Leading the way: Introducing our new Executive Officer

The WA School of Mines Alumni (WASMA) is delighted to welcome Johanna Gastevich as the newly appointed Executive Officer. Johanna is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience working in the not-for-profit area for over 20 years.

With a diverse background working in numerous industry sectors including sustainable energy, the built environment, engineering, grains, and geospatial, Johanna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role along with exceptional leadership skills and a deep commitment to fostering connections within the industry.

In addition to her extensive industry experience, Johanna possesses exceptional organisational and strategic planning skills. She plans to leverage these strengths to enhance alumni engagement and implement initiatives that cater to the changing needs of the alumni community.

Johanna’s enthusiasm for her new role stems from her genuine desire to create a vibrant and supportive community for any graduate of the WA School of Mines, irrespective of their career stage.

Johanna’s appointment as the Executive Officer of the WA School of Mines Alumni marks an important milestone in the organisation’s journey.

With her extensive skill set, Johanna is well-equipped to guide the Alumni towards continued success and provide valuable support to its members.

 

Johanna can be contact via email or mobile

Kalgoorlie student accommodation appeal

We are seeking URGENT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST from friends of the WASM Alumni, who may have a spare room to accommodate one or more students in Kalgoorlie. The terms of which, free or paid, will be determined through a more formal process.

At this stage, there are 40 students which need to be accommodated in Kalgoorlie.

Please complete the Expression of Interest form to register your interest: https://n5wdu4dw.pages.infusionsoft.net

On behalf of the WASM Alumni Council, we extend our thanks to anyone who can support this initiative and will endeavour to keep you up to date as we make progress.

WASMA Perth Graduates event 2023

WASMA very proudly welcomed its newest members into the Alumni and celebrated those reaching 25 years since graduation at the Perth Graduates event on 10 February at the Ritz-Carlton. This year, the event’s format changed from a lunch to a cocktail function allowing many more recent graduates to attend.

WASMA Bentley Branch Chair Colin Roberts MC’d the event with the Welcome to Country by Robyn Whadjuk Ballardong Yorga Collard and her grandson and didgeridoo player Tryse Rioli. Speakers included WASMA President Kyle De Souza who spoke from the heart about the support he has received from the WASMA community throughout his career to his current position.

Others speakers were: Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Chris Moran and Minister for Mines and Petroleum The Honorable Bill Johnston MLA.

The keynote speaker was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mincor Resources Gabrielle Iwanow who spoke about her career journey and the importance of recognising that career pathways were not always linear.

WASMA announced its latest award winners with the WASMA Gold Medal going to Will Vaisey.

The gold medal is awarded to a student who has not only excelled academically but has also shown involvement in extracurricular activities such as community engagement and industry leadership.

Will was involved in clubs and societies both internally, through the WASM Social Club and the Wombats Mining Games Team, and externally through the Railways Football Club and the South Kalgoorlie Running Games Team. Most significantly, Will was responsible for the inauguration of the WASM Football Club in 2022, which raised more than $20,000 for the not-for-profit organisation, Miners’ Promise. The judging committee noted that this mountain of work was also completed during his fourth year of study and after the unfortunate passing of his father.

Congratulations Will.

The WASMA silver medals recognise the highest achievers in each of the disciplines.

Saif Al-Yaaribi
Petroleum Engineering

Kate Woodall
Applied Geology

Kai Wai Hung
Spatial Science

Kate Leekong
Chemical Engineering

Will Vaisey
Mining Engineering

Sandrine Symons
Metallurgical Engineering

Eyad Ahmad Halawani
Geophysics

Congratulations to our medallists and all recent and 25-year graduates.

WASMA also thanks Northern Star Resources Limited, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions and Curtin University for their ongoing support for WASMA and these events.

Here is a link to the Graduate event gallery: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jq7DOXIJsl8-0t0pxldfUBOIELn6UhUB

WASMA 2023 Sponsors Guide

WASMA recently launched the 2023 Sponsors Guide which gives industry members the opportunity to showcase their company through WASMA’s social media, website and event reach.

With a host of different events and programs scheduled for 2023, we hope you will join us as we Refine and Redefine who we are, amongst clear global trends to decarbonise.

No matter your size, we have an opportunity for you. Sponsorships start from $500.

Please contact us at admin@wasma.com.au if you are interested in sponsoring.

To view the guide visit: https://wasma.com.au/industry/industry-get-involved/

WASMA member achievements

Congratulations to long-serving WASMA Council member Darren Stralow (Class of 2001), who has been appointed Managing Director of Bellevue Gold Limited. Alongside Darren is fellow WASMA member Bill Stirling (Class of 2006) who was promoted to Chief Operations Officer.

Darren has been instrumental in the revitalisation of WASMA’s free mentoring program.

We look forward to seeing what they achieve together!