Gold Industry Group Director and Northern Star Resources Executive Manager of Corporate Services Rebecca Ciotti then stepped up to discuss the Group’s landmark partnership with Netball WA, West Coast Fever, and Shooting Stars.
Ms. Ciotti said the ongoing partnership had been incredibly successful in boosting netball participation and building the industry’s profile within women’s sport more broadly.
“At the heart of both our worlds sit shared values around diversity, inclusion, health, and wellbeing – and I’m excited to see our relationship strengthen into the future,” Ms. Ciotti said.
Guests were then treated to an insightful Q&A with West Coast Fever’s superstar shooters Sasha Glasgow and Jhaniele Fowler.
The players shared insights into their season so far and spoke highly of their time out in regional gold mining communities and mine sites.
“It’s very eye-opening for us – we love our jobs but at the same time, it is so interesting to see what employees from the gold industry get to do on a daily basis,” Ms. Glasgow said.
“I’ve gone underground, I’ve been to the SuperPit and I am still in complete awe and amazement around what is done in the industry.”
Western Australia’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum, the Honourable Bill Johnston MLA, then provided an address before joining Gold Industry Group Director and Perth Mint General Manager of Commercial Development Cameron Alexander on stage to outline his vision for the industry’s future.
Minister Johnston encouraged the gold industry to showcase its great work in local communities and expressed his excitement at the level of new investment in the space.
“We’ve also seen 1.1 billion dollars invested into exploration for gold here in Western Australia last year which is the third highest level of investment into finding new mines,” Minister Johnston said.
“Gold is where our heart is, and we will continue to support the industry, and I hope we can continue to engage to overcome any challenges that present themselves.”
The night’s formalities concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Gold Class Awards, celebrating the extraordinary contribution of the Group’s Gold Class Facilitators in inspiring the next generation of industry leaders.
Ms. Reilly said she was incredibly proud of the success of the National Gold Education Program, which was face-to-face with more than 4,000 students in classrooms across Australia in 2022.
“For many young people, the classroom is where they first start to think about what they want to do with their lives. Our Program provides an invaluable opportunity for workers to share their passion for the industry and act as role models for these students,” Ms. Reilly said.
“By sparking an interest in the gold industry, we have the potential to alter the life direction of these children, helping them to discover a fulfilling and rewarding career, one that they may not have considered before.”
Novo Resources Geologist Lz Abel took home the top honour of Gold Class Facilitator of the Year for 2022, for delivering an incredible 13 Gold Class Sessions across both primary and secondary schools and receiving amazing feedback.
It was a huge year for Novo Resources, which also won the award for Company of the Year for the first time, with 4 facilitators delivering the most sessions by any company in 2022.
Read our Gold Class Awards feature article.
