Outgoing Bell Bay Aluminium general manager Ray Mostogl has been remembered as a “visionary” by Tasmania’s peak minerals body.
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Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council chief executive Wayne Bould said Mr Mostogl was at the forefront of the industry during his seven-year stretch at Bell Bay.
He will officially step down from the role on April 27.
He will simultaneously step down from his his position as the council’s president at that time.
“Ray’s been a visionary – he worked very hard over his time as general manager at BBA to ensure that the employees had a future and a safe environment,” Mr Bould said.
“He’s added a lot of value to business in general in Tasmania and he’s been a strong advocate for fair and equitable pricing in energy.
“He’s just a good bloke and I’ll miss him.”
Mr Mostogl has worked for almost 40 years in the minerals industry, including a 31-year stretch with Rio Tinto and BHP.
As Bell Bay’s longest serving general manager, he oversaw the company through its potential closure in 2012 and the 2016 Basslink outage and energy crisis.
He also oversaw the creation of the The Bell Bay Manufacturing Precinct consortium and the council’s Blueprint for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Mr Mostogl said he left his position with “mixed emotions”.
“I thank the BBA team for the privilege of working with them and the tremendous support I have received from the team over the past seven years in my role as general manager,” he said.
George Town mayor Bridget Archer also paid tribute to Mr Mostogl’s contributions to the municipality.
“His leadership, vision and strategic view has helped drive enhanced relationships between industry and [the] council,” she said.
“He has been an excellent advocate for the Bell Bay industrial area and a strong supporter of our local community.”
Both sides of the political spectrum also joined in the chorus of praise toward the outgoing general manager.
“The role Ray has played in ensuring a vital part of our energy infrastructure has remained a viable global business, despite unfavourable commodity prices, has meant that during Tasmania’s energy crisis we were able to avoid Statewide blackouts,” Bass Labor MHA Ross Hart said.
It is abundantly clear that without Mr Mostogl’s leadership and advocacy for the smelter that it would not have survived the power crisis during the Bass Link outage nor potential closure in 2012.
- Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose
Tasmanian Liberal senator David Bushby said Mr Mostogl was a pillar of Tasmanian industry.
“His contributions go far beyond his management of Bell Bay Aluminium, having served on the boards of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, the Tasmanian Mineral and Energy Council and TasTAFE, enriching the knowledge and capabilities of these organisations and in doing so, Tasmania overall,” he said.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said Mr Mostogl was a valuable member of the chamber’s board between 2014 and 2016.
“As the smelter’s longest general manager, Mr Mostogl will leave a legacy that Tasmania, especially northern Tasmanian, will benefit from for many years to come,” he said.
“It is abundantly clear that without Mr Mostogl’s leadership and advocacy for the smelter that it would not have survived the power crisis during the Bass Link outage nor potential closure in 2012.
“The Chamber wishes Ray and his family the best for the next stage in his life and thanks him for his outstanding contribution.
Mr Mostogl will take a holiday after he steps down, before exploring other career opportunities in Tasmania.
Bell Bay’s pacific operations general manager of health, safety and environment Kevin Taylor will be the interim general manager, starting on Monday, April 30.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
