28/08/2026
So its come to our attention that a few people dont know the legend, only the myth 😜
So without further ado, we introduce to you all " THE BOSS" Mr A J Hughes.
Born on 17 November 1980, Aaron was the second of three boys born to Fred and Irene Hughes. He spent his early years on the family gold mine at Barratta Station and was home-schooled through School of the Air in Port Augusta, before the family moved to Orroroo, where Aaron lived until he was 16.
At 16, Aaron moved to Port Augusta to begin his apprenticeship with Parnell Mogas. This is where his love for tools began. Combined with his late father's passion for mining, these early experiences planted the ideas and foundations that would eventually become Hughes Mining Labour Hire.
In 2004, Aaron built on those humble beginnings and grew Hughes Mining Labour Hire into the business it is today.
Now, let's get to the fun stuff 🥳.....
✅️ Nicknames: Hughesy, Narn, Super Fitter, and Morry.
✅️ Favourite tool: Feeler gauge, because, for reasons even Aaron can't explain, they make him feel important whenever he gets them out.
✅️ Favourite saying: "You got the job, mate."
✅️ Most disliked job on site: Spiral-wrapping a jumbo on night shift after day shift conveniently left it behind.
✅️ Favourite color: Burgundy. That's why the spanner in our logo is burgundy, and it was also the color of the first Hughes Mechanical ute.
✅️ Dream job: Owning a lawn mower business—no phone, plenty of fresh air, and spending his days cutting other people's grass.
✅️ Football highlight: Aaron kicked 12 goals for Orroroo in a game at Gladstone—the most goals kicked by a single player in a B grade game since 1978. Trust me, he won't just tell you once.
✅️ Favourite football team: The mighty Adelaide Crows. Aaron will even spin you a yarn about meeting Tony Modra and how he talked Nathan Bassett into having a photo taken with his then-newborn son Riley at the hospital—Riley wasn't even one day old. No wonder the boy is a Carlton supporter. "GO THE MIGHTY BLUES"
Aaron spends his time off: morning walks, which have become a daily ritual; fishing on the Murray River; appreciating the opportunities life has given him; talking to strangers just to make them smile; sponsoring clubs and smaller community events; and, although he won't admit it, discreetly paying for groceries and fuel for the elderly. Our boss loves to reminisce, and if you're close enough to him, you might even receive what some of us fondly call "Narn's Yarns."
One of Aaron's most memorable adventures involved him attempting to ride a push bike from Broken Hill to Port Augusta while camping on the side of the road. Unfortunately, near Mannahill, a passing truck blew him into a bridge. The bike was badly bent... so was Aaron. Poor Irene (Mum) had the pleasure of collecting him and the bike from the pub.
Much to his disbelief, he has also been told he's pretty smooth with the ladies. Don't believe us? Apparently, the contacts in his phone confirm it. Just kidding! It's our way of saying he has a big heart.
Aaron loves a chat and has a memory like an elephant—well, at least with any stories from before his 30s.* So if you get the chance to talk to him, make yourself a coffee and pull up a chair—or in Aaron's case, a cup of tea or a hot chocolate.
For Aaron, the best part of Hughes Mining has always been the people—the incredible employees who have worked for him, the stories they have shared, the resilience they have shown, and the community events he has been able to help out with. The business has also taken him all over Australia and around the world, as far as Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Dubai.
That's our boss: diesel mechanic, businessman, father, occasional football legend, and full-time storyteller—Aaron John Hughes!
Just to confirm to you all that he's not an AI, we've attached some photos. (Then again, they could be AI! )
So drop a comment below or a story to prove you've met him.
