As we commemorate Anzac Day 2025, we reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who served in World War I and subsequent conflicts. Anzac Day is a time to honour their legacy and remember the values of courage, mateship, and resilience that they embodied.
Boral have a proud history of supporting service men and women. Our connection to the defence community goes back to the end of World War II when we welcomed returning Navy personnel to jobs at our bitumen plant in Matraville, Sydney. This tradition of support continues today, as we acknowledge the sacrifices of all Boral colleagues past and present who have served in the armed forces.
Boral's Early Defence Connections
Boral's history is deeply intertwined with Australia's defence efforts. On 19 February 1946, Bitumen and Oil Refineries Australia Limited (Boral) was established. The first year of operation was challenging, with the refinery office at Matraville consisting of old army huts and trestle tables. Despite the difficulties, Boral persevered, purchasing steel reserves from the nearby British Naval Store yards, which had been stockpiled during the war, and re-rolling them to use as storage tanks.
As construction work on the refinery began, Boral recruited its first operational employees, many of whom were ex-navy personnel. According to Jim Cornell, "They'd all had war experience and were used to keeping everything 'shipshape' - if they dropped a bit of oil it had to be cleaned up." This disciplined and meticulous approach helped shape Boral's early operations.
Even after the war, young men could volunteer for a six- or twelve-year commission with the navy. When they were discharged and came ashore at Garden Island in Sydney, Boral offered them employment. Eventually, most of the plant workers at the refinery were ex-navy men.
Our Team's Continued Legacy
As we remember the Anzacs, we also celebrate the contributions of current employees like Michael Anderson, who transitioned from driving Army trucks to operating Boral's powder tankers. Michael's journey is shaped by service, safety, and over four decades on the road. He started his driving career in the Army at 17, and by the time he was 19, he had his MC licence and was a Corporal in Transport. His deep respect for safety, instilled during his time in the Defence Force, has stayed with him throughout his career.
After his release from the Defence Force, Michael took on various roles, including carting groceries and perishables, fuel transport, supervision, and training. Before joining Boral, he spent over four years as a FIFO driver in Western Australia, driving triple road trains carting fuel to mine sites. Now, he drives a B-double powder tanker, delivering fly ash, slag, and cement products across New South Wales.
Michael's story is a testament to the valuable skills and experiences that veterans bring to our workforce. His motto is simple: "Zero harm, get home safe, and always be presentable, both yourself and your truck." On Anzac Day, Michael reflects on more than just his own service, remembering his great-grandfather, Albert Anderson, who was an ANZAC and fought on the Western Front.
Honouring the Anzacs
On this Anzac Day, we pay tribute to the courage and resilience of the Anzacs and honour the legacy of those who have served in the armed forces. We are grateful for the contributions of our colleagues with defence backgrounds and remain committed to supporting them.
Vik Bansal, Boral CEO, says:
“We should be proud of Boral’s history of supporting service men and women, which goes back to the end of World War II when we welcomed returning Navy personnel to jobs at our bitumen plant in Matraville, Sydney. I’d like to acknowledge the sacrifices of all Boral colleagues past and present who have served in the armed forces. I am grateful that so many choose to bring their skills here.”
Together, we continue to build something great, inspired by the values of courage, mateship, and resilience that define the Anzac spirit.