Voices of BlueScope

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Listen to our people around the world as they share stories about their careers, teams and projects.

  1. 9h ago

    64. Sparking Interest with Kaitlyn McMahon

    Kaitlyn McMahon, a fourth-year apprentice with Zeal Futures and BlueScope, shares her experience of working in a non-traditional trade role, along with extracurricular opportunities that she has pursued in mentorship and public speaking. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Path to Apprenticeship: 1:14Working with BlueScope and Zeal Futures: 5:35Further Opportunities: 9:14Conclusion: 13:22Links Read a transcript of the episode.BlueScope in the IllawarraZeal FuturesPuffing Billy RailwayDandenong RangesUluruNAEN ConferenceWatch Faces of BlueScope with Kaitlyn McMahon (with interview highlights) on TVBlueScope.Browse a complementary album of portraits in our Flickr archive.Learn more about coke-making in our TVBlueScope videos on quench stacks, situational awareness and plastic trials.Connect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScopeFlickrFacebookInstagramCredits Recorded by Tim RobinsonEdited by Martin Feld

  2. Jul 13

    63. Developing Networks with Robin Davies

    Robin Davies, the new Chief Executive Australia and New Zealand at BlueScope, joins the podcast to discuss his personal background, working history and what excites him about his expanded role across both countries. Chapters Introduction: 00:00Family Farm and Early Steel Experience: 00:50Joining New Zealand Steel: 04:43Shifting to North Star: 10:28Leadership Roles: 14:31Conclusion: 21:01Links Read a transcript of the episode.British SteelCorusHoogovensNew Zealand SteelPodcast episode no. 55 about the 60th anniversary in 2025Flickr album for the 60th anniversary60 Years Strong — Defining Moments (video)60 Years Strong — Our People (video)60 Years Strong — Community (video)FocusOn Iron-sands at Waikato North Head, Aotearoa New Zealand (video)Electric Arc Furnace Update: Tania Archibald and Robin Davies at New Zealand Steel (video)Pacific SteelNorth Star BlueScope SteelCelebratory video for the 30th anniversary on LinkedInConnect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScopeFlickrFacebookInstagramCredits Recorded and edited by Martin Feld

  3. Jun 29

    62. Maintaining Heritage with Walter Suber OAM

    BlueScope Company Historian is joined by Walter Suber OAM to discuss his recognition with a Medal of the Order of Australia, which he received for his long-term contribution to Australian manufacturing, collaboration with education and government institutions and the Slovenian community. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Starting in Steel: 1:01Research, Distribution and Product Development: 3:28Supporting Australian Manufacturing: 8:47Recognition for Work in Community and Industry: 9:52Conclusion: 14:53Links Read a transcript of the episode.Watch video highlights of the interview on TVBlueScope.The Order of AustraliaLysaght historyExplore our Central Laboratory in Port Kembla in a TVBlueScope video.Browse the audio archive of Voices of Slovenian Australians Sydney at 893fm, presented by Walter Suber and Tania Smrdel, which is a weekly celebration of heritage, a sharing of stories, and a journey through the heart of Slovenian life in Australia.NASH = National Association of Steel-framed HousingConnect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScopeFlickrCredits Interview by Craig NealonRecording and editing by Martin Feld

  4. Mar 10

    61. Destined for the Steel Industry with Mark Vassella

    In 2025, Mark Vassella announced his retirement after eight years as global Managing Director & CEO. Throughout this interview, he reflects on his career, family history and the contribution of teams across the globe. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Destiny: 0:54Pragmatism: 9:01Full Circle: 17:53Mirror Image: 26:25The Bigger Picture: 35:41A Bit Terrified: 43:56Making Something: 48:52Conclusion: 59:21Links Read a transcript of the episode.Watch video highlights of the interview.LithgowKandosNewcastle SteelworksDog watchBloom-casterNorth StarPalmer Tube Mills and TubemakersAustralian National IndustriesSmorgon SteelOneSteelIMSA SteelBlueScope BuildingsSteelscapeMajor project updatesHot Strip Mill in Western PortASEANChinaNew Zealand Steelworldsteel photosResponsibleSteel™ certification in Port Kembla, Western Port and Phú MỹNeoSmeltNational Press Club addressTania ArchibaldSam Charmand and Michael YiendCOLORBOND® steel | 60 Years | Made by AustraliaConnect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScopeFlickrCredits Interview and editing by Martin FeldRecording by Craig Nealon and Tim Robinson

  5. 12/11/2025

    60. A Sense of Pride with John Nowlan

    Craig Nealon (Company Historian at BlueScope) interviews our former Chief Executive of Australian Steel Products, John Nowlan. In November 2025, John became BlueScope's first ever non-independent, non-executive director, bringing his decades of experience in global steel-making and company management to the board. Together, they reflect on his career in Australia and overseas, what it meant for BlueScope to forge its own path after leaving BHP and the powerful contributions of people on the ground, who have worked tirelessly through the ups and downs of a cyclical industry. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Family Study and Early Career: 01:23Managing People and Processes around the World: 14:26Returning to Australia and the Birth of BlueScope: 25:43Difficult Decisions for the Long Term: 33:44Resurrection and Rejuvenation: 42:56What Really Works?: 49:09Final Reflections: 54:07Conclusion: 1:00:51Links Read the University of Wollongong's LinkedIn post about John and his degree in mechanical engineering, which was shared to coincide with the institution's 50th anniversary.Get a feel for the cadetship program at our Port Kembla Steelworks in our FocusOn story (2025) and cadet networking video (2024) on TVBlueScope.'HSC' stands for 'Higher School Certificate', which is the secondary school credential in the Australian state of New South Wales.Watch videos of Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS), the Hot Strip Mill, operators and engineers at No. 5 Blast Furnace and the No. 6 Blast Furnace reline project on TVBlueScope.Learn more about North Star and its expansion project in episode 18 of the podcast and in a video on TVBlueScope.Browse photos of BlueScope's early days as an independent company in this dedicated Flickr album, which includes the photo that Craig mentions of John ringing the bell.Connect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScope on YouTubeCredits Interview by Craig NealonRecorded and edited by Martin FeldAuto-transcript on Apple Podcasts, edited PDF coming soon

  6. 11/11/2025

    59. Lighting the Furnace with Jerry Platt

    In this episode, Craig Nealon (BlueScope Company Historian) speaks with former iron-maker Jerry Platt, who, in 1996, was recognised for his work with the honour of lighting Port Kembla's then-brand-new No. 6 Blast Furnace for the first time. Although retired, Jerry maintains a keen interest in the industry and now jointly runs a popular Facebook group, Iron & Steel in Australia, which includes numerous historical accounts and images. Sitting together for a conversation in Western Port, Victoria, he reflects with Craig on his own journey to the Port Kembla Steelworks and the various industrial, technological, social and intercultural changes that have occurred over the decades. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Becoming a Metallurgist: 2:03Moving from Newcastle to Port Kembla: 6:09Recording History and Remembering Blast Furnaces: 12:36Ladles, Locos and Facebook: 29:27People and Processes: 37:57Conclusion: 42:53Links Read a transcript of the episode.Browse a Flickr album of photos that show the lighting of No. 6 Blast Furnace, Newcastle Steelworks from above and Craig and Jerry together on the day of the interview.Iron & Steel in Australia group on FacebookFerromanganeseUnited SteelAustralia HouseThe book to which they refer is Ironmaking in Australia 1848–1914 (J.L.N. Southern and J.E.A. Platt, 1986).Staff at the Lithgow Ironworks in 1909History of LysaghtMini millComsteelVideos of Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS), the Hot Strip Mill and the No. 6 Blast Furnace reline project on TVBlueScopeConnect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScope on YouTubeCredits Interview by Craig NealonRecorded and edited by Martin Feld

  7. 10/09/2025

    58. Mark Vassella at the National Press Club of Australia

    In this episode, we’re featuring an audio-only version of a speech that Mark Vassella, BlueScope’s Managing Director and CEO, made at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on the 8th of October, 2025, in which he explained how gas plays a unique and essential role in both manufacturing and the energy transition. Mark’s address to an audience of key influencers and decision-makers across media, government and academia was also broadcast live on ABC TV and was delivered on behalf of Manufacturing Australia, a member group that represents 12 of Australia's manufacturers, all of which work with governments to support the nation's manufacturing sector. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Mark Vassella's Speech: 1:04Conclusion: 27:31Links Read a transcript of the episode.Meet Mark Vassella, Managing Director and CEO of BlueScope.Learn more about Acknowledgements of and Welcomes to Country.Learn more about the Ngunnawal People, who are the Traditional Custodians of the Australian Capital Territory and region.National Press Club of AustraliaFair Gas Prices website by Manufacturing AustraliaFurther information about gas on the BlueScope website'BlueScope leads international steel consortium to review options for Whyalla Steelworks'COLORBOND® steelTRUECORE® steelWatch the full speech on TVBlueScope.Watch an event recap video on TVBlueScope.Browse a dedicated photo album of the event on Flickr.Connect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScope on YouTubeCredits Edited by Martin Feld

  8. 09/09/2025

    57. Live from the Hot Strip Mill with ABC Illawarra

    On Friday, 29 August 2025, we were excited to host the team from 97.3 ABC Illawarra for a live broadcast of their breakfast-radio show at the front of the Hot Strip Mill at our Port Kembla Steelworks in Australia. The special event was planned to coincide with the 70th anniversary celebration of the Hot Strip Mill, including dedicated interviews with leaders and current and former employees of BlueScope, while also providing a platform for members of the local community to share their memories and family stories linked to the steelworks. This edited episode includes the full series of interviews and listener contributions from the live breakfast-radio show, all of which has been adapted specifically for the podcast experience. Chapters Introduction: 0:00Welcome to ABC Illawarra Breakfast with Mel James: 1:45Greg Baldock on the Hot Strip Mill: 3:26Grant Neilsen on Generations of Steelmakers: 13:33Craig Nealon on 100 Years of Iron- and Steelmaking in Port Kembla: 18:09Listener Stories: 30:00Poppy, Russell and Terry Pollock on Being a Steel Family: 31:10Tony Donnelly inside the Hot Strip Mill: 38:07Listener Stories: 44:35Tania Archibald on BlueScope Now and in the Future: 51:22Shannon Ballard on the Plate Mill Upgrade: 1:05:40Michael Yiend on the Port Kembla Land Transformation: 1:11:15Listener Stories: 1:21:18Rebecca Shaw on Quality Control: 1:23:12Listener Stories: 1:25:57Justin Reed on the No. 6 Blast Furnace Reline Project: 1:26:42Nikki McCarthy-Hicks on Tours with Inside Industry: 1:32:06Final Listener Stories and Breakfast Outro: 1:36:29Conclusion: 1:38:14Links 97.3 FM Illawarra on ABC ListenFocusOn Hot Strip Mill video on TVBlueScopePhotos of the opening of the Hot Strip Mill in 1955Photos of the live radio broadcast and 70th anniversary celebration in 2025Exploring Lindenfels and Port Kembla History with Craig Nealon (WIN News) on TVBlueScopeFocus On video and accompanying photos of Poppy Pollock and her fellow UOW engineering cadetsTania's first interview on the podcast in episode 35 (plus a video excerpt)Plate Mill Modernisation Announcement in Port Kembla, NSW on TVBlueScopeMicrosite for the Port Kembla land transformation and rezoning proposal video on TVBlueScopeNo. 6 Blast Furnace Reline Updates on TVBlueScopeInside IndustryConnect with Us WebsiteLinkedInTVBlueScope on YouTubeCredits Produced and presented by the ABC Illawarra Breakfast team, including Mel James, Jen Courtney, Amy Duggan, Rory McDonald, Nick McLaren and Peter RileyInterviews organised by Tim RobinsonEdited by Martin FeldAuto-transcript on Apple Podcasts, edited PDF coming soon

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About

Listen to our people around the world as they share stories about their careers, teams and projects.

Information

  • Creator
    BlueScope
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BlueScope Steel Limited
  • Show Website
    Voices of BlueScope

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