By Jordan Pedley
The Western Australian Mining Club Scholarship Program awards dinner was a resounding success with keynote speaker, Barry Upton, highlighting the importance of STEM education and the opportunities available to scholarship winners and finalists. Barry emphasised the significance of STEM education in today’s rapidly changing world and how the scholarship winners and finalists will pave their path to success by pursuing careers in STEM fields.
Eddie Plume, valued WA Mining Club life member, introduced the perpetual trophy that would be given to a scholarship winner every year. The trophy is a testament to the club’s commitment to supporting young talent in STEM-related fields and its dedication to promoting the future of the mining industry.
The finalists were introduced through a quick video presentation, allowing the attendees to get to know them and appreciate their accomplishments. The green economy and decarbonisation were hot topics among the finalists, who expressed their enthusiasm for a career in mining that would keep up with the demands of the new green economy, find new ore bodies of critical minerals that would be essential in establishing the new green economy, and innovate new ways to process low-grade ore.
The mining industry has always been at the forefront of technological advancement, and the finalists at the awards dinner emphasised the importance of technology in mining. Without mining, the future of technology and green energy would not be possible. Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are essential in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and the storage of renewable energy. The mining industry plays a crucial role in the production of these minerals, and technological advancements have allowed for more efficient and environmentally sustainable mining practices.
The finalists’ passion and dedication to pursuing careers in mining and STEM-related fields are inspiring, and the mining industry must continue to invest in and support these bright young minds. By doing so, we can ensure that the mining industry remains at the forefront of technological advancement and contributes to the development of a sustainable green economy.
The Western Australian Mining Club Scholarship Program awards dinner was a fantastic event that highlighted the importance of STEM education and the opportunities available in the mining industry. The passion and dedication of the scholarship winners and finalists are a testament to the bright future of the mining industry and the critical role it plays in the development of a sustainable green economy.
Congratulations to the 2023 WA Mining Club Scholarship Winners.
| Environmental Science | Emma | Boyd |
| Female Student in a Technical Discipline | Yasmin | Fox-Mooney |
| Geology | Emma | Buchan |
| Indigenous Upskilling | Paige | James |
| Male Student in a Technical Discipline | James | Fox |
| Mature Aged | Melissa | Combo |
| Mechanical Engineering | Ruby | Darch |
| Metallurgy / Chemical Engineering | Tim | Sander |
| Metallurgy / Chemical Engineering | Raymond | Gileno |
| Mining Engineering | Shayera | Allen |
| People and Culture | Nyah | Siegmund |
| Regional Student Studying Geology | Vada | Radford |
