Three long-serving system control operators at Power and Water in the Northern Territory are retiring, collectively marking more than 131 years of service to the organisation. Ron Kirk, Mark Mahood, and Andrew Clark have each played key roles in managing the Territory’s electricity and water networks amid significant industry changes over the past several decades.

Ron Kirk arrived in Darwin in the early 1970s, originally intending to stay for only six months. He ultimately remained for nearly 50 years, retiring from his role as a system control operator. Mahood and Clark also depart after extensive careers; Mahood worked at Power and Water for 37 years, transitioning from electrician to IT and then system control, while Clark served 43 years as a Grade 2 system controller.

During their tenures, the trio witnessed dramatic transformations in the region’s power sector. These included the transition of Channel Island Power Station to gas-fired generation and the rapid integration of renewable energy sources such as solar power. This evolution increased operational complexity significantly.

“The complexity increased enormously,” Kirk said, noting that new procedures had to be developed to align with Australian Energy Market Operator requirements and to manage growing volumes of solar energy in the grid. He also challenged common assumptions about older workers and technology, emphasizing that adaptability is largely a matter of mindset.

System control operators play a critical, though often unseen, role in maintaining the stability of electricity and water supplies. They monitor the electrical grid in real time to balance supply and demand, preventing blackouts. In the water network, they oversee pumping stations and treatment plants to maintain safe and consistent pressure for consumers.

Kirk described the work as constantly dynamic, requiring continuous assessment of risks and readiness to respond to unexpected incidents. “We work in real time,” he said. “Every second and every minute you’re assessing what’s happening across the system, thinking about the risks, planning for what could go wrong, responding to unexpected events as they happen and making decisions to keep the system safe and operating.”

Their collective experience and dedication have provided a steady foundation as the Northern Territory’s utility infrastructure has evolved, marking the end of an era for Power and Water’s system control team.