Friday 27 September 2013

Upcoming Guest Speaker: Aubrey Brooks - 21 Oct 2013


At our 21 Oct 2013 meeting we will have a guest speaker, Aubrey Brooks. Like his grandfather and father before him, Aubrey started his thirty-eight-year working life at BHP at the age of fifteen, and worked there until the last whistle blew thirteen years ago. Together the four Brooks men gave a total 125 years of service to BHP.

Aubrey is passionate about making the general public aware of the personal side of the men and women who gave service and created a unique bond of mateship which has continued, as evidenced by the many who attend the annual “Men and Women of Steel” reunions he organises.


At the time of writing, Aubrey has conducted more than thirty talks to countless members of visiting Service Clubs - Lions, Apex, Probus, Lodges, Rotary, sporting, historical, seniors groups, retirement villages and overseas visitors, who have soaked up some of the emotion of life at the steelworks.


He also conducts tours of the Muster Point. The one and a half hour tours are free; however, voluntary donations are welcome to aid the Memorial Project Fund. 



50 Years of NBN - The History and Closure of the BHP in Newcastle



The Muster Point is a 70 tonne steel sculpture with bronze cast figures, objects, and components from the Steelworks, the building is 8m x 12m x 8m,with associated pathways (railways sleepers and ballast), located near entrance to steelworks site, George St & Selwyn St off Industrial Drive, Mayfield. . (at McDonald's on Industrial Drive turn left going to Newcastle) 
Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association is pleased to offer personalized 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. T
he whole structure, inside and out, has many stories to tell about the history of steelmaking in Newcastle.

If you know any small 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 and Wheel Chair friendly, and take about

Email: obisan@bigpond.com or Mobile 0407452714.


A number of books and DVD's relating to the history of BHP will be available for purchase on the night.


Tuesday 3 September 2013

Soup and Damper Night A Success

The wonderful cooks who supplied the tasty soups!!
The recent Soup and Damper Night held to raise funds for the Society was a great success.

We had 40 people in attendance, both members and visitors, who by all comments enjoyed both the food and company.

The menu included:
1) Spicy Pumpkin
2) Sweet Potato &  Ginger
3) Cauliflower, Leek &  Bacon
4) Chestnut &  Bacon Crumbles
5) Potato & Leek
6) Dutch Pea & Ham

Many stories of the history of Stockton and surrounds were shared on the night and much interest shown in the World War One Photo Frame owned by the Society. Information on the ranks of some men was gathered and recorded.

Soup and conversation!!