| Andrew describes his involvement with sapphires: I have always had a fascination with machinery and with the proliferation of sapphire mines in the area throughout my childhood, all with lots of interesting and unusual gear, it’s little wonder I ended up as a miner. As a young boy, I would often visit Davidson’s, who ran the Dunvegan Fossicking Reserve and Mine. Stuart Davidson was one of those resourceful bush mechanics - I pestered him a lot as a boy but this turned out to be a good apprenticeship for later years. Subsequently, when Rod Cook approached my father to set up a mine on “Lonewood” in about 1976, sapphire fever took hold. My first paying job was working for Rod Cook on the mine starting with a weekend job at age 13. Phil Archer, a man who has spent most of his life mining on the Reddestone creek, was my first boss at this time. Since we took over the mining from Rod Cook in 1998, we have employed Phil - people with such honesty and experience are hard to find. I later worked for Mac Eshman - at a very young age Mac called on me to dig and cart wash for the plant. His trust in me will never be forgotten and I owe a lot to both Phil and Mac. It was great experience - I had to learn fast or face a cranky sapphire plant operator if you took too much mud or bottom to him. In year 10, work experience was two weeks with Ken Aylwood, the largest miner in the district. Did a bit more work experience during the school holidays at an engine rebuilding shop in South Grafton and was fortunate to be offered an apprenticeship soon afterwards. I started work before school ended but still somehow managed to receive my leaving certificate. Had a great experience in Grafton with spare time spent prawn trawling, speedway racing and shed building with some great friendships made during this time. On returning to Glen Innes, I helped on the farm and recommenced at the mine working as a mechanic or operator. Since taking over the mine, I have had to learn a lot more about sapphire mining in addition to just “digging them up” - however, sapphire fever is as strong as ever and I look forward to continuing in this industry for a long while yet. | 
