--- title: "Wow… 50 years: where did that go?: Tez Clark" date: 2024-11-26T10:37:00+11:00 author: Walker Designs canonical_url: "https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/wow-50-years-where-did-that-go-tez-clark" section: News --- 1. [ Home](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/) 2. [News & Publications](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news) 3. Wow… 50 years: where did that go?: Tez Clark 26 November 2024 # Wow… 50 years: where did that go?: Tez Clark ![Wow… 50 years: where did that go?: Tez Clark](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/volumes/images/News/2024/November/_1335x600_crop_center-center_80_none/30071/RBI9732.webp) From running the mail as a junior to being a keystone in safe operations at Bell Bay Aluminium, Tez Clark has racked up 50 years with the business. Here he shares some memories and advice... **Terence Clark, but everyone calls him “Tez”, is an Adviser – Safety Projects at Bell Bay Aluminium. Tez’s story at the smelter began on Wednesday, April 10, 1974, when he was 16 years old.** Tez started at Bell Bay Aluminium – then part of Comalco - as an un-apprenticed junior. A real entry-level role. The job covered quite a few things. Tez was doing refurbishment of potline tools, running stores deliveries to potlines, doing mail deliveries, and collecting crew timecards for payroll. ## **1976 to 2007** In 1976, Tez started shift on the “Old” Line 1 potline. Back then the cells were pre-bake, there was no fume ducting, and it was dusty. In those times, 3M paper masks were used for protection from the fume smell and dust. Personal Protective Equipment has changed and improved significantly since the 1970s. After a couple of years on Line 1, Tez transferred to the Potrooms Day Labour team. That was in 1978. Tez had various roles there before moving to Line 2 Potrooms Operations as an operator in 1983. By 1989, he had already been on the job for 14 years. Tez started on the Heat Mass Balance trial in Line 4 before moving into a crew leadership role in 1991. Five years later, it was time to move on again: He started the Potrooms Service Crew and stayed with this team for about a decade. ## **The big changes** From 2007 to 2024, Tez had various roles. He was in projects; he was the Reconstruction Superintendent and currently is the Safety Projects Adviser. Tez says his latest job is the most rewarding role he has done. He can move around site, talk to many people about their ideas and help them bring their ideas to fruition. It is a long way from delivering the mail. Obviously, Tez has witnessed many changes over the past 50 years. The biggest changes occurred between 1996 and 2002 when the smelter introduced a lot of new technology that improved the safety and wellbeing of the team, and also improved the environment within and outside the site borders. ## **Family wisdom** Aside from Tez, the connection to Bell Bay Aluminium runs strong in his family. His mother, father and three of siblings also worked at the smelter throughout their lives. Tez’s son, Josh, started working at the site in 2016 and is now Superintendent – Operational Excellence. For young people starting at Bell Bay Aluminium, or anywhere else in Rio Tinto, Tez’s advice is to find a role that will give you satisfaction, speak up when you need to and always maintain a curious disposition. You might end up liking it and staying a while… Wow ... 50 years: where did that go? Share: ##### Archives 2025 June - [Rio Tinto Bell Bay Aluminium leaders shine at state awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/rio-tinto-bell-bay-aluminium-leaders-shine-at-state-awards) April - [Future custodians get curious at annual Tree Planting Day](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/future-custodians-get-curious-at-annual-tree-planting-day) February - [Bell Bay Aluminium volunteers give heart to City Mission](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-volunteers-give-heart-to-city-mission) January - [Valuable contribution to Bridport Fire Brigade’s toolbox](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/valuable-contribution-to-bridport-fire-brigades-toolbox) 2024 December - [Passion becomes a reality for Elliouse](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/passion-becomes-a-reality-for-elliouse) - [George Town students lead the way in NARLE Project](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/george-town-students-lead-the-way-in-narle-project) November - [Wow… 50 years: where did that go?: Tez Clark](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/wow-50-years-where-did-that-go-tez-clark) - [Support Wheels in Motion for George Town RSL Veterans’ Health](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/support-wheels-in-motion-for-george-town-rsl-veterans-health) October - [Community spirit alive and well through community grants program](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/community-spirit-alive-and-well-through-community-grants-program) September - [Bell Bay Aluminium recognised as a champion for inclusion and diversity](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/alicia-sargent-named-inclusion-and-diversity-champion) - [Lachie Geard a finalist at 2024 Apprentice of the Year awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/lachie-geard-apprentice-of-the-year) June - [Bell Bay Aluminium leaders recognised at Women in Resources Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-leaders-recognised-at-women-in-resources-awards) May - [Budding gardeners pull up sleeves for annual tree planting day](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/budding-gardeners-pull-up-sleeves-for-annual-tree-planting-day) 2023 December - [George Town students first to trial innovative music-led learning program](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/george-town-students-first-to-trial-innovative-music-led-learning-program) November - [2024 Women's Art Prize Tasmania open](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2024-womens-art-prize-tasmania-open) - [Service milestones celebrated](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/service-milestones-celebrated) - [2023 WorkSafe Tasmania Award winners](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2023-worksafe-tasmania-award-winners) October - [Bell Bay Aluminium announces community grants](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-announces-community-grants) September - [Jake Chilcott awarded 2023 Tasmanian Apprentice of the Year](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/jake-chilcott-awarded-2023-tasmanian-apprentice-of-the-year) - [2023 Women in Resources National Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2023-women-in-resources-national-awards) August - [Supporting students through the Governor’s Environment Scholarship](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/supporting-students-through-the-governors-environment-scholarship) July - [2022 Bell Bay Aluminium Sustainable Development Report](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2022-bell-bay-aluminium-sustainable-development-report) - [Supporting women artists](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/supporting-women-artists) June - [Women in resources winners](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/women-in-resources-winners) May - [Celebrating National Simultaneous Storytime](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/celebrating-national-simultaneous-storytime) - [Junior George Town green thumbs re-establishing ecosystems](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/junior-george-town-green-thumbs-re-establishing-ecosystems) - [Supporting respiratory safety at Men’s Shed](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/supporting-respiratory-safety-at-mens-shed) February - [New General Manager appointed](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/new-general-manager-appointed) 2022 December - [New mountain bike trails opened](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/new-mountain-bike-trails-opened) - [Ant Reeve becomes our first RioExpert](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/ant-reeve-becomes-our-first-rioexpert) October - [Bell Bay Aluminium community grants announced](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-community-grants-announced-2022) - [Hosting Tasmanian Minerals Emergency Response Competition](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/hosting-tasmanian-minerals-emergency-response-competition) - [Racing for the F1 in Schools™ STEM challenge title](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/racing-for-the-f1-in-schools-stem-challenge-title) - [Best paper awarded for Next Generation](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/best-paper-awarded-for-next-generation) September - [Supporting women in art](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/supporting-women-in-art) - [A Sense of Place for primary school kids](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/a-sense-of-place-for-primary-school-kids) - [An orchestral treat for George Town primary students](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/an-orchestral-treat-for-george-town-primary-students) June - [Tree planting and story time for local students](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/tree-planting-and-story-time-for-local-students) May - [Finalists at the Tasmanian Women in Resources & Manufacturing Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/finalists-at-the-tasmanian-women-in-resources-manufacturing-awards) - [Shining a light on local job opportunities](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/shining-a-light-on-local-job-opportunities) February - [Tasmania and Rio Tinto partner for a strong and sustainable future at Bell Bay](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/tasmania-and-rio-tinto-partner-for-a-strong-and-sustainable-future-at-bell-bay) 2021 June - [Bell Bay Aluminium shines in 2021 Women in Manufacturing & Resources Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-shines-in-2021-women-in-manufacturing-resources-awards) 2020 September - [George Town Council & Bell Bay Aluminium Announce COVID-19 Grants Recipients](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/george-town-council-bell-bay-aluminium-announce-covid-19-grants-recipients) - [Bell Bay Aluminium Crew Leader announced as the 2020 Gender Diversity Champion, National Women in Resources Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-crew-leader-announced-as-the-2020-gender-diversity-champion-national-women-in-resources-awards) August - [Local Health Speak podcast to build resilience during COVID-19](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/local-health-speak-podcast-to-build-resilience-during-covid-19) July - [George Town Council & Bell Bay Aluminium announce COVID-19 Business Resilience, Recovery and Stimulus Grants Program](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/george-town-council-bell-bay-aluminium-announce-covid-19-business-resilience-recovery-and-stimulus-grants-program) - [Northern Tasmania’s tourism industry given a post-COVID-19 shot in the arm](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/northern-tasmanias-tourism-industry-given-a-post-covid-19-shot-in-the-arm) March - [Bell Bay Aluminium appoints new general manager](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-appoints-new-general-manager) 2019 July - [2018 Sustainable Development Report is available](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2018-sustainable-development-report-is-available) June - [Winners Announced at Women In Resources Tasmania Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/winners-announced-at-women-in-resources-tasmania-awards) March - [Bell Bay's giant power transformer arrives](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bays-giant-power-transformer-arrives) 2018 November - [Schools Set to Race for F1 Champion Title](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/schools-set-to-race-for-f1-champion-title) October - [BBA Driving Diversity in Engineering](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bba-driving-diversity-in-engineering) July - [Bell Bay releases 2017 Sustainability Report](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-releases-2017-sustainability-report) April - [Kevin Taylor Appointed New General Manager Bell Bay Aluminium](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/kevin-taylor-appointed-new-general-manager-bell-bay-aluminium) March - [Bell Bay Aluminium announces resignation of General Manager, Ray Mostogl](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-announces-resignation-of-general-manager-ray-mostogl) - [Tasmanian students aiming for two national wins in a row](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/tasmanian-students-aiming-for-2-national-wins-in-a-row) 2017 December - [Bell Bay Aluminium Community Grants Announced](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-community-grants-announced-2) September - [Schools Set to Race for Title of F1 Champions](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/schools-set-to-race-for-title-of-f1-champions) August - [Local Schools support Smelter’s Annual Tree Planting](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/local-schools-support-smelters-annual-tree-planting) - [Certainty provided by Contract Extension](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/certainty-provided-by-contract-extension) July - [Collaboration to drive growth for Bell Bay Industrial Precinct](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/collaboration-to-drive-growth-for-bell-bay-industrial-precinct) May - [2016 Sustainable Development Report](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2016-sustainable-development-report) - [BBA Takes Out Outstanding Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician Award for Second Year at Tasmanian Women in Resources Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bba-takes-out-outstanding-tradeswoman-operator-or-technician-award-for-second-year-at-tasmanian-women-in-resources-awards) April - [Finalists Announced for 2017 Tasmanian Women in Resources Awards Media Release](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/finalists-announced-for-2017-tasmanian-women-in-resources-awards-media-release) March - [Queechy High School teams dominate F1 in Schools National Final](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/queechy-high-school-teams-dominate-f1-in-schools-national-final) 2016 December - [Local organisations benefit from Bell Bay Aluminium Grants Program](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/local-organisations-benefit-from-bell-bay-aluminium-grants-program) November - [2017 Tasmanian Women in Resources Awards Launch](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/2017-tasmanian-women-in-resources-awards-launch) October - [Crisis Scenarios to Test Emergency Response Teams](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/crisis-scenarios-to-test-emergency-response-teams) September - [Teams on the Grid for F1 in Schools Championships](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/teams-on-the-grid-for-f1-in-schools-championships) - [BBA Takes Out National Gong At Women In Resources Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bba-takes-out-national-gong-at-women-in-resources-awards) July - [Bell Bay Aluminium employees scoop the pool at Women in Resources Awards](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-employees-scoop-the-pool-at-women-in-resources-awards) May - [Bell Bay Aluminium to ramp back up to full production](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-to-ramp-back-up-to-full-production) April - [Bell Bay Aluminium has released its 2015 Sustainable Development report](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-has-released-its-2015-sustainable-development-report) March - [Bell Bay Aluminium to sponsor 2016 Active Launceston Active Blokes](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-to-sponsor-2016-active-launceston-active-blokes) February - [Supporting Cybersmart Outreach, Internet Safety Awareness](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/supporting-cybersmart-outreach-internet-safety-awareness) - [Bell Bay Aluminium to temporarily reduce power consumption](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-to-temporarily-reduce-power-consumption) 2015 November - [Local communities benefit from Bell Bay Aluminium grants program](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/local-communities-benefit-from-bell-bay-aluminium-grants-program) October - [F1 in Schools Competition Revs Up!](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/f1-in-schools-competition-revs-up) - [Space Travel and more as Mini TSO Performs for George Town School Kids](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/space-travel-and-more-as-mini-tso-performs-for-george-town-school-kids) September - [Smelter to showcase its operation](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/smelter-to-showcase-its-operation) - [Bell Bay Aluminium welcomes Premier to site to celebrate 60th anniversary.](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-welcomes-premier-to-site-to-celebrate-60th-anniversary) August - [Green Thumbs Plant for the Future](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/green-thumbs-plant-for-the-future) May - [Bell Bay Aluminium releases 2014 sustainable development report](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-releases-2014-sustainable-development-report) - [Bell Bay Aluminium welcomes bipartisan deal on RET](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-welcomes-bipartisan-deal-on-ret) - [Bell Bay Aluminium and TasNetworks Business Excellence Awards Partnership](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-and-tasnetworks-business-excellence-awards-partnership) - [Bell Bay Aluminium Demonstrates Vote of Confidence for Northern Tasmania](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-demonstrates-vote-of-confidence-for-northern-tasmania) April - [Tasmanian community to benefit from Bell Bay Aluminium grants program](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/tasmanian-community-to-benefit-from-bell-bay-aluminium-grants-program) March - [Bell Bay Aluminium calls for support for deal on renewable energy target](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/bell-bay-aluminium-calls-for-support-for-deal-on-renewable-energy-target) 2014 November - [Ray Mostogl, Honoured as CEO Magazine’s Manufacturing Executive of the Year](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/ray-mostogl-honoured-as-ceo-magazines-manufacturing-executive-of-the-year) - [Ray Mostogl, Finalist in CEO Magazine’s Manufacturing Executive of the Year Award](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/ray-mostogl-finalist-in-ceo-magazines-manufacturing-executive-of-the-year-award) September - [Teams on Starting Grid for F1 in Schools Finals](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/teams-on-starting-grid-for-f1-in-schools-finals) - [Students Crash! Bang! Recycle! At Mini Tso In George Town](https://bellbayaluminium.com.au/news/students-crash-bang-recycle-at-mini-tso-in-george-town)