WASMA Mining & Resources Podcast

Ivy Chen Corporate Fastlane Ep37 WASM Alumni Podcast

Today, we talk with Matt Bennetto, Operations Manager at LinkForce. Joining us again is Rosie Allen from Rosie Allen Consulting, Mining Engineer and proud WASM graduate from the class of 2009. In this podcast we take a dive into diversity and how Western Australias largest shutdown business encourages diversity.\r\n\r\n\nFun fact: 70% of employees at LinkForces Central Perth offices are female!\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nEpisode Timeline:\r\n\r\n\nDiversity Program\r\n\r\n\n[00:50]\r\n\r\n\nWe have developed a program called LTGo Program, it’s an eight-week course with tickets and certifications for individuals that may not have the connection, ability, or opportunity to work. We give everyone the opportunity, even if you are white, indigenous, Asian, male, female, etc.\r\n\r\n\n[01:32]\r\n\r\n\nLinkForce has always taken the approach of recruiting future graduates in mechanical engineering, structural engineering, etc. with female engineers as my priority.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nQualifications\r\n\r\n\n[02:09]\r\n\r\n\nWith more than a thousand applicants, only 2% of females had applied for structural, civil, and mechanical engineering. Females are known for their attention to detail and drive that fits to our industry. Personal achievements are not enough to succeed, circumstances of diversity are just as important to be motivated.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nPriming Young & Gifted People\r\n\r\n\n[04:22]\r\n\r\n\nTeens already made a decision about their interest before they get to high school and enrolling at a university. Companies are starting to realize that having a diverse workplace should be addressed at the root level.\r\n\r\n\n[07:01]\r\n\r\n\nCurtains opens up to these gifted children. Many companies organize flights for a bootcamp.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\n[09:32]\r\n\r\n\nIt creates buzz for them. Seeing adults working in action at a large scale creates excitement for them. With technology and the aspects happening in the mining industry, the world is their oyster.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nIntroducing your Work to your Child\r\n\r\n\n[10:56]\r\n\r\n\nSeeing your children watch with excitement, the question is how do you promote it to them? There are many career opportunities in Western Australia; geology, metallurgy, mining, engineering, surveying, fabrication—data and coding in the next decade.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nKey Quotes:\r\n\r\n\n[04:58 – 05:04] “Whether you have a son or daughter, they always want to be like their parents.”\r\n\r\n\n[03:04 – 03:14] “Regardless if you are a male or female, you always challenge yourself to be better at something.”\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nConnect with Rosie through her socials:\r\n\r\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-allen-consulting\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nConnect with Matt through his socials:\r\n\r\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-bennetto-a580a899/\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nLearn more about Link Force at:\r\n\r\n\nWebsite: https://www.linkforce.com.au/\r\n\r\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkforce-engineering/\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\n \r\n

In this episode, we have invited Matt Bennetto, Operations Manager of Linkforce. He worked on and supported some of WA\'s largest projects and companies Chevron Gorgon load-out facility, Christmas Creek, Utah Point, KCGM to name a few, with success and efficiencies improved every time. Matt understands reliability, communication, transparency but most of all honesty, which has assisted greatly throughout my career. Today, Matt talks all about shutdowns; his experiences, how he manages his people and leadership.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nShutdown during the pandemic\r\n\r\n\n[01:22]\r\n\r\n\nWith current situations relating to COVID, Matt and his company had to work closely with state and federal government to make sure that proper protocols are followed, like social distancing. As well as working closely with BHP, who were instrumental in coordinating and organizing everything from the information packs prior to attendance, coordinating multiple planes, and multiple buses to carry people. They had four meetings a day, with all the contractors as well as the morning client, and the key decision makers. These are then reported through to the federal government and state government of how they were managing it.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nManaging people\r\n\r\n\n[03:26]\r\n\r\n\nMatt work with a very large workforce, it is diverse and has different personalities. Leadership is key to any business, and it always sets a tone of culture, performance, and attitude. He thinks that Linkforce has a very strong and solid culture. From that, it runs into the leadership that are on site. Not everyone gets along in life, and there are different personalities but each of their leadership is significantly similar in that some may have stronger empathy than others. Matt believes in a leadership that cares and has passion for what they do. Because they are people driven business. Empathy is the most important thing.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nGood workplace culture\r\n\r\n\n[06:40]\r\n\r\n\nMatt thinks that what creates a good workplace culture is honesty, integrity, support, and ensuring that, at the end of the day, if you say something you stand by that having everyone\'s ability to voice their opinion in the company is very important. As wells as working with people that have similar passions, that operates or is pulling in the same direction as you. He has may similarities with his people wherein they come from a rural background, so they have similar interests like being early morning risers, the fencing all day, or cattle mastering or working in the cattle yards, etc.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nAttitude towards failure and mistakes\r\n\r\n\n[07:37]\r\n\r\n\nMatt shares that their business is people driven, they make mistakes. It\'s just how people own it and accept it. They have a very close leadership in their business where they monitor all sorts of aspects of whether it\'s a safety incident, or if we\'re seeing a trend, or if we\'re seeing sort of behaviors that could be coming from them as leaders.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nSoftware development\r\n\r\n\n[10:47]\r\n\r\n\nTheir company developed a software because there needed to be an ability to measure and monitor how people are operating in shutdown. To reduce the time of meeting with a client and having one key leader talking to the client directly, and where you need your frontline leaders to be monitoring the field, so that there are no delays of time of where they actually need to be. Because of this, not only can they show the client the areas where they can potentially improve, but it also drives an improvement in their business.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\n[13:05]\r\n\r\n\nThe software was developed purely for something that has a timeline. So, everything that Matt and his people do each day at work, they are coordinated, one task flows to the next task because of this. They could be backfilling or working on the pace plan, looking at the pressures, and all of that will be in a timeline directed by either the client, the company, or the contractor.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nGo to https://www.linkforce.com.au/ to know more about their services.\r\n\r\n\n \r\n\r\n\nYou can also follow Matt on LinkedIn. Thanks to our producer Trixi for the tireless effort that goes into the production of these episodes and also to Rosie Allen for joining us on the show. \r\n

Brett Cunningham is the MD of Mining Leaders Group. Pretty self-explanatory really….BUT…Brett does not just create mining leaders. He transforms mining businesses so they are industry leading. A seasoned C-suite executive across a number of private and public companies - Brett's strategic vision for our industry is at the forefront of the transformation we are seeing across the sector. Brett is spearheading the transformation we see in the mining industry by developing the leadership capabilities and strategies for companies to transform. Mining Leaders Group not only runs leadership training and facilitation courses – but also helps mining companies develop long term strategies at a corporate level. Brett has worked with some of the biggest resources companies in the world and it was a pleasure to have Brett share some of his knowledge with us. As someone who has been on the Optimise Program - I can first hand speak for the impact and power of the course and I'm sure you'll take a lot out of this podcast. [1:40] How do we deliver a step change in production? How do we meet the future energy and mineral needs? We cannot meet those future needs based on those existing practices. [2:40] What other technologies do you see having an impact on our sector? There is a change across all sectors. We need to invest in making time to look at what other sectors are doing. The augmentation of technologies are next. Defence and agriculture are some industries we can look to. [4:10] Upgrading your skills. What do we need to do? If we focus in at a leadership level. Unless leaders build their capabilities and open up their perspective and mindset then not a lot will change. We almost need to unlearn forecasting – straight line production and finance. We need to re-learn scenario planning. Multiple eventualities that you need to prepare your company for. [6:10] What is the starting point for staying ahead in leadership? Networking and managing your network strategically. By mixing with different sectors of the industry we give ourselves shared experiences to learn from each-other. Are you always drawing down on your network like a bank account? Or are you growing it? [7:20] Tips for emerging leaders. Defining factors of your future success and performance is around self-awareness. Self-Awareness is one of these skills. Being aware of ourselves and our effect on others is a key too. Building that capability to look in the mirror, stop, understand and reflect. [8:50] Leaders aren’t born. They’re made. Understanding why you want to be a leader is important. projects that give you a good opportunity and figure out what you enjoy. What are the opportunities and experiences that will test your leadership experiences? What experiences do you enjoy? DO you enjoy being technical? Technical leadership is another pathway to consider. Don’t get too hooked up on a title – the title does not make you a leader. [10:40] Impacts of a bad leader? The erosion of trust. A fundamental. Leaders who have not been consistent and being truly getting behind their people. This erosion of trust is the start of poor leadership. [12:10] Books to read on Leadership: Principles by Paul Browning. Awake At Work – Michael Carroll. [12:50] Fears for our industry: As a sector. Can we learn and change fast enough? Do we have the knowledge to create new value within the sector. That still is not a core capability. We need to quickly get good at harnessing, adopting and implementing technology. [14:00] Diversity. How do we understand it? Developing highly capable female leaders. When combining male and females in leadership courses one common discussion point is that women are listened to, but are not heard. We all need to do better, and focus on being present and to truly hear what people are saying. [15:20] Weaknesses of emerging leaders. A strong reliance on their IQ and their technical capability to perform. Do you understand the end to end nature of the business? From exploration to product. Knowing each process is integral to building your capability as a leader.   If you want to transform your business through your leaders then you can get a hold of Brett Cunningham here. 

What would it have been like for explorers back in the 19th century when they stumbled across large mineralised systems? The thrill. The excitement. The opportunity of a lifetime! Dr. Jonathan Bell may well be revisiting the steps taken in history with a new discovery in Greenland which is fast becoming a target for mining activity. In this podcast Jonathan discusses the different approach that Greenfields has taken to sourcing their financing - Crowdfunding. A must listen for anyone looking to diversify their spread of investors during capital raising for stock exchange listing.[1:00] What is a mining incubator? [1:30] Uncertainty. [1:50] Copper staining all over the place with significant grades and no one there. Are we seeing two sedimentary copper basins?[2:30] Survivorship bias [3:15] The Greenfield Exploration Team[4:20] Going down the well trodden path OR go down the less walked path[5:00] Crowdfunding vs Private Placements[5:30] Reporting and ASIC regulatory guidelines [5:48] What sort of updates do investors get? Continual updates[6:00] JORC reporting and Greenfields stance[6:40] IS there resistance? Just curiosity. Traditional investment channels still have their place.[7:10] Reaching the spread requirements for a ASX listing.[7:30] Raising private capital is incredibly difficult. Crowdfunding is a way to knock on many doors. [8:00] Start-ups as the growth engine of the economy.Once again - thanks to our Executive producer Trixi Olfield for her effort in putting this podcast together. A big shout out to Matt Bennito from Link Force for allowing us to record in your sound proof offices.If you want to hear more and keep up to date with Jonathan Bell you can find more information here. Please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review so that we can spread the amazing stories that make up our industry.Seasons greetings from the WASM Alumni Team.    

Joe's a proud WASM Graduate. This short 10 minute podcast is a snapshot of where mining can take you. From Saudia Arabia one day to the Arctic Circle the next. Joe has lived a lifelong dream of seeing the world and its mines operate - and find technical solutions for them. A must listen for any graduate who is technically minded and wants to travel!Executive Producer: Trixi OldfieldSpecial Thanks: Matt Bennito from LinkForce for letting us use their sound proof offices to record.

The Camborne School of Mines (fondly known as CSM) is one of the oldest mining schools in the world. Unfortunately the school may shut, with the University of Exeter cutting funding to the school. It’s a sad day for mining globally as we see the lifeline to one of the greatest (if not the greatest) mining schools cut. Here is Mike Moore, past president of the CSM Alumni and MD of Golden State Mining to talk about his experiences at CSM, and why it’s so important that we all get behind any move to try and save CSM. [0:30] Mike Moore’s family history. Life as a 4th generation miner. Mikes Great-great-great grandfather purchased a limestone quarry. [1:30] Mikes father got work experience at a tin mine in Cornwall and subsequently studied at CSM. [1:50] The Turks invade. The range rover. The motorbike. [3:00] No one in school had a dad that was a mining engineer. A mining education is limitless in terms of where you can end up. [4:50] Life for CSM graduates. In the 60s and 70s grads went to Africa. Early 80s a lot of graduates went up to the oil-fields, and then in the late 80s a lot went into the Channel Tunnel. In the late 90s a lot went to Hong Kong and Singapore and that group is now in Sydney and Melbourne putting in the tunnels there. [5:50] Any towns newspaper had 10-15 pages of job adverts and 10 of those were mining jobs. [7:00] Australia as a favoured destination for CSM graduates now. Mike recommends getting to Perth as a start and then moving to Kalgoorlie if you can to get exposure and a start in the industry. [8:00] A global strategy for attracting people to the mining industry. [9:00] New blood and their importance to the industry. We need to support CSM and WASM. [9:15] Are there opportunities for graduates in mining after COVID-19? [9:35] Our industry is adaptable. We’re well placed to adapt to the situations in front of us. Just look at how we have handled COVID. WE react very well to these challenges. [10:15] This is the time to be bringing graduates on board so they are well placed to excel when we are in the boom. When you take a punt on these guys, you are often rewarded for it.   Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast so you can here more of these great stories from legends like Mike.

Elaine is Perth based and holds a Masters of Science in Work and Organisational Psychology, a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management. The mental health of our people has never been under so much strain as it is now this extends to our board and management teams. Today we discuss Neurofeedback training with Elaine Corcoran - Clinical Director and Founder of Brain Training Australia. It was a pleasure to have Elaine share some of her knowledge with us. [1:00] 70% of issues that people raise are related to work and 30% are related to home. [1:40] Importance in focusing on stress and anxiety because this is the number one issue that we see in FIFO mental health scenarios. There's a lot of pressure on them (miners) to perform, to continue to perform, even in situations where they may not feel a hundred percent comfortable or safe.  [2:00] Issues that were being discussed before COVID just over a quarter of the population suffered form anxiety. That number skyrocketed to 80% of their clientele after COVID. This saw a huge rise in stress and insomnia amongst clients. [3:10] Survivor syndrome. Where you feel guilty that you have not lost your job but others have. This uncertainty was not good. As humans we need to slowly evolve into these different mindsets and to make sense of what is going on. When COVID hit – we did not have the time to change, adapt and pivot. [3:50] We can develop PTST up to 6 weeks after an event. You need to teach your brain that everything is going to be okay. [4:40] With COVID-19, we also have the added fear of a second wave. The second way of maybe the wave of mental health issues. Prolonged exposure to stress, because we're going to see, sleep issues, it develops into anxiety which impacts sleep, which impacts relationships. People get angry, people are snappy, people are on edge and hyper vigilant.  It’s like having your house broken into – and the feeling of being on edge after it has happened. That continuous exposure to stress is not healthy. Its where your cortisol levels are elevated at all times – and it is difficult to bring it down and this is where anxiety develops. [6:00] Focus is on stress and anxiety. As the sole breadwinner in many circumstances – it adds to the stress. [6:50] An alternative to talk therapy, feedback brain training, which is a type of technology that you can use to retrain your brand activity. For somebody who is in a state of stress or overwhelm, you would have a high Hertz frequency. Get those brainwave activities back down, you want to feel cool, calm and collected basically. This is a wonderful alternative for somebody who wants to choose a safe, natural non-invasive approach that doesn't involve talking about your issues or work in the past, through past traumas, that kind of thing. [7:54] With the use of EEG technology – a few sensors strapped to the patients head with some paste and the patient listens to music. Where there is a stress response the patient will hear a glitch in the music and this is unconsciously making the brain ‘aware’ of its own stress response. Effectively training the brain to know what it is doing. It is a non-medical approach. There is a medical approach available but Brain Training Australia do not work with that technology – they are focused on Brain Training. [8:30] Clients come in for anxiety, stress, anger, insomnia, ADD or ADHD. Some clients come in for optimal performance like elite athletes. [10:00] Let’s make mental health fun. If you do not feel good, you don’t feel good. You do not need to be ashamed of it. There is a reason your feeling that way. It’s the information your brain is receiving – so lets give it new information. When you go to a psychologist – and you bring forward positive thoughts – this is effectively giving your brain new information. When you include technology into the mix you’re effectively pressing fast forward on that button and you’re getting results a lot faster. [10:58] It sounds too good to be true. What is the scientific research which proves this works? It was actually developed by NASA and had advanced so that the general public can access this. Neuroplasticity is the process used for change. There is lots of research which backs this up. [12:18] Could this be a tool that we use to train the brain to stay more alert? [13:26] If this machine was onsite would people use it? In the USA the Employee Assistance Programs have Brain Training as part of them. [14:23] In Australia most companies have EAPs. EAPs also make psychologists available to most people. If you have a mental health issue – you can go to a GP and get up to a maximum of 10-12 sessions a year. [16:20] Understanding the process of using the EAP to help others out is really important. Thanks Elaine for sharing the amazing work you are doing in the FIFO landscape with Brain Training Australia. You can find more information here or can get Elaine on 1300 501 843.    

Mike Moore is the MD of Golden State Mining and a proud graduate from the Camborne school of Mines. Born in a copper mine in Cyprus, Mike is a 4th generation miner. In this podcast Mike talks about Golden State mining – the dream to find the next big discovery in the Pilbara and life in the highest seat in the company.   [00:45] About Mike   [1:30] Mike starts about starting a junior company, the sacrifices and what it means to have ‘skin in the game’   [4:00] Meeting interesting people and the human element.   [5;30] The marketability of a mine   [8:15] Getting exposure to many sites and companies and its importance that it plays in forming a team in the future. A large network means you can pick the best from a large pool of people.   [8:30] Building a network and the importance of building the ‘address book’.   [10:00] How do you and your family cope with the pressures of being in a corporate environment.   [11:30] Learning from failures. Mike talks about losing his dad at 13 and the lessons he has learned from that.   [13:00] Career planning at the executive level. What is Mikes plan for the future? Mike talks about the insights that he picked up on the board for a Aged care facility and different options down the line.You can find more about Golden State Mining (ASX:GSM) by visiting their website on https://goldenstatemining.com.au/

Chris Elders: Lessons for Mining From Oil and Gas Ep28 WASM Alumni Podcast

Follow the incredible journey of one of the original innovators of mining - Willy Wilshaw. A rare interview where he bares all. With a $500 scholarship he started off his Mechanical Engineering journey in Kalgoorlie. He describes the courses as mining focused with courses heavily focusing on Mechanical, Electrical, Production, Electrical Engineering and drafting. Everything revolved around design work where you were industry ready. He started off as a trades assistant on the ground floor. In the late 60's he got his break during the Nickel strikes where management put him in the drawing offices as a draftsman. In the 70's he left Kalgoorlie on a journey of self discovery which took him across the continents to 80 countries. He recounts his experiences of apartheid in South Africa and the personal conflict he experienced at the way Africans were treated. He goes on to discuss his return to Kambalda - where mechanisation started to emerge in the region. He describes his drawings for the Portal sets at the Otter Juan mine and the excitement of designing something new and using all his knowledge and how this creativity fuelled the rest of his engineering career. At the peak of his career, with WMC he had 14 mines, a processing plant, spray driers and a power station under his supervision as the Chief Engineer of Kambalda. They boy who started of as a trades assistant proved that anyone can make it to the top - and it those days it was possible. Willy goes on to describe he atmosphere he created in his company to encourage creativity in his team - "Lets have a go and if it does not work out - we put it to bed". 99% of the time it works - but if it does not - they try and solve the problem. A concern for him being the new generation being too afraid of making mistakes to think creatively and add value for the future. He misses the freedoms that he had back in his younger day but understands why we have so many rules in place now and their importance. With optimism for the industry of the future, Willy hopes that "old guys like him" are not pushed aside, and that they share their knowledge with the younger people and mentor them. He hopes that experience does not get washed away in the sands of time.  Who will be the Innovators of the digital age? We would love to know who's stories like Willy's will inspire so get in touch with us.  This episode was sponsored by our partners DaveyBikford Enaex

Kathryn Cutler  Passionate geologist and graduate from the WA School of Mines talks about her passion for mining and geology.  

The ultimate partnership. Father and son. Willy Wilshaw founded Wilshaw  Engineering in 1988. Since the companies inception, Wilshaws has been a leading engineering consultancy to the mining and mineral processing industry. Founded on world class engineering rigor and family values, Willy now runs the business with his son, Noel. Both of them graduated from the WA School of Mines in Kalgoorlie. Willy started studying at WASM in 1967 when the school had just started  expanding . Willy had studied part-time and worked in Kambalda before his biggest career highlight;  jumping from workshop  manager to the chief engineer’s position in the engineering drawing offices  in Kambalda;  from which he gained the skills to form Wilshaw engineering. Noel’s experience at the School of Mines was quite similar to his father’s. He originally wanted to do pharmacy but later found himself impressed by  some miners and decided to become a mining engineer. Noel had a great sense of achievement when he finished studying at the School of Mines, and always had the ambition to get involved in the family business; however, Willy found him distracted much of the time. With little experience, Noel didn’t know what the core business was, particularly with the underground infrastructure work. Noel worked for 12 years as a miner and mining engineer working his way to a  GM role onsite before he had the conversation with his family about his desires to grow the family business. After being knocked back once before he came back with a sales pitch Willy couldn’t refuse. After lots of convincing, Willy wrote him a job description and Noel started work. Their close and strong family relationship is a considerable factor to their success of the business. As for the succession planning they are working on it. Willy’s current role is giving advice regarding engineering drawings, designs, and calculations to get the work done to their clients at reasonable cost whilst Noel takes care of the day to day operations. Both Willy and Noel have played instrumental roles in the guidance, mentoring and inspiration of countless mining professionals – and for that we tip our hats to you both.

Graeme is one of the founders of State of Play and its parent company VCI. His current work focuses on understanding and advising on business strategy for the global resources industry at the nexus of economics, social and technology change. Graeme is based in Western Australia, travelling widely to support the development of strategies for most of the major mining companies over the past 15 years. A PhD in Engineering by training, Graeme has developed an industry-wide reputation as one of its leading thinkers. Xavier is the research manager for State of Play conducting much of the research, analysis and writing for State of Play publications. Xavier has experience in advising organisations on strategy, business model design and innovation, particularly with mining and utilities sectors. An economist and political scientist by training, Xavier has worked with a range of organisations aiming to catalyse innovation in the resources industry The Innovation: State of Play platform was initiated by VCI in 2012 to create a platform to support industry discussion of innovation and performance at a strategic level, macro-level insights into the industry ecosystem, and more effective strategy execution and business design for competitive advantage. Innovation: State of Play has undertaken 3 global surveys – 2013, 2015 and 2017. They also released the groundbreaking CEO Insights Report in 2016 of interviews with CEOs and Board members from the world’s leading mining companies. The link to participate in this non-profit survey can be found here. Contribute to the strategy forming material that State of Play produces so that our resources executives have as many perspectives as possible in making decisions about your future. https://stateofplay.org/survey-2018   

Rachel Cooke US Consul General Part 2 Ep23 WASM Alumni Podcast

Rachel Cooke US Consul General Part 1 Ep22 WASM Alumni Podcast

Rachel Cooke US Consul General Part 1 Ep22 WASM Alumni Podcast

In this podcast we are talking with Rachel Cooke. Rachel Cooke assumed the position of U.S. Consul General in Perth on August 11, 2016 with responsibilities for Western Australia. We go through her life in Afghanistan, how she introduced change in conflict zones, how she led the community by forming relationships. WE also talk about the future for Afghanistan and look at investment opportunities for mining. A career Senior Foreign Service Officer, Rachel has focused more than 20 years of work on building U.S. relationships in Asia and the Pacific.  Immediately prior to taking up her current posting Rachel led the Southeast Asia policy team in Washington, DC.  Before that she spent two years in Afghanistan developing educational opportunities and engaging with the media, and another two years leading joint civilian-military training.  Rachel has also served in Malaysia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, where she was Acting Public Affairs Officer during both the 2005 and 2010 revolutions.   Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Rachel worked for the Environmental Protection Agency and for NASA. She was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand teaching fish farming.  Rachel has a B.S. in Marine Biology, and Master degrees in Environmental Management and Public Policy from Indiana University.  Having grown up on the beach in New Jersey, she is delighted to have the opportunity to serve in Western Australia and check out the surf (as is her husband Martin). When we were recording this podcast we were in the meeting room of the US Embassy. We had to turn off the air-conditioning in the whole level so our mic's did not pick up the sound of the air-conditioners. So thank-you to the staff at the US Embassy for that 1 hour of discomfort. Throughout the podcast we were getting a lot of looks from staff. I asked Rachel why we were getting so many looks - and she said because not many people get to come into the room. I felt very, very special. It was an honor to speak to you Rachel - you're a true leader, inspiration and I personally took so much out of. Thanks for making time for me after the podcast to talk alone.

Jade Singleton and Alex AtkinsConnecting, Coaching & Caring in a Diverse Mining World

Elan is the Director of Product at Airobotics. Elan comes from a diverse background of engineering, business strategy and product development. Elan has served various roles in Airobotics since its inception in 2014.Today, he works to discover how drones can best be applied to enhance processes for industrial enterprises. Elan is passionate about bringing inspired ideas to the market through a clear understanding of the industry and market in which it operates in. His role at Airobotics encompasses deep technology and market exploration to identify opportunities and develop the future of automated drones. Highlights of Elan’s career involve developing startup companies, self-started projects from MEMS devices to efficient vehicles, and being able to experience the staggering growth of Airobotics. Elan has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.