Terry knows his brothers so well, they can communicate with a look.

That bond, according to Terry, is “pretty special”. Even better for Terry is that he, older brother Shane, and younger brother Ben, all work at Osborne – Shane and Ben work at BAE Systems Australia’s shipbuilding yard, and Terry works at ASC, right next door.

“I love my job, working in the submarine industry, and helping to train the future of fabrication,” says Terry, who has worked on the Collins Class submarines since joining ASC in 2007.

“And I love working closely with my family.”

Terry’s family connections at Osborne don’t end there. In fact, his family dynasty in the maritime industry is nothing short of remarkable.

Terry’s cousin Jamie also works at BAE Systems; his other cousin Darren – Jamie’s brother – works at ASC.

The five men followed in Sandy’s footsteps – mum to Terry, Shane and Ben. Sandy started at ASC in 1989, and soon after was joined by her sister Rosemary – mum to Jamie and Darren.

Between them, Sandy and Rosemary worked as cleaners for 65 years at ASC’s Osborne yard. They even spent a week of night shift cleaning HMAS Collins, right before the boat was handed over to the Royal Australian Navy.

Sandy’s husband Owen also worked for 15 years at Osborne, starting as a marine painter at ASC, then eventually progressing to production supervisor at BAE Systems.

Completing the picture: Sandy and Rosemary’s dad, Don, and Don’s brothers Kevin and Bill, worked 100 years between them as wharfies on the Port River. Don was a teenager when he started on the wharf, before World War Two. After he served for the Australian Army in Papua New Guinea, he returned to the wharf.

“When we were little, grandpa and his brothers were only three doors apart,” says Terry.

“His workmates from the wharf always came around. That camaraderie he had with his family and workmates stuck with us all. It was brilliant. He’s been gone now nearly 40 years, and it still gives me goosebumps to think about him.”

Terry reckons he knows what Don would think of his five grandsons working together.

 “I think he’d be glowing in his box, if he could,” he says.

 “He’d be proud of that legacy, and what we’re doing for defence as well.”

Owen is also proud of the unshakeable family bond.

“It’s fantastic,” he says.

“The five boys have grown up together and always been good mates. They’ve all got a really good work ethic.”

According to Terry, the extended family has maritime in their blood.

“We are Portonians.”

Terry, Shane and Ben have six children between them, so there’s every chance that family connection will continue at Osborne.

“The opportunities are limitless, really,” says Terry.

“The potential for career progression is there if you want to work for it. At ASC and next door at BAE Systems, with AUKUS and with Collins, my grandkids could potentially be working here when they reach their working lives.”

In the meantime, Terry hopes his 16-year-old son, who is keen to become an electrician, might one day join him.

“Seeing Shane and Ben, even though they’re at BAE Systems, is incredible. If I was lucky enough to have that with my son, that would be priceless.”