Reflecting on a legacy: Former dam builder visits Warragamba Dam

When we heard 96-year-old former dam builder Fred Patchell was reminiscing about his time building Warragamba Dam and wondering if the site was open to visitors, we jumped at the chance to hear his stories first-hand.

So Fred and his son Cliff joined Paul Johnstone, WaterNSW Maintenance Coordinator Civil Assets, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the crown jewel of Sydney’s water supply system.

Fred helped build the dam wall from 1954-58, beginning as a pipefitter before moving into a role measuring water temperatures, and later as a clerk recording information such as safety incidents.

“Those were different times,” Fred said. “I remember we used to have to walk down to the base of the dam and back up again before the unions got involved and we got to ride in trucks.”

An Irishman who landed in Tasmania aged 25, Fred was looking to make money. He heard through the grapevine that Warragamba was the place to do it, and headed north.

Living on site - at first in a tent, later in a fibro room - provided Fred with accommodation and meals (including steak for breakfast!). Most importantly, the pay was good: “I worked every day I could get and regularly took advantage of the 56 pounds offered for also working on the weekend.”

The hard work paid off, and within a few years he was able to send for his fiancé back in Ireland, Audrey, marry and buy a block of land in old Mt Druitt. Audrey sadly passed away earlier this year, but Fred remains in their old Mt Druitt home of 63 years.

Now with 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, most who live locally, Fred is looking back at his time building the dam with great fondness.