160 years experience farewelled at the Bowlo

Four long-term railway workers were farewelled by friends, family and co-workers at the Dapto Bowling Club recently.

Drivers Phillip Lawson, Antonius “Tony” Arnts, Brian Suckley and guard Peter Rodden have all recently retired from the railways, taking with them a collective 160 years experience.

The Loco Division wishes all four workers a safe and enjoyable retirement and thanks them for their many years dedication to the railways.

L to R: Tony Arnts, Brian Suckley, RTBU rep John Aquilina, and Phillip Lawson.

Phillip Lawson

Phillip Lawson joined the NSW Government Railways as a Trainee Engineman at Port Kembla Locomotive Depot in 1966, not long after which he won the Golden Award for having the best knowledge of Safe Working in the State of NSW Railways.

In 1969 he transferred to Wollongong and worked as a fireman and then Acting Driver on the passenger services Wollongong, Sydney, Nowra before transferring to ESR Suburban ETR Mortdale depot in 1978.

In 1981 Phillip transferred to Wollongong City Interurban Depot where he remained till he retired on the 8^th July 2014.

Phillip was presented with a plaque from the RTBU at the Dapto retirement event for recognition of 48 years of union membership.

Tony Arntz

Tony joined the NSW Government Railways in March 1974 at Port Kembla Locomotive Depot as a Trainee Engineman. He stayed there until 1979 working in a range of roles including as a Shed Fireman’s mate, and later as Shed Fireman and also the occasional stint working Freight trains to Enfield, Nowra Moss Vale and Goulburn

In July 1979 Tony transferred to Mortdale ETR Driver on City Rail Suburban Network.

He transferred to Wollongong City Interurban Depot in 1982 where he became a union activist. Tony was never shy when it came to informing managers that they were not compliant to their own policies or procedures, especially when it came to environment issues and train running costs.

Tony retired in July 2014 and was presented with a plaque from the RTBU in recognition for 40 years of membership.

Brian Suckley

Brian first joined the NSW Government Railway as Trainee Engineman at Binnaway. In 1982 he was appointed Acting Driver and shortly after Freight Rail had made the decision that there would not be any Driver Appointments at Binnaway as it was due to close down.

In 1987 he transferred to Port Kembla Loco Depot for a promotion to Class 5 Driver. While at Pt Kembla he worked general trains to Enfield, Moss Vale, Goulburn and Nowra.

In 1995 he transferred to Waterfall Depot ETR Suburban Services where he stayed until 2001, when he moved to Wollongong City Interurban Depot. It was there he become known as the quiet achiever. He was also a union activist and one could call on him to clarify issues regarding OMET or minim standards in regards to train working.

In May 2014 Brian ceased his love of driving trains due to illness and retired due to a medical condition.

Brian was presented with a plaque from RTBU in recognition for 35 years of union membership.

Info on guard Peter Rodden to come.