VIOLET TOWN QUARRIES PTY LTD
STEPHEN DOWELL, Quarry Manager with Violet Town Quarries reflects on how the company has grown and developed over the past 50 years.
Violet Town Quarries Pty Ltd started operating at its existing site 163km north of Melbourne just off the Hume Freeway between Euroa and Violet Town in 1959.
As reported in the local paper at the time, the all electric plant was one of the most modern quarries of its kind in the area with a capacity of 500 yards a day with a staff of 10. Looking back through some of the old production records I think there was a small exaggeration, or at least an under estimation of what a breakdown or stoppage can really cost.
The current owner took possession of the business in 1985 with the commitment to build, replace and improve all aspects of the company.
Twenty five years on Violet Town Quarries, being a small independent operation, is in a strong and viable position, with basalt and rhyodacite reserves of 50 years plus. With the upgrades of both secondary and tertiary crushers completed with a new 42×30 Jaques world jaw primary crusher sitting on site ready to be installed, combined with new mobile plant, we now have the ability to crush up to 2,000 tons per day.
The current staff of eight consists of Quarry Manager, Office Manager, Weighbridge Operator and five multi skilled staff who rotate through various jobs as required.
The operation crushes and screenings 20, 14, 10 and 7mm class A aggregates, Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 crushed rock, beaching material, rail ballast and specific blends to suit our customers’ needs. These products are processed on a as needs basis with a certain amount of stock kept on hand at all times.
On a personal note I started with the company in 1986 as a labourer to clean up around the plant, progressing through all the activities related to quarrying, crushing, plant operator, load and haul, sales loader, drill and blast, quality control and weighbridge operator.
The opportunity was offered to me in October 2003 to take on the roll as temporary Quarry Manager until I received the relevant qualifications to make this a permanent position.
With the help, support and encouragement of the owner with his knowledge of the industry, the support from the Box Hill Institute and some help from within the industry, I completed the Certificate IV in Extractive Industries in 2004. I had the pleasure to sit before my peers at the now abandoned Quarry Mangers Board and receive recognition for my training.
I hope to be involved in our industry for a long time and would like to take this opportunity to thank the CMPA for their help and assistance over the years, especially the workshops, training packages and reference manuals that have been put together and offered to members. A special thanks to the many volunteers who freely give up there valuable time to make the CMPA what it has became today.
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