The 2025 WIMnet NSW Mentoring Program has launched with 85 women from the NSW mining industry being matched with experienced industry mentors. In its 11th year, the program has become so successful that demand now exceeds capacity.
The WIMnet NSW Network is run by a committee of volunteers, both women and men, and promotes diversity and inclusion through networking events, leadership days and initiatives like the Mentoring Program.
The Mentoring Program runs from April to November and Breony Benson and Tamara Robinson are the Program Leads.
“This year we had over 120 mentee applications and have 85 matched pairs which is the program capacity,” said Breony.
“In our 2015 inaugural mentoring program we had 21 mentees which really shows how interest in the program continues to grow each year and demonstrates how valuable the program is.”
A face-to-face launch event was held on April 10 in Sydney where mentees met their mentors for the first time. The full day event also saw mentees participating in a series of workshops to prepare them for their mentoring journey including a program overview with Gina Meibusch from Art of Mentoring and a goal setting workshop with leadership specialist, Suzy Miller.
Cass Phillpott is a Senior Commercial Analyst at Whitehaven and said what she really enjoyed about the launch was connecting with such a diverse group of women.
“It was a great reminder of how many inspiring women are on similar journeys and already contributing so much to the resources industry on a daily basis.
“Suzy’s goal setting workshop was super engaging and gave me some great insights on how to frame what I want to achieve to help me guide the process with my mentor. I’m very pleased with my mentor match and look forward to learning from her.”
Tamara said that a lot of effort goes into making sure every mentee is matched with a suitable mentor.
“We take into consideration whether they are looking for someone who is working in the same discipline as them, where they are located, and we also ensure that everyone is matched to a person from outside of their company which provides reassurance around confidentiality and partiality.
“We have quite a lot of mentors who are male as some women specifically request men as their mentors, if it wasn’t for the men who put their hands we wouldn’t actually be able to deliver on the program.”
Elie Bassil is a Project Manager at Glencore and is a male mentor in the program this year.
“My wife was a mentee in the program when she was pregnant with our first child and it was so beneficial not just for her, but for our whole family, and we are still benefitting from it six years later,” shared Elie.
“She was able to receive advice and guidance on how to manage a family while going back to work as a senior geologist. Working in the industry myself I saw how tough and challenging it was for her, but this program helped her find solutions.
“Because of what it has done for my family I felt it was time for me to put my hand up and share some of the things I have learnt in my career.”
Breony said that many of the mentors are like Elie and are looking to give back, herself included.
“I have been afforded so many opportunities throughout my career and so I see this as a way of paying that back to other people.
“We have found that beyond the program many mentors and mentees continue the relationships they have developed. I have been a mentor for six years now and I keep in contact with all my previous mentees.”
Tamara has been a Program Lead for four years but before that she was a mentee and this year she has also signed on to be a mentor.
“When I was a mentee what I really got out of it was a better understanding of myself. My mentor framed things in new ways, and it really had me thinking about myself differently. I loved it so much that when I finished the program I decided to stay involved.”
The program is so rewarding that about 80% of the mentors are returning, coming back year after year and committing time and energy because they are passionate about the program.
Ngaire Baker is the External Relations Manager at Develop and has been a mentor in the program since it began eleven years ago.
“Other than the incredible women I meet year after year, mining is my passion, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to help others grow and develop,” said Ngaire.
“I have worked in the industry for more than thirty years and I am fortunate to be able to be part of a program that grows from strength to strength every year. I am also proud to be a part of something that helps to address the issues of underrepresentation and promotes diversity with organisations.”
In 2020, the program was awarded the ‘Excellence in Diversity Programs & Performance’ at the NSW Women in Mining Awards and Ngaire said the recognition is in part due to the program not only helping the participants, but also the wider industry.
“Because the program is operated by mining industry professionals who lead the mentor/mentee matching process, they know the roles, the mining companies, and the day-to-day challenges we all face which is what really makes it work.
“Then through promoting continuous learning, sharing knowledge, developing skills, and assisting companies with equipping their future leaders with the skills to succeed, industry reaps the benefits too.”
Angie Van Esch, Production Supervisor at BHP, has been matched with a male mentor and said that the program has already made an impact on her.
“As a mature woman I am ready to take the next step in my career and saw the program as a game changer.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and my mentor is already pushing me to think bigger and lead with purpose, helping to guide me as I take the next step into senior leadership.
“At the event launch the energy in the room and the connections that everyone shared were so powerful. In my opinion this isn’t just a program, it’s a movement and it’s changing lives.
“It’s breaking down barriers for women of all ages, shaping not just my future but showing what is possible for women in mining everywhere.”
