Twenty three individuals and four companies from the Australian resources sector have been selected as finalists for the 2015 Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA).
The finalists will be celebrated and winners announced at the 2015 Women in Resources National Awards presentation event proudly hosted by The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) on 24 September 2015.
“The awards celebrate both the inspirational women we have working here in our sector, and the effort of companies to improve participation of women in our workforce,” said CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith.
“Nationally over the past ten years the number of women working in the resources sector has more than doubled. It is vital to keep this momentum, particularly as the sector transitions to a production phase,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
WIRNA is a partnership between the Minerals Council of Australia and its Northern Territory and Victorian branches, CME, the Queensland Resources Council, the New South Wales Minerals Council, the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, and the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council, with support from various state Women in Mining Network branches.
“Industry coming together to celebrate women in leadership roles provides inspiration for other women to explore a career in resources,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
The 2015 Finalists
Company Excellence in Diversity and Performance
- Atlas Iron – Women in Atlas (WA)
- Newmont, Tanami Operations – Newmont Women's Network (NT)
- Santos Ltd – Gender Equality Program (SA)
- Wesfarmers Resources, Thiess and the Salvation Army Employment Plus team – Oothungs’ (Sisters) in Mining Program (QLD).
Gender Diversity Champion
- Jacqui McGill – BHP Billiton Olympic Dam, Asset President (QLD)
- Jo Barron-Perry – BHP Billiton, Senior Engineer Analysis and Improvement Backfill (SA)
- Linda O'Farrell – Fortescue Metals Group, Group Manager Fortescue People (WA)
- Michelle Lawson – Glencore Coal Assets Australia, Financial Controller (NSW)
- Tim Hewitt – Newmont – Tanami Operations, Mining Manager (NT).
Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources
- Bronwyn Barnes – Windward Resources, Director and Non-Executive Chair (WA)
- Erin Woolford -Ninti Kata, Principal Consultant (SA)
- Janette Hewson – Peabody Energy Australia, Director, Services, Supply Chain Management (QLD)
- Jo Barron-Perry – BHP Billiton, Senior Engineer Analysis and Improvement Backfill (SA)
- Leonora Wehrmann – Principal Specialist, Kellogg Brown and Root, JKC-LNG Ichthys Project (NT)
- Rebecca-Lee Ritchie – Copper Mines of Tasmania, Senior Environmental Adviser (TAS)
- Simone Painter – Alkane Resources – Tomingley Gold, Operations Processing Manager (NSW).
Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources
- Anastasia Plischka – Gekko Systems, Technical Sales Engineer (VIC)
- Eleanor Lober – South 32-GEMCO, Maintenance Analysis and Improvement Engineer (NT)
- Helena Wu – Santos Ltd, Senior Reservoir Engineer (SA)
- Hope Adams – Glencore Coal Assets Australia, Senior Mining Engineer (NSW)
- Jennifer Kotek – MMG Australia Ltd, Human Resources Adviser (TAS)
- Kalpana Maharage – Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Channar Production Superintendent and Quarry Manager (WA)
- Sandra Newman – Rio Tinto Coal Australia, Project Lead West Dam – Hail Creek Mine (QLD).
Outstanding Australian Tradeswoman, Technician or Operator
- Jacqui Purdon – South 32-GEMCO, Mining Operator (NT)
- Julie Stainkey – Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa, Crew Leader (QLD)
- Madeline Brennan – Glencore Coal Assets Australia, 4th Year Apprentice Electrical (NSW)
- Margeaux Janenko – Kentz Engineers and Constructors, Electrician (WA)
- Sabrina McKenzie – Thiess Global Mining, Plant Operator (SA).
A full list of finalists and their profiles can be found on the WIRNA website.