Not everyone gets the chance to turn their hobby into their profession. But that is exactly what Andy was able to do and since joining MACA close to 16 years ago, hasn’t looked back.
Growing up just out of Brisbane, Andy, at an early age discovered his passion for cars, but more specifically fixing and rebuilding them. It was no surprise that, whilst working in the oil exploration industry, that he completed his Mechanical apprenticeship.
“I had been working with Norpac for a few years where I had completed my apprenticeship when they decided to send a crew to WA, and I jumped at the opportunity. That was back in the late 70’s,” said Andy.
Once the project completed Andy made the decision to stay west.
Prior to commencing at MACA Andy took on a variety of roles working on oil rigs and running his own business in the automotive industry.
“I remember talking to my new neighbours after building a house with my wife and they were working FIFO.
“They enjoyed the lifestyle and the pay, so I started to have a look around and six weeks later I found myself working for MACA,” said Andy.
Andy joined MACA as a serviceman and LV mechanic at Wiluna Gold.
“After starting as a serviceman, I then moved to become a heavy vehicle mechanic. I also spent over four years as a workshop supervisor and in between doing some panel and paint work.
“I enjoy the rebuilds and seeing the before and after in what I have achieved.
There have been numerous highlights in Andy’s career as he reflects on the different opportunities he has taken up since starting with the business and the chance to work at many different sites.
“The highlight has definitely been the variety and movement around the business. I am now multi-trade qualified being a car mechanic, heavy duty mechanic and auto electrician.
“My role at Garden Well is maintaining lights plants. I also do a lot of rebuilds on the lighting towers and compressors, along with some fabrication work,” he said.
Andy has always lived by one of his favourite sayings, ‘defeat is never an option,’ both at work by always trying to find a solution to any problems that arise, to dealing with some personal knocks throughout his life.
“Over the last 14 years, I have had five operations to remove cancerous tumours from the right side of my chest. But I was determined for it to not defeat me. In March next year, I will hopefully be three years tumour free.”
Outside of work Andy enjoys working on an old Ford he purchased a few years ago and spending time at home with his family.
“Within the next five years, I am hoping that I get to retire and look after the property. There is always lots to do and no time to do it.
“I certainly have achieved a lot in my life and my 16 years with MACA and I consider myself to be pretty lucky.”