2014 NSW Government Heritage Volunteer of the Year Award.
Today I had the great honour of presenting Aubrey Brooks with a 2014 NSW Government Heritage Volunteer of the Year Award.

Aubrey’s employment at BHP Newcastle began in 1961, when he started off working as a rivet cook at the wagon shop following a family tradition that would eventually span some 125 years and three generations.

Aubrey worked at BHP Newcastle for over 38 years, and his passion for the organisation’s position in Newcastle’s history has remained many years on.

However, as remarkable as Aubrey’s service to BHP was during his time of employment at the Newcastle plant, it has perhaps been his activities since the plant’s closure, where he has made his greatest contribution.

Since then, Aubrey has dedicated his time and efforts to ensure that the people of the Hunter and further afield are made aware of the personal stories of those men and women who worked at BHP Newcastle, conducting in excess of 70 Remember BHP Guest Speaking Presentations and Muster Point tours, to community groups both locally and from afar.

Aubrey is passionate about making the general public aware of the personal side of the men and women who gave service to BHP and created a unique bond of mateship whilst working at the plant.

In many instances, this bond has continued for many years after BHP Newcastle’s closure, as evidenced by the many who attend the annual “Men and Women of Steel” reunions he organises.

These reunions have helped keep alive the spirit of camaraderie that existed amongst employees, some of whom have struggled to find a new direction since the plants’ closure.

In his role as Vice President of the Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association, Aubrey has assisted raise in excess of $60,000 for a BHP Newcastle Muster Point Memorial.

The passion with which Aubrey dedicates himself to educating the community about BHP Newcastle and the people who worked there, and of a city that has moved away from its industrial past is I believe, truly worthy of recognition and I congratulate him on receiving this prestigious honour.
Tim Owen Member for Newcastle.

This site is dedicated for the "Men and Women of Steel'' and their families for 84 Years in Newcastle, you are invited to leave your "Comments and Thoughts and Photos"
When we were a Steel City. Thousands worked there and sadly some gave their Lives, lets not forget them
https://www.facebook.com/muster.point.31

The figures

The number of the figures represents the eight decades that the BHP site was functioning and also the many different groups and skills needed to keep such a large operation running.
The abstraction of the figures is in relation to the fact that many of the people who died are unknown.
These figures are bowed slightly inward to symbolise showing respect for the men and women who died.
They will be forged from large solid steel sections using industrial forging techniques. This method is appropriate because of the industrial nature of BHP and will also give character and a human touch to the figures as they will show marks from the power hammers used to forge them and will also differ slightly in height and dimensions indicating the individuality of the workers who died.
They will have a low maintenance weathered galvanised finish.

The pillar
This central pillar symbolises the steel making nature of BHP in representing a large billet of steel. Around the top of this billet will be a brass ring with a simple remembrance message deeply carved into it. The brass being a more expensive metal and with its similarity in colour to gold represents the preciousness of those that died to their families and friends.
The pillar will be fabricated from weathering steel plate and the brass ring will be hand chiselled with beautifully carved lettering.
All the parts will be bolted down to cement foundations just below ground level with room to easily mow the grass around them.

Happy new Year!

To celebrate our Credit Union turning 50 this year on 10th October 2013.

We need help, we are looking for photos of the Hunter United Credit and its staff at Newcastle BHP, it is now 50 years since they began,

We wish to share any stories, anecdotes, pictures and recollections of our credit union. Especially its early times… in the good old days! We are excited about what we may discover and think it is a wonderful way to bring our members and community together.

The HUCU helps us every year with the BHP Reunion, it would be great if you have any information that can help,

Regards…………Aub


Member Contributions/Member Competition – we are very much looking forward to discovering and sharing our history with the community, but initially we need help. On the back of our Member competition which featured on the front page of the newsletter and also on the homepage of our website, we are after contributions………..whether it be stories, an old membership card, photos etc. from the good old days. I would ask you if the NIHA or indeed your many contacts would have something to contribute, old credit union photos’, perhaps stories of their first loan, we are interested in any contributions no matter how large or small. There is a special gift for all contributions as well as a major prize of an iphone5 for the most valuable contribution.

Again thanks for your time Aub, and I appreciate your passion for our history, we did discuss many other opportunities, but I think for now if we are to focus on the above that would be a great start to what will be a busy and exciting year.

Kind Regards,


Greg Ferris
Manager, Marketing & Partnerships
Hunter United Credit Union Ltd
130 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow NSW 2292
P: (02) 4941 3809 F: (02) 4956 2348
M: 0408 135 877
E: greg.ferris@huecu.com.au

From: Aub [mailto:obisan@bigpond.com]
Sent: Saturday, 16 February 2013 6:43 PM
To: letters@theherald.com.au
Subject: One Ladies priceless tale.


Sir,
It was with great interest that I read Mike Scanlon story on Saturday, the wonderful story of Mrs Pauline Lobb, daughter of a “Man of Steel” as I read the story it reminded of my
Grandfather Jimmy Massie who started at the BHP on the 2nd June 1915 and worked there for 37 years.

Yes, there are many historic objects and as Bob Cook, President of NIHA points out, very rare, but these are only material things but the real value is the people and the stories they tell,
When Mrs Lobb spoke of her Mummy and Daddy so sweet. She made me feel very proud to belong to the Steel Family

Not too long ago, Mr Scanlon wrote of Walter Searles another BHP Steel Man who is 91. In September it will be 14 years since the BHP closed in Newcastle and as time passes
we should never forget the people who lost their lives there not forgetting those who were badly injured never to fully recover they helped build this great country we call Australia.
It’s not about the Company but the people who worked and the Unions who fought for better OH&S laws to protect their workers.

The BHP in Newcastle is gone forever but these stories must be preserved forever, I congratulate the Herald and Mike Scanlon for making this possible.

The Brooks family had 125 years at Newcastle BHP, I really hope the Mrs Lobb can make it to this year’s BHP Reunion, and I love the Letter opener too.

Aubrey Brooks


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BL5FKZcIpg

NBN 3 TELEVISION<

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2...versations

ABC RADIO,

Conversations with Richard Fidler draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met.

Aubrey Brooks Newcastle BHP 38Years, his father 42 years and grandfather 37 years from 1915 to 1999, his brother "Barry" was there for 8 Years.

Total years of service at Newcastle BHP Steel Works is 125 years for the Brooks Family.

Please be advised that donations can be made at any Hunter United Branch or cheques made payable to 'The Steelworkers Memorial Fund' contact Aubrey Brooks, 0249845264

Memorial to workers who lost their lives at the Newcastle Steelworks
Thursday, May 19 2011 @ 02:58 PM
Contributed by: aub Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association is launching a project to produce a
permanent memorial to workers who lost their lives at the Newcastle Steelworks and
related steel industries between 1915 and 1999.
It is proposed that the suitably respectful large memorial will be located at a
prominent location in the vicinity of the steelworks site, and we are currently
discussing options with stakeholders.

THE MUSTER POINT....Wheel Chair Friendly...Chairs Provided....Easy Walking...There are no Toilets there.

Commencing in July 1998, Squires’ work was not complete until September 1999 – such was the time needed to win support for the project from a number of departments within BHP, onsite contractors, to gain DA and BA approval from the local council and to also fabricate what is a very large structure. Made from more than 70 tonnes of BHP steel, the eight-metre high sculpture (measuring 8m x 12m x 8m) is an imposing structure. The exterior has a stylised representation of the BHP skyline encased within the design element of a BHP maintenance shop. Inside there are a number of references to the people and place of the steelworks such that as former employees visit with their family they can take them on a tour of their working lives. It is illuminated at night. For images of The Muster Point see Julie Squires' website.

Artist – Julie Squires

The Muster Point is a 70 tonne steel sculpture with bronze cast figures + objects, found objects + components from the Steelworks, 8m x 12m x 8m, associated pathways (railways sleepers and ballast), located near entrance to steelworks site, George St & Selwyn St off Industrial Drive, Mayfield.

Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association is pleased to offer personalised guided tours of the iconic sculpture "The Muster Point".

This house-size industrial artwork was constructed as a collaboration by famous Newcastle sculptor Julie Squires and steelworkers in 1999, to mark the closure of the steelworks.

The whole structure, inside and out, has many stories to tell about the history of steelmaking in Newcastle.

Well-known retired steelworker Aubrey Brooks conducts intimate, heartfeld journeys around and within the walls of this unique place.

If you know any group that would like to soak up some of the emotion of life at the steelworks, contact Aubrey to make a booking.

Tours are free, but Aubrey has copies of the DVD of the steelworks and books on history of the steelworks for sale.

The Newcastle Industrial Heritage Assocation provides for groups, Guest Speaker presentations on "Remember BHP"
for more information and bookings,

PRESENTATIONS are Free.

"Remember BHP" is ideal for Service Clubs like Lions,Apex, Probsis, Lodges, Rotary, Sporting, Historical and Seniors Groups.

PRESENTATIONS are Free. BOOKING FOR 2012 ARE OPEN:


Email: obisan@bigpond.com or call 49845264..Aubrey Brooks.


To View THE BHP MUSTER POINT go to "MEDIA GALLERY" AND CLICK ON MUSTER POINT TOURS:
Hope to see you there soon...Aub