The outstanding contribution of Victorian women to their workplaces and the global resources industry has been celebrated by the Victorian Women in Resources Awards.
Hosted by the Minerals Council of Australia and supported by the AusIMM Women in Mining Network Victoria, the awards recognise individual achievement and company efforts to increase gender diversity across mining operations, within corporate offices and across the mining equipment, technology, and services sector.
Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes today met the three category winners during an online session to congratulate them on their awards.
Processing Manager of Fosterville Gold Mine Sue Mills was awarded the Exceptional Woman in Victorian Resources for her commitment to bettering social responsibility in mining. She has helped communities in Kazakhstan resolve environmental issues and mentored other women through the AusIMM mentoring programme.
Syrah Resources’ Maddy Grochowski was named Exceptional Young Woman in Victorian Resources for her passion and commitment to communities in Mozambique. She established a local employment strategy and a professional training centre for locals and contributed to Syrah Resources’ Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Carmel Jenkinson was awarded the Outstanding Victorian Trade, Operator or Technician award for her eagerness to learn and take-on more responsibility, and for her support of EnergyAustralia’s activities to encourage more women into the mining and resources industry.
All three women will be a category finalist in the Women in Resources National Awards to be held later this year.
The Victorian Women in Resources Awards are a step towards promoting greater workplace gender equality and a more vibrant and successful sector. By showcasing the important work women are doing and rewarding excellence, the awards play a role in encouraging more women to join the sector.
To encourage more women at senior levels across the resources sector, the Victorian Government entered the Prospects Partnership with the AusIMM in 2019 as part of its Mineral Resources Strategy, State of Discovery.
The partnership includes the annual Women on Boards Scholarships, which aims to boost the number of women with science and technology knowledge who are sitting on the boards of resources companies.
The Victorian Women in Resources Awards are supported by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes
“Congratulations to Sue, Maddy and Carmel for their outstanding contributions not only to Victoria’s resources sector, but also their impact globally.”
“These awards are an important celebration of the success of women and help to increase the awareness amongst women of the many career options that exist within the sector.”
