AusNet recently replaced the overhead powerline connecting Raymond Island to the mainland with a new underground cable to make the region more resilient to future storm and weather events.
In the process, they came across Bairnsdale local legend and ex-SEC linesman and AusNet worker, George Reggardo, who has had a lifetime of experience in the energy industry.
George spent more than 35 years working for the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in Gippsland. He worked as a linesman and winch truck driver in Bairnsdale and Sale and was one of the people involved in the first Raymond Island project, putting the overhead lines up to power the island during the 1960s and 1970s.
AusNet project coordinator Casey Websdale visited George and by remarkable coincidence established that her own father had been an apprentice with George.
Her dad, Christopher Websdale, had started as a ‘tecko’/Energy Project Coordinator back in 1996, the same role that Casey now holds.
“It’s been wonderful to swap stories with Casey about all the experiences I’ve had over the years,” George said.
“George regaled us with some amazing stories and anecdotes about Raymond Island and the work done in the past,” Casey said.
“Back then, to install the poles, you had to use A-frames and cranes,” George said.
It was George’s job to not only make sure that the poles made it across to the Island, but to winch them up. This was no mean feat given there was no modern ferry to get across from Paynesville to Raymond Island like there is today.
“Everything had to fit on to a small narrow punt which was made during the horse and buggy days, with just enough room to take the winch truck out,” he said.
“It was not unusual for the punt motor to give out halfway across and for passengers to have to assist the punt operator in pulling the wire cabling by hand to get across.
“On one occasion the punt cable snapped, sending the punt down the Gippsland Lakes sideways, with my truck falling into the water. I had to climb out of the truck to swim to safety, but it was all in a day’s work.”
Rock barges were used to transport the poles across, but these couldn’t get close enough to the shore. So the poles were dropped just off the Island and it was George’s job to pull them out with his winch truck and transport them across the island.
It was hot, mosquito-plagued work, made worse by the ankle to wrist boiler suits that constituted PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) back then, but George has many fond memories of that time.
“The locals knew us by name and came out to say hello. They were very grateful to have power on the island at last. There were no telephones at that time, so human contact was a blessing,” he said.
“There was lots of wildlife around and the koalas weren’t scared of the workers. There were many times when we’d be up a pole being watched by a koala or two.”
While being nostalgic about the poles on Raymond Island, George was also excited to see the progress made by removing them.
“There were two private planes flying out of Sale Airport in the late 1970s which hit poles during the late 70s, and a few boats with tall masts took out the lines a few times,” George said.
George and his wife Anne went through their old photographs, re-living all the memories – it was clear that the passion and commitment to helping the community is still there.
