This Miners Mingle absolutely delivered. With a buzzing crowd and a panel that brought honesty, insight, and plenty of personality, “Maximising Your Potential” was a night to remember.
A huge thank you to our three stellar speakers; Claire Parkinson, Debbie Morrow and George Bauk, and to our brilliant MC Matt Michael, who guided the discussion with his trademark wit and authenticity.
Claire Parkinson brought the house down with her raw honesty and vulnerability. She spoke openly about setbacks, career pivots, and the importance of staying true to your values. Claire’s reflections on networking and mentoring really struck a chord, reinforcing two of the key values the WA Mining Club Young Professionals are built on. Her authenticity and clarity made a big impact, and it showed in the strong turnout, driven by the relevance of this topic to so many in the room.
Debbie Morrow shared incredible insight into leadership, having navigated roles across ASX-listed companies and not-for-profits. With a calm confidence, Deb spoke about the importance of backing yourself, making courageous decisions, and bringing heart into leadership, not just strategy. Her advice about following your passion and being brave enough to pivot when your path changes direction was incredibly comforting to many in the audience, especially those considering a career change or feeling unsure about their next move.
George Bauk brought a refreshingly direct and practical perspective to the conversation. Drawing on decades of experience in the critical minerals space. George reminded us that opportunity often hides in uncertainty. His comments around not becoming overqualified too early, and the value in gaining solid industry experience before chasing the next role, really resonated with the audience. It was a valuable reminder that career progression isn’t a race and sometimes slowing down sets you up to go further.
The night’s key messages were clear: build meaningful relationships because your network really does matter; don’t underestimate the value of simply showing up and doing your best; seek out mentors because guidance is essential for growth, and perhaps most importantly, remember that there’s no one right path, career journeys look different for everyone, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Another fantastic event delivered by the WA Mining Club. To all who attended, thanks for bringing the energy. To those who missed it, we’ll see you at the next one.
