Vac Work

With uni exams finally over, I headed up to Goonyella Riverside Mine, about 30min out of Moranbah, and roughly 2.5hrs from Mackay. The flight into Moranbah was pretty cool, you could see the surface mines as you flew in. I'm not sure that the flight was worth the $430 price tag, but that's what is referred to as the "miner's tax". It seems most businesses add a certain percentage when they realise that they are selling to mining companies or miners. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything that can be done about it, you have to get used to it.

I spent the first week doing inductions, and wishing the rain would stop so that I could actually get out and see the pit. There were a few familiar faces, as some people had been transferred within Downer to Goonyella from Norwich Park, where I have done previous Vac Work. It was nice to know some, but there are still a lot of names to learn. I started to sort out the work for my final year project (thesis), and working out the best way to gather the information required. Downer has provided me with the opportunity to work on a project topic that I chose, but that will also be beneficial to them. It's pretty cool working on something that is pretty much directed by me, that will then be implemented by the company when it is ready.

I then spent the next week in the workshop, where I learnt about each different job. I helped out with the serviceman, who drives around all day filling the trucks, graders, dozers, diggers, lighting plants, and generators with fuel, oil, compressed air or grease. They have to prioritise the plant based on which will be most productive. It surprised me how busy they are. I also spent some time in the light vehicle workshop, where they fix the hilux's and prado's on site like a mechanic would in town. They also have to make sure the vehicles meet site requirements, and tougher safety requirements than on the road. In the main workshop, I got to have a look at a watercart, dozer, grader and trucks being serviced. I was able to get a lot closer to the machines than I otherwise would, but there were also more safety measures in place.

After the 2wks on site, I had to travel back to Brisbane for some surgery. I was pretty disappointed when I found out I would be missing out on a month of vac work due to surgeries, but I can't wait to get back out there in January and get stuck into my project.