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“When people think about construction, they often think about buildings or equipment. 

For me, it's always been about working with people. 

A big part of my role is working alongside people doing the job – reviewing pre-task risk assessments, verifying critical controls, inspecting work areas and having conversations with our workforce and contractors. Those conversations are some of the most valuable parts of my day, because they help make sure everyone understands the risks, the right controls are in place and people go home safely. 

What I enjoy most is working alongside our contract partners to achieve a common goal: the safe and successful delivery of our projects. Challenges inevitably come up, but I believe every obstacle presents an opportunity to find a solution. By working together, collaborating openly and drawing on the strengths of the team, we can find practical ways to overcome anything. 

That's especially important in the Pilbara. 

When you're working remotely, you rely on each other, so strong relationships, open communication and trust make all the difference. The way people work together here as a team is something special. Achieving project outcomes is important, but doing that while genuinely supporting one another makes coming to work each day truly rewarding, even after 15 years here. 

One of the projects I'm really proud of is the West Angelas Substation Upgrade. West Angelas celebrated 25 years of operations in 2025, but that milestone also means that many of the electrical components that power the site have reached the end of their operating life. We're now upgrading critical electrical infrastructure, including the site's substations, switchgear and control systems. 

It's a complex project because the mine doesn't stop while the work is happening – so it takes close collaboration between project teams, operations and our contract partners to carefully plan the work, manage risks and maintain the power the site depends on every day. 

Working in Maintenance and Fixed Plant before moving into Projects has helped me understand both sides of that equation. I had the opportunity to learn from some outstanding supervisors during that time, whose mentoring and leadership had a lasting impact on me. Many of the leadership qualities I try to demonstrate today were shaped by their example. 

My own pathway into mining wasn't conventional. I started my electrical apprenticeship at 24 after returning from a backpacking trip around Western Australia.  

Later, when I first arrived in the Pilbara, I thought I'd be joining a team of electricians. Instead, the bus dropped me at the workshop. I remember saying to the driver, "I'm an electrician, not a mechanic. Why am I here?" 

His response was simple, "Because the haul trucks are electric." 

That was a humbling introduction to mining. It taught me that no matter how much experience you have, there's always something new to learn. 

That's why I tell people it's never too late to start. Learning new skills can be challenging, but age and timing should never be barriers to growth. 

Even after all these years, the mining industry continues to surprise me. The sheer geographical size of the operations, the scale of the equipment and the production volumes are difficult to comprehend until you experience them firsthand. What I quickly discovered was that although I was experienced in my trade, I knew very little about the mining sector itself. 

That experience taught me an important lesson: be prepared to learn, stay humble and embrace new challenges. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The industry offers incredible opportunities, but it will certainly broaden your perspective and challenge what you think you know. 

If you're considering a move into mining, don't let age or the time you've spent in another career hold you back. Mining isn't just a new job – it's a lifestyle change. There will be challenges along the way, but with commitment, support and determination, the transition can be incredibly rewarding. Sometimes the biggest opportunities come from having the courage to take that first step into something new.”