West Gate Bridge Tribute Photo Booklet

This photo album is a tribute and dedication to all the workers who built the West Gate Bridge.

A very warm and special thanks to Danny Gardiner and Pat Preston for all their contribution and for keeping the memories alive.

Early stages of West Gate Bridge Construction – before collapse.

Early 1970’s construction.

West Gate Bridge Workers – before collapse.

Waiting on the Port Melbourne jetty to catch the boat to go home. Alan Murdoch at the front with arms folded.

Catching the Aldora to go home.

From left to right: Tommy Gilfillan, Marty Wilson and Bill Boswell.

Far right: Jimmy Trainor.

Far left in blue overalls: Boiler maker, John Penhall.

Andy Anderson awaiting Prince Charles.

From left: Rick the “Lizard” with Graham “Coke” Cole.

Far right: Tommy Watson with Carl Ferguson in arms.

West Gate boys on a fishing trip.

Canteen on-site staff.

Billy Copeland with on-site canteen staff.

Foreman.

Crane driver on stiff leg Derrick.

Paul McGahan.

Last box getting ready to erect into position.

Left: Russell Cotton. Right: Ronnie Lucas.

Trades Assistant Chas in yellow hat working with boiler makers on top bridge.

Videographer filming last box being erected – 1978.

Preparing for a lift.

Scaffold Crew.

Left: Lee Old. Right: Joe.

Right: Stan Humphreys.

Dick Galvin.

From Left to Right with yellow hard hats: John Campbell, Charlie, Rab Sinclair, Brian, Tommy Tennent and Sonny Murray.

Far Left: Mick Healy.

Bill: Trades Assistant.

Trades Assistant/Rigger drawing the bridge.

Workers watching second last piece going into place.

Welder.

From Left to right: Greg Bachelor, Charlie and Terry – Trade Assistants.

Right: Tommy Gough (Peggy).

Union delegate Tony McGuigan – one day after the collapse.

Ground Centre: Paddy Hanaphy.

Left on scaffold: Jimmy.

Photo taken prior to West Gate Tragedy – All men were sadly killed with the collapse of the West Gate Bridge.

From Left to right: Jerry Murphy, Des Gibson, Barney Butters, John Little, Peter Dawson and Peter Maguire.

Jesus: Survivor of the collapse.

Riggers with last box in background.

Boiler maker and trades assistant drilling holes.

Sitting: Colin Mitchell.

Survivor Bob Setka: – before collapse.

From Left to right: Dave Robson, Marty Wilson and Tommy Gough.

Front Left: Eric Siddel.

DLH – Foreman.

Holding teapots: Johnny Boyler (Peggy).

False work being positioned post-collapse.

Group photo of metal workers and ironworkers.

Tommy Greenwood.

Andy Anderson.

Prince Charles talking to Paddy Hanaphy (yellow hat).

From left to right: John Roberts, Danny Gardiner, Graham Cole, Tommy Waston and “Billy Bullshit”.

Hand in air, left: Marty Wilson. Back left in white jumper: Jimmy Dyer. Centre brown jacket and moustache: John Dyer. Back in brown jacket, blue shirt: Rab Innes. Centre middle red shirt: Bob Setka. Behind Bob in navy cardigan: John Watson. All going home for the day.

Dogman working on cables.

Before collapse.

Boatman Eddie Halsall – deck hand on the big boat. If you missed the big boat, you would catch the little boat, with Eddie as the boatman.

Left: Paul McGahan. Right: Lanny Hendrickson.

Left: Harry Gray. Right: John Brown.

Left: Jack Gorse. Right: Jimmy O’Neil.

Jesus opening offiical memorial plaque – paid by workers.

Opening of The West Gate Bridge – November 1978.

Far right: Pat Preston unveiling plaque.

‘Training’ white tee: Brian Clarke. Red top standing: Jimmy Scott.

Far right standing: Andy Hutton. Middle Centre with glasses: Billy Grey.Red top Kneeling: Jimmy Tate.

Xmas Party 1976 – Andy Anderson with kids.

From Left to right: Terry “Monkey” Howard, next to Graham “Coke” Cole. Red Shorts: John Dillon, next to Tommy Watson, John O’Hare with wife Pat, and Danny Smith with daughter.

1976 West Gate Christmas Party at Murphy Reserve in Port Melbourne.

Shaking Hands: Paul McGhan on left with Martin Bingham.

Photo taken the day the bridge was connected.

Workers gather to watch the last box being placed on the bridge.

Workers shake hands as the West Gate Bridge joins up, 1978.