venture, Oaky North Mine.

How did you come to be at Tieri and OCN?
I moved to Tieri from Townsville with my ex-husband, now deceased, who accepted a post in the Surface Engineering Department at Oaky Creek Coal, in March 1995.

What was life like on the mine site?
At the start, life on the mine was very basic. Our first offices were dongas (demountable buildings) and ours was very old! My office just had a desk, a computer in a box, an electric typewriter, and a bookcase.

There were just six of us initially: Peter Lynch (Manager), Craig Clarke (Production Superintendent), Peter Binnie (Electrical Engineer), Joe Scicluna (Mechanical Engineer), Maurie Wright (Supply Officer) and myself. They were a great team to work with. We all had to multitask to get things done. I had to get a ticket for the forklift – that was something extremely different for me!

Working on the mine site was completely different to working in a town or city, however the comradery was amazing. There was no running out to a shop or cafe. You soon learned if you wanted to eat, you brought it with you.

One stand out thing about OCN: we were like a family. We socialised outside the mine which really helped us all integrate into life both at the mine and in town.

What did your role involve?
My role involved managing the Administration for OCN, to build it into a viable, smooth-running project. I made sure the “i”s were dotted and the “t”s were crossed, and all the ducks were in the correct row.

I had no knowledge of mining, but I drew on my administrative experience and I’m happy to say the mine gradually grew and I grew with it. It was truly a learning experience for me.

What other roles did you have during your time with OCN?
The other roles I had during my time at OCN were numerous. As the mine expanded, new staff arrived, new departments were created, and whole crews were continually recruited. My roles had too many variations to list here, but included Payroll, Leave Management, Travel, Catering, and general day-to-day management of an ever-expanding Administration. I was even the Fire Warden for the OCN Building and Surface.
Life was never boring – sometimes unpredictable, but definitely never boring!

When did you leave?
I officially retired in February 2017, nearly 22 years after joining that initial team.
Even today, mining is considered a predominantly male environment.

What was it like as a woman working in mining in the beginning?
Working in a predominantly male environment back then was really not what some people might perceive. Quite the opposite in fact. The guys at OCN were great to get on with and they were always gentlemanly and treated me with nothing but respect and as one of the team.

How did things at the mine evolve over time?
Big changes at the mine happened when we moved over to the new site in December 1999. We had a huge office block, new bath houses, and new departments opening up. Inevitably, as OCN got bigger and bigger over the years, and as rosters changed, we ceased to be quite as family oriented as we were in those early years.

Evolvement of the mine depended on the Managers and GM’s at any given time. Things could take a different turn depending on who was in charge. When I started at OCN, it was owned by MIM and we worked according to their ways. Then it was owned by Xstrata, and we worked in accordance with their ways. And then Glencore, as it is now, took ownership and we worked according to their way. We just had to learn new ways and new programmes. Thankfully, our CEO, Ian Cribb, was a very consistent person and presence within the mine, which was very important.

How would you describe the town of Tieri back then?
Tieri Town, or ‘TTown’ as it is still affectionately called, was extremely community-minded then. People looked after each other, everyone knew one another, and we all socialised together. We had everything we needed. It was a terrific town to live in, and to bring young families up in.

What did you do outside of work?
Not a lot during the week as we worked long hours. My partner since 1998 – Peter Dunham – worked shifts at Oaky No1 and for most weeks we were ships that passed in the night. We had a few evenings together one week, and two weekends together a month when we would try to go away somewhere.

Most evenings when I got home from work, and mornings and afternoons at weekends, I walked the dogs. I played golf (or at least gave it my best shot!), played barefoot bowls, and attended social events. Even when Peter was working, I could always go along to these on my own because I knew everyone and there was always good company you could join in with.

When you look back at your time at OCN and in Tieri, what are some of your standout memories?
There are lots…The day they cut the first coal, and I was given one of the first pieces.
The day we were all down at the highwall where the portal would be cut. Peter Binnie had the Ventilation Generator ready to go and, after the third attempt, off it went! We were all cheering – they could now cut into the highwall and Oaky North was able to cut coal different to the drift.

When the Longwall got buried and was dug out from the surface by the two draglines. One of them had to be repaired quite substantially, and the other basically had to be rebuilt as a result. It was quite a sight seeing them walk over to OCN, then for them to dig down to the longwall and pull it out. I am not sure if it was the first time in the world, but I am positive it was the first time in Australia – it had never been done before.

There are a lot more memories of course, some of them hilarious, but that would be dobbing people in!

Was there a particular moment, event or person that had a big impact on you?
There were two people who had a huge impact on me at Oaky North. One was Noel Kathege. Noel was a semi-retired undermanager from No1 who agreed to come and fill the gap one of our first newly recruited Deputies left towards the end of the six-week induction. We were due to start the DNA Roster to cut coal. Noel filled in until we could get a replacement. When that was achieved, Noel was asked to do the training. He helped me enormously with the technology and terminology. He took me underground for the first time to show me what I was talking and typing about, and it was amazing. He carefully explained everything to me and everything just clicked and fell into place. He didn’t even laugh when I asked if we could turn on the lights!

The second person was Maurie Wright. He was a huge help from the beginning, filling in parts of supply material and machinery on a continual daily basis. I owe a lot to both these people and thank them.

When was the last time you visited Tieri and how had things changed?
The last time I visited Tieri was for Oaky No1’s closing weekend. There were lots of changes to the town and the ambience was certainly different. There were empty houses and everything seemed to have closed down. I understand that’s changed again and the town is now full again.

Do you still keep in touch with the friends you made at OCN and in Tieri?
Yes indeed. Most of our friends have retired and moved but we still keep in touch and see them. We also still have friends in Tieri and, thanks to good old Facebook, we keep in touch.

After 30 years, despite the rise in FIFO and DIDO workers, and the changing roster rhythms, OCN and Tieri are still very much known for their community-feel. What do you think is key to maintaining this?
I never doubted that the community spirit of Tieri and OCN would ever die. I think of the old adage: “You can take a person out of Tieri, but you can’t take Tieri out of the person”. The same is true for those of us who have ever worked – or continue to work – at OCN. The key is continuing to keep the spirit alive.

Quick-Fire Round…

How do you describe yourself?
Mostly easy going. I like to be treated the way I treat other people. I do not tolerate nastiness from anyone. When I lose my temper, it is volatile, but I come down quickly and if I am ever wrong, I will apologise. Oh, and I love humour!

How would your colleagues/friends from your OCN/Tieri days describe you?
I feel I have always had a good rapport with everyone at work and in Tieri and I hope that they found me pleasant, very friendly and accommodating, and enjoyed my company.

You may be retired, but you’re busier than ever – how do you spend your time and with whom?
I spend most of the time with Peter and our little West Highland Terrier, Finlay. We walk the beach at Horseshoe, play golf, socialise with our friends and neighbours – something is always happening. I love to cook, bake or BBQ and entertain dinner guests. We go over to Townsville a lot, and away for a few days every now and then, to somewhere different. It’s great that we can take the dog as there are heaps of pet-friendly places now. And we visit family and have friends and family visit us too.

5 things you can’t live without?
Peter, Finlay, Laptop, Ipad, Phone….the latter three all allow connection to our family here in Australia and overseas.

Dead or alive, who would be your ideal dinner guests?
Laughter is best at a dinner party, so my ideal guests would be Billy Connolly, Dawn French, Sean Connery, Michael Cain and David Jason.

If you could have had anyone else’s job at OCN, whose would it be and why?
No-one’s. I was very happy in my position. There was plenty of variety in my role so I had a bit of a taste of other, quite different jobs, but I always loved mine better.