Recognising Exceptional Tasmanian Women in Resources

The 2019 Tasmanian Women in Resources Awards will be officially launched on 15 February, commencing a six-week nomination period to discover the exceptional female talent in Tasmania’s resources, mining and manufacturing businesses.

The annual awards are hosted by the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council (TMEC) in conjunction with the AusIMM Women in Mining Network Tasmania (WIMnet) and include seven categories across trades, manufacturing, non-executive, engineering and professional services roles. Two categories also recognise the importance of gender diversity champions and workplace programs in supporting women to pursue resource industry careers.

The Hon Sarah Courtney MP, Minister for Resources will officially launch the 2019 Tasmanian Women in Resources Awards at the TMEC Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in South Burnie.

The launch event will also feature a panel discussion with 2018 state winners and national finalists Caroline Dunning, Production Engineer at MMG Rosebery; Vanessa Sullivan, Customer Service Delivery Manager at TasRail; and Tarrisha Simpson, then Project and Shift Electrician at South32.

Wayne Bould, TMEC Chief Executive Officer noted the value that industry members derive from encouraging gender-diverse workforces.

“Businesses can tap in to a wider talent pool and benefit not only from individual technical expertise but also from the different perspectives, team working and collaboration skills that exist in diverse workplaces. Diversity accurately reflects the markets in which these businesses operate too which gives them a competitive edge,” Mr Bould said.

Chair of WIMnet Tasmania, Ted Bradshaw, acknowledged the role of the awards in strengthening female participation in non-traditional industries.

“The Tasmanian awards are now in their sixth year and they help to showcase the ambassadors and role models that can inspire more women to consider the attractive career opportunities available to them in the mining, manufacturing and resources sectors.”

A judging panel will announce this year’s Tasmanian award category winners at a ceremony in Hobart on 30 May. One winner from the engineering and professional services, manufacturing and non-executive categories will also be recognised as the overall Exceptional Tasmanian Woman in Resources for 2019 in an award sponsored by Bell Bay Aluminium.

Category winners go on to represent Tasmania in the National Women in Resources Awards to be announced in September.

The 2019 Tasmanian Women in Resources award categories are:

• Exceptional Young Woman, sponsored by Recycal
• Exceptional Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician, sponsored by South32
• Exceptional Woman in Engineering and Professional Services, sponsored by Caterpillar
• Exceptional Woman in Manufacturing, sponsored by Hazell Bros
• Exceptional Woman in a Non-Executive Role, sponsored by Nyrstar
• Gender Diversity Champion, sponsored by Cement Australia
• Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance, sponsored by GHD.

Selection criteria and entry information for each of the categories is available from the TMEC website at http://tasminerals.com.au/2019-tasmanian-women-in-resources-awards

Award nominations will be accepted from 1 March until midnight 31 March 2019.