Committee Members are elected at each Annual General Meeting for a two year term. At the end of their term, committee members are eligible for re-election.
All positions are voluntary and Committee Members are expected to actively manage a portfolio within the Committee, regularly attend Committee meetings (held monthly) and assist at WA Mining Club events.
Damian has practiced as a mining and commercial lawyer for 25 years. He is a Director of Williams + Hughes Commercial Lawyers, and is also a director of several junior gold explorers.
Damian has been a WA Mining Club Committee Member since 2015 and was Secretary of the Club from 2017 to 2019. He managed the Club’s Scholarship program from 2015 and grew the program to nine annual scholarships, with scholarship application numbers increasing five-fold under his management. He also sits on the Governance and Executive Subcommittees.
He is a member of AICD, the Australian Mining and Petroleum Law Association, the Law Society of WA and is a regular presenter at legal seminars. Damian is married with three children and enjoys travelling and playing indoor cricket.
Director – Williams & Hughes Commercial Lawyers
email: president@waminingclub.asn.au
Natalie has been in the mining industry for 9 years in a variety of roles, which includes Technician Coordinator, High Pressure Water Blaster, Behavioural Based Safety Facilitator, Senior Administrator and Warehouse Operator, Training Systems Support Officer, Training Coordinator, Trainer, RC Driller’s Offsider, Port Production Operator, Emergency Response Volunteer, Advisor Career Enrichment and more recently in the capacity as a Supervisor Career Enrichment. All these positions have contributed in helping her progress in not only the learning and development space, but also in helping her to help others in achieving the work/life blend. This has also contributed to her becoming passionate about not only the future of the industry, but also the future for the people working in it.
She currently manages the Career Enrichment Program at Roy Hill. As part of her scope of work, she manages around 3,000 employees, continuously developing and improving not only the program, but also enhancing opportunities for staff to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally
Manager, Career Enrichment Program – Roy Hill
email: vicepresident@waminingclub.asn.au
Sharon joined Gold Road in June 2011 and has more than 20 years’ experience in mining, agribusiness and legal.
Her responsibilities include managing corporate aspects of the organisation, external affairs, native title, marketing and day-to-day operations.
Previously Sharon was Practice Manager for a newly merged Perth law firm, Middletons, and was instrumental in the fit-out and set-up of the new merged office, including implementation of an IT solution, financial and human resources functions and risk and compliance. She has also worked for Wesfarmers as Executive Assistant to the Finance Director and assisted with all investor relations briefings including Annual and Half Yearly Results presentations and roadshows, as well as preparation of national roadshows to analysts, fund managers and shareholders.
She holds a Masters of Business Administration, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Diploma in Financial Markets.
General Manager, Corporate – Gold Road Resources
email: secretary@waminingclub.asn.au
Ian is a partner with Deloitte, and has an extensive background in the resources industry. Ian joined the Committee in 2014 and currently acts as the Club Treasurer and sits on the Marketing Committee.
Partner – Deloitte
email: treasurer@waminingclub.asn.au
Craig Hook
Memberships Lead
Craig is a highly accomplished executive, Non-Executive Director and Advisory Board Chair with leadership and strategic experience across a portfolio of Board positions. As an Advisory Board Chair, Craig chairs Advisory Boards for private SME’s in mine professional services, mine maintenance services, drone management and software development sectors across Australia.
Previously he was a Partner of Churchill Consulting. Prior to his consulting career Craig was General Manager of OceanaGold (NZ) and held senior operational and technical roles internationally with Rio Tinto. Qualifications in mine engineering and business management, and accredited coach. Substantial experience in the mining industry across feasibility studies, operational readiness, design and implementation of business improvement projects and restructures.
Craig has been actively involved in the Club since 2005 and joined the 2014 Committee in the marketing portfolio. He now leads the Membership Committee.
Managing Director – Strategic Intent
email: membership@waminingclub.asn.au
Samantha has been in the mining industry for seven years, most recently in the capacity as a People & Culture Business Partner with Gold Road Resources. She is passionate about the future of the industry and feels the best way to safeguard it is to upskill our upcoming generation of leaders. Sam feels the Mining Club holds potential to connect experienced mining professionals with emerging leaders, with the goal to pass knowledge and strategise beyond generations.
Senior Human Resource Advisor – Gold Road Resources
email: youngprofessionals@waminingclub.asn.au
Sam Retallack
Joint Scholarships and Schools Lead
Sam joined Independence Group in 2012 and was appointed Human Resources Manager in 2014, then Head of People and Culture in 2017. Sam has over 25 years of experience in senior management, human resources, consulting and operational roles working for a range of organisations. Prior to joining IGO, Sam led large workforce-based businesses within Aherns Department Stores and Ansett Airlines, before turning to roles in Human Resource management across the mining, finance, legal and biomedical sectors.
Sam’s current role is to provide leadership and oversight of all People and Culture activities at IGO, including diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, learning, talent acquisition and development and the co-creation of organisational culture, purpose and values. Sam is a strategic thinker with a strong commercial background and an optimistic confidence that diversity of gender, perspective and experience will deliver corporate cultures of performance and care.
Sam holds a Diploma of Applied Science from Curtin University and a Bachelor of Health Science from Edith Cowan University. Sam is a graduate of the AICD, an experienced member of WIMWA’s mentoring program, a member of the WA Mining Club’s Women’s Advisory Group and a member of the Australian Institute of Management’s Professional Members Group.
Head of People and Culture – Independence Group
email: scholarships@waminingclub.asn.au
Emanuel has over 20 years of experience within the Australian and International Mining industries. Since 2002 in his capacity as owner and Managing Director, Emanuel has overseen Energy & Mining Group, an Australian Human Resources and Workforce Management organisation which has had operations across Australia, Singapore and West Africa.
Emanuel is in his 4th year as a WA Mining Club committee member an in that time has overseen the Scholarships Alumni portfolio, Young Professionals and is the current co-lead for the Scholarships and Schools portfolios.
Emanuel is a strong advocate for gender, ethnic and thought diversity, holding positions on the committee of the West Australian Mining Club addressing these very issues. Personally, he works closely with marginalised individuals in the community providing mentoring and coaching to individuals assisting them with their reintegration into society and the workforce.
Managing Director – Energy & Mining Group
email: scholarships@waminingclub.asn.au
Jordan is an enthusiastic young professional who has worked in the mining and resources industry for the past 5 years. She has a passionate interest in the future of our industry, and in particular the role of women in mineral resources.
Resource Geologist, Gold Road Resources
email: youngprofessionals@waminingclub.asn.au
Felicity Jones is the Leader of the Approvals, Strategy and Compliance Group at 360 Environmental. She has been engaged in environmental management, impact assessment, approvals and research since 2000. She works predominantly in the resources sector and has extensive experience in the management of projects with exposure to State and Commonwealth considerations. She is used to working with a variety of stakeholders with conflicting interests and managing the delivery of a diverse range of technical work.
Felicity’s role at 360 Environmental encompasses the following:
• Leadership Team member
• Chair of the Reconciliation and Diversity Committee
• project environmental management
• environmental impact assessment
• peer review (internal and external).
After-hours, Felicity is the Treasurer of the National Environmental Law Association (WA Branch) but has time and enthusiasm to spare for the WA Mining Club and promoting our great sector! She has been an active member of the Club for a number of years, and has obtained corporate support from 360 Environmental for the Club for the critically important Student Scholarships and socially important Golf Day. She was involved in the Women’s Advisory Group at the Club in 2019, and looks forward to continuing to play a role with the Club into the future.
Leader – Approvals Strategy and Compliance, 360 Environmental
