The NSW Women in Mining Awards is a night to celebrate the incredible women working across the mining industry, but as 2026 Exceptional Woman of the Year winner Penny Woodward said so aptly, it’s also about encouraging women to “have a crack”.
Often women think there is someone else more deserving, more accomplished, or simply better suited for an opportunity, when in reality they may be exactly the person who would excel in it. The Women in Mining Awards celebrate those women who back themselves, have a go, make a difference and step into opportunities they deserve.
NSW Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement and Natural Resources Courtney Houssos attended the event and shared the story of two young women she had recently met working in mining.
“The enthusiasm and excitement that they had was amazing. They both said they always knew they wanted to be a coal miner – one said she started studying at uni, but then she decided she wanted to do practical at TAFE at the same time.
“That’s the future of our industry. It’s extraordinary, it’s a great example of the amazing women that are continuing to come through,” she said.
EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN IN NSW MINING
PENNY WOODWARD – MALABAR RESOURCES
Penny Woodward didn’t start her working life in mining, she couldn’t have been further from it in fact, as a bassoon player in touring orchestras. While it wasn’t the skill of mining, Penny brought the resilience, perseverance and dedication she gained touring to her current role leading a multi-disciplinary team of over twenty people responsible for surface infrastructure at Malabar Resources Maxwell underground mine.
“To take Maxwell from a project to an actual operation has been one of the most challenging, but one of the most rewarding parts of my career. No one achieves this alone though and I am so grateful for the support I have had.
“I want to thank the amazing team I work with at Malabar Resources. They challenge me and encourage me to grow.
“I have worked with many amazing women over the years but there is one thing that I see in common, we don’t back ourselves enough.
“We always second guess ourselves, we always wait until we feel ready and we always assume that someone deserves it more. So, if I can leave everyone with one thought tonight it is this. Please back a woman you know, please encourage her, please sponsor her and support her and tell her to have a crack because a little bit of belief can go a long way,” Penny said.
NSW EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG WOMAN IN MINING
ALIESHA SAXBY – GLENCORE COAL ASSETS AUSTRALIA
Aliesha was Glencore’s Ulan Surface Operation’s first female Production Superintendent in 2024 and is currently the Process and Logistics Superintendent. She has led major operational and capital projects that delivered significant production and financial outcomes, including leading a reject reprocessing project.
“I’m grateful for the experiences and the people who have helped shape my journey, and for the support that has enabled me to embrace new opportunities, tackle challenges and grow.
“I’m so grateful to be part of a community that celebrates and uplifts the achievements of women in mining. We’re not just shaping the mining industry today, but we’re inspiring future generations to pursue careers within our industry.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be part of an exceptional group of people,” Aliesha said.
OUTSTANDING TRADESWOMAN/OPERATOR/TECHNICIAN
TALEIGHA EVERINGHAM-POTTS – EVOLUTION MINING NORTHPARKES OPERATIONS
Taleigha has been in the industry for more than six years. She’s an experienced Auto Electrician who progressed from an apprenticeship into roles diagnosing and repairing heavy machinery.
“For me, this achievement is proof of the dedication and resilience I have shown along my journey in the mining industry and setbacks along the way were only reflection moments leading me towards something bigger.
“I want to thank my parents who gave me the space to believe that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. This mindset has led me to this moment right now and I am so grateful to have you.
“I’d also like to thank Amada West with whom I have had the privilege to be mentored by in the WIMnet mentoring program last year. The impact you’ve had on my professional and personal life is profound and words will never express how grateful I am to have you as my friend.
“Girls let’s keep showing them what we’re made of.”
TECHNICAL INNOVATION AWARD
HARRIET DAVIES – WHITEHAVEN COAL NARRABRI COAL OPERATIONS
Environmental Advisor Harriet Davies led the implementation and ongoing development of a purpose-built Environment and Rehabilitation Data Hub at Whitehaven’s Narrabri Coal Operations. The hub is a major digital innovation replacing fragmented, paper-based environmental management systems.
“I strongly believe that one of the most rewarding parts of this project has been the engagement from the Whitehaven team at Narrabri coal.
“Whilst I understand environment compliance, fun and exciting are rarely seen in the same sentence, the interactive nature of the data hub means that active contributions have been great.
“It reflects a real shift in how environmental management is viewed on site at Narrabri coal,” she said.
INCLUSION & DIVERSITY CHAMPION
MATTHEW IRELAND – ENDURA MINING
Matthew Ireland is the Operations Manager with Endura Mining. His leadership has led to measurable cultural and operational outcomes at Endura, including significant improvements in female, Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ representation and embedding of equitable hiring practices.
“I am so grateful to have been nominated alongside such amazing women doing incredible things for the industry we work in.
“I want to extend a lot of appreciation to all our colleagues on site.
“Whilst this recognition is wonderful, there is still so much more to do not just for gender diversity but for inclusion in all its forms. Let’s keep working together, improving, progressing and building a stronger more inclusive future for our industry,” he said.
EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY PROGRAMS AND PERFORMANCE
FLEXCREW PROGRAM – EVOLUTION MINING NORTHPARKES OPERATION
The FlexCrew Program was launched in 2025 as a two-year pilot program. It created four fixed-term roles in the Ore Processing Department where working arrangements were co-designed between employees and leaders.
The FlexCrew team said the opportunity meant more than just a job, it meant the chance to build a career in mining while still being present in their personal lives.
“It has made it possible for women like us to be part of an industry we might not have otherwise thought as achievable. The flexibility of these roles allow us to balance the responsibilities of work and family without having to choose one or the other.
“We’ve been able to build new skills, contribute to our team and build confidence working in an operational mining environment. Just as importantly we’ve been able to show that flexible roles can still deliver strong outcomes for both people and the operation. Being part of the flex crew has also created a real sense of belonging. We are not just participants in a program but valued members of the team and are proud to contribute to the work happening at Northparkes every day.
“Programs like FlexCrew don’t just open doors they change the way we walk through them.”
