Rachael Robertson Returns to Headline AusIMM’s International Women’s Day Lunch in Adelaide
Rachael Robertson, Antarctic Expedition Leader and best-selling author, is returning as a keynote speaker for AusIMM’s International Women’s Day (IWD) Series in Adelaide on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
After delivering an unforgettable keynote at the 2024 AusIMM IWD event in Perth, Rachael Robertson continues to inspire audiences with her remarkable leadership journey and profound insights into team building, resilience, and respect.
From Antarctica to Adelaide
Rachael’s experience leading the 58th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davis Station is both extraordinary and humbling. As one of the youngest and second-ever female leaders in Antarctica, she managed a diverse team in one of the most isolated, extreme environments on Earth. For an entire year, with no access to the outside world, Rachael was responsible for the safety and welfare of over 120 people while delivering a $30 million government science program.
Her story isn’t just about survival; it’s about leading through adversity, embracing the harsh conditions of Antarctica, and fostering an environment where respect and resilience are paramount.
A Previous Keynote That Resonated Deeply
Rachael’s recent 2024 keynote at AusIMM’s sold out International Women’s Day event in Perth left a lasting impression on attendees, with many praising her dynamic presentation and practical insights on leadership and team building. Here’s what some of them had to say:
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“Absolutely fantastic event. Thank you to Rachael for sharing her amazing adventure👏👏 An inspiration to all.” – Sujay Karkhanis
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“Rachael was an amazing and engaging speaker and I really enjoyed the event.” – Samantha McGahan
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“We had the extraordinary privilege of listening to Rachael Robertson, who utterly captivated the audience with her remarkable stories. She shared her unparalleled experience of leading a team in one of the most isolated workplaces on Earth—Antarctica! Her tales were lessons in resilience, leadership, and building teamwork through RESPECT.” – Tanielle Crispin
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“What truly resonated with me was Rachael’s emphasis on ‘Respect’ as the core value for her Antarctic team. Harmony might sound ideal, but respect fosters creativity and growth.” – Lindsey Duncan
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“A takeaway from today’s keynote speaker Rachael Robertson is that we must continue our mission to inspire, elevate, and empower one another to accelerate positive change through creating a more equitable and inclusive industry culture.” – Alexandra Ash
Leadership Through Adversity: Tools for Change
Rachael’s upcoming keynote in Adelaide will continue her mission to inspire and empower through her unique experiences. As she shared in a recent video:
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I’ll be talking about leading a team in Antarctica through months of darkness – temperatures hovering around minus 35 degrees, with no way in or out for an entire year. I’ll also share tools for building a respectful and resilient team, grounded in the culture that respect trumps harmony.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with Rachael in an exclusive Q&A session, where she’ll discuss leadership strategies and offer actionable insights that can drive positive change in their own workplaces and communities.
Rachael leadership journey provides invaluable lessons for those in high-pressure environments, and her message of building resilient teams through respect is one that resonates across industries. We’re thrilled to welcome her back to the stage and look forward to seeing the Adelaide mining and resources community come together for an inspiring and empowering session.