Port Waratah is very proud to have won the Excellence in Diversity Program and Performance Award in this year’s Women in Mining Awards announced on 2 July by the NSW Minerals Council.

This award recognises excellence and innovation in gender diversity programs and demonstrated outstanding performance in increasing the proportion of women in the workplace.

Over the last five years, through the implementation of a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Port Waratah has achieved several milestones in gender diversity. Leading by example, female representation in the Senior Leadership Team has risen from 7.7 to 50 per cent and 30 per cent of non-manager leadership roles are now held by women.

Port Waratah CEO, Hennie du Plooy accepted the award on behalf of all employees, particularly the Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, who have successfully engaged the broader team, facilitated acceptance, and developed an inclusive culture to make this progress possible.

“We are seeing the positive impacts that diversity of thought and experience is bringing to our organisation, but even more importantly, we are able to demonstrate to current and prospective employees that we have opportunities for all,” said Mr du Plooy.

“The ultimate objective of the program has been to grow an organisation that looks different and feels different, is more flexible, inclusive and successful, and above all – in which everyone is valued.” he said.

The program has also enabled new flexible work policy and a diversity and inclusion lens is applied to employee lifecycle activities, including recruitment, learning and development showcasing Port Waratah as a leading employer in the Hunter Region.

In a testimony, Dr Kirsten Molloy, Non-executive Director, founder of the Equal Futures Project and former CEO of HVCC, said “As a key stakeholder in Port Waratah’s delivery of services, it is been rewarding to watch their focus on diversity and inclusion and strategy over the years deliver real change.

“Taking an approach that considers customer needs, employees and the community Port Waratah have taken a considered and engaged approach resulting in much greater diversity in leadership and benefits associated with that,” she said.

The NSW Women in Mining Awards recognise and celebrate the contributions and achievements of women and gender diversity champions across our industry.