Firing up a new venture: power station worker becomes a pizza entrepreneur

After working at the Muja Power Station in Collie, Western Australia for 38 years, Pusky was offered a voluntary redundancy as part of the town’s phased shift away from coal. At first, losing the security of a steady job and income was daunting, but it soon became a chance to rethink his future and explore new opportunities he had never considered before. 

His family once ran a popular pizza restaurant, but when they retired, the ovens went cold and the doors closed for good. Sparked by nostalgic conversations with friends and colleagues about the old restaurant, Pusky was inspired to revive the legacy through a new pizza venture. 

Collie Jobs and Skills Centre

Pusky visited the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre, which provides specialist support for the local workforce, community and businesses, including training needs plans and skills gap analysis.

The opening of the centre is part of the wider WA Government’s initiative to help provide opportunities for workers and the community in Collie and ensure there continues to be well-paid and local jobs in the region as they shift from a coal-dependent economy to a more diverse and sustainable future.   

Pusky took his idea to the team at the Jobs and Skills Centre and they helped him to turn his mobile pizza restaurant dream into reality. The team provided him with business planning advice and assistance with his application for the Collie Futures Small Grants Program. 

Collie Futures Small Grants Program

The small grant program is a WA government initiative managed by the South West Development Commission which provides businesses and not-for-profit organisations with funding to undertake projects that will create jobs and opportunities in the Collie region of WA. 

Pusky was successful with his grant application and received $50,000 to start his mobile pizza business. 

With the WA government’s investment in the town’s tourism infrastructure making Collie a more popular place to visit and work, Pusky’s mobile pizza bar will support the influx of people to the area, offering a convenient and alternative dining option for tourists, locals and will provide catering support for functions and events. 

Pusky is grateful to the team at the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre for their support during his transition from the Muja Power Station. 

‘You can talk to them about anything and if they haven’t got the answer, they’ll find an answer for you. They’ll put you on the right track,’ Pusky said. 

Pusky’s new business is already building a fan base in Collie and surrounding areas. His story is one of transformation, resilience, and serious flavour.

Find out how the Authority is supporting Collie and other regions transition to a net zero economy at Community Transition Plans.