John Holland interviewed by Rob Linn [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3464379
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Holland, John, Sir, 1914-2009, interviewee
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2005
- 3 digital audio tapes (ca. 195 min.)
- Summary:
-
Sir John Holland speaks about his parents and their background; how the family's income was generated; his upbringing at Flinders, Vic. and his appreciation of the Flinders' natural environment; his home life and his parents influence on his life; his primary and secondary education; attending the University of Melbourne to study engineering and his university days; his engineering course and his colleagues; working during vacations; his job with Commonwealth Oil Refineries (COR) and his early work experiences with COR; the outbreak of war and volunteering for military service, joining the Royal Australian Engineers Corps; how he met his first wife, Joan Atkinson; his war service in the Middle East; engaged in building of Delta Defensive Scheme and his role as a Liaison Officer with the British; his first experience of loss of life in action and his view of war; Franco Bellgiornio-Nettis of Transfield; his movement to Greece and his experiences of the conflict; his description of the campaign and aftermath at Crete and Egypt; the Japanese entering the war and his return to Australia; his marriage in May 1942 and his return to active service.
Holland talks about his secondment to Special Operations Executive (SOE)/Special Operations Australia (SOA); his return to Australia and his role in the establishment of SOA/Z Special Unit, directing technical services; his part in planning the raid on Japanese occupied Singapore Harbour in Operation Jaywick (1943); his further war service until the end of the war; his post-war attitude to move on and to build for the future; his partnership with Stafford Fox and the creation of John Holland Constructions (1949); projects his company was involved with including the restoration of the Tasman Bridge after its collapse in 1974 following the collision of the Illawarra; the move into the Western Australia on iron ore projects (1961) through Sir Charles Court; the Westgate Bridge collapse and John Holland Group's exoneration; the move into international contracting with a variety of outcomes and adjusting to different expectations; building the new Parliament House, Canberra with Concrete Constructions; his retirement, its aftermath and adjusting to life; reflections on his corporate success; his family life; his children and their careers; his involvement in charitable and philanthropic work; his views on life, values and philosophical ideals.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on May 20, 2005 at Flinders, Vic.
- Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-218660394
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (2 p.) and uncorrected transcript (typescript, 56 leaves)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Linn, Rob, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
You may copy under some circumstances, for example you may copy a portion for research or study. Order a copy through Copies Direct to the extent allowed under fair dealing. Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2075 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2005
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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