MEDIA RELEASE: Big career helping build Central Queensland began at CQUni campus  

Before the very first CQUniversity students even opened their books, Les Brooks was on campus every day, and always ready to learn.

The year was 1964 and the apprentice carpenter was working on one of the very first buildings for the Rockhampton North campus.

But Les Brooks’ connection to CQUni didn’t end there, and at 71 the long-time local is still a regular at the busy site – and he’s still eager to learn, too.

Born and bred in Mount Morgan, Les moved to Rockhampton at 16, for an apprenticeship with the State Works Department, now (Q-Build).

In his first year, that included working on one of the three original campus buildings – now known as building 7.

“Back then, there was nothing out there – we were in cleared bushland, basically,” Les explained. “I was just out of school and didn’t even have my driver’s license, I was riding my push bike out to site every day!”

Helping construct the three-storey structures, Les said he was learning a lot – but looking back, some of the work was a lesson in what not to do.

“We were young and naïve, up three floors and walking across 9-inch support beams before they were incased in concrete, no harnesses or anything – we thought it was normal. The only safety item supplied was a safety Hat, (Hard Hat)” he said.

While Les did some of his apprenticeship study by correspondence, he attended practical subjects at Rockhampton Technical College, the precursor to CQUniversity TAFE. The original site of the woodworking area is now part of the Kern Arcade Carpark.

He remembers learning how to build gothic arches and wooden louvre frames: “I never once had to build one on a job, but I still remember how we had to learn how to build then!” he laughed.

Technology was developing quickly in the construction industry, but Les recalls the State Works Department wasn’t always keeping up.

“We were working on the one of the first buildings at Rockhampton High School, and every building had Mortice and Tenon timber joints, as there was only one power saw on the whole job, and only two electric drills, all the joints were cut and drilled by hand!”

After completing his apprenticeship around Central Queensland, in places such as Rockhampton, Biloela, Emerald, Longreach, Winton and Birdsville. Les moved back to Rockhampton. Les started as a cadet surveyor with Tony Hoffmann in 1972.

“I worked my way up from a cadet and in 1999, I acquired my Surveyors License, 43 years later, I retired!” Les said.

That was in 2015, and soon after Les joined Rockhampton Men’s Shed – operating since 2014 at CQUniversity Rockhampton North.

“Being retired, getting up with nothing to do and driving my wife up the wall – joining the Men’s Shed made a big difference to my outlook on retirement,” he said.

He’s now Vice-President of the busy organisation, and helping drive a project to create more space on campus for their activities building community and combating loneliness.

While Les had been back to CQUni now and then since 1964, he admitted he couldn’t immediately spot the buildings he’d helped construct, amidst nearly 40 buildings that now make up the bustling Rockhampton North campus. 

“The place looks very different, there’s no doubt about that!” he said.

The latest image of the poolroom by Paul

The Rockhampton Men’s Shed photo of the new poolroom expected to be completed soon.

This may be of interest to you. It is an upcoming event that will continue on a regular basis to assist seniors to get a better knowledge of computers

The Nomination are now open for positions listed on the notice as well as a nomination form for positions to be filled at our AGM that are listed on the Nomination Form.

The Rockhampton Men’s Shed Inc., have made a donation to the drought relief in the Banana Shire this year as a follow up from their donations to other areas in 2017 and 2018.

Lets all get together

And see what Men’s Sheds can do to help with the DROUGHT RELIEF

To help to assist our farmers.

Rockhampton Men’s Shed will be closed on Monday 14th of October due to public holiday.

On Wednesday 30^th October The Rockhampton Men’s Shed Inc. will hold its AGM

Time 9.30am

At Shed 72 CQ University

Any motions and nominations are to be submitted to the secretary in writing by12 midday Friday 18^th October

Jim Lawler

Chairman