In Summary...

About to finish up my first 4 weeks.


Site Huts

So here are a few observations and expectations
Made in China.....
The world is changing and I am not making a political statement as I type on my Malaysian laptop, use my Chinese made Ipad and Iphone while making tea with my $8 Chinese Kmart Kettle wearing clothing make in China and driving car made in Japan and Germany.
The term is "off shoring" and I knew that Drafting for all large Structural Steel Fabrication shops is done at half the price "offshore".
Did not know that most of the steelwork in all these jobs is "off shored" into China. Last year the company I worked for had 7 ships deliver steel for about 4 large contracts straight into Ports and Rail lines near the Mining sites. 5500 employees in China with 140+ expatriates looking after them. Welcome to the real world. Factories that I would have worked in, in Victoria could not much the price let alone the speeds of these Mega Factories. This is only one of many large Engineering Companies in Australia. This is happening all over the world.


2 New Car Dumpers

Did not expect the heat to impact on everything. Expected to work in the heat, but I am constantly moving from dry air conditioned buses, smoko rooms, mess rooms, and dongas, into the humid heat. And never really venturing out of the donga. Not even leave the door open for fresh air, sit on the verandah, go for a walk. Too hot.. Too oppressive and not much to see nearby.
Did expect that I would be in a gym. Maybe next time. Got lots of negative reports on the equipment and room.
Did think that I would swim laps in the pool. Too hot and little.. Did not bother.
Did think that I would have full blown Foxtel (Dunno why). Got the cheap Foxtel that you get in motels on a tiny grainy picture analogue TV. No Digital TV.

2 New tunnels

Did think I would have Wifi. No...
Thought I would not connect with other workers. Not bad so far. Very very blokey though.
Did think that they would be overly racist, sexist and xenophobic. Well not at all. This industry has no tolerance for that, nor bullying, violence, drugs or alcohol.. Window seat.....!
They are no angels and of course there are exceptions. And problems exist on other sites.
Oh, and the gossip and whinging.... Off the chart.. Large companies......