Coal Services Managing Director/CEO, Lucy Flemming, is stepping down from her pivotal role in leading the NSW coal industry’s specialised health and safety scheme in May. Lucy announced her decision to retire to the Coal Services Board late last year.

Lucy’s departure marks the end of a distinguished career dedicated to enhancing safety and wellbeing for coal workers across the state.

Lucy joined Coal Services in August 2010 as Chief Financial Officer. Her leadership and vision quickly set her apart, and just over a year later, in December 2011, she made history by becoming the organisation’s first female Managing Director/CEO.

Her appointment was a significant achievement, not only for Coal Services but for the broader coal industry, where executive leadership positions had long been predominantly male.

Looking back on her tenure, Lucy shared how her career was shaped by the support of those around her.

“When I first joined Coal Services, I had no idea about the intricacies of the coal industry,” she recalls.

“What I found was an industry that was hazardous by nature but also passionate and driven about work health and safety.

“I was determined to learn all areas of the Coal Services business to really understand our role in the industry. I was also fortunate to learn so much from our shareholders – the NSW Minerals Council and the Mining & Energy Union – as well as our other industry partners.

“I still remember my first visit to a coal mine. It was at Myuna Mine and I went underground with some of the guys from Newcastle Mines Rescue. I was very bright and shiny in my new shirt, pants and steel-cap boots!

“I have since been underground many times both in NSW and QLD and have also visited open cut mines. It is always an amazing experience, and I have always felt very well looked after by Mines Rescue and the mining personnel who go underground with me.”

Before joining Coal Services, Lucy’s career had included roles across various industries in both the public and private sectors.

“You often go through your working life, looking for the right job that gives you great satisfaction and a sense of purpose; unfortunately many people never find that. I started out as an accountant working in the profession, but I was missing something. I moved through the electronics and fashion industries and then on to a government role in insurance. I enjoyed my experiences, but I was looking for something more.

“It wasn’t until I joined this industry, and Coal Services, that I felt I had finally found it – my purpose.”

Her deep commitment to Coal Services’ purpose – to protect – has been a driving force behind some of the outcomes the company has delivered under her leadership for the NSW coal industry.

These include expanding Mines Rescue and CS Health into the growing Mudgee and Gunnedah regions; positioning Coal Services as an expert body within the resources sector during a time when worker health was under scrutiny due to the reemergence of coal workers pneumoconiosis; as well as working with Government departments and regulatory bodies to advocate for worker health and safety.

The reemergence of black lung in the industry led to several reviews of the health surveillance system in NSW and Coal Services was called up to provide submissions and evidence to various Government inquiries.

“Coal Services effectively demonstrated how the model in NSW not only provided protection for the industry by detecting dust diseases but also played a crucial role in preventing them from occurring in the first place.”

In more recent years, the Mine Safety Advisory Council commissioned an independent review into the Coal Services Health Surveillance Scheme to ensure that the Scheme continued to deliver protections to NSW coal mine workers as it was intended.

“The review found that the Scheme was robust and that there were other things that we could look at to improve the protections that the Scheme provided even further. These improvements are in the final stages of implementation.

“Yet perhaps one of the toughest periods for me as a leader, and I am sure I am not alone, was navigating the COVID pandemic. It had a profound effect on all facets of our lives. There was no CEO playbook to follow, and we were forced to be resourceful and resilient whilst guiding our teams through this.”

When asked about her favourite part of being Coal Services’ leader, Lucy doesn’t hesitate to respond.

“The people. We have an awesome, passionate and driven team. The team here undertake a very important role to look after the coal industry’s workforce and they take it seriously.

“One of the lessons I learned early on is that you don’t have to be good at everything to be a good leader or CEO. Not everything goes as planned, and you make mistakes, but you learn and grow. You cannot do this job on your own. It’s about tapping into the vast experience and talent around you, and it is those people that drive success.”

As Lucy prepares to farewell the industry she reflects on an incredible journey while looking forward to new adventures ahead.

“Through my role I have met some great people and have experienced things that I will never forget, including abseiling down McDonald Jones Stadium for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

“I am happy with what we have achieved, and I will certainly miss the people! But I am excited about what’s next for me, and that includes giving back through volunteering wherever I can add value, as well as playing a bigger role in my local community.

“Coal Services is an organisation that is unique across the world and whose people are very passionate about what we do each day to protect the health and safety of our workers.

“I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of that.”