AusIMM’s International Women’s Day Lunch: Driving Positive Change Together in the Hunter Valley
For the first time, AusIMM’s International Women’s Day (IWD) Event Series is coming to the Hunter Valley, offering an exciting opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women in mining while driving important conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Held on Friday, 14 March, this landmark event will bring together professionals and the community from across the region to enjoy a two-course lunch with drinks and a dynamic programme.
The theme for this year’s event, Driving positive change together, captures the industry’s collective momentum towards fostering inclusivity and breaking barriers. The event will feature a keynote presentation from mining leader Fiona Robertson AM and a panel discussion moderated by Kate Bevan, exploring innovative ways to champion diversity and inclusion in the mining sector.
A Keynote to Inspire: Fiona Robertson AM
Fiona Robertson AM, a non-executive director with over 45 years of experience in corporate finance and resources, will deliver the keynote address. Fiona’s remarkable career spans exploration, development, and operational projects across Australia, North America, Africa, and Asia, making her a leading voice in the sector.
Her keynote will offer personal reflections on successfully carving a career in two traditionally male-dominated industries—banking and mining. Fiona will share stories of overcoming challenges while seeking to create the momentum to unleash the potential of a diverse workforce in the resources sector and addressing the challenges that remain.
"Mining is an industry dependent on effective teamwork across an ever-broadening range of skillsets," explains Fiona. "Attracting and retaining a diverse workforce—not just gender diverse, but diverse across many attributes—is paramount to drawing from the widest talent pool possible. Succeeding in the war for talent is critical to the sector's continued success, particularly given its importance to the Australian economy and the energy transition."
Fiona continues, "Harnessing the benefits of diversity depends on building a foundation of mutual respect and trust, and facilitating collaboration across a much more diverse workforce than the industry of the past. The increasing number of women entering the industry has been one of the catalysts for change, driving improvements to the industry's management of workplace diversity more generally. Leadership models are evolving to recognise the importance of empowering and equipping front-line leadership as key to effecting this change."
Exploring Diversity in Action: The Panel Discussion
Following Fiona’s keynote, a thought-provoking panel discussion will explore into the theme, #DrivingPositiveChangeTogether. The diverse panel, moderated by Kate Bevan, General Manager of People and Culture at MACH Energy, will feature industry professionals from various career stages and disciplines, each sharing unique perspectives on driving DEI in mining.
Kate, known for her strategic leadership in shaping organisational culture, believes the discussion will spark inspiration among attendees.
"I am looking forward to hearing the stories and new ideas from our panellists on how we can drive positive change in the mining industry. The audience have a unique opportunity to connect with our panellists from diverse disciplines and stages of their career, whether it be someone in a similar role or one they aspire to be in". Kate shares.
The panel will explore key challenges and opportunities, including:
- Encouraging bold leadership: What can employers do to challenge the status quo and create meaningful opportunities for women?
- Empowering individuals: How can professionals bring new ideas to the industry and drive change from within?
- Supporting career development: What initiatives have worked in practice, and how can organisations better support diverse talent?
Plus, you can help guide the conversation. Submit a question to the panel here.
Meet the panellist
We are fortunate to have a diverse and insightful panel with a wide range of experiences and perspectives. As Kate shared, she is excited to be joined by such a distinguished group and looks forward to their unique contributions. Fiona Robertson AM, according to Kate, will offer reflections on her distinguished career in the mining industry, sharing insights into the sector's evolution and the challenges she has faced. Chris Walsh, a strong advocate for women in mining and HR leader, will, as Kate notes, discuss how individuals and employers can drive diversity, focusing on successful initiatives.
Briana Baker, a Marketing Manager, will share how her employer has supported her and what changes she hopes to see in the industry. Kate also highlights Josephine Liantono, an early-career professional, who will reflect on her journey, challenges, and the support she has received. Lastly, Sophie Gillogly, a student and active member of both the AusIMM student committee and WIMnet, will provide valuable insights into how these networks have supported her and how her experience compares to peers in other industries.
Drawing on their experiences, the panellists will highlight practical strategies and solutions. From Fiona Robertson’s reflections on learnings from the past, to insights from early-career professionals and students navigating their first steps in mining, the discussion will offer something for everyone.
Building Momentum in the Hunter Valley
As AusIMM brings its IWD celebrations to the Hunter Valley for the first time, this event underscores a commitment to supporting regional mining communities and driving meaningful change across the sector. Attendees will not only enjoy an engaging programme but will also have the chance to connect with peers, share ideas, and celebrate the achievements of women in mining.
With its inspiring keynote address, thought-provoking panel, and the theme of #DrivingPositiveChangeTogether, this lunch event is a must-attend in the calendar.
Kate Bevan’s closing words perfectly capture the spirit of the day: “I now see the mining industry as leaders in driving positive change, providing opportunities and championing new and diverse initiatives. Continuing this momentum is critical for the mining industry and for other industries looking to change.”