Stripping down dozers, learning to repair huge machines which dwarfed him, what teenager wouldn't have revelled in work conditions that fulfilled many a boyhood dream.

Moving with his family as a 15 year old from Bronte Park to Poatina at the end of 1959, Keith Bonner embarked on his 5 year apprenticeship with the Hydro as a fitter and turner. The five years stood him in good stead for future career moves, as the breadth of training he received gave him the opportunity to experience many areas of the Hydro's operation, both in terms of the variety of equipment and working conditions.

From repairing, machining and manufacturing all manner of things on the workshop lathes, to working out in the field in the tunnels, on the roads, or in the power station itself, there was always some new challenge to keep a teenager interested and well and truly occupied.

“When the road over the mountain was being constructed, we'd head up in buses. It'd take a fair while. The seats in the bus faced each other, so the guys would put a board between them and we'd have plenty of time for a game of cards on the way up, and again on the way back after a hard day's work.”

Keith was not averse to adding a little variety to the evening meal back home on such days, sneaking a hand line or rifle on to the work bus going up the mountain. The odd rabbit or two or fish caught during the day, only during the lunch break of course (!), was worth the risk of being found out, though he doubts much fuss would have been made of such a venture.

Life in the early 60's for Keith revolved around work five days a week, football on Saturdays, then relaxing with mates on Sundays, the cafe with its jukebox being a popular hangout for the town's teenagers. As he reached his late teens and his meagre wage gradually increased, Keith took the plunge and bought a car, paying it off at the princely sum of five pound per week. His new found freedom and mobility enabled he and his mates to spread their wings a little and venture off to the dances in Launceston on Saturday nights, and as they started to attract the attention of the local young ladies, they also became popular escorts for the Deb Balls held for several years in the town.

Keith followed his father into the Hydro, who had worked from 1948 in Bronte Park and Poatina, then later at Gowrie Park, Strathgordon and Tullah. Unlike his father though, at the end of his apprenticeship, Keith left the Hydro, moving to Melbourne for several months to study marine engineering with ANL. A two year stint at Gowrie Park brought him back into the Hydro for a while in the late 60's, but he can still recall with clarity and fondness the years spent in Poatina. For a teenager, working with the night shift maintenance crew on the gigantic “Mole” as it took a break from gouging its way through the mountain to create the pipeline's tunnel, was reward in itself.

Keith now lives in Perth, and is part of a planning team gathering photos, memorabilia and stories from former residents of Poatina, in the lead up to the grand “Back to Poatina” gathering on Saturday, 17th July 2004. Give Keith a call on 03 6398 1681 if you have anything you would like to contribute or for more details about the day.


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