December 2008

Employee profile - Jacqueline Watkins

Mount Thorley Warkworth has appointed its first female emergency response crew member, who says she’s keeping with family tradition.

Jacqueline Watkins has always liked helping people and was keen to take on the challenge.

“I was a trainer for the Singleton Rugby Union for four years and have always been interested in first aid,” Jacqueline said.

“My father was a member of the Mount Thorley Warkworth mines rescue team for more than 22 years; it was something I had grown up with and I wanted to keep in the family.

“Being on the emergency response team is more than just being there for your workmates. It provides you with invaluable skills you can use outside of work should an emergency arise.”

Having started with the team in September, Jacqueline has yet to attend an emergency as an official member, but believes being a woman would benefit the team.

“We now have more than 45 women working at Mount Thorley Warkworth, so the demographics have certainly shifted since my father started at the mine 24 years ago,” Jacqueline said.

“If there are other women who would like to join an emergency response crew I would certainly recommend it.

“I have a good rapport with the team members on my crew, who were all very supportive of me when the position came up.”

Jacqueline had the chance to sample some of the action first hand when she volunteered for the New South Wales mines rescue competition held at Mount Thorley Warkworth last month.

Read more about the competition, and how our Coal & Allied teams went.

Read our second employee profile - Kerry Mudge from Blair Athol Mine.

Tell us in 30 words or less what your job entails? I’m a plant operator and currently operate dump trucks, water carts and rubber tyred dozers on site.

What do you do for fun? Shopping, shopping and more shopping! I also enjoy snow skiing, cooking, travelling and I have a love of photography.

Tell us one interesting thing about you your colleagues don’t know. I have a passion for good food and will travel virtually anywhere to try it. I’ve just about travelled the world, I have a certificate in remedial massage and I once met Billy Crystal on Rodeo Drive.

What movie/cartoon character are you most like and why? Bridget Jones! Need I explain? (minus the granny knickers, of course!)