Mr Christian Price 2023
Christian commenced his involvement with the WASMA Council in August 2012 when he became the founding Kalgoorlie Branch Committee Chair. Over the next ten years, Christian rose to the role of WASMA President where he led the Alumni during pandemic years and expertly maintained connections between our members, Curtin University and WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering. Christian took a keen interest in student pathways that led to increased enrollments at WASM and demonstrated dynamic leadership countless times.
Christian is a Mining Engineer and Mineral Economist with over 19 years of experience, in operational, technical and senior leadership roles in operating, development and exploration projects across Australia. Christian has attained his Masters in Mineral Economics at the Curtin Graduate School of Business along with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Engineering) from WASM, graduating in 2005.
Prior to his current role as Executive Director of Nimy Resources, Christian was most recently COO & CEO of Resources + Energy Group (ASX:REZ), an explorer and developer of projects in Western Australia and Queensland.
Christian is heavily involved with the CoRE Learning Foundation which is innovating the future of education by equipping future generations with the knowledge of the resources industry. CoRE bridges a current gap through coordinating links between industry, communities and governments to provide a ‘real world’ learning environment.
Mr Ken Brinsden 2023
Ken has been a WASMA Council Member and also served on the WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering Advisory Council.
Ken is a WASM Mining Engineering Graduate with 30 years of experience in surface and underground mining operations since graduating in 1993. Between graduation and 2006 he worked for various companies including WMC Resources, GOLD FIELDS and Iluka Resources across production, management, brownfields and greenfields mine development roles.
In 2006, Ken joined Atlas Iron Pty Ltd and was integral in the building of a successful iron ore business which challenged the status quo by identifying and operating iron ore deposits within trucking distance of Port Hedland. Some ten years later, Ken joined Pilbara Minerals Limited and replicated his success.
Ken’s influence within Atlas Iron Pty Ltd and Pilbara Minerals Limited resulted in numerous annual scholarships to WASM Students in Kalgoorlie and roles for graduates both within Atlas, Pilbara Minerals and their contracting partners.
Ken is now the non-executive chairman at Patriot Battery Metals which is a dual-listed lithium explorer looking to be the next major North American lithium miner.
Mr Neil Warburton 2022
Mentoring people and seeing them succeed is one of mining veteran Neil Warburton’s top three career highlights. His willingness to give back to the industry where he’s enjoyed a standout career led to his being awarded WASMA life membership.
“To be recognised for the work I’ve put back into the School of Mines and the Alumni itself, I’m very humbled and very proud,” he said. “It’s a great honour.”
Neil is a Mining Engineer, Chair of the WASMA Advisory Council, a previous WASMA council member and has spent 40-plus years working in all areas of mining operations.
He has experience in roles ranging from underground miner through to senior mining engineer to executive and non-executive directorships managing large mining and contracting companies.
During the period 2000-2012, Neil held senior positions with Barminco Limited culminating in his appointment as Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2012. During his time at Barminco, he managed the day-to-day Australian operations and coordinated the international expansion into West Africa
Mr Raleigh Finlayson 2021
Raleigh was awarded WASMA life membership to recognise the remarkable role he played in the success of the Alumni, initially as Vice President and then as President, as well as his enormous contribution he made to WASMA, the WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM:MECE) and the resources industry.
It was while working with graduates in 2010 at Saracen Mineral Resources that Raleigh saw the importance of having strong student cohorts coming through WASM. He realised that he could contribute to this through WASMA.
“To make sure the school was maintained, there needed to be a focus on students to keep the school strong,” he said.
Raleigh is also particularly proud of the work the Council has done to ensure a robust alignment between Curtin University and the Alumni.
Raleigh is a Mining Engineer with more than 20 years of technical and operational experience in multiple disciplines including both underground and open pit operations.
He was previously the Managing Director of Saracen Mineral Holdings (ASX:SAR) and Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST). During his 14-year tenure at Saracen, Raleigh was initially the Chief Operating Officer responsible for the feasibility study and development of Saracen’s first operating gold mine, the Carosue Dam Operations. He was promoted to the role of Managing Director in 2013 and responsible for the acquisition and subsequent feasibility study and development of Saracen’s second operating gold mine, Thunderbox, and subsequently the purchase of 50% of the KCGM Superpit from Barrick Gold. Saracen grew from a market cap of $53m in 2008 to $6.0bn in 2021 before merging with Northern Star.
Ms Sabina Shugg Life Member 2017
“Sabina, a 1993 Mining Engineering graduate, has made a significant contribution to the Alumni over a 10 year period of continuous service as a council member and as a prominent member of the mining fraternity. Sabina has been a very effective at introducing, providing and contributing to the increase in female WASMA members, the increase in female enrolment to WASM and increases in secondary students studying STEM subjects especially females. Introducing major sponsors to WASMA programs, providing links to political and industry leaders, contributing to the mentoring program, the improvement of the D&D Sundowner through the introduction of WIMWA and contributing to WASMA matters using her extensive external network.
Sabina has almost singlehandedly been a beacon and pathfinder for women in mining which is extremely important to the function and success of the Alumni. In addition to her contributions to WASMA she has been widely recognised by her peers and other institutions.
Mr Tony James Life Member 2016
Managing Director of Carbine Resources, Tony James, was made a Life Member of WASM Alumni in August 2016, an honour that acknowledged a decade at the helm of the school’s alumni association. James is still at the “pit face”, now on a new quest for gold within the historic tailings of the Mount Morgan Gold Mine in Queensland. TJ treasures his relationship with WASM that began some 35 years ago.
James was born in Bridgetown, WA, in 1963 and, with a teacher as a father, lived in numerous regional towns during his childhood. It was his father who pointed him in the direction of WASM.
“He encouraged me to go to Kalgoorlie to visit WASM for a ‘Focus on Mining’ tour,” he says. He believed the mining industry had a bright future in WA and that it was a good fit for me. He was right.”James was accepted and begin studying as a mining engineer in 1981.
TJ’s career has seen him gain experience amid challenging roles in a wide range of locations including BHP Gold Mines, Telfer, Mt Pleasant, Newcrest, Western Metals, Delta and Aurion Gold, Black Swan
Nickel Mine, Lion Ore and Alacer Gold Corp. James renewed his relationship with WASM in 2000 when returned to Kalgoorlie to take up a role at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine for Delta Gold. “I decided I should put back into WASM in acknowledgement of all the great opportunities I have received as a graduate,” he says. That led him to become the President of the WASM Alumni, a position he held for 10 years. “That period of time was challenging for the Alumni and we have strengthened our resolve as to the importance of WASM and the value of those degrees received by its graduates over more than a century,” he says. “We are working hard to reestablish those strong affiliations and ensure the legacy continues.” TJ has been humbled by the award of WASM Alumni Life Membership. “I truly appreciate the recognition. It’s nice to be rewarded for the effort and service one puts into an organisation like WASMA,”
Mr Clive Annear Life Member 2015
Achieved a Diploma (Mining), and specialised for 20 years in underground mining operations on the Golden Mile, Norseman, EZ Rosebery (TAS) and Cobar Mines (NSW). During this period Cobar, and Mt Charlotte introduced large scale trackless diesel equipment into Australian hard rock mines with Mt Isa. After Cobar, Clive managed Mt Charlotte during the 450,000t mass pillar blasting program & later established the Redross Nickel Mine. Clive later spent 19 years with Fluor as Manager Business Development dealing with the design and construction of such projects as the Dampier to Perth Gas Pipeline; the concentrater, refinery & smelter at Olympic Dam; and an expansion of the Cliffs Robe River Operation. In the latter period of his career, Clive provided ongoing independent consulting business development services for design construction & maintenance services for resource developments over a further 15 years, plus a part time appointment as General Manager of the Brodie Hall Research & Consultancy Centre at WASM Kalgoorlie, followed by Australia- wide Sales Engineer for private “Change Management”, organisation, that offered management improvement services, from initial overall review studies, recommended implementation programs, including staff re- training services, for organisations, seeking sustainable bottom line improvements.
Mr Jack Manners Graduated 1951
Jack Ernest Larkin Manners, life member of the WA School of Mines Graduates Association, was born in 1922 in Kalgoorlie, the eldest son of the Joe Manners, General Manager of one of the significant mines on the Golden Mile, Boulder Perseverance Limited. He was the first, second-generation graduate of the WA School of Mines and a third generation mining man.
When his father was a member of the staff of Rio Tinto Ltd, based in London, Jack attended Colet Court, St Paul’s Preparatory School for five years.
Initially, Jack worked on the Boulder Perseverance and Lake View and Star mines in Kalgoorlie but when he graduated he to moved to Northern Rhodesia where he joined Rhokana Corporation as a Mine Captain. This was a valuable experience, which no doubt helped in his appointment as Chief Mining Engineer for North Broken Hill Ltd in Broken Hill when he decided to return to Australia in 1960. In 1965 Jack moved to Melbourne and joined R Hare & Associates (later called Metals Exploration NL) as General Manager. This was at the height of the Western Australian nickel boom and there were many opportunities in Western Australia for experienced mining engineers.
Attracted by the excitement Jack returned to WA in 1967 and joined WMC in Kalgoorlie as Chief Mining Engineer. Much of the work he did was centred around Kambalda and two years later he was appointed Assistant Resident Manager – Administration at Kambalda Nickel Operations under John B Oliver.
Dr Peter Lilly
Dr Suzanne Parry
Trustee Keith Parry Fund
Langford, John
Lewis, Rosa
Administration Wasm
Manners, Ron
Engineering/Mining
Royle, P G
Mining
Wreford, Peter Mathews
Mining
Warman, Charles H
Engineering
Mayor John Bowler
FB( Barney) Allen
Inaugural WASM Dean- from 1902
Western Mining Corporation
Eltin Limited
Sir John Forrest
Premier WA (1890-1901)
Sir Arvi Parbo
Emeritus Professor
Odwyn Jones
SIR LAURENCE BRODIE-HALL AWASM HonDTech(WAIT) EX D of WMC, Director of Alcoa of Australia.
Involved in WMC gold production,iron ore exports, Kambalda nickel development, Yeelirrie uranium and Olympic Dam discoveries. Life Member of both the AusIMM and the CME of WA, and Chair of WA CSIRO Advisory Committee. Chair of the WASM Board when WASM introduced degree courses, to retain world class status as a mining school of excellence. Sir Laurence was a great WASM supporter and fund raiser.
Dr. C.H.(Charles) WARMAN AM AWASM HonDSc (UNSW) HonDSc (Curtin) Hon F(IEAust) F(AustIMM) Hon Assoc(UNSW) HonM (WASMGA).
Inventor of the world class Warman Pump. Founder of the world-wide Warman International pump manufacturer and distributer, joint applicant for pegging Mt Newman iron ore leases. Committed to research for excellence. Sponsor of WASM Student Medal. “Ranked 5th best engineer in Australia for 20th Century”.
KEITH F PARRY AO AWASM Director of Operations of WMC
After starting as a surveyor, Director Alcoa of Australia, Director Mt Magnet NL, President CME WA, Member WASM Board of Management, Mentor to many mining industry high achievers.
The WMC Keith Parry Memorial Trust Fund honours his many contributions to the mining industry. “World Class Operator ” Mt Charlotte, Kambalda, Olympic Dam”.
PETER M WREFORD AWASM Mining 1942. Aust.
Director, BP Minerals (UK), JV partner in the WMC Olympic Dam Project development- MD Seltrust (Aust) Ltd during exploration & development, Agnew Nickel (MIM JV) and Selcast Teutonic Bore Nickel projects.-Chairman WA Chamber of Minerals & Energy, Golden Mile U/G/ M Lake View & Star Mine, Manager at Qld Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine and later Canadian based for promoting mineral processing technology. “ Legendary Dynamic Mining Mover and Shaker”.