Fifty years ago (on May 17, 1971) the first generating unit at Liddell Power Station was successfully connected to the NSW electricity network.
"Successfully" is an appropriate description of this event, because a few weeks earlier, a similar exercise had failed.
For those of a technical bent, the 500 MW generating unit had an electrical problem and attempted to synchronise 180 degrees out of phase.
At that first attempt, the electrical jolt that the unit received was quite severe.
The power plant operator in control remembers that he had never seen so many ashen-faced engineers and contractors.
Liddell has a reputation of "everyday something different happens".
Usually, that something is not of a minor nature.
It could be coal storage and its transportation issues, boiler tube leaks, generator failures, transformer explosions, even a fire on a tanker delivering hydrogen gas.
But 50 years is a long time for a large complex industrial facility not to have significant technical incidents.
For nine of its first 11 years, Liddell generated more than 30 per cent of NSW's electricity, and for two of those years, 39 and 40 per cent.
Towards the end of its life, 2014-2018, the station managed to contribute an average of 12 per cent, with a maximum in that period of 23 per cent.
But Liddell is more than incidents such as these. It is more than the current political arguments about its closure or concern about its emissions or coal ash dust, important as each is.
As a substantial contributor to the NSW and now the South-East Australian electricity networks, Liddell affected the lives of many millions of people.
More directly, it had an impact on the thousands who worked there in those 50 years.
Too often, the public face of power stations or their parent organisations are chairpersons, general managers, managing directors or station managers.
Apart from the energy trader at the centre of the Pacific Power/PowerCor court case in the late 1990s, or a Liddell employee recently voicing concern over the station's looming closure, individual employees rarely surface in the media.
Although not of recent times, when employees have made headlines, it was usually through the withdrawal of their labour.
When interviewed, an early union delegate recalls the "industrial relations warfare" of his time and still holds bitter memories of the discrepancy in the quality of subsidised housing allocated to different employee groups.
Former and current employees have mixed opinions of their time at the station. Many commented on Liddell being hot, dirty, dusty, cramped and noisy.
Positive comments such as a passion for Liddell, the camaraderie, a willingness to achieve under difficult circumstances, responsibility at a young age and a great learning experience were notable.
I am not ashamed to admit that, along with some other operators, Liddell on occasion frightened the hell out of me.
In contrast, a couple of experienced engineers commented on their fear of an unfavourable job reshuffle, the stress of dealing with senior management or in one instance that their time at Liddell being the worst of their career.
Perhaps the most novel comments were that the station had a reputation among employees in the early days as the 'Warehouse by the Lake,' or 'Lakeside Discounts'.
Liddell furrowed the brows of many who worked there.
I am not ashamed to admit that, along with some other operators, Liddell on occasion frightened the hell out of me.
Those of a technical or engineering nature enjoyed its intricacies, to the point that one or two people thought it to be a serious 'toy' to play with.
Many workers had an in-depth knowledge of their patch; others had more than one patch under their belt.
A few had "beyond the call of duty smarts" and applied their expertise accordingly.
In many instances, these were the "go-to" people.
Others saw working at Liddell only as a means to earn money.
One highly respected maintenance supervisor wryly saw the station as a place to while away his time before and after a stint of lunchtime lakeside carp fishing.
The opinions of politicians, the media, and special interest groups are important.
Yet, people are equally important and are at the heart of Liddell.
