Quote:
Originally Posted by theodog
Nice scope -very inspirational.
I too grew up in the Mayfield area. Vine St infact.
Learned my early astronomy under the lights (and gasses) of the BHP and other industries.
Had to stop frequently as the steam from the coke ovens cleared.  |
You were only a stone's throw from the main drag there, probably read the same books as I near wore out from the public library on Hanbury Street.
Mayfleld used to be a pretty nice community when I was a kid , all the shop owners knew everyone , and everyone knew their neighbours (very well) and more importantly - everyone looked out for everyone else . We often left the doors and window open and unlocked all day and all night even when out for the day .... bet you woudn't do that in Mayfield now.
I worked the coke ovens from time to time - chemists did streak relief there (when I had first career with the big aussie (1977-1983), hated the lids .... gave a new meaning to the words hot and horrible.
Worst thing that ever happened to Newcastle was loosing the Steelworks, I was there then too (as an engineer) and didn't want to leave. Not all Onesteelers left with monster golden handshakes, only the guys who had been there for 20-30 or longer years - and they were not common. I fealt very shi%%y about loosing my job in 1999, and still do, but at least I landed a contract in Port Hedland and that made it possible for me pay out my mortgage and other loans , and still have al little bit of money in the bank so at least I didn't wind up destitute (and homeless) as a result (no thanks to Onesteel).