The Women in Industry Awards are set to be bigger than ever in 2024.
The 2023 iteration of the Women in Industry Awards was a remarkable event.
A sold-out gala dinner, 160 nominations and a 55 per cent increase in attendance on the previous year were some of the standouts. But the real highlights were the exceptional women whose success was showcased throughout the night.
Held in Melbourne, the 2023 awards celebrated the nominees and winners across industries such as mining, road transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and infrastructure.
The awards are set to return in 2024 to recognise exceptional women who have achieved success through leadership and innovation.
There are 11 categories in play in 2024, including Excellence in Mining, and the esteemed Woman of the Year award.
Giselle Phillips, HSEQ (health, safety environment and quality) advisor at Fredon, was named Woman of the Year at the 2023 awards.
“This is a celebration not only for me but for the team as well, because we are making change in our field,” Phillips said in her acceptance speech.
“Women are not in competition with each other. We need to advocate and help each other to get where we need to be.
“So this is not only for me, but also for every woman that is in the room.”
Past sponsors Atlas Copco, SEW Eurodrive, Fulton Hogan and PACCAR Australia have confirmed sponsorship for 2024, with more to be announced.
Atlas Copco, which sponsored the 2023 Rising Star of the Year award, believes diversity is a key contributor to the long-term success of a business.
“The Women in Industry Awards is a special way in which we can show our commitment to advancing the gender balance in industry,” Atlas Copco said.
“As a global company, Atlas Copco recognises the link between diversity and innovation, and contributing to these awards is just one way that we can show that Atlas Copco recognises the talent and achievement of females across our industry.”
The 2023 Excellence in Mining award, sponsored by Weir Minerals, was presented to Ashara Moore from BHP.
“I would love to start with thanking Weir Minerals for sponsoring this award,” Moore said in her speech on the night.
“The video they played this evening really embodies how I feel about resources.
“They spoke quite a lot to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). And it’s something I’m very passionate about as an engineer myself and a PhD student in sustainable management in the mining sector.”
Sophia Kurianski was named Rising Star of the Year in 2023 and said she was incredibly honoured to receive the award.
“I’d like to say thank you and congratulate every single woman in this room,” she said. “You’re doing really amazing things and I’m just so honoured to be in a room full of such amazing women in this industry.”
With such a successful event behind it, there is no doubt the 2024 iteration of the awards will be better than ever. Nominations are now open and close April 19 2024.
Categories accepting nominations:
- Excellence in Mining
- Safety Advocacy Award
- Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by Atlas Copco)
- Business Development Success of the Year
- Industry Advocacy Award
- Mentor of the Year
- Excellence in Manufacturing (sponsored by PACCAR Australia)
- Excellence in Transport
- Excellence in Engineering (sponsored by SEW-EURODRIVE)
- Excellence in Construction
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on June 20 2024.
This feature appeared in the October 2023 issue of Australian Mining.
