Ryan Dodson joined the team at Marulan South Limestone in New South Wales a year ago and has decided he wants to work at Boral forever.
Ryan grew up in Goulburn and started his apprenticeship as a carpenter, he was in his second year when he was offered a spot in the Cronulla Sharks junior squad and decided to move to Sydney and give it a go, he was then offered a three-year contract with the club as a junior player.
For Ryan long days at work, hours of football training each day and a baby on the way meant something had to change, so he and his partner decided to move home and make life first and football second.
Jamie Whittaker, Marulan South’s Production Manager mentioned there was a job going at Boral, he said it is a great spot to work and bring the family up as well.
What has your first year at Boral been like?
“I get to move around the site and do a little bit of everything. And that has been really good experience. Marulan is great because there is such a big range of people and age groups working here that I get to interact with. It’s good to be able to learn lots of new things and skills from everyone.”
Ryan says he has been given a lot of opportunities since he started work at Boral, he has received mentoring and support from his older colleagues who he says have put him on the right path and provided great guidance. “People want to see me succeed; it feels like a family here at Marulan.
What is the best advice you've received from your team?
“I am eager to learn as much as I can, but they have taught me to slow down and think about things and to be safe. The management team and the culture here are so good, my colleagues really care about me, you are not another number, they make things as enjoyable as they can be for everyone here.”
"I have made friendships with people that I would never have met unless I worked here at Boral. I want to stay here forever”.
Ryan's Football Career Continues
Jamie Whittaker said, “I am really proud of Ryan; I know how hard he has worked and his achievements. He is very modest, he never big notes himself, he works big days and then he goes and plays footy. His team recently won the Group 8 Premiership. And he has won two NSW Koori Rugby League Knockout Carnivals this year, and he was voted the players player in one of them. He is such an inspiration to other young people.”
Connecting to his Indigenous culture is important to Ryan, spending time with his family out at the farm feels like being home and where he is supposed to be. The Koori Rugby League Carnival is an annual event held in October and is one of the biggest Indigenous sporting gatherings in Australia. It showcases local rugby league players but is also an opportunity to celebrate culture, heritage and community pride. “I have played in Indigenous carnivals since I was old enough to join a team and I have made great networks across the country."
I would encourage kids to get involved with footy – the benefits are unbelievable. The friends you make; they will become your lifelong mates,” said Ryan.
“Having my son alongside my partner Ella was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t wait until he gets a bit older and can play golf and footy with me.”