Three Central Qld students vie for top state resources award
27 January 2021
The top three state finalists for the exceptional female student category in this year’s prestigious Resources Awards for Women come from resource-rich Central Queensland.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) today announced Caitlin Boothby from Biloela State High School, Chloe Coombe from The Cathedral College in Rockhampton and Charlise Falconer from Gladstone’s Chanel College will vie for the honour of being recognised as exceptional amongst their peers.
To be eligible, female students must have participated in programs run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the QRC’s education arm.
The QMEA engages with 80 schools throughout Queensland and is a partnership between the QRC and the State Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.
The winner of the Exceptional Female QMEA Student Award will be announced in front of an expected 1000-strong crowd at the QRC/Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) awards at an International Women’s Day breakfast in Brisbane on 10 March, presented by Anglo American.
The event will be compered by leading journalist and TV presenter Jennifer Byrne and features seven award categories. Keynote speaker is QUT Chancellor and resources industry leader Dr Xiaoling Liu.
Click here for photos of Exceptional Female QMEA Student Award finalists.
Click here for list of finalists plus photos and videos.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the future has never been brighter for women who
wish to pursue a career in Queensland’s world-leading resources sector.
He said the exceptional female student category reflected the resources sector’s determination to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce by championing greater female participation.
“Women have been under-represented in professional and technical careers across the resources sector and our industry was missing out on the unique skills and expertise female employees bring to the workplace,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“It’s encouraging to see more young women seeking a career in resources and I congratulate this year’s finalists on being recognised for their efforts at such a young age.
“I can’t wait to see where their careers take them.”
Caitlin, Chloe and Charlise are considering science, technology, maths and engineering (STEM) related tertiary studies when they finish school this year followed by a career in the resources sector.
At this stage Caitlin would like to become an environmental engineer, Chloe an actuarial scientist and Charlise a chemical or process engineer.
Previous Exceptional Female QMEA Student Award winners have gone on to great things: 2020 winner Liva Woods from Wavell State High School received early acceptance to study engineering at The University of Queensland this year, and former Moranbah State High School students, 2019 winner Madison Curran and 2018 winner Caitlyn Barnes, are both electrical apprentices at BHP/BMA.
Click here to book a ticket or table at the 2021 QRC/WIMARQ Women in Resources Awards breakfast and follow-on panel discussion.
Background on finalists in the 2021 Exceptional Female QMEA Student award:
Caitlin Boothby from Biloela State High School is interested in studying environmental engineering but also keen to learn more about the range of careers in the mining industry. She is a house captain and member of the Ministerial Student Advisory Council, and has previously attended a QMEA ‘Beaker Bots Build’ workshop and problem-solving Toolkit Day.
Chloe Coombe from The Cathedral College Rockhampton would like to study actuarial science. She is a college vice-captain, QMEA Ambassador, member of the Ministerial Student Advisory Council and a UQ science ambassador, helping to establish her school’s first Science Club. She has represented her school in Opti-MINDS and is passionate about championing careers for young women in the minerals and energy sector.
Charlise Falconer is the 2021 College Captain of Gladstone’s Chanel College and is interested in studying chemical or process engineering. She is a QMEA Ambassador and a UQ science ambassador and chairperson. She organised a QMEA Physics in Flight competition at her school, attended a STEM Stepping program and has completed work experience in the STEM laboratories at Central Queensland University.
The QRC/WIMARQ Resources Awards for Women is now in its 16th year and celebrates and acknowledges exceptional women working in the Queensland resources sector. With the exception of the student award, winners of all categories will represent Queensland in the Women in Resources National Awards in Canberra later this year.
