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Coal To Oil’ Reunion Planned For Past Workers

Entertaining anecdotes and a memorabilia display will feature in a reunion for past workers from the Brown Coal Liquefaction Victoria (BCLV) Morwell project on Saturday 6 October.

By Latrobe City - 28th September 2007 - Back to News

Former BCLV employees, site contractors, affiliates and friends are invited to a get together to be held at the Merton Rush Hotel from 6.30pm.

This occasion has been prompted by the visit of a group of retired Japanese BCLV and Nippon Brown Coal Liquefaction (NBCL) members including former Managing Director Dr Kazuo Kunii and Administration Manager Tony Yoshida. The gathering is being assisted by former Plant Manager Alan Taylor, and Ron Camier, previously from the Coal Corporation of Victoria.

Dr Camier said that the Brown Coal Liquefaction Victoria project was brought about by the world oil crises, and ran from the early 1980s to the early 1990s.

"It involved a large-scale experimental plant for production of synthetic transport fuels. With about 100 Japanese and 200 Australian employees, it was also a cultural experiment with many friendships forged through integrated children’s schooling, community sushi nights and the Japanese passion for golf. This generated many funny stories and we’re hoping to hear some of them at the reunion," Dr Camier explained.

The visit has been timed to coincide with the flowering of the commemorative cherry blossom walk at Kernot Hall, and will include a civic reception hosted by Latrobe City Council.

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Tony Zimora said that Latrobe City’s sister city relationship with Takasago was an enduring outcome of the BCLV project.

"It was the former City of Morwell that first made contact with the City of Takasago. The connecting link between the two cities at that time was the Brown Coal Liquefaction Victoria (BCLV) project. Friendships were developed during this significant time for the Latrobe Valley community, and a sister city relationship was seen as a way of continuing such relationships into the future," Cr Zimora said.

"A student exchange program was set up during the BCLV years affording many families in both Japan and the Latrobe Valley a chance to connect with a new culture and make lasting friendships.

"With the sister city agreement formalised in 2000, many more visits and programs for students and teachers, musicians, sports people and commerce and industry representatives have been developed, a testament to the quality of the relationship with Takasago and to the deep bonds forged during the BCLV era," Cr Zimora said.

Dr Camier invited friends wishing to participate in the reunion to bring items or labelled photos for a ‘memorabilia display table’.

"We would encourage anyone who was connected to the BCLV project to enjoy this special evening. With the photo display and the opportunity for people to contribute two-minute speeches on the theme ‘My funniest moment at coal to oil ...’ we hope to enjoy reliving some of the more amusing stories from that time," Dr Camier concluded.

Participants will be able to purchase their own meals or refreshments on the night, but an indication of intention to participate would be appreciated. Please contact either Ron Camier on 5134 6876 or Yuki Poole on 5128 5624.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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