Thread: Ravensthorpe Nickel To Close?

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Not a mention on this thread so far of BHP sacking 1000 workers at Yabulu (Townsville) nickel refinery, or the 1500 or so (so far) coal miners jobs in Qld. Events do happen outside Sandland, but then, Sandgropers have always had the most parochial outlook of any Australian state.

Well there have been plenty of people from outside of WA (including yourself) on this thread who could have mentioned these if they wanted to.

So terribly sorry if we've offended you by discussing something that is happening in our back yard and directly affecting people we know.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Not a mention on this thread so far of BHP sacking 1000 workers at Yabulu (Townsville) nickel refinery, or the 1500 or so (so far) coal miners jobs in Qld. Events do happen outside Sandland, but then, Sandgropers have always had the most parochial outlook of any Australian state.

maybe there are no aulro members work at Yabulu or the affected coal mines therefore its not being discussed

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Not a mention on this thread so far of BHP sacking 1000 workers at Yabulu (Townsville) nickel refinery, or the 1500 or so (so far) coal miners jobs in Qld. Events do happen outside Sandland, but then, Sandgropers have always had the most parochial outlook of any Australian state.

Wait a minute Brian, I've got a violin here somewhere..

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

but then, Sandgropers have always had the most parochial outlook of any Australian state.

That is a tough call. I would say QLD is just as bad, and FNQ is probably worse (and I am a QLDer - with lots of rellies in FNQ).

I lived here for 2 years before I heard the term "sandgroper". It is pretty hard these days to find someone born in WA. Probably only 10-20% of my colleagues.

Originally Posted by Jamo

Wait a minute Brian, I've got a violin here somewhere..

Well, Yabulu is part of the same division of the same company as Ravensthorpe and handles Ravensthorpe product. I thought it might have been nice if someone had deigned to tell the whole story.

They were informed in the same manner, called to a "safety meeting".

Originally Posted by isuzurover

That is a tough call. I would say QLD is just as bad, and FNQ is probably worse (and I am a QLDer - with lots of rellies in FNQ).

I lived here for 2 years before I heard the term "sandgroper". It is pretty hard these days to find someone born in WA. Probably only 10-20% of my colleagues.

When I was marketing heavy trucks and briefly had responsibility for the W.A. distributors, they used to call us "the wise men from out of the East", who would come to tell them how to do their jobs and what they were doing wrong, and in return we called them "the evenly balanced Australians, a chip on each shoulder". The WA parochialism and ingrained dislike of Eastern Staters was so strong then, late 70's, that a WA native had to be appointed to the job. In all other states a factory rep. handled major accounts. In Wa the local distributor was handed the task. A "foreigner" would not have got in the door at many firms. I think a secession mentality was then still about.

Yeah I think times have changed a bit mate.

I am WA born, Perth raised and live in Sydney. I deal on a daily basis with people from all states and territories and I actually find Melbournites the most parochial!

*No offence to those from Melbourne but you do still have this strange chip on your shoulder about being seen as inferior to Sydney!

Lookout Brian.
DirtyDawg is heading your way real soon
Andrew