The Australian Coal Preparation Society (ACPS) is more than just a group to join just because you work in the coal preparation industry. It’s an opportunity to network and socialise.
@ The Coalface went along to one of the ACPS’s social gatherings at Newcastle Racecourse for the Settlers Arms Dungog Cup Provincial Midway Championships race day. About 80 members got together on the day from all over NSW, and some even making the trip from Queensland (probably to get away from the terrible weather!). Zarak Rosser, Samantha Parkinson and Julie-Anne Holman coordinated the day in the Mark Murphy Lounge.
Tristan Botha attended the event as well, the NSW Area Manager for Weir Minerals and long time volunteer on the ACPS NSW Committee.
“Although it’s a “work” thing, we’re all friends too. We see each other outside of work anyway, but it’s nice to see each other in a big group like this.
“It’s such a great networking opportunity. Someone here might have one supplier shirt on today, but next week they could be working for someone else. It’s so good to make these connections, you never know who you might end up working with, or for, down the track,” Tristan said.
Penny Woodward is the Infrastructure Manager at Malabar Resources. She has been a member of ACPS for 15 years.
“About two years ago I became the first female Chairperson of the NSW branch of ACPS.
“The friendships we make in this group are priceless. In my current role at Malabar I’m bringing a lot of old equipment back online so having connections with all of the suppliers and talking to the right people who I already had as contacts in my phone was amazing.
“I could call and get the right people to help me for the right job.”
Jenny Park, Process Engineer for Glencore Coal Assets Australia agrees the network is wonderful to have at your fingertips.
“I have been a member for seven-and-a-half years now.
“The network I have created for myself is a big reason why I have stayed. Coal is quite a close knit industry, even though it’s huge, and I have been able to make so many valuable connections not just within my own company but in others.”
| If you would like to learn more about APCS head to www.acps.com.au |
