It’s Been a Long Time but a Good Time

Written by: Eyerusalem (Zoe) Newport
Featuring: Ron Chandler

When in 2006 Ron Chandler retires from Comalco, he will be leaving more than just his workforce of 30 years, he will be saying goodbye to a place that has enabled him to forge friendships, develop skills and left him with lots of marvellous memories.

Ron was a young man from Beauty Point when he left Tasmania to pursue work in Sydney, but then returned after he was married because he believed Tasmania was a better place to raise his new family compared to the busy lifestyle of Sydney. He also thought he would be better off financially.

Ron works as a Fitter/Maintainer at Comalco and describes it as ‘a good place to work’. His favourite parts of the job are the social aspects, the interaction and the amazing people he gets to meet and work with.

A fellow employee described Ron as someone who is ‘always reliable, has good time management; he always does jobs correctly the first time and he has a great sense of humour.’

Ron explained that what once took twenty people to run a ship down at the wharf now takes one or two. ‘Machines have made the physical straining jobs a thing of the past. The changes in technology and working life have been amazing,’ he recalled.

Another thing of the past is the undermining of the importance of safety in such a workplace like this one. Comalco has now enforced strict guidelines in order to maintain the best workplace for its entire staff.

Ron believes that in some terms the issue of safety is often exaggerated but he understands that it is better to be too safe then not safe enough.

Comalco is known widely for its quality and reliability outcomes and this is simply a reflection of the staff that are the backbone of the smelter. Like Ron Chandler, they have continued to work for a long period of time because of this reason, as well as the good wages and working conditions. Comalco has and continues to evolve.