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What do a select group of 12 women from Dingo, Gladstone, Brisbane, Mount Isa, Dysart, Toowoomba, Hope Island and Townsville have in common?
As the rest of Queensland is about to find out, these women are this year's state finalists in the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) 2022 Awards for Women, presented by Anglo American.
They will be joined by Year 12 students competing in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy female student category, as well as companies vying for the title of most outstanding industry leader in the areas of diversity and inclusion.
Proving gender is no barrier to an outstanding career in Queensland's $84.3 billion resources sector, among this year's finalists are engineers, electricians, excavator operators, planning, digital and maintenance specialists, managers, apprentices and superintendents.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said women represent close to 20 percent of the sector's workforce, with almost 7000 now directly employed in on and off-site roles.
He said the number of women working in resources has grown by more than 50 percent over the past six years, following concerted industry efforts to improve participation rates.
The QRC has now set an ambitious, new diversity target of 30 percent female participation by 2026.
This year's winners will be announced on 8 March at the QRC/WIMARQ International Women's Day Breakfast at Southbank's Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, hosted by well-known journalist and television presenter Jennifer Byrne.
Keynote speaker is Australia's longest serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said encouraging more women to work in resources makes good business sense.
"A more inclusive workplace culture improves productivity, health and safety outcomes and helps foster a more supportive and positive work environment," he said.
"Our sector is also facing a chronic shortage of skilled workers, so it's in our best interest to encourage more women to bring their skills, expertise and ideas to work in resources. Our ultimate goal is to achieve gender parity."
WIMARQ Co-Chair Sally Rayner said many Queensland award winners had gone on to win national awards, including last year's Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources winner Maryann Wipaki, who also won her category nationally.
"The quality of our candidates and the level of excellence being achieved by women in Queensland's mining and energy sector is world-class," Ms Rayner said.
WIMARQ Co-Chair Rob Jackson said the best part about hosting these awards in partnership with the QRC is that it provides a platform for these women to be recognised for their professional achievements, which we hope inspires the next generation of women to utilise their skills to the resources sector.
To register to attend this event, visit www.qrc.org.au/events/
