In the 80s a small band of miners formed the Mount Isa Hardrock Mining – Rockdrill club with the objective to promote, encourage and compete in rockdrilling competitions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thirty-seven years on, they are remembered with an exclusive Rockdrill Club reunion to be held during the 60th Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo week.
Reunion organiser Judy Walters said these men were the gun miners of the 80s.
“Recently a few of the wives put our heads together and decided ‘let’s do something for these men of Isa’, and so with the Rodeo upon us we decided to have a rockdrill reunion weekend,” Ms Walters said.
The reunion is an exclusive event reaching out to those involved in the club during its heyday.
“Already we have about 20 people coming and the excitement between old mates is growing.’ she said.
“The rockdrilling competitions were held not only in Mount Isa but nationwide.”
The first championship contest was in 1982.
By 1983 big names had sponsored the championship which was held at Kalkadoon Park.
“Mount Isa Mines Limited, Atlas Copco, I.C.I. Explosives Division, Compair and Pavex, to name a few, all came on board,” Ms Walters said.
“In 1988 the miners competed in the Royal Sydney Show National Rockdrill Competition, back then it was a huge thing.
“Trophies were presented to the winning teams and we have two of them here, although the third one has gone missing.”
“It was last seen at the John Middlin Centre near Splashez, years ago.”
The Peter Hodgson Memorial trophy went to the overall winning team.
The Excalibur trophy was presented to the fastest team and the Silver Three trophy to the best Mount Isan in the event.
Ms Walters said a memorabilia display would be set up at Outback At Isa in Marion St for the public during Rodeo week in August.
“There will be trophies, sashes and footage of the competitions,” Ms Walters said.
“You can meet some of the drillers as well it’s going to be a really great attraction.”