Peabody’s Hana Newbury has taken out the NSW Women in Mining Award in the category of Outstanding Tradeswoman/Operator/Technician at the official event held in Sydney.
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“In a field of so many great female role models I really can’t believe I’ve won,” Hana said.
Hana started her career as a diesel mechanic when she took on an apprenticeship at Wilpinjong Mine in 2010. Just a few years out of gaining her trade, she is an active member of the Mines Rescue team and a step-up leading hand.
“I know it is up to me to continue to push the boundaries of what I consider to be my comfort zone. This award shows the sky really is the limit for women in trade roles,” she said.
The Newbury family is no stranger to the mining game. Hana’s sister Kara is a mining engineer, her mother Denise is a mining operator and her father Rick is a retired undermanager, to round out the unique skillset.
Rick and Kara actually became the first father-daughter duo to graduate from University of NSW’s School of Mining Engineering a number of years ago.
“My father taught me to work hard no matter what the job was, even if you don’t reap the rewards immediately, you will always walk away having a sense of accomplishment – I can definitely say I have done that today,” Hana said.
Hana was joined at the awards ceremony by Peabody colleague Stephanie Gelland who works at Metropolitan Mine and was placed runner-up in the Gender Diversity category.
“It was great to share the night with Stephanie, which really goes to show how women are supporting each other to smash stereotypes and be successful in a male-dominated industry.”
Peabody’s president of the Australian platform George Schuller said he was extremely proud of Hana and Stephanie who are re-moulding thinking around what people perceive as the typical mining industry employee.
“I’m humbled by the role these two outstanding women are playing to encourage young women to pursue opportunities they may have not considered due to gender stereotypes,” he said.
“They are in an excellent position to make a positive impact and prove that women really can do anything.”