The 17th QRC/WIMARQ International Women’s Day Breakfast and Resources Awards for Women was held on 8 March 2022, presented by Anglo American.
This event is hosted annually by QRC and its inclusion and diversity reference group, Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ).
Stay tuned for how to be a part of the 2023 Awards!
. 
Winners of these awards (except the student award) become finalists in the annual Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA) presented by the Minerals Council of Australia.
Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources — Lydia Gentle
Lydia is the Maintenance Manager at BHP’s Peak Downs Mine, with more than 15 years’ industry experience. Lydia is an Order of Australia Medal recipient and the youngest Australian to receive Engineering Executive status with Engineers Australia, highlighting Lydia’s leadership skills and contribution to the resources profession. With a passion for a diverse and inclusive workforce, she has a particular focus on training the next generation to ensure a balanced pipeline of talent to the resources sector through QMEA and BHP educational programs and initiatives.
Exceptional Young Woman in Queensland Resources — Jillian Coppo
Jillian is Engineering and Projects Superintendent at South32’s Cannington Mine. Since joining the industry in 2018, Jillian has made significant achievements including improving asset management practices by developing the company’s inaugural Strategic Asset Management Plan, improving South32’s engineering design management processes and developing a structured training and skill building program for the engineering team. Jillian leads a team of more than 30 staff to deliver Cannington’s large annual capital and major operational works program.
Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources in Technological Innovation — Kirra Harris
Kirra has more than 20 years’ experience leading global digital transformation across a range of industries. She was appointed by Anglo American as Met Coal Analytics Centre (MAC) Manager in 2020 to help achieve step-change improvements in safety and efficiency through data science. The role saw Kirra lead the MAC’s establishment and its innovative program of work, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of data scientists and mining specialists in Brisbane. A passionate advocate for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, Kirra established the Australian chapter of the Caterpillar Women’s Initiative Network, which champions and promotes women in STEM.
Exceptional Tradeswoman / Operator / Technician in Queensland Resources — Tanya Cambetis
Tanya is a Development Execution Specialist at Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines, working at George Fisher Mine (GFM). An advocate for greater gender diversity, Tanya is always looking to connect and support women in mining through her role as President of the WIMARQ committee in Queensland’s north-west. A mentor for Glencore’s Girls for Mining Program as well as a mother of four, Tanya works full-time while finalising her Graduate Diploma in Mining to further extend her career knowledge.
Inclusion and Diversity Champion in Queensland Resources — Kristy Purdon
Kristy is Work Management Superintendent at Anglo American’s Capcoal Open Cut Mine. An inclusion advocate, Kristy heads up the WIMARQ committee chapter in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, providing women with networking opportunities and extending these opportunities and support to the local community and businesses. With more than 15 years’ industry experience, Kristy has worked in work management and continuous improvement roles across all disciplines in the mining industry – Open Cut, Underground and Asset Portfolio. Safety, inclusive leadership, and development are all high on her list of workplace priorities.
Exceptional Female Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student — Jemma Donovan
Jemma is the 2022 College Captain of San Sisto College in Brisbane. In her role as a University of Queensland Science Ambassador last year, Jemma attended QMEA workshops at her school and shared her passion for science by mentoring the junior students. She also participated in QMEA’s Oresome Minds Camp at CQ University in Rockhampton. Jemma would like to pursue a career as either a Chemical/Process Engineer or Environmental Engineer.
Excellence in Company Diversity and Inclusion Programs and Performance — Hastings Deering
Hastings Deering believes that everyone deserves to feel as though they belong. The successful implementation of their ‘Together as One’ initiative highlights the powerful benefits of a diverse workforce, enabling employees to better understand customers, be innovative and deliver excellence. Since the program launched in 2018, Hastings Deering has increased female apprenticeship and graduate application rates, as well as intake numbers and retention – rising from 5% in 2018; to 11% in 2020; 18% in 2021; and now 21% for the 2022 intake.
“The good, the bad, and Covid-19. Has it helped or hindered breaking the bias?”
A massive thank you to our event sponsors — the show could simply not go on without you!
