Victorian Women in Resources Awards

The Victorian Women in Resources Awards recognise and promote diversity across Victoria’s minerals industry.

The MCA 2023 Victorian Women in Resources Awards have been awarded to four exceptional Victorian women.

The awards recognise excellence in career achievements, leadership and advocacy of women working in the Victorian resources sector.

Award winners in 2023 have had incredible career achievements and demonstrate the diverse range of jobs in mining from science to communications.

The winners demonstrate a commitment to innovation and improving mining practices in their fields.

All winners are heavily involved in volunteer work and extra study to enrich the community.

The awards aim to promote inclusion in the resources sector and provide a platform for women to be role models and encourage more women into the mining industry.

The 2023 Victorian Women in Resources Award Winners are:

Exceptional Woman in Victorian Resources
Suneeti Purohit, Research Scientist, CSIRO

Exceptional Young Woman in Victorian Resources
Rachel Peng, Graduate Rock Mechanics Engineer, Agnico Eagle

Outstanding Australian Trade Operator or Technician
Alia Melgin-Hill, Process Plant Operator, Agnico Eagle

Gender Diversity Champion
Joanna Stevens, Managing Director, Premier Strategy

Victorian winners will progress to the national Women in Resources Awards in September.

MCA Victoria thanks sponsors of the 2023 awards: Agnico Eagle, Cooper Energy, Gippsland Critical Minerals, Southern Cross Gold and WIM Resource.

Exceptional Woman in Resources

This award recognises the exceptional achievements of women in the Victorian resources sector, in any occupation. It recognises professional success and leadership skills, resilience, methods of overcoming barriers and seeking out and accepting new responsibilities and challenges.

This work may include a commitment to community engagement and development, contributing to inclusion and diversity within the sector and sustainability initiatives.

Exceptional Young Woman in Resources

This category is open to women under 30 who have shown promise and achieved significant milestones in their careers to date. 

Outstanding Australian Trade Operator or Technician

This award recognises the achievement of women currently working in trade, operational or technician roles in Victoria’s resources industry. The award recognises achievement in breaking new ground for women in non-traditional careers as well as resilience, achievement of goals and support for gender diversity.

Gender Diversity Champion Award

This category recognises an individual – male or female – for their excellence in the encouragement, promotion and advocacy for the attraction, inclusion, retention and promotion of women within their company and/or the Victorian resources sector.

Diversity Program Award

This award recognises a resources company/subsidiary for excellence and innovation in inclusion and diversity programs to create a more diverse workplace in the Victorian resources sector.

Companies who have achieved increases in the proportion of women in non-traditional roles, such as senior management, engineering, sciences, operators and trades will be highly regarded.

To be eligible, the company must have a presence in Victoria and be a member of the MCA.

Technological Innovation Award

This award recognises the achievements woman women who are using and promoting technological innovation in mining. It also recognises innovative solutions  developed in the Australian resources industry.