Resource Industry Network (RIN) is encouraging local businesses to sponsor student tickets to its International Women’s Day (IWD) Business Lunch to help educate and inspire Mackay’s high school students to consider a STEM career.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) careers have the ability to offer extremely rewarding work opportunities, not only around the world, but right here in Mackay as a result of our world-class engineering, industrial and technology sector.

By sponsoring a student ticket to the RIN IWD 2019 event, businesses will be helping expose talented local students to inspirational speakers and business leaders who will share their stories and speak about the importance of diversity in business.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr Ellen Moon, who is a lecturer in environmental engineering at Deakin University. Dr Moon’s work has taken her to all seven continents, including a voyage to Antarctica in 2018, as part of the Homeward Bound leadership initiative for women in science.

Dr Moon was recently named as one of Science & Technology Australia’s ‘Superstars of STEM’ for 2019-2020 and is leading the next generation of engineers to tackle the environmental challenges of the future, and through her research, focusing on contaminated land and water, to help industries to reduce the environmental impact of their activities.

Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke says securing Dr Ellen Moon as its keynote speaker is a fantastic opportunity for Mackay.

“Ellen is an inspirational leader helping to create sustainable futures for the next generation of women in STEM. We encourage businesses to not only purchase tickets for their team, but for local high school students, who can benefit from listening to such a fantastic role model,” Ms Rourke said.

EVENT DETAILS
RIN International Women’s Day 2019 Business Lunch
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
Friday, March 8^th from 12noon – 2pm
$55 (RIN members) or $70 (non-members)
Tickets available at: www.resourceindustrynetwork.org.au/Events

*ENDS*

Photo above: Dr Ellen Moon

For further information, please contact:

Communications Officer

Jodie Thompson

P: 07 4952 4184

M: 0408 638 968

Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

The showcase is part of the Minerals Council of Australia’s Minerals Week 2019 and will include displays and demonstrations of mining technology being used today at Australian mine sites including robotics, drones, data science, virtual/augmented reality, components and more.

Resource Industry Network, together with the Greater Whitsunday Alliance, will travel with representatives from the local mining services sector including Mackay-based Linked Group Services, TEAM Group, Mackay Conveyor Equipment, and Artemis.

Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke says the Canberra event is another opportunity for Mackay’s METS businesses to demonstrate their innovation prowess.

“Mackay is a leading global METS hub with world-class innovations. The Canberra event allows us to raise more awareness of our capabilities and capacity as a sector, as well as show off specific individual innovations from local METS businesses.

“The Modern Mining Technology Showcase is one of six national showcases that Resource Industry Network will be participating in during 2019, so if there are any other businesses interested in participating, they should contact us soon,” Ms Rourke said.

As an example of the innovations that will be on show, award-winning Mackay business Linked Group Services will be showcasing its EcoPort that provides both shelter and solar power generation, while Mackay Conveyor Equipment will demonstrate the efficiency, safety and productivity benefits of its Wombelt and Jibaroo products.

*ENDS*

Caption: Resource Industry Network general manager Adrienne Rourke will travel with a group of innovative Mackay businesses to the Modern Mining Technology Showcase to raise awareness of Mackay’s world-class engineering, industrial and technology hub.

For further information, please contact:

Communications Officer

Jodie Thompson

P: 07 4952 4184

M: 0408 638 968

Email: comms@resourceindustrynetwork.org.au

Resource Industry Network (RIN) has welcomed today’s announcement that BHP and its largest coal business BMA, will be implementing 30-day payment terms for its regional supply chain starting December 1^st.

RIN general manager Adrienne Rourke says the announcement is good news for regionally-based businesses in the resources supply chain and will help in reducing the use of debt to fund operating costs, making businesses more resilient and responsive to market changes.

The announcement means a further 256 Mackay businesses will now be on 30-day payment terms, a sizeable increase from the current 89 existing local vendors.

“By making this change to its procurement policies, BHP has demonstrated that it values the communities in which they have a footprint and wants those local suppliers to grow stronger businesses,” Ms Rourke said.

“Resource Industry Network would like to acknowledge BHP for listening and responding to its supply chain.

“Businesses will be better able to fund intangible inputs such as research and development, and training. These drive the innovation that our sector is famous for,” she added.

“Resource Industry Network has led the discussion on this topic and we are proud of the work our team has done on raising awareness of the impacts of extended payment terms on regional economies.

“We pursued the issue because the overwhelming majority of our membership wanted us to lead the way and highlight the impacts of extended payment terms on individual businesses, as well as local economies.

“The decision by BHP today is good news for the resources supply chain, and for regional Australia,” she said.

A research report, commissioned by RIN and prepared by Lytton Advisory, has shown that 30-day payment terms increase the opportunities for local jobs, investment in innovation, and money spent in regional communities.

As a peak industry body for the METS sector, RIN has been highlighting the benefits that 30-day or less payment terms have on the supply chain and regional economies, as part of our role in representing the interests of our members and the sector.

*ENDS*

Supporting Information - Download the Lytton Advisory report