The man in charge of the Beaconsfield gold mine a decade ago says it’s hard to separate himself from the life defining moment on Anzac Day 2006.
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But when Matthew Gill reflects on the rockfall in the mine he managed for a decade, he thinks about the many people who worked tirelessly to rescue Brant Webb and Todd Russell, as well as Larry Knight – who didn’t make it out alive.
It is part of me and not something you forget or want to forget.
- Former Beaconsfield mine manager Matthew Gill
Mr Gill says there was a time after the dramatic rescue where he thought about walking away from mining.
“I look back on it as a big part of my life and each year it comes around with mixed emotions,” Mr Gill said.
“It is part of me and not something you forget or want to forget.”
He says he thinks about the team he worked with an the unique bond they formed which is lifelong.
“Some of those shared experiences just can’t be taken from you or forgotten.”
More than 200 people worked to free the two trapped men, and he is adamant that nobody should be overlooked for their role.
He is also determined that nobody forgets about Larry Knight, the workmate who didn’t come home.
“Todd and Brant did a great job to survive, but in the media spotlight Larry can get forgotten. But a big part of the story is about the people who helped to get them out,” he said.
“I feel a sense of responsibility to remind people about that.”
The Beaconsfield experience and the support he received from within was the reason he was still in mining.
“I had good reason to decide that’s enough, and go and do something else, but it’s a tight knit and very professional community.”
Today he remains in mining as the recently promoted CEO of White Rock Minerals. He also speaks about his experience, and uses it particularly when working with the next generation.
He says Beaconsfield put the spotlight on the mining industry, and sometimes it was held to a very high standard when its safety record is comparably very good.
“Transport, construction and agriculture have worse safety records, but mining gets a particular focus for some reason.”
On April 25 he will quietly remember the events of a decade ago.
“In a lot of ways I want it to be a day to remember the Anzacs, that’s what it should be about.”
