Last week, Tarong Power Station (TPS) Power Worker, Dave Marskell, celebrated his 40-year anniversary working in the energy industry. The team at TPS held a lunch in honour of Dave hitting the impressive milestone.
Dave got his start in the industry in 1981, first as a Clerical Assistant at the Queensland Electricity Generating Board (QEGB).
“I worked there for about six months before transferring to Tennyson Power Station as a Builder’s Labourer in 1981. In 1984, I transferred to Tarong Power Station as a Utility Serviceman, before becoming a Power Worker in 1999, where I’ve been ever since,” Dave said.
“There have been lots of changes in the industry over the years – particularly in health and safety. When I first started at Tennyson, we wore stubbies and short-sleeve shirts!” he laughed.
Dress code isn’t the only thing that’s changed since those days.
“There’s also been a big change in overall technology – the entire Tennyson Power Station’s capacity back then was equal to just one unit at Tarong today,” Dave said.
“My day-to-day work consists of completing standard jobs to do with the maintenance of Tarong’s five units. I’ve also been involved in most overhauls at the site in my first 30 years here, driving the overhead crane in the turbine hall.”
Over the years and outages, there have been some big jobs.
“My favourite project in my 40-year career would have been the generator stator change out on Unit 2 in 2007. I had 197 tonnes on the two main hooks of the cranes, the biggest lift that we’ve done on site in the turbine hall!” he said.
One of the perks of working on site is being able to call the South Burnett home.
“I moved to the South Burnett in 1984. Since being here I’ve lived in Yarraman, Nanango, and now Kingaroy for the past 34 years. I love the lifestyle, the community is full of friendly people, and the South Burnett is central to most places we travel to.”
Like any job, a big part of the enjoyment is the people you work with and finding meaning in your work.
“To me, the best part of working in the energy industry is knowing that what we do keeps the lights on in the state, and the great people I work with.”
And as for the future?
“I’m looking forward to retirement in the near future – planning on exploring our great state in my caravan!”
Congratulations again to Dave and thank you for all you’ve done over past 40 years in Queensland’s energy industry.