Transfield employees lived in the hostels set up by the company along the routes of the transmission line. Conditions for the young Italian riggers were trying. As Robert Serventi, an Associate Director put it, the situation "was what you might describe as womanless - absolutely womanless. Work, work and more work... They liked having access to Italian food... if they had to work overtime, so did the cook, and dinner would be ready for them. The majority were single or married with wives overseas. They were young and without responsibilities. Turnover was very small and so was absenteeism. The will to work was there, and to work overtime. Our policy was to work 6 days a week. Earnings were substantial enough to convince people they were on a good thing".
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Riggers installing insulator chains on top of a tower.