Joseph’s journey from Glasgow to Whyalla

GFG Pipeline Program delivers on a global scale

28 March 2023

When Joseph Campbell left Glasgow in Scotland for his new graduate position with LIBERTY Primary Steel it was a chilly four-degrees … when he landed in Whyalla it was a scorching 40!

This crushing change in climate might have deterred some but, for our newest GFG Alliance graduate process/metallurgy engineer at LIBERTY Primary Steel (LPS), it was all part of the deal as he embarks on an ‘exciting’ two-year challenge and adventure in South Australia.

“It was a bit of culture shock (the heat) but I’ve always pushed myself and like being outside my comfort zone,” Joseph said.

“My plans to explore Whyalla on my first day were, however, put on hold considering the heat.”

For Joseph, the graduate role in Whyalla is another step in his life and work journey, a journey that has taken him from his home in Newcastle, northern England, to Glasgow in Scotland and Austria in Europe to complete his Masters in chemical engineering.

… this was the opportunity I had been waiting for … it is a brilliant job and a fantastic chance to grow professional and personally

Joseph Campbell

It was in Austria that he started searching for graduate positions with Australia and GFG Alliance becoming a real possibility as his search widened.

Joseph had an online Zoom interview for the graduate position with LPS and then returned to Glasgow after completing his Masters. It was then an early-morning phone call from Australia that propelled him on his latest adventure.

“I’d finished a shift as a barman at 2am and was just getting ready for bed when the phone rang at 4am” Joseph said

“I was told I had the job and, even at 4am, I realised this was the opportunity I had been waiting for … it is a brilliant job and a fantastic chance to grow professional and personally.”

Joseph was actually born in Australia but at age 18 months his parents moved to England and Newcastle. With Australian citizenship, the transition was made slightly easier but Joseph still laughs when he thinks about his arrival to summer in Whyalla from wintery Glasgow.

“My body doesn’t function too well in that heat but I’m still very glad to be here and looking forward to the job,” Joseph said.

Everyone is very friendly and approachable, so I am very, very excited about this opportunity

Joseph Campbell

Joseph’s introduction to Whyalla and his onboarding in January wasn’t, however, all about the heat. He was rapt to immediately meet his seniors and team leaders to get a further idea about a role and future he was tackling on the other side of the world from family and friends.

“Talking to my seniors, it seems like this job will be very much a mix of hands-on and theoretical work,” Joseph said.

“For me that is the perfect balance for an engineering job.

“Everyone is very friendly and approachable, so I am very, very excited about this opportunity.”

Main picture: Joseph Campbell at the LIBERTY Primary Steel Whyalla Steelworks in Australia.