The outgoing chief of Newcastle Port Corporation said he is proud of the growth and diversification seen at the site over the last ten years.
Gary Webb finished his job at the company on Sunday after working for the corporation for more than 20 years.
Webb was made chief of NPC in 2004, and will be replaced by Grant Gilfillan, the former chief of Sydney Ports Corporation.
Webb said with Newcastle now importing bulk fuels and with a significant increase in grain, diversification at the port had been a great success, ABC reported.
“I’m feeling enormously proud of the organisation, and those who have gone before me, and the opportunity to be a steward for a period of time,” Webb said.
“What a great port, what a great community.
“What a great bunch of people to be able to work with to see an increase in diversified trade, to see an increase in coal, to see increase in technology and approach and innovation.”
Webb said the Pasha Bulker running around at Nobbys Beach would remain a lasting memory of his time as chief.
Webb was in charge of the recovery of the ship in June 2007.
“The ship on the beach was never in the right spot,” he said.
“We were always determined to get it off and I’m enormously proud of the expertise of the people, the ability for the National Plan to Combat Pollution to come together, the relationship that we have with the salvors, and the tremendous community support that we had at that time.
“It certainly put Newcastle on the map.”