Friday 27^th July

This morning we had booked on a tour of the OneSteel factory.  

BHP was the former owner and OneSteel has continued as an Australian-based mining, ore processing and steel manufacturing company specialising in steel-long products for the construction, mining, transport and agricultural industries. In particular is the manufacture of railway lines for all Australia. 

The trip was on a mini-bus and we meandered along many roads within the complex alongside which were furnaces,  VERY large vehicles, piles of slag (waste), mounds of coke encased in paper mache to prevent rogue dust throughout Whyalla and many dirty workers!!  While the lady who took the tour admitted she had worked there as a furnace assistant, her descriptions of the processes were quite technical and sadly not really geared to Mrs. Average Smith who needs a more simple explanation.  My understanding was to change quite by accident at a later time.

Following the tour we headed to Stuart High School to have a tour of their Murray Cod and Barramundi Enterprises.  This is a fully operational inland freshwater aquaculture venture in an educational setting, delivered to students between years 8 and 10.  We saw the various growth stages of the barramundi and learned how technology is used to sustain the fish. Dave, the teacher who gave us the tour was passionate about his job and we could see his enthusiasm would certainly be transferred to the students.  Apparently they go to about 4 field days a year where their smoked kingfish is quite popular with customers.  

Dave showed us the smoking oven he had built with the assistance of some students, and he gave us one of their packets of smoked kingfish to enjoy at home.When they harvest their barramundi at the school, a note in the newsletter ensures it is all sold.  I’m not surprised!!

We returned for the night to Point Lowly as it is a nice spot and I do enjoy watching the beacon of the lighthouse.