No stopping Noel after 55 years service in Whyalla

Steelworks honours its longest serving family member

LIBERTY Primary Steel (LPS) celebrated a remarkable milestone recently as Noel Goldsworthy clocked up 55 years of service at the Whyalla operations.

Managing Director LPS, Tony Swiericzuk paid tribute to Noel and his outstanding contribution as the current longest serving employee.

“Having always worked in the shipping, transport and logistics areas of our steelworks, Noel has been the backbone of everything that moves into, and out of, our Whyalla business and still keeps it humming today,” Tony said.

“While he is not the longest ever serving employee, that goes to Brian Kennedy at 56.7 years, I’m sure he has his sights on that top of the podium target in the coming years.”

Commencing work at BHP on the 25^th September in 1968, Noel started as a wharf dispatcher following three years at the Commonwealth Bank. He then transferred to BHP transport and took over the wharf operations as well as land logistic contracts for distribution of steel around Australia.

“Noel was here for the last operation to close in 2000 when the casters were built and export ceased … at that time, the only BHP operation left in Whyalla was the Stevedoring business,” Tony said.

I’m excited about the future of LPS and the changes that are coming that will be positive for the future … I encourage employees of today to embrace this change and work hard for the future of Whyalla

Noel Goldsworthy

“He essentially “turned off the lights and handed back the keys” when BHP become OneSteel.”

One of Noel’s earliest memories was when he began working shift work and what a shock it was.

“It was a shock but I made it work,” Noel said.

“I remember countless ships launching from the slip ways and was working an afternoon shift when the MV Amanda Miller ship caught fire and disastrously burnt to the ground.

“In those days, the ship’s crews used to dock selling watches to employees, prawn boats came to site for sales and many interesting characters would disembark.”

Noel said he was proud to have been heavily involved in logistics both locally and nationally and he has been able to experience working with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

“I have made many life-long friends throughout the years, but I would also like to recognise those that are no longer here with us today,” Noel said.

“I’m excited about the future of LPS and the changes that are coming that will be positive for the future … I encourage employees of today to embrace this change and work hard for the future of Whyalla.”