For the last few months, Richmond’s Margaret Ewers has been spending her working time manning a gate on the Queen St upgrade. With ample opportunity to observe the upgrade in its many stages, Margaret put pen to paper and created the following poem to document the upgrade through the eyes of somebody within the fence.
Working on Queen Street upgrade has had its ups and downs,
Most people smile and some just frown.
There’s Linda the STMS, tells us what to do,
Don’t get on the wrong side of her, else you’ll be in the …..
The Downer bosses Joe, Anthony, Tom keep everything under control
Making sure everything goes to plan and nothing takes it toll.
There’s David and Chris always walking up and down the street,
Making sure the footpaths are tidy and well-kept and neat.
The Chorus guys and Powertech laying the fibre optic for internet and phones,
Making it easy for the community and homes.
The Nelmac guys come and plant their plants,
Making the street look great at a glance.
There’s the lighting crew putting up new lights,
Making it easy to see and look bright at night.
There’s the gate people, Wolf, Katy, Margaret, just to name a few,
They go through a lot of staff because they get bored and there’s not much to do.
Donaldson Civil have been there from the start,
Digging the road up, laying pipes for the water, they have got it down to an art.
Tasman do the storm water pipes and drains,
Making sure the water is taken away when it rains.
There’s the trucks’ drivers coming in and out all the time,
Spreading gravel, they don’t waste much time.
The Independent Kerb and Channel guys do a great job cementing and doing drains,
They don’t have to think much but they do use their brains.
The Higgins crew do digging, rolling, grading, just to name a few,
They are all pretty gifted and know a thing or two.
The tar sealing gang come in and do their bit,
Sealing and spreading the grit.
The road markers come and finish the job painting the lines white,
Making the road shine up and be bright.
When the street is all finished it will be real great,
It’s taken 15 months to finish, it will be worth the wait.