Before the Gangway

 One of the greatest moment of my life happened when I was a 17 year old. It was the night I got my first pay packet when I worked at Bradmill in Kotara.

Previously, I was on the Dole and I did some work for people that only paid you in cash. One bloke didn't pay me at all and another took 50 percent of tax from my pay. Years later I learned the bloke that docked me probably never paid tax himself. There were no agreement or union about, so I looked at it as a big lesson.  

Although I took advantage of the beach, I really wanted a decent job. I bought a Suzuki TS125 trail bike from Boolaroo and got a learner's permit. Eventually I got my provisional license and then got disqualified after my P plate broke. My name was down at a few places but wanting to go to sea was a priority.

In July 1977 Bradmill was my first real employer. My rank was a Bobbin Boy and I was thrilled to have a stable job. I became a member of a trade union for the first time in my life.

The Australian Textile Workers Union had been around for some time. I knew nothing about them but I remember meeting an elected official who wore a suit and probably wanted my vote. We went on strike once and I went to the beach to enjoy the sunshine. I was trained to operate the machines and went back to being a Bobbin Boy. The purpose of the stunt was to justify the wages which I didn't complain about.

When I started working there I was only 17 years old and not very bright. Because of the regulations of shift work I put my age up to 18 and kept quiet about it. I was breaking the law!

Dogwatch was the shift from 11pm until 7am and I put up with this for over 2 years.  It was repetitive work and it didn't suit me in the finish. For the first time ever I was prescribed Ventolin which was for occupational Asthma. I had my first Hernia operation and made my first compo claim. I do recall being very fatigued and in the end I did use all of my sickies.

At first I began going to work in a car pool and contributing for fuel. There was 4 of us and on the way home we'd stop at the Golden Eagle Hotel near Gateshead. It was opened illegally and catered for shift workers and local alcoholics. The other three were beer drinkers and I would sit and listen to there stories whilst drinking a lemon squash. Once again, I was breaking the law.

In October 1977 I got my driver's licence after I bought my first registered car. It was a 1966 Toyota Corona, and it got me to work independently. I drove it to Sydney and to Narrabri and changed the oil myself. I added a cassette player and traded it in on a 1976 Gallant with help from Esanda Finance. I got a nice letter from Esanda to say they'd welcome me again as a customer. 

My Galant got me to Melbourne, and I got my first ever speeding ticket at Goulburn. I was doing 1 km over the speed limit, and I was on P plates. I didn't pay the fine and challenged it. I wrote a letter to the court, apologised and offered to pay any costs. I already had my black licence by this time so I avoided having my license cancelled. Somebody at the Swansea RSL advised my father what I should do!

I sold my Suzuki before I bought a 250YZ Yamaha at Broadmeadow. It was a Queensland registered motocross bike which was very loud. Some loophole allowed me to ride it legally on NSW roads. When the registration expired it was no use to me, and I sold it. Pinny Plains, Catherine Hill Bay, and Moonee Beach were explored. What is now the Pacific Highway was full of trails to ride. It used a lot of fuel to make it an expensive hobby.

My last ever game of Rugby League was playing for Lakes United at Belmont. I was registered to play in the under 19's and don't remember much. I know I had a bad headache and I must have been concussed. I could have been the world's slowest fullback!

In my teens I flew over to Perth using a standby ticket. If somebody cancelled I'd get a fare discount but I had to wait. I got to visit Augusta, Busselton, Two Rocks Marina and Rottnest Island. I stayed in Youth Hostels and in those days you had to do chores. When I returned to the airport the place was chaotic so I decided to hitch-hike. I got as far as Merredin Roadhouse where I was lucky to book myself on the Greyhound bus.  

I bought a Marantz stereo and began to buy records. If I got to Sydney I'd go to the 2nd hand shops and buy vinyl. Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, and Led Zeppelin were in my collection.

Adult wage wasn't paid until I turned twenty. I was at work on my eighteenth and nineteenth birthday but had to pretend I was a year older. I was never comfortable with the situation that very few new about. The pay rise was great but that wasn't the reason behind the lie.

If I didn't put my age up I would have probably remained on the dole. The job came to me through a connection at the Swansea Workers Club. Dad's drinking mate was a relative of the Industrial officer at the factory. Quite a few others were employed through this loophole. My father was a great mentor through all of this. He put his own age up to join the army and ended up in Kakoda with Dysentery. Although I had the shits, I consider myself luckier.

All of the machines were operated by women working a forty hour shift. Some would have been around when Women were receiving less pay. Most of them were also mothers that send kids to school. Bradmill was all about productivity.

The Textile industry at the time was going through changes. Technology to replace workers was in vogue all around the world. Malcolm Fraser was prime minister at the time and it was easy to blame him. Everything was being produced overseas with cheaper labour costs. When I voted for the first time in my life Bill Hayden was my wish.

Personality clashes and mind games were a rotten part of the environment. My true age was exposed which did me a favour in the end. That's when I got serious about finding employment elsewhere.

When I told the Industrial bloke at Goninan I still had a job he took notice. When I mentioned Bradmill he hired me and I quit being a bobbin boy. It was no secret in those days if you had a job it was easier to get  a job. I learned that theory was true.

My life changed when I started chasing cranes at Goninan Engineering. I started at 8am and finished at 4 pm from Monday to Friday. The 35 hour working week was a lunchtime discussion and it was great to be working daylight hours. I could go to bed at night and my social life improved. $3.50 an hour was my pay, and Goninan also had a credit union. I got a Crane Chasers permit and started a Riggers course at Tighes Hill on a Wednesday night. I never gave up on wanting to go to sea and believe a Riggers certificate may have helped. My only complaint was driving in the peak hour traffic.

I contributed to the Federated Ironworkers Association of Australia. The union had a long history and wasn't popular among left wing trade unionists. My father had been a member when he worked as a rigger at the power stations. He would often say they were not one of his favourite organisations.

As well as the Ironworkers there were many other unions representing workers at Goninan. They represented Boiler Makers, Fitters and Turners, Crane drivers, Moulders, Labourers and Vehicle Builders. We often had combined meetings with the AMWSU which represented the Boiler Makers. There were demarcation disputes and there were too many unions.

Junior Burt was a nickname someone gave me because I was always chatting to the other chaser. His name was Burt Cant and would often pass me a copy of the Tribune to read. During our lunch break we'd sit and disagree with a boilermaker that was an outspoken critic of trade unions. He actually became a Metal Workers delegate! When he learned there was money in it, he put his hand up and was unopposed.

As soon as I turned eighteen, I joined the Swansea Workers Club. My next door neighbour was the Secretary Manager. After I left Bradmill I put my name down to pick up glasses. I got hired and worked a minimum 3 hours on a Friday night and I got paid casual rate. I also contributed to the Federated Liquor & Allied Industries Employees Union of Australia.  I was a member of 2 unions at the same time. Maybe I was insecure but I didn't mind earning money!

I also did some work experience at the Mattara Hotel in Charlestown on a Saturday morning. This gave me some needed confidence as a 19 year old and I was pouring beers but rarely drinking any.

My mother also worked at the Workers Club as a casual cleaner. She'd clean up the mess that was made after the concerts. If I finished at 11pm, I'd see most of a gig for free. On a quiet night I'd knock off at 10pm.

There was a Chinese Restaurant upstairs in the club. This is where I had Lemon Chicken for the first time. There were 2 other Chinese Restaurants in Swansea at this time. Eventually the first ever Pizza parlour was opened in the main street.

The Club was just about 300 metres walking distance from my doorstep. Friday and Sunday night was when popular bands played in the auditorium.

The Little River Band played at the club in 1976. Although I was to young to see them, I could hear them from my bedroom. That is how loud it was!

My social life improved when I changed jobs because I was no longer restricted to boogie only on Friday and Saturday night. I could now go out every night of the week if I didn't work overtime. On Tuesday night I could go to the Doyalson RSL on the Central Coast. Wednesday night I went to TAFE or I could go to the Palais Royale in Newcastle. Thursday night bands performed at the Belmont 16 Footers. On Friday and Saturday night there were plenty of venues to choose from. Sunday night was a popular night at the Swansea Workers Club.

As a 17 year old I remember being served at the Orana Hotel Blacksmiths, Mawson Hotel Caves Beach, and the Golden Eagle at Gateshead. I rarely touched alcoholic drinks and I drank a lot of Coca Cola. When I turned Eighteen I went to more places and I was no longer breaking any law.

The Mawson Hotel was where I'd seen Cold Chisel for the first time. I remember seeing Jeff Duff and Flowers perform there before they became Icehouse.

The Doyalson RSL was the first venue where I'd seen Midnight Oil perform. I lost count of the times I paid to see them.

The Ambassador Nightclub was in Newcastle where in 1979 I'd seen XTC perform there. The support band was Flowers with Iva Davis. They went on to become Icehouse. Cold Chisel played there regularly.

Also in Newcastle was The Shortland Rooms which is the only place I'd seen Dragon. They were without Mark Hunter and they had Richard Lee on the electric violin. Billy Rogers was the vocalist.

Richard Lee was in an unsigned band called Sidewinder that played at the Swansea Workers Club. His electric violin was creative and dramatic!

The Castle Tavern was another Newcastle venue I'd seen Choirboys in there very early days. Eventually they became The Choirboys.

The Belmont 16 Footers was one of the venues I had seen Swanee. They also performed at the Charmhaven Hotel without John Swan who was there lead singer. He was unwell so his brother Jimmy Barnes filled in and read the lyrics from their record cover. That was an interesting night!  

The Florida Hotel Terrigal was a fair drive south for a night out. I had seen recording bands perform there as well. The Cardiff Workers Club, The Jolly Rodger, Newcastle Workers Club, The Belmont Sportsman’s Club and The Belmont Hotel were other band friendly places that I recall. Beach concerts drew large crowds to Redhead and Caves Beach. I remember seeing Cold Chisel and Midnight Oil at different times. Cheap Trick performed at the Civic Theatre in 1979 when the US Navy were in town. It was the only time I'd seen a band at this spot.

The Swansea Workers Club had a small auditorium where I had memorable times. Many of the bands that I seen perform there made records and were often on television.

Rose Tattoo played there and at other local venues. They were loud and at one stage had Lobby Loyde on the bass guitar. I bought their record!

When Dave Warner played there, almost every P Plate driver in Lake Macquarie filled the car park. He was a controversial filth artist but I don't recall anyone being arrested. I did love his sound!

Jimmy and the Boys was another band that mocked filth! They had Ignatius Jones and Joylene the Drag Queen keyboard player to be outrageous!

Mother Goose came to the club after attempting success in California. They promoted  Baked Beans and wore silly costumes. They had great timing and were serious performers!   

Ted Mulry Gang played at the club but didn't sell many tickets. They were on Television a lot to be labelled as pop stars. They played some naughty songs which went well with audience.

The Radiators made use of pyrotechnical equipment and almost blew the place up. They had heaps of energy and everybody loved them!

Jeff St John was already a legend when I seen him perform. He had a great band and he had an amazing voice.

When I first seen INXS they were a support band at the club. They upgraded to the main act and went on to become huge.

Mick Conway and his brother Jim performed in a band called Matchbox. A circus act in a band with lots of Juggling Time! They were formally known as Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band.

Texas were a Melbourne band that released a live album. Some of the photographs on the cover of their record were taken at the club.

When Russell Morris wore his hat into the foyer the doorman stopped him. That night I was working behind the bar, and I heard the barney. “I don't care if your Jesus Christ, you're not coming in here with that hat on!” Eventually the manager covered him with a black plastic garbage bag and escorted him through the foyer. He got to perform!

Sherbet changed their name to Sherbs and only sold about 12 tickets. My shift  finished before they started and I got to see the whole show which impressed me. When they came to the Rosebuds in Adamstown I made sure I seen them again. This time I paid!

Women were being represented as musicians and singers occasionally. I remember seeing a part female band called Vixen. Cheetah were another part female band that featured two sisters on lead vocals. Sharon O'Neil hailed from New Zealand and performed at local venues. She'd bury herself behind the keyboards and sing some great original songs. Anne Kirkpatrick was also part of the circuit.

Since 1977 Cold Chisel performed in Swansea so many times that I lost count. They were so popular in Newcastle and had only released a live EP record. They went on to record many studio albums and became famous.

When Midnight Oil performed at the club the cleaners were always impressed. I remember them saying they never left much of a mess afterwards. 

The Angels, Mi Sex, Kevin Borich Express, Jim Keays, Moving Pictures, John Dallimore, Redgum, Phil Manning, Heaven, Contraband, Stars, Broderick Smith's Big Combo, The Hitmen, Ayers Rock, Redgum, Class, DV8, Matt Finish, Heroes and the Willie Winter were bands that also played regularly at the local venues. 

One morning when I was at the club collecting my pay, I ran in to Bob Scott. Like my father Bob was a Marine Cook and knew I'd been trying to join the industry. My name had been down to work on deck but I was no longer optimistic. Bob had suggested I put my name down to become a cook. He gave me a number to ring and I followed the procedure which included a medical. The Marine Cooks Union had an office in Newcastle with a branch secretary (Bill O'Malley). I caught up with Fred Moss who gave me some great tips.

My father didn't want to see me in the galley. I never had a trade certificate, and he never thought becoming ships cook suited me. He was wrong!

I don't recall ever frying an egg, but I was willing to learn. Dad showed me how to make fried rice and some simple pastry. Our neighbour was Joe Blatchford who was a Marine Cook that sailed on the Poolta. I remember him giving me tips on cooking Corned Beef.  Joe also worked with Dad and Bill Heath before Bill became the Federal secretary of the Marine Cooks Union. They both had plenty of praise for Bill.

Working behind the bar was an interesting experience that gave me self esteem. I was interviewed for a permanent job at the club but I was unsuccessful. Some of the interviewers lived in my neighbourhood and I was known to them. I wasn't disappointed and when I joined the Maritime industry I was glad I didn't get the job.