Peter Golding Bunnaloo/ GG Fencing

G’day Peter. Thanks for sitting down today to talk fencing!

How long have you been fencing?

Too long. 43 years now. My son is getting into it now. I’m getting sick of making decisions.

What sort of fencing do you specialise in? 

We do a lot of fabricated near Moama, Up north heavy barb, Plain elsewhere. We also build a lot of yards and feedlots.

What’s the trickiest job you have ever done?

Yards are complex. We do big yards and that takes a lot of planning. With fencing, terrain is the thing, around here its pretty good, mainly just keeping strainers in the ground. Recently I had to fence basalt, I got a drifter, like a big percussion masonry drill from Munroe to blow rock out of the hole with compressed air. This got great results, all our end assemblies held.

Can you give us a brief rundown, starting with the driver, of the gear you use?

We use both percussion and drop hammer drivers from Munro, I like the drop hammer because it’s smaller and more manoeuvrable. Plus I’m used to it.

Why fencing?

My first full time job was on a Dairy farm. I worked for a very skilled man who taught me the basics of welding and fencing. When I was 17-18 my mum told me I’d found my niche. I’ve been at it ever since. I’ve met great people doing it too. 

How important are good fences to your clients?

We serve a market that pays for quality.

For you, what’s the most satisfying moment in the job?

I just finished a job last week and I got a lovely phone call from the customer. Appreciation is everything. With yards, I like the problem solving. I love getting a setup right and seeing how easy it makes stock handling.

How critical is your gear to producing high quality fences?

It’s pretty big. Buy good gear and maintain it. I don’t like down time on the job. Our main gear is new or very well maintained. Plus we’ve always got a backup too. When I started out I had a HJ holden ute, a single wire spinner and a few hand tools. Over time you accumulate, but I always keep up with new stuff.

Where do you see fencing going in the next decade?

Depends on the area, my area has become more cropping, so less fences, but what has happened is new products have made the job easier for less skilled people to do a fence. More fence is getting put up faster with less skill these days. In the end, we will see virtual fencing play a bigger role, but we will still need boundary fences. Just think about the number of posts and wires are in this country. Fencing will always be an industry, but it will change over time and location.

Safety is pretty important these days, does gear have a large role to play?

We’ve done government work over the years, we always have to do inductions. Safety is about confidence and competence. Relating this to wire strainers, it’s important to use tools that won’t let go.

Let’s talk strainers now, there are lots on the market, why do you choose Fenceline units?

A mate of mine put me onto them, he’s a good operator, he loaned me a set, I've used I reckon every brand of strainers there are. These are in a league of their own. They are the Venus Williams of strainers. They are well made, they have a great action and when bits wear out, Fenceline supplies the parts individually. I wouldn’t buy anything else. I’ve tried them all and Fenceline are the best.

Is it obvious these were designed by a fencer?

When you think about it, yes. With anything in life, talk to the people that are using the stuff. He’s put a lot of thought into them. It’s obvious. The grip, the action and the jaw work perfectly. You get what you pay for. You get quality.

What would be your top three tips for straining wire right?

Learn the basic knots. Keep doing them until it’s right. When you are tying a wire knot, you're not tying a shoe lace, you are forming it. You don’t tie wire, you are forming it. So keep the pressure consistent. Safety, Safety, Safety, wear your glasses. I don’t rely on the gauge, the lever feel tells you everything. You can feel the wire elasticity.

A poor workman can’t blame the tools, but a craftsman uses the finest tools eh?