2022 CCF SA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

LEN TEAGLE 5/11/1927 – 9/8/2021

LEN ON A DROFT

Len first entered the civil industry in 1946; with the purchase of a secondhand KB5 International truck. Len worked his way up from a self-employed truck driver, hand loading sand in the morning before starting his day job at the local mill and delivering that same load to the local Millicent area afterhours. He added to the fleet a Drott TD6 in 1956, and then another truck, building the business that would become Teagle Contracting. Onsite one afternoon, a customer remarked to Len: "That's a good machine but what will you do with it in three months’ time when all the work is done for it?!"

Len soon upgraded the TD6 to a

BT8, then TD9, TD14... and so on (we haven't run out of work yet). In 1964, having just purchased the largest machine Len had owned to date, a Drott TD15, interest rates skyrocketed. Local work dried up and the machine sat idle for 9 months. The TD15 was set to break Len and send the business broke. Surprisingly, to Len, a local farmer's wife lent him what he needed to make repayments. Lenny (Len) came through the 'credit crunch', repaid the debt and carried on. Successfully passing on the reigns to son Geoff in the 90s, and continuing to work in the business, operating his much-loved traxcavators. Geoff continued to build the Teagle Contracting business which now supports a workforce of over 40 employees, and a fleet in excess of100 mobile plant and equipment. Teagles is a known quantity in the South East and continues to break ground with cutting edge machinery and projects. Len was known as a ‘workaholic’ and started Teagle Contracting in 1960 at his home on Williams Road in Millicent, where the business still stands today. Teagle Contracting depot, having grown out of Len's shed, now occupies 33,000 square meters, including maintenance workshops, B-double weighbridge, modern offices, a landscaping yard to match, and six quarries. Len was still working 40-hour weeks well into his 80s and as a 90yo, he could still be found with shovel in hand helping around the yard, right up until his passing in August last year. Len would even make the obligatory Friday night drinks in the workshop shed (as often as he could), keen to add anything he could to the fire to keep everyone warm. In 1975, seeking best practice and innovation in Civil, Len travelled to the USA to the Caterpillar CONEXPO. The trip saw Len travel to Chicago where he visited Clark's Equipment that boasted International's largest loader, powered by a V16. On a visit to the Caterpillar factory, Len noted in his journal the factory was producing 8 x D9s and 15 x D8s per day. Len soon after

TRIP TO AMERICA purchased his first excavator a Hitachi UH07 in 1981, the first to be seen in the South East.

Len was recognised in 2007 with an Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award; the award paid particular mention to Len’s contribution to the local community through his Civil works. Teagle Contracting’s generosity was responsible for many community amenities including free works that saw the completion of the Noora Yo-Long Youth Campground at Rendlesham and the Millicent Swimming Lake. The later was a community funded project. When funds ran out, Len supplied the machines pro-bono and paid the men's wages. Len also worked tirelessly with the local Lions Club, contributing his time, trucks, and machinery regularly at working bees. Within the South East, Teagle Contracting had built a reputation as the go-to civil contractor willing to take on the challenge. In 1966, Len did just that, constructing Beach's Oil Rig Site at Canunda. Teagles built their way into the site through the sand dunes. Difficulties were encountered getting up the hills as all the trucks were single drive. The road between the pit continually eroded as it was built on beach sand. Len soon figured out to roll the blade forwards to maintain better compaction, helping the truck's traction.

AT WORK IN BEACHPORT

Len was the first in South Australia to purchase a long arm excavator, having purchased the long front from Hitachi at an additional cost of over $20,000 in 1977 with the UHO81.

Len had a long association with the CCF SA and even held membership to the CCF SA's early incarnation, the Earthmoving Contractors Association of SA. In Len’s footsteps, Teagle Contracting continues to actively engage with the CCF SA, seeking best practice and continued collaboration to ensure South Australia’s Civil Construction Industry is at the forefront of Civil practice. Len is fondly remembered as a character and a gentleman, and is truly deserving of this industry recognition.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS - THE SOUTHERN TIMES LEN AT 90

LEN AT 90

LEN, GEOFF AND SHAWN AT WORK

Executive Lunch

Exclusive Opportunity

As the lunch partner, all you need to do is select 10-15 company executives that you would like to attend. You can expect a total of 15 guests, which includes 2 people from your business, and 3 from CCF SA (including CCF SA CEO).

During lunch, you will be able to present your business to the industry executives. Post event, you will be provided with the contact details of those who attended and also post-print acknowledgement in CCF SA Magazine. Lunches are held at Chianti, Sean’s Kitchen, Georges on Waymouth.

‘Let’s do lunch’ opportunity is provided once per calendar month and are subject to availability. COVID19 restrictions must be complied with at all times. Contact the Members Services team via ccfsa@ccfsa.com.au or 8111 8000 for more information.

Zero Damage - Zero Harm

A VISION FOR ZERO DAMAGE, ZERO HARM

After almost 40 years of Dial Before You Dig protecting Australians and underground infrastructure from harm and damage, DBYD is transitioning into a new national organisation now known as Before You Dig Australia (BYDA). BYDA continues to provide the free referral service that prevents damage and disruptions to underground networks. The BYD service can play an essential part in safe work practices. What to do Before You Dig?

Safety is a fundamental aspect of any digging or excavation project, so using the BYDA service should always be your first point of contact before starting work. How to access the service?

The BYDA service is free for users and is accessible via the newly created website (www.byda.com.au) or through the iPhone and Android apps. What happens after I lodge an enquiry?

You will receive plans and safety guidelines via email from infrastructure owners indicating the presence of their underground assets. However, plans indicate the presence of underground infrastructure only and not their exact location. Therefore, you should only use them as a guide. Should you require further information or assistance or have not received plans, please contact the asset owner directly using the contact details supplied on your enquiry confirmation email. Do NOT proceed until you have received the relevant information from all asset owners affected by your project.

And remember... Always follow the 5Ps of safe excavation! • Plan

Plan by lodging your BYD enquiry at least one business day before your project begins, and ensure you have the correct information required to carry out a safe project. • Prepare

Prepare by reviewing the utility plans and contacting the asset owners if you need assistance. Look for on-site asset clues such as pit lids, marker posts and electricity, gas or water meters. Engage a Certified Locator who can assist you in locating assets electronically before potholing. • Pothole

Establish the exact location of all underground infrastructure(s), if permitted, by hand digging, hydro vacuum extraction or using the asset owner’s stated method as specified on the plans or information pack. • Protect

Protecting the exposed infrastructure is the excavator’s responsibility if potholing has occurred. Communicate to all working on-site, erect barriers and mark the location of the exposed infrastructure. • Proceed

You should only proceed with your excavation work after planning, preparing, potholing (unless prohibited), and having protective measures in place. For more information, please visit our website at www.byda.com.au.