Boral’s Linwood Quarry team in Marino, South Australia welcomed 85 local residents for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Adelaide’s most important construction material sites.
Led by Quarry Manager Andrew Geue, the open day offered guided bus tours, interactive displays, and the chance to meet the people behind the operation. Visitors explored the quarry’s rich history, dating back to 1882, and learned how Linwood continues to supply high-quality aggregates for major infrastructure projects across South Australia.
Guests were treated to coffee and chocolate caramel slices from the Coffee Creates Dreams van before heading off on tours that included a stop at the viewing platform, where Beau Measures from Orica gave an engaging explanation of the drill and blast process. One visitor shared, “It was great to have Beau on the tour. His explanation of the blast process kept people every engaged.”
The machinery display was a crowd favourite, featuring a brand-new wheel loader delivered just days before the event. A product showcase highlighted the 20+ materials produced at Linwood, sparking questions about their uses and the local projects they support - including the Southern Expressway, Adelaide Airport, and coastline rock armour north of Seacliff.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive:
- From a 10-year-old visitor: “It was very cool.”
- “The tour was most informative, and it was evident that the staff are interested in their workplace and the links with SA both historically & currently and the Quarry’s relevance to building SA.”
- “We had a great bus tour of the quarry today. We were greeted warmly by Ben and Ryan. It seems the culture there is really good. Thanks for the coffee and salted chocolate brownies – sensational way to start a tour.”
Special thanks go to Ben Flemming, Vince Nigro, Brenda Yeomans, Ryan Benton, Matt Powell, Amrinder Chadal (who brought the concrete agitator for display), and all the plant operators who helped make the day a success.
In addition to the open day, Boral arranged a site visit with Mr Alex Dighton MP (Member for Black) and the President of the 5049 Coastal Community Association, hosted by Kevin Whelan, Ryan Low, and Andrew Geue. The visit focused on strengthening collaboration with the local community and discussing future engagement opportunities.
With a quarry life of over 150 years remaining and a reputation for best-practice environmental management, Linwood Quarry continues to be a vital part of South Australia’s construction landscape and a proud neighbour to the communities it serves.
