b'1944 The first major project Cecil worked on with Horn & Thiess was on the Kilkivan Range back in 1934, building a bypass road through to Gayndah, and it was full of drama.Coal shortage equalsFor starters, the equipment they had was barely adequate to handle the steep, rocky opportunity countrysome said that maybe they shouldnt have taken on the job at all. They also needed more financing to employ extra men. But as was his way, Les felt sure he could Australia is hit by a coal shortage, get around these problemshe just had to convince Stumpy, the more experienced which presents an opportunity for and better-financed of the two. He took Stumpy to the site along with Bert (who was Thiess Bros to diversify its operations.becoming a regular and welcome visitor at the Horn family home, visiting Stumpys They successfully tender for twodaughter, Vera). The work called for the removal of 50,000 cubic yards of land, and, as the contracts to remove overburden:three walked up the range and looked at the sharp hillsidesall rock and no soilStumpy BlairAthol Coal Mine in Queenslandmade a decision. Well do it, he saidjust as Les had hoped. And so the work began.and Muswellbrook Coal Mine in New South Wales. These contracts mark theIn 1939, the gang was working close to Brisbane in Bowen Hills. It must have beenbeginningof Thiess long associationa remarkable sight as the new D8 churned through great layers of earth and rock to withmining. start the foundations for Luna Park. It didnt go unnoticed. The Thiess brothers were beginning to attract some attention; the citys evening paper ran a feature article complete with a photograph of the team and a caption reading Men Who Eat Rocks 1945 and Stonesa now immortal moniker. This heroic appraisal made them more popular with prospective workers, who became willing participants in camp life and the rugged Brothers together beginnings of the Thiess story.By now, all five younger Thiessbrothers are working together(with their families) under theThiess Bros banner.The men who eat rocks and stonesLes, 19091992 Cecil, 19101985 Pat, 19121987 Bert, 19132010 Stan, 1916198116'