Pioneering women honoured with QRC awards

The Queensland Resources Council has presented its first ever Lifetime Contribution Award to mark the career of resources sector trailblazer Wendy King. QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the honour to the ConocoPhillips Australia East president recognised a career that had reached the very highest level. “Wendy is a role model, especially to other women, and proof that there are no limitations on a career in the resources sector," he said. "Women can and do make a valuable contribution to our sector at every level, from out in the field through to senior management."It came at the at the 14th Annual Resources Awards for Women, presented by BHP Billiton in partnership with the QRC and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ). In the other major award, a 30-year resources sector veteran, and leader for women in the field, was named Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resources. Dr Jennifer Purdie, non-executive director of Neometals, recently completed her contract as chief executive at Adani Australia Renewables after bringing the company’s Rugby Run solar plant in central Queensland to production. Dr Purdie was presented with a study scholarship from the Australian Institute of Management valued at $30,000, which she handed on to Exceptional Young Woman in Queensland Resources winner Alicia Hurkmans. Dr Jennifer Purdie. “Over the past 30 years, I have been one of very few women in the heavily male-dominated resources businesses,” Dr Purdie said. “I consider it a privilege to pioneer the way for the women who have since followed in my footsteps. “In 1997, when I joined New Zealand Aluminium Smelters as an operations superintendent, I was the second female ever to perform this role on that site, and in 2005 as Point Henry general manager, I was the first ever female leader of that site and the second ever female GM of an aluminium smelter in Australia.” Dr Purdie has also found time to raise three children, contribute to the community through a number of environment and disability groups, and mentor women in the resources sector, including through the QRC/WIMARQ Mentoring program, which this year was extended to Year 12 girls in Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy schools.Other category winners at the awards were:Excellence in diversity programs and performance: South32; Exceptional young woman in Queensland resources: Alicia Hurkmans, Santos GLNG; Exceptional tradesperson, technician, operator in Queensland resources: Alanna Dennien, Kommatsu; Gender diversity champion in Queensland resources: Rob Jackson, South32; Exceptional Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy student in Queensland resources: Madison Curran

Pioneering women honoured with QRC awards

Industry Queensland

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