Roland’s work history commenced on leaving school at Coffs Harbour where he undertook an apprenticeship in Fitting and Turning at Metal Manufacturers, Port Kembla. He worked as a tradesman at the Port Kembla Steelworks before starting as a fitter/operator at the Coal Cliff Colliery Washery in September 1968 followed by a stint in the underground environment. He left for four years to operate a service station/restaurant before returning to coal mining in September 1979. He took his first deputy role in 1981, then worked as a longwall coordinator for a few years until restructuring saw him return to the role of Deputy. Roland is a Model T-Ford enthusiast.
ILN:What is your earliest mining memory?
RH: As a country boy my only experience of mining was what I read in the newspapers.
ILN: What made you choose mining as a career?
RH: I chose to go into coal mining as it always paid more than other industries.
ILN: When was your first underground visit?
RH: My first underground visit was at Coal Cliff, the Washery used to pump waste down into the pit in the old workings past the old stables to where the jetty used to go out to sea.
ILN: What was your favourite job in a coal mine?
RH: Looking after the longwall for a month whilst the boss was on holidays and breaking all previous records.
ILN: What was your least favourite job?
RH: Shovelling off stone from the AFC and handpicking stone when the AFC bogs down. I did this for approximately 3 months in 1991.
ILN: Who, or what, has most influenced your mining career?
RH: Bob Gemmell (ex-Undermanager in Charge) for pushing me to undertake my Deputy’s Ticket, then encouraging me to volunteer to go on the longwall. Paul Harrington whose knowledge of longwalling was endless.
ILN: What do you consider your best mining achievement?
RH: Being asked to travel to America in 1992 to purchase a new Joy Shearer (first Joy in Australia) where we had dinner one night with the Principal of Burrell Mining (Bill Haubach?) who stated “pity you’re not coming back in 1994 as my Golf Club is holding the U.S. Open”. I said “I will be back Vintage Car rallying that year". With a bit of juggling of our itinerary, my wife and I went to the 2nd and 3rd day of the U.S. Open. Following that I spent a day with Bill viewing the prototype of the tin can (tailgate support), which I successfully introduced in to Australia (this is a story in itself).
ILN: What do you see as being the greatest mining development during your career?
RH: The change in rib support from none to props and sprags, wooden dowels, steel dowels, fibre glass dowels. Props are not used at all now and it helps protect the environment.
ILN: Do you hold any mining records?
RH: 159 cars in solid development (12hrs) as the Deputy. Daily, weekly and monthly records for the longwall whilst relieving for the Longwall Coordinator who was on leave and still undertaking afternoon shift production as the Deputy. Received a lot of help from the Day and Night shift Deputy’s and Operators.
ILN: Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?
RH: To retire in three years in good health without an injury to any of my team members or myself and drive my model T-Ford around Australia in 2007 – 100th anniversary of the model T-Ford.
ILN: What was your most embarrassing moment in a coal mine?
RH: Whilst working at Coal Cliff Colliery, I had not long received my loco drives ticket when I was requested to bring some hydraulic oil to the face. The loco was parked at the crib room and I decided instead of carrying the drum, I’d put it on the loco. I misjudged the cut-through and ran it off the rails, then tried to deny it was me, which only compounded the incident. After doing the rounds with the Shift Undermanager and Manager, I learnt a valuable lesson… “If you make a mistake, it is better to own up straight away”
ILN: What was your scariest time in a coal mine?
RH: I had not been a Deputy for long – we used to start production at 6pm on a Sunday night (pre-shift). I was put in charge of a pillar extraction unit, the goaf was hanging up – it would work but not fall, I was really on edge when I got a tap on the shoulder by the regular Deputy who came in on night shift. He said you have to walk the belts, I was so relieved as they buried the miner in the next lift and I did not have to front the boss.
ILN: What is your worst memory of coal mining?
RH: I assisted in retrieving a seriously injured worker who later died and having to attend the Coroner's Court.
ILN: Do you think that the day of the fully automated remotely operated face is near?
RH: I don’t think this will ever happen as there are too many variables. Man makes machines and we are not perfect. It will break down and man will have to go and fix it. I can see where technology will mean less labour to operate them.
ILN: What major improvements would you like to see on longwall operations?
RH: West Cliff Colliery has recently purchased a new longwall, which has all the latest bells and whistles. All longwall personnel had input into its purchase so we’re hoping everything works.
