5 minutes with Rob Grubb

Rob Grubb joined Monadelphous over three decades ago in Kalgoorlie and has been an integral member of our team ever since. Not only is he one of our longest tenured employees with a career spanning over 30 years, he has also been a dedicated mentor and a mate to many. We recently celebrated this incredible milestone with a special dinner in Rob’s honour at The Palace in Kalgoorlie.  

Across Monadelphous, as we reflect on 50 years of operation, we are celebrating our people like Rob, who have been instrumental in achieving long-term success.  

Tell us about your early days with Monadelphous.  

I started back in 1992 as a Mechanical Fitter in Kalgoorlie. Before joining the company, I had project management experience, so it didn’t take too long before I got involved in the project side of things, including tendering and estimating work. Over the years, I have certainly worn a few different hats. 

Back then, Kalgoorlie was one of the main crews at Monadelphous. We had around 250 people working out here and it was a very busy time. We were able to establish a great core crew and it really was (and still is!) the place to be. 

Are there any memories that stand out or key milestones that you feel particularly proud to have been a part of over the last 30 years? 

Being a part of the team is my favourite part of my time at Monadelphous overall. A while ago, we had a huge shutdown where we turned over in excess of $50 million – that was an especially busy time, but it was great! We had huge numbers and you couldn’t have asked for a better team.  

Looking back, it’s great to see that some of the young apprentices and engineers that came through Kalgoorlie during that time are still here to this day.   

I am proud of what the Kalgoorlie team has been able achieve over the years, the team is quite innovative and works so well together.  

How have you seen the Company and operations change and evolve over the years?  

Our sense of community is key at Monadelphous, and we have always had a people first approach in all that we do. Rob Velletri has always said “we need to remain a family” and I think that is definitely true of today. 

In terms of my day-to-day, the biggest changes that I’ve seen are the implementation and development of new processes and systems over time. We’re a lot more accountable to the public nowadays than we used to be, which is necessary these days. I’ve seen the business grow and become what it is today. I still think we have so much potential to continue to grow and look forward to what the future holds. 

Has there been a standout influential figure or mentor for you during your time at Monadelphous? 

I’ve always been impressed with Rob Velletri and John Rubino and I think that their attitudes have always come through from day dot. They have been and continue to be great leaders. They are approachable and their influence is well and truly embedded throughout the Company.  

I would say that I am a fairly steady person and I enjoy the working environment out in Kalgoorlie. The thing that has kept me at Monadelphous for 30 years really is the leadership and the people that I get to work with day in and day out. 

Is there any advice, a quote or significant moment that has stuck with you from your time at Monadelphous?  

Many years ago, a man by the name of Jim Brycie made a point of coming in and turning off my computer as soon as it would hit 5:00pm and we would head to the pub. I have carried that ‘switching off’ mentality since then and I have tried to instil it as I have become a mentor all these years later.  

This was an important moment for me because back when I was younger, I just used to keep working and I would never switch off. I certainly have evolved as I have gotten older, and I will continue to do so.  

What legacy do you hope to leave behind with the team in Kalgoorlie?  

That’s a tough one! At the moment the team sends anyone my way when there is something tricky onsite, so I’m sure I will always get a fair few phone calls and be in touch with the crew regularly.  

All in all, I hope to leave behind a great mentality that I have always passed on to the younger guys on site, that you should always have a go at anything. You can absolutely do anything you set your mind to.  

Rob had plans to retire at the end of this year and move to Busselton, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to say farewell just yet. So, the next chapter of his journey with Monadelphous will continue with our team down in Capel. We’re looking forward to seeing you around the South West, Rob.