Helmut Stessl and Sue Stessl interviewed by Alex Hood and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 5058218
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Stessl, Helmut, 1936-, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research and personal copies; written permission for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 2010
- 2 sound files (ca. 128 min.)
- Series:
- Alex Hood folklore collection.
- Summary:
-
Folkloric recording. Helmut Stessl talks about his parents' backgrounds; the aftermath of WWI; his family's many moves, finally to Austria; his schooling; the loss of school time due to WWII; conditions in Europe at that time; his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner; the move to Australia (1956); being sent to the Migrant Camp at Bonegilla, Vic., absconding; obtaining work as a toolmaker; how work in Tasmania, led to work on the Snowy River Scheme. Sue Stessl talks about how she arrived in Cooma, N.S.W.; her schooling in Sydney doing a shorthand/typing course; how she met Helmut and her working life. Helmut describes work conditions e.g. shift work, contract work, penalty and bonus schemes, taxes and wages; he describes the tunnels and methods of work. Sue talks about the social life; her involvement in musical shows; the problems with lonely men; gambling; prostitution. Helmut discusses deaths and injuries underground; the 'buddy system'; his first days on the Snowy River Scheme; the class and nature of workers, shift work; Cooma in boom times; history of Ski fields, huts and lodges; leaving the area for a job in Sydney and later move to Newcastle; their family. Sue talks about her family background; her father working at Mt. Magnet as a General Practioner (Dr.).
They talk more about the Snowy and Sue City, a company town and work place, its construction and demise; the lack of knowledge of Snowy Scheme today, achievements of scheme. Helmut describes his work in Mt. Isa; the changes in techniques, 'fly in, fly out'; work on the Ord River and American operations. They talk of cultural differences; the loss of expertise after Snowy Scheme. Helmut speaks of old friends; the Snowy Anniversary; Jindabyne; bushfires and aftermath; the removal of cattle from the Snowy; his night work experiences, the wildlife; the loss of life on the Snowy scheme and tragic deaths; occupational and safety methods today.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on 9 December 2010 in Valentine, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (3 p.)
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Alex Hood folklore collection.
This collection contains 186 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2080 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2010
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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