Beaconsfield.

Limited operations considered for Beaconsfield. :

"'We just want to start sorting out what's fact and what's fiction, what's rumour in the heat of the media Winnebago convention, what's real,' he said.

'I have to say the union's position is we don't think this tragedy should've occurred.

'We have heroes, that's fantastic, but that we needed to have them is terrible.'"

Australians are really good at prioritising and we have all quietly spoken about what would need to occur after whatever was going to happen. Sorting out the mine, the town, the safety of the miners, the future of mining are all issues which have to be addressed along with a good hard look at how it all happened and what might be possible to ensure a less dire outcome. Like everything else it will be done in its own good way and in its own good time. We were all late to work yesterday because we had heard the good news on the radio as we woke up and all made a mad dash to the TV set to see it all in real life. A story we have hardly dare talk about for fear of tipping an already precariously balanced rock face. We couldn't stop ourselves from blurting and being so jubilant as we saw each other in the morning. We were all aware it was the funeral of Larry Knight, the one who died right at the beginning, and our hearts were with him and his family because his story was a very sad one . We knew it was very kind of the family to put the funeral on hold until they could see what was happening with the other two and we realise that their gesture was very big hearted. As for the two...a great pair with something they can teach all of us, but the whole team which worked over there has our admiration. That is what counts. People. How each person being themselves with their personality and their skills can create a team which works. Everyone had a role ...right down to the little kids and it says something about the town of Beaconsfield that they all knew what part to play and were all included in the writing of this story. For me, the line I shall always remember was when they got to that last bit of really hard rock and just couldn't get through it and had to think outside the square and the guy said , "It's like throwing Kleenex at rock." We are all happy, all relieved and all so proud of how we put it together. The psychologists were very canny and the the men who went in on their backs in the last bit of the tunnel to drill and drill and drill forever to get those men out are incredible. These are good workplace relations and a good workplace environment. They looked to be running on pizza, determination, patience and brains. Whatever problems and issues they have now are sure to be resolved. You cannot live in Australia and not know the word "awesome." That was awesome and awe inspiring.