The winners of the prestigious BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards announced today highlight the diversity, calibre and skills of people working in Australia's world-leading resources industry.
These awards celebrate initiatives that create a more diverse, safer, fairer and stronger sector. And as ambassadors and role models, the award winners will inspire more women to enter the resources workforce.
While the number of women participating in the resources sector has improved in past decades, there is still a way to go to lift female participation in the industry.
These awards clearly demonstrate that women play a significant role in improving the industry at all levels. Sharing the stories of the winners and finalists also helps to raise awareness of the diverse resources sector careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, social sciences and the trades.
The winners of the BHP 2020 Women in Resources National Awards are:
Dyno Nobel Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award
Renata Roberts, Chief Corporate Services Officer, The Bloomfield Group in Singleton New South Wales for the extensive examples of her leadership across a number of areas, her capability and agility throughout her career, and for her community outreach particularly through the HR Hub and Educators Forum initiative.
Newcrest Exceptional Young Woman in Australian Resources Award
Kathryn Young, Geotechnical Engineer at BHP's Peak Downs Mine in Moranbah Queensland for her impressive technical leadership, mentoring and strong advocacy on gender diversity.
Rio Tinto Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources Award
Brett Robins, Crew Leader, Bell Bay Aluminium in Tasmania for his strong personal commitment to diversity and for achieving a 50 per cent increase in female participation as well as sustainable cultural change in the workplace.
St Barbara Excellence in Company Programs and Performance Award
Vanessa Davies, National General Manager, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenous Engagement at the Compass Group in Perth for the Launch into Work program which supports long-term unemployed women.
Maptek Women in Resources Technological Innovation Award
Larnie Mackay, Digital Transformation: Underground Project Lead, Anglo American in Moranbah Queensland for her innovation and perseverance in leading the development of the first and so far only electronic tablet device certified for unrestricted use in underground coal mining in Australia.
Thiess Outstanding Australian Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician Award
Jennifer Ward, Open Pit Supervisor at Newmont's Boddington gold mine in Western Australia for her strong leadership and influence on-site and in the community.
The awards ceremony, hosted with news anchor Chris Bath, can be viewed on YouTube (link: https://youtu.be/tOff6tfbnRY) including interviews with all six winners as well as Edgar Basto, President of Minerals Australia from awards principal sponsor BHP and the Chair of the MCA, the Hon Helen Coonan.
