Ray Hodson’s life may be defined by the physically demanding jobs he excelled at, a tradition that began with his family’s mining heritage. In this interview with Russell Garbutt, Ray recalls his grandfather, a miner from northern England, and his father, who opened coal mines in the Bannockburn area, and explains some of the features of working underground and in opencast mines.
In addition to learning the mining trade, Ray spent time rabbiting, working for Maurice Spain growing tomatoes, and had a short stint working on a dredge. He also became a rouseabout, mastering blade shearing and quickly adapting to machine shearing when it was introduced. Later, he worked at Pukeuri freezing works where he served as a supervisor for many years.
Ray’s story is a testament to his versatility and determination. From the family mines to the shearing sheds, he embraced physically challenging work demonstrating a lifetime of resilience and hard-won expertise.
Interviewer: Russell Garbutt
Interview Dates: June 2023
Raymond Hodson
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