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Socceroos 1974 World Cup captain Peter Wilson and Wollongong Hawks coach Gordie McLeod are among the thousands of people who have worked at Nebo Colliery.
The AIS/BHP Nebo coalmine at Mount Kembla, near the current Dendrobium mine, opened in 1946 and closed in 1993. The closure of Kemira and Nebo mines and opening of Elouera (Wongawilli) sparked a major industrial battle between unions and management.
Now 22 years later, a reunion is being organised for all former staff and management, at Wests Illawarra on February 21.
Ex-Nebo workers, including Roy Gersbach, Bob Gaskill and Mark Ryman, are organising the get-together and are keen for anyone who has mine memorabilia to get in contact.
Mr Gaskill worked at the mine for 36 years, from 1957-1993. He was CFMEU treasurer and later lodge chairman.
Mr Gersbach worked in the same section at Nebo for 22 years - 1956-57 and from 1976 until it closed, when he retired. He was Nebo lodge union president.
The pair were motivated to hold the reunion by union legend Fred Moore, now in his 90s.
Mr Gaskill was looking forward to catching up with former colleagues.
"A lot of our fellas are spread all over, Queensland, Victoria. I visited three down in Tasmania," he said.
Mr Gersbach said 140 people had expressed an interest in attending.
In the early days the pit employed about 300 men, growing to 550 workers in 1976.
"They set up a training centre there and it was the first mechanised pit in the group," he said.
"The camaraderie working there was absolutely tremendous."
In 1987, relatives and friends were allowed to tour the mine.
Reunion registrations are needed by January 24. Tickets $40.
Information, RSVPs: 0422 874 872 or 4256 2499