Laurie McKewen
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Finished Senior 1966, immediately started fitter & turner apprenticeship at Gibson & Howes' sugar mill at Bingera north of Bundaberg. At the same time studied for my Diploma of Mechanical Engineering. Completed all successfully but took many years to be recognised as an engineer because of loss of records by fire by the Technical Dept.

January 1971 started at Moura Coal Mine (UG2) as underground fitter. Advanced to Leading Hand then Workshop Supervisor for underground operations. Before UG2 exploded (3 years) I moved to open cut operations Moura Mine Workshop as Leading Hand, Shift Foreman, at same time helping to implement QA – JSA's – risk assessments and calibration recording.

Left Moura Mine approx. 1998 by V.E.R. agreement. Started at Moura Hardware and Furniture (Mitre 10) as Receiving, Dispatching and Pricing and Delivery Storeman. Worked here approx. 4-1/2 years.

Then moved to Aramac, Western Qld, where my eldest son was managing the brother-in-law's large sheep and cattle station. Here I did my induction in sheep handling, from mustering to shearing, spraying, pulling out of bore-drains, etc. I also did much property mechanical maintenance and also my son and I built over several months a very large set of steel cattleyards, ramps, crushes, etc.

I then came back to Moura and started work at Kianga Quarries, a large rock and aggregate mining operation. I constructed a new large double screening aggregate plant, then assembled a large concrete batching plant as well as doing all mechanical repairs, recording and ordering. Here I am also involved in machine operations and truck operation.

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I married Hazel Warmington, of Bungadoo near Gin Gin, in August 1971.

Our first son, Selwyn, was born in November 1972. Next daughter, Deanna, was born Christmas Day 1977. Daughter Alyanna, was born in January 1982. Son Bradley was born in August 1985.

We lived in the Caravan Park at Moura for several years before moving into a company home. We then bought a small cattle property outside Moura where we have lived for quite a while. All our children did their schooling at Moura and now are spread around in their occupations.

Our interests have always been with the land and cattle, playing tennis, fishing, and old-time dancing, now moving into new vogue dancing.

We also own a house at Turkey Beach south of Gladstone, where we retreat for holidays and weekend fishing. "A bad day's fishing beats a good day's work".

Selwyn married Melissa in 2006 – diesel fitter, now cattle-station manager.

Deanna married Scott Metcalfe in 1999 – dental nurse and veterinary nurse, 1 son Brodie.

Alyanna to be married September 2006 – administration secretary, Banana Shire Council, Biloela.

Bradley – 4th year apprentice diesel fitter, Moura Mine.

Created: 15 June 2006 - Last Amended: 15 June 2006 by Roger Clarke - Site Last Verified: 15 February 2009
This document is at www.anu.edu.au/BHS66/LaurieMcKewen.html
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