RAM, THE BP MAN - AS HE'S KNOWN IN ROEBOURNE
The Pilbara probably has one of the most culturally diverse populations in WA, if not the whole of Australia.
Ngaarda Media wanted to talk to some of these people from all over the world, who have to come to begin a new life in the Pilbara region.
The first person we met is Raama Krishna, who recently purchased the BP service station, in the town of Roebourne.
Actually it’s the only station in town and the only chance to refuel on the North West Coastal Highway between Karratha and Port Hedland.
Raama, or Ram to the Roebourne locals, originally comes from India. He confesses that he didn’t know where the Pilbara was, much less where Roebourne was, when he started looking for a business to buy.
When he and his wife first left India they had a business in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands. It sounds idyllic, but Ram was looking for somewhere more authentic and he eventually decided to invest his money in the small Pilbara town.
The obvious question is why? The answer, Ram grew up in a small community in India, similar to the community he has found in Roebourne. Being a petrol station, a shop and a fast-food outlet, his family have soon got to know people in the town and for his part - Ram loves it here and will tell you that at every opportunity.
Although the business keeps him busy 7 days a week, Ram and his wife are getting involved in community events. We asked how long he will stay in Roebourne? Long term he answered, at least the next two decades. Play the interview with Marion Cheedy to hear what else he had to say.