We asked John where he started and his experiences in the industry. “I commenced in the gas industry in 1973 working for Colonial Gas, based in Victoria. From there I went into the Gas & Fuel pipeline division and worked with Vin Pollock, Bob Fraser, Graham Witty and Peter Rees. I was on many projects with Peter England who is still around today in Melbourne. Peter was the person who gave me the necessary ‘training’ in projects,” John said.

“In 1984 with the lull in Gas & Fuel’s work I accepted an offer from Allan Newham of Eric Newham Holdings (Newhams) in construction on the Jackson Naccowlah pipeline. At Newhams I had the pleasure to work with Tom Hoffman, Ross Kelly, Brian Bowen and, of course, Keith Fitzgerald.

“After a stint back in Victoria mainly on pipeline dig-ups, I returned in 1985 to Newhams on the Alice Springs to Darwin pipeline. Those were the days where I seemed to have all of the ‘other’ roles, like subcontractor management, logistics, purchasing, and generally any job that the spread boss decided I should do. Frank Martino was the catering contractor back then and did a great job. Today Frank runs a highly successful business and is set to become a shipping magnate.

“I then went to Clough Engineering and worked with Neil Cain, who was Project Manager, on the Young to Lithgow pipeline. Bill Guthrie, whom I had known for quite a few years, was spread boss. Bill passed away recently, but is well-remembered. Then followed a period where I was involved in pipeline inspection.

“One of the very interesting and challenging experiences I had during this time was as operations manager for the Palm Valley gas field. It was a great experience and insight into pipeline operation and management.

“Typical of all project people, I soon looked forward to returning again to the ‘urgency’ of project life, I went to CMPS, GHD and others, that’s where I first met Ron Black.”

John tells of a story from that era, “One of the CMPS men parked his vehicle on a slope and it ‘just fell over’! So the next day, I presented a cake, topped with a toy car on its roof, to the crew including Ron Black. That did not go over well and possibly was not a good career move!

“My first job overseas was with Clough Engineering and Jim Reaman in PNG. Jim and I have had a long association doing project type work, such as estimating pipelines and construction. Then there were various stints back with PLT Pipetech and Kadco with Tony DiGiocchino and others. Tony was a gentleman to work for and would bring a smile to your face, even when telling you off.

“I moved back overseas to work on pipeline projects in Singapore then Thailand, constructing pipelines in Rayon for the Thai oil companies. Funny thing about Thailand, I could not figure out why the job shut down every day for an extended lunch, until one day the Thai Engineer brought me a hammock and showed me where the men were, we found them perched up in the local park where they spent a couple of hours, as did I. The job was eventually finished on time.

“I returned to Australia and worked on many different pipelines then went to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and finally Trinidad before again returning to Australia. My latest pipeline project is in Western Australia working for Alinta Asset Management on the duplication of the DBNGP, with a great team led by Mike Jones.”

We asked John about the project which he saw as the highlight of his career, “I think the project that I am still very proud of is the Moran pipeline in PNG, it was a small pipeline laid above ground in terrain only accessible by helicopter. We had men like Bruce McDonough, Kelvin Mundy, Jim Wylie and a hand-selected crew on construction. It was a difficult pipeline and was designed and installed on the run, the crew really stuck to it.”

Of the exciting and dangerous times John said: “I think Pakistan was my awakening call. It’s not until you are alone in places like these that you realise you are at risk. You quickly realise that the guards used are not very effective when you see their ages and the type of weaponry they carry. I had to explain to one of our guards that it’s pretty pointless sitting in the front of a vehicle carrying only a rifle as you need all the windows shot out to be able to use it. Trinidad was another area where kidnapping was a daily threat. I would add that working for BHP Billiton was a rewarding and memorable experience, and that personnel security was always high on the agenda.”

We put it to John that pipelining had certainly taken him all over Australia and to many parts of the world. “I think that has made it very interesting for me, I am lucky that I don’t consider this work at all, I get great enjoyment from planning projects and either constructing or managing them and seeing through to the end, especially with some of the talent that’s around still from the ‘old’ days.”

“I have often thought how lucky I was to have found this career path and owe a debt of gratitude to all the persons that have mentored me through each stage of my career.”

John’s home is now in Brisbane where he lives with his wife Bianca and daughter Jessica who is in her final year at university.