Some had spent a lifetime toiling in the heat and grime of the steelworks, others weren't born when BHP famously closed its Newcastle steel making plant 20 years ago.
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Together they made their way to the former steelworks site at Mayfield on Sunday to reflect and remember.
"It was really hard work, but we worked in teams and looked after each other. It was a really incredible place," Frank Kadlec who began working in the blast furnace in 1969 after moving from Czechoslovakia to Australia, said.
The Muster Point and Deprat's Cottage, which was opened to the public for the first time in a more than a century, provided a wealth of information for those keen to learn about BHP's legacy to the city.
The open day followed a reunion at Carrington Bowling Club attended by 500 former workers.
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Aubrey Brooks worked at the steelworks for 38 years, following his father and grandfather before him.
He spent two years organising the weekend's events and was among the former workers who guided visitors through the Muster Point.
"We have had an absolutely wonderful response. The Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association have done a wonderful job restoring Delprat's Cottage and putting together the tours," he said.
Two decades on and his affection for his former workplace hasn't faded.
"I'm really sad about the plant going and I know there are a lot of others who feel the same because it was our life."
Former steelworker Bob Cook said BHP remained an important part of Newcastle's collective psyche 20 years after its closure.
"I think there is an affection for how important is was in our history," he said.
"People genuinely sense that who we are as a group of people now has a lot to do with the steelworks; it affected the whole of this community and people remember that."
The celebrations continue on Monday when the last general manger of the steelworks Lance Hockridge returns to Newcastle to make a speech about the significance of the industry's significance to the city.
People genuinely sense that who we are as a group of people has a lot to do with the steelworks; it affected the whole of this community and people remember that.
- Bob Cook
"People should bring their family and show their children and remember the men and women of steel," Mr Brooks said.
"Some of them died on the site. They built this great city we call Newcastle."
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
