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Michelle Osborne

A picture of Michelle Osborne

Name:
Michelle Osborne
Age:
32
Location:
Coppabella Coal Mine (Macarthur Coal) 140km South West of Mackay
Current job title:
I enjoy many varied roles here at Coppabella these include: Heavy Equipment Operator; Mines Rescue Team Member; Head Trainer/Assessor for New Recruits; Contact Officer and Mentor.

Qualifications

Cert IV Trainer/Assessor, BScApp (HMS)

Past experience

No past experience. Previous career was in exercise physiology.

How did you get started?

I started in an entry level position in the site office for contractors, Peter Champion Mining, as an office clerk. This job was only meant to last one month but I made myself indispensable to the safety and training department. When Macarthur Coal, the owners of Coppabella Mine, established full owner/operator capabilities of the mine I asked to move into the Production Department to operate haul trucks. This was my goal from the very beginning. The rest, as they say, is history…

Greatest professional achievement

Winning the Queensland Resources Council Women in Mining award for best operator for 2009.

Appointed the Head Trainer/Assessor for all new recruits at Coppabella Coal Mine.

Achieving the following milestones: the first woman operator for Macarthur Coal, the only female trainer/assessor at Coppabella Coal Mine and one of only three women involved in our Mines Rescue Teams.

Challenges the job presents

A young, female, relatively inexperienced operator being appointed to trainer/assessor was cause for consternation for some male colleagues. Weathering the storm of negative comments and attitudes was extremely character building to say the least. But by maintaining my integrity, standing up for myself and allowing the proof of my abilities to shine through, I gradually earned the respect of my co-workers. It is an unfortunate truth, but whilst females are still the minority in this industry and poorly represented in leadership positions, we will continue to have to do the job twice as good as a man to garner respect. Other challenges can include the interruption to lifestyle due to rosters, living away from home and loved ones, pressure on personal relationships, long hours and night shift. But I believe the positives of working in the industry far outweigh the challenges.

What you like most about your job

I really enjoy the variety of my work and the level of personal interaction and satisfaction that comes with training and mentoring my co-workers. I love that I am constantly challenged whether by learning to drive a new piece of heavy equipment or performing rescue techniques that take me way out of my comfort zone.

Typical day at work

Get up at 4.30 am, pre-start meeting at 6.15 am to establish daily work tasks. My day may involve a full day spent training for mines rescue, operating heavy equipment in open-cut pits, performing light vehicle authorisations and site familiarisations, training and mentoring new recruits, training/assessing co-workers, being involved in committee meetings that focus on improving workplace culture or acting as a contact officer for any personnel disputes. My day finishes at 6.45 pm.

Advice for other women

I believe that your career path will always head in a positive direction if you have persistence; don’t be afraid to stand up and ask for what you want; and always say yes to any opportunity that comes your way (not matter how useless you may think you’ll be!).

Support your fellow women co-workers, they can be your greatest strength.

Find a mentor that you can trust and confide in. The shock of a new work culture, the largeness of everything around you - the equipment, the pits - can be extremely overwhelming for new recruits.

Be yourself. Don’t try to act like one of the boys to fit in. Maintain your integrity and self-respect.

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Last updated: 15 June 2009