Coal Australia has been promoting the significant and positive contributions of the coal mining industry to Australians for the past two years. Thousands of mining and non-mining Aussies have gotten behind the cause including many young, passionate people like TerraCom’s Abbey Lucht.

Abbey has been in the industry since she was 18 years old. Her parents own a civil construction company, so mining wasn’t something that was unfamiliar.

“I didn’t really want to go into an operating position if I’m honest, since being around machinery before I could walk!

“Through a friend in the industry I fell into an administrative role, so I was fortunate to get my foot in the door that way. I completed a post graduate diploma in occupational health and safety with some further studies, as well as a lot of on-the-job training which was the biggest benefit to my work.”

Abbey said sometimes it isn’t what you expect…

“Mining is such a diverse environment with a lot of moving parts which is why I love it so much. The biggest lesson I learnt was what you learn during a course or read in a textbook is often completely different to what happens on an operating site. You would think completing degrees and courses would prepare you for what’s out here, but nothing beats on-the-job training and learning, which I’m a huge advocate for.”

Abbey has worked in and around the Bowen Basin throughout her career and started at TerraCom last year as their Safety Systems and Compliance Superintendent and in a very short time has moved into a head of department role as the Health, Safety and Training Superintendent.

“It’s a great industry for personal and professional growth. There are so many interlinked industries related to mining and lots of opportunities to explore other professional avenues and shape a career you love.

“You don’t realise just how embedded the industry is in everyone’s day-to-day and I find it so special to be part of an industry that has such an impact on the lives of everyday Australians without them thinking twice about it,” Abbey said.

Abbey is very passionate about the industry and just as passionate about young people getting an opportunity.

“It’s rewarding to be part of a generation that is driving change and making such vast technological advancements, which is moving the resources sector in a really positive direction.

“I have so much respect for the generations who have been in the industry for years and who have shaped it the way it is today.

Abbey joined Coal Australia because she wants to be a part of driving positive change and she is just as proud her employer TerraCom is a Coal Australia member company.

“It’s so important that entities like Coal Australia are out there pushing the positive impact that coal has on our economy and changing the negative stigma that is associated with coal mining.

“If you don’t know people within the industry or do your research, you wouldn’t know of the positive impacts coal has, and with Coal Australia’s platform I really think the message is being communicated and is being heard.

“It’s great for us at the coal face as well, there are so many interesting advancements and achievements which you often don’t hear about! Coal Australia really helps communicate these messages in a way that any audience, be of mining or non-mining backgrounds, can understand.

“I fully endorse a career in mining to everyone!”

Abbey’s story isn’t unusual, it’s a story that we hear from so many people living in coal mining communities right across Australia. Reach out if you want to share your story or join the coal community and help forge Australia’s future at www.coalaustralia.com