PERSONAL PROFILE
As at September 2006

Name: Peter Sergeant

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nickname: Sarge

Age: 28

Family? (Marital status?)
Married - Megan

Current job/Role?
Mine Surveyor
Mandalong Mine

What’s the best advice your parents ever gave to you?
Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.

What’s your claim to fame?
Surveyors are only known for their mistakes!

What’s your personal motto?
Anywhere, Anytime!

What makes you happy?
Getting together with friends.

What makes you angry?
People who don't know the limit of their knowledge or ability and when to ask for help.

What's the most romantic thing you've done?
Flew my wife to a remote island for a beach picnic on her birthday.

Career History

Career to date?
1997-2001
Survey Assistant, Asquith & deWitt Consulting Surveyors

2001-2005
Trainee Mine Surveyor, Munmorah/Wyee/Newstan/Awaba Collieries

2005-2006
Assistant Surveyor, Newstan Colliery

2006-Present
Mine Surveyor, Mandalong Mine

Career Influences?
All the Mine Surveyors I've worked under

Career highlight (biggest achievement)?
Gaining my Certificate of Competency

Career shocker?
So far, so good.
Just the odd levelling misclose.

Career goals?
To be a partner in a Surveying Consultancy.

Survey Work / People

What is your perception on the future of Mine Surveying?
Shortage of surveyors. Companies need to recruit suitably qualified people and support them through training.
What is the best piece of survey equipment/technology/software that you have used and why?
Leica TCRA 1201 Total Station theodolite. Powerful piece of equipment. Compnet Least squares adjustment software, makes calculation of traverses a breeze.

What is the oldest piece of survey equipment that you have used?
Wild T1 Theodolite.
A very versatile instrument

Who's the strangest/funniest/unorthodox survey character that you've met so far (and why)?
A one eyed chainman called Kek. Had a unique view of the world, but never took life too seriously.

Who do you admire the most in the surveying profession - past or present - and why?
Don Wyper for his knowledge of legislation and lease matters and for the foresight and direction given to surveyors within Powercoal/Centennial Coal. Phil Orr for his involvement with the Board of Surveying & Spatial Information, raising the profile of Mining Surveyors.

What's the most contentious survey issue in your workplace at the moment? (eg. Hours of work, $$, career path, poor planning/scheduling, technology/equipment improvements, field experience, housing, training …???)
Recognition from senior management that surveyors need to be adequately resourced to operate efficiently.

If you were the boss for a day - list 3 things you would change?
More staff, own survey vehicle, 9 day fortnight.
What factors attracted you to work in the mining industry as opposed to other survey disciplines?
Money.

Would you recommend a career in surveying to a grade 12 school student? Why? If not, what career would you recommend?
Yes, definitely. Plenty of job opportunities in a wide range of areas. Good money and slowly getting better.

Sports/Hobbies

How do you relax?
Time at the beach

Where would be your ideal retirement location?
Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle.

Favourite food/drink?
Thai

Finally, if you were down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?
Chocolate