Happy Retirement, Dessy!

After 28 years, Des “Dessy” O’Connell has retired!

Dessy is ‘the last original’ Oaky North employee. He was there at the very start when Oaky North started operating on Monday, 11th September, 1995.

“It was a bit scary,” Dessy reflects. “I didn’t know anyone. But I’ve always remembered the General Manager at the time, a guy called Neville Powell, who told us that the only ones who could make this mine work – and be a success – was us…and that’s still true today. There were only 19 of us back then though, there’s hundreds at Oaky North now.”

Dessy has been a coal miner for over half a century. He first went underground in 1967 when he was just 16 years old. “They just gave me a hat and a lamp and that was it, there was no training at all! Not like today when you get well looked after.”

At Oaky North, Dessy was often the one that looked after others. He worked as an Operator and trained so many people throughout their careers, including current General Manager and Senior Site Executive, Damien Wynn, who worked with Dessy during his time underground as a Graduate.

Dessy describes working underground as “dusty, noisy and wet” so it’s important to take each day at a time and look after each other because the people you work with make all the difference.

“I’ve got to work with some fantastic people over the years. People like Craig Clarke who first hired me, and Peter Lynch, the first mine manager here who sadly got killed in a plane crash a few years ago. He did a lot to change the way mines operated. Todd Johnson, Jimmy Flett and Sylvio ‘Silver’ Coppo…and the crew over the last couple of years have all been fantastic. Mostly it’s them that I’ll miss, the people I worked with day in, day out.”

Asked how times have changed, Dessy explained that when he first started it was a Monday to Friday roster, with weekends off and everyone lived in the town. “FIFO and DIDO changed that, but Oaky North has always been a great place to work and Tieri a great place for our family. I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I’m 72 now, I could have retired years ago but I was having too much fun!”

There are far too many moments of fun to recount, but two that really stand out as career highlights for Dessy are starting a new mine on that September day 28 years ago and Tuesday, 5th September 2023 – the day he retired and was surprised by his workmates with a farewell celebration.

“They said it was just going to be a bit of a luncheon, but then my wife and daughter turned up, there were bagpipes, a march through town and speeches. I was very touched.”

One of the people who gave a speech at Dessy’s farewell was Clint Cody, Production Manager at Oaky Creek. “I got quite emotional. Dessy is synonymous with Oaky North. When you think of Oaky North, you can’t help but think of him, so we’re naturally sad to see him go. But mostly we’re so happy for him that he gets to spend more time with his family.

Even in his 70s, Dessy is still one of the hardest working people I know. And the most humble. Nothing is ever an issue for him, or too much trouble. He always turns up, ready to get stuck in.”

Fred Farrar, Longwall Mining Supervisor at OCC, agrees. “I have known Des for 14 years. During these years, he has been the hardest worker I have ever met and he is the most humble person I have had the pleasure of knowing. His send off from site was something I will probably never see again in my career. It showed the true calibre of Des and how much everyone likes and respects him. They don’t make them like him anymore.”

“Dessy’s retirement will leave a massive gap in the longwall where he works, and in the business overall,” said Clint. “Thankfully, he’s mentored countless people across Oaky Creek so his knowledge and his work ethic is deep-rooted throughout so many of us. We all aspire to be like him!

Dessy, thank you for everything, mate. We all wish you the best and hope you enjoy your well-earned retirement!