The search is on again for Queensland’s most resourceful women.
Entries are now open for the 2009 Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Resources Awards for Women, which recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in the minerals and energy sectors.
The awards will be presented at QRC’s International Women’s Day breakfast on Friday 6 March by Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AO.
The recipient of the 2008 overall award, BMA engineer Melanie Gordon said it was a life-changing experience.
‘I was extremely proud and honoured to receive the award,’ said Melanie.
‘I had no idea what was involved with winning or that it would change my life.
‘Winning the award has brought a lot of unexpected opportunities including job offers, media coverage, public speaking engagements, networking with some very important people and invitations to high-profile events.
‘The award has also put me in the history books as my biography has been written and will be included in the 2009 edition of Who's who of Australian Women.
‘Winning the Resources Award for Women also led to me winning the Queensland Government’s 2008 Smart State Award for engineering.
‘The highlight of the year was having the chance to talk to young women who are up-and-coming leaders in this industry and to influence some of the decisions they are making for their futures.
‘I'll be disappointed to end such a fantastic year although I am very grateful to have had this experience at all.
‘The new award holder can look forward to a year full of surprises, learning and a lot of fun.
‘It will be an amazing year for the 2009 winner and I encourage her to make the most of this once-in-a lifetime experience.’
A new award for women in trades and operator roles has been added this year to encourage women working in these fields to take part in the awards.
There is also an award for the best attraction and retention initiative of a QRC member company and a junior award open to girls in Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy schools.
‘The awards are an important part of the QRC’s campaign to improve the attraction and retention of women in the resources sector,’ said QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche.
‘The awards recognise the achievements of women in the sector and the breakfast event provides a valuable networking opportunity for women.
‘We are delighted that Her Excellency has agreed to present this year’s awards and we are looking forward to an attendance of upwards of 600 people.
‘It’s been pleasing to see that initiatives such as these awards have contributed to an upward trend in the employment of women in the resources sector.
‘Since 2006, when our Women in Resources Action Plan began, the proportion of women working in non-traditional roles in the sector has increased from 6 percent to almost 10 percent, putting us well on track to our goal of a doubling to 12 percent by 2020.’
Further information: Caroline Morrissey 07 3316 2507 or 0417 770 893.
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