With increased interest in the psychological impact of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) practices on employees and their families, Loretta Hill has drawn on her own experiences as a female engineer working in the FIFO mining sector to pen The Girl in the Yellow Vest.
Over 100,000 Australians are employed in the FIFO sector, predominantly in the mining industry. The demands of a FIFO lifestyle can affect wellbeing, health, relationships, family dynamics, and cause social, medical and lifestyle problems.
Loretta highlights these problems, and many more, in The Girl in the Yellow Vest, including the feelings of isolation, extended periods of separation from family and friends, the potential risk of dependency on alcohol, increased levels of depression, boredom, and acting out as a consequence.
The Girl in the Yellow Vest is Loretta’s third novel in a series of books based on her real life experiences working in the Australian mining and resources sector.
Loretta first shot to prominence with her novel The Girl in the Steel-Capped Boots, a delectable tale of romance, self-discovery and faith based on a construction site in the dusty red plains of the Pilbara.
The Girl in the Yellow Vest sees a move away from the West Australian base Loretta has previously used, turning to a coal export facility on the Great Barrier Reef as the backdrop for her tale of friendship, courage and unexpected romance.
You worked for some time in remote mining camps in the Pilbara – how did you deal with feelings of loneliness, isolation and separation from loved ones
I used to write an email home every day, usually with my morning coffee, to keep my family entertained with everything that was going on at site. It helped me feel less lonely and isolated and it kept them up to date. My mum loved those emails. She thought some of my stories were so funny and when I returned home she gave me a file of my emails. She had printed them all out because she thought that some day I might want to use them for a book. She wasn’t wrong.
Most people would not think of remote work camps as places where inspiration comes readily. Where did you find your inspiration for The Girl in the Yellow Vest?
Inspiration for The Girl in the Yellow Vest comes from a job I was on in Queensland in 2002. It was an expansion project for the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. We were installing a new shiploader. It was one of my favourite projects
and also the most exciting. I had so much fun both on and off that job, on the wharf and in the surrounding area. I couldn’t resist introducing my fictional characters to this place. I hope my readers get a real feel for it too.
For you, what were the worst aspects of the FIFO lifestyle and what were the best?
The worst part was the long hours and lack of privacy. Also the feeling of missing everything important that was going on with friends and family back home and always having to catch up on it second hand. The best part was the
friends I made. They became like a second family. I guess, when you live and work so closely together it’s hard not to really get to know people.
What were the most noticeable effects of the FIFO lifestyle on your male co-workers?
Definitely the drinking. It was the most popular way to unwind after a long day but I think many of the workers had also become rather dependent on the alcohol. It had become part of their routine.
Do you think male and female workers deal with FIFO stresses differently?
I think female workers are more inclined to talk about it. The men tend to keep things bottled up a little more.
In your opinion, what do you think mine companies could do to reduce the detrimental psychological effects of FIFO on mine workers?
In my latest novel, The Girl in the Yellow Vest, I introduced a counselor to the site – a sort of go-to person for concerns about health, family and work conditions. I’ve never actually worked on a site where there was a counselor but have always thought it would be a good idea. As a female I’ve had to deal with many unsolicited ‘heart to hearts’ on site. I think men find it more difficult to open up to each other. Perhaps because it shows a lack of masculinity or weakness. However, they are happy to talk to a female. I was privy to many marital problems, health problems and financial problems without asking to be. I have always thought it would be great if there was a separate third party you could go to on a site to talk about these issues. In my experience, the last person men are likely to go to with issues such as this is their supervisor even though this is what they are encouraged to do.
“… I was a bit of a novelty, I always felt like all eyes were on me. I guess the pressure to succeed at what I was doing was made all the more worse by that.”
For you, what was the most taxing part of being a woman working in what is considered traditionally a man’s world?
The chauvinistic tendencies of some men and also the gossip about my progress or lack of. Because I was a bit of a novelty, I always felt like all eyes were on me. I guess the pressure to succeed at what I was doing was made all the more worse by that. Guys would yell questions at me across the yard and I’d get teased a lot if I spoke to any particular man for too long. It did make me uncomfortable at times. And some people might call it harassment but I knew that most of the men did it because they were just bored and wanted something to talk about. I also had a lot of friends who I knew were looking out for me so I never felt threatened in any way, just annoyed sometimes.
AMSJ’s Facebook page recently went into melt down after it was announced that a major mine contractor was given permission by the Government to advertise “women only” truck driver positions. The company claims that women are safer drivers and safer workers in general. Do you agree with that assessment?
Actually, last year when I was in Kalgoorlie I heard that exact claim being said about Haul Pack drivers. I’m sure there are exceptions to the rule but I do believe that females are a little more cautious and even neater in general. Dare I say it… maybe men just need to lift their game! LOL.
What piece of romantic advice would you give to single miners looking for love?
Quit mining and go home. LOL! Despite what my novels may imply, I don’t believe working on a mine site is the best way to look for love. I do think though that it’s a great place to have an adventure. So if you’re young, single with no roots to put down yet you should definitely get out there and see what you can learn and experience. But if settling down is what you want, I think you need to move into town for a while and then maybe go back to mining later once you’ve found some one who is willing to come with you.
ABOUT
THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW VEST
After 5 years together, Emily was expecting a proposal from Trent. Not a break-up. With her career stagnant, the structural engineer needs a change of scenery. A new job, a new state, a new series of distractions to keep her mind off her heartbreak. In steps her best friend, Will, who gets her a job working with him at Barnes, Inc. on the expansion of the largest coal export faciliy in the Southern Hemisphere in the picturesque Whitsundays.
Charlotte runs the seaside resort that’s home to Emily and all the Barnes, Inc. staff. Responsible for running the family business, looking after her rebellious 15 year old sister, and caring for a mother in the onset of Alzheimers, she has no time for a social life – even if she wanted one. If only she could quash the rising attraction she has for the undeniably handsome, infuriating, pompous Mark Crawford – who just so happens to oversee the entire Barnes, Inc. operation.
The Girl in the Yellow Vest – Published by Bantam January 2014 RRP $32.95 ISBN 9781742757377. Also available as an eBook ISBN 9781742757384.
The Girl in the Yellow Vest is available from Random House www.randomhouse.com.au/books/loretta-hill. Or visit Loretta’s website lorettahill.com.au.
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