North West Queensland came out in force to mark the achievements of women through a Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) International Women’s Day breakfast.

About 150 people from across the community attended the International Women’s Day event, supported by Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines and Alliance Safety Equipment, at the Buffs Club in Mount Isa.

The annual breakfast provides an opportunity for women working in the resources sector to celebrate International Women’s Day with their industry peers and the broader North West Queensland community.

WIMARQ – North West Queensland convenor Karlyn Rogers said it was a day to reflect on the journey towards equality and gender parity in the workforce as well as a chance to network and be inspired by other females being recognised for their achievements.

“The resources sector has taken massive strides towards greater gender diversity over the past 20 years, but there’s still much more progress to be made,” she said.

“Through WIMARQ North West Queensland, we provide leadership, mentoring and a network of support for women forging careers in the sector, and these are powerful and important factors in progressing the industry’s work towards gender balance.”

Local Mayor Joyce McCulloch shared her story and insights on the challenges faced growing up, and as a female community leader, in regional Australia, while International Tradeswoman of the Year 2019 Amy Chetcuti captivated the crowd with her experience working as an expedition mechanic at the Mawson Research Station in Antarctica.

This was followed by a live cross to the simultaneous event in Brisbane.

Glencore human resources and training manager, North Queensland Copper Assets, Leanne Ryder said this year’s Mount Isa event helped shine the light on diversity and inclusion of women in the mining and resource sector with the theme of ‘an equal world is an enabled world’.

“Currently women account for around 16.4 per cent of the mining workforce, but it’s encouraging to see an increase in women taking up more non-traditional roles like engineering,” she said.

“We’re committed to enhancing career pathways for women in mining and the Girls for Mining Mentoring Program now in its fifth year continues to mentor local female students and promote their leadership skills,” says Leanne.

QRC/WIMARQ International Women’s Day breakfast in Mount Isa photo gallery HERE