Connecting Industry: Recent Episodes
Kieran Moran
The Connecting Industry Podcast series connects you with the stories of the people who work in the resource and construction sector throughout Australia. It’s our goal is to connect you with the latest resource and construction news, information, and procurement opportunities, but most importantly, build relationships between you and our guests so you can connect with their stories and get a better understanding of how to communicate and tell your business story right.
Michael Myer is the Executive Chairperson of Sunshine Hydro. Sunshine Hydro are developing a Superhybrid Project in Queensland, a pumped hydro with green hydrogen project being developed in three stages. Sunshine Hydro's vision is to play a key role in decarbonising the planet using technology and have re-imagined long duration energy storage projects to deliver 24/7 carbon free energy. Michael is a serial entrepreneur with venture capital experience in start-up ventures and sustainable development. He has a passionate interest in bringing engineering and economic resources to projects to support our social and environmental challenges.
On this week’s connecting Industry podcast we have Dan Whitmore is the Business Development & Strategy Manager Eastern for Decmil. Decmil has supported and constructed some of Australia’s major iconic infrastructure projects across Australia. We provide design, engineering and construction services for the infrastructure, resources, and energy sectors and provide residential, industrial, and commercial construction.
Dan is an industry professional who has industry experience across both the mechanical and civil sectors across Australia. Dan believes the right network will connect you to the right people and has developed a network of becoming, in his words, “the go to guy for project updates and pressing the flesh at an industry event”. Dan credits his success to persistency and integrity and has a genuine desire to do everything in his power to help Decmil achieve their growth ambitions.
Gavin Loyden is the Founder and Managing Director of QEM Limited. Gavin is responsible for QEM’s capitalisation, exploration program and development of QEM’s Julie Creek vanadium and oil shale project.
QEM Limited is a publicly listed company focused on the exploration and development of its flagship Julia Creek Project, covering 250km² in the Julia Creek area of North Western Queensland. The Julia Creek vanadium and oil shale project is a unique world class resource with the potential to utilise and deliver innovative and sustainable energy solutions, through the production of energy fuels and vanadium pentoxide.
Prior to founding QEM, Gavin assisted a range of companies from early stage development through to international stock market listings. He has over a decade of experience in the mining industry and extensive experience in the structuring of capital raising proposals for both private and public companies, executive selection, and Corporate Governance.
Greg Elkins is the CEO of Global Power Energy (GPE); an advisory company he founded in 2021 to meet the growing demand for renewable energy and energy storage solutions. He has previously led the connections assessment teams for AEMO and Energy Queensland. At AEMO, Greg was responsible for connecting more than 3 GW per annum in his role as Head of Connections.
Greg's mission now, through GPE, is to deliver success for clients in the energy transition with a focus on decreasing project risk and improving delivery time across major solar, wind, BESS, pumped hydro and REZ projects.
Damian Vermey is the Project Director for Ark Energy’s Boomer Green Energy Hub, a wind farm development located approximately 30 km south-west of Marlborough and 70 km south of St Lawrence in central Queensland. Damian’s extensive engineering, project, and people management experience, has provided high quality power and water products ranging from hydro power plants, to wind farms, and power system design solutions. Throughout his career Damian has worked on projects throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, India, and Fiji. Construction of Ark Energy’s Boomer Green Energy Hub is expected to start in Q1 2025 creating 350 construction jobs.
Cory Ebenestelli is the Director at MitiLabs, an innovative company that specialises in providing cutting-edge solutions and products to companies across a wide range of industries including the resource and construction sector. Starting as an electrician, Cory founded Mitilabs to develop innovative IP for companies that need it most. In that time, he has developed HAVTrack, a device that can assist in preventing significant and permanent injuries that can occur from hand arm vibration syndrome, a syndrome that happens from continual use of vibration tools and equipment.
Chris Davenport is the Queensland State Manager for Tranz Logistics, a specialist transport company working in the pipeline, mining, rail, energy, civil and construction sectors. Starting his career as an apprentice Plant Mechanic working on earth moving equipment, Chris’ love for the Transport industry began when he started traveling from site to site working on machines which was followed by working with the likes of Chubb Security, TNT, Metro Express Transport, and Personalised Freight Management. Over his career, Chris’ passion for the logistics of the transport industry grew further where he now manages an extensive team and a fleet of vehicles and trucks as the Tranz Logistics Queensland State Manager.
Tim Keeffe is the CEO of Actrua Performance Cultures, a company that’s passionate about supporting the true Growth of individuals, teams, and organisations. From working with companies like BHP, Glencore, Hastings Deering, Thiess, and Rio Tinto, Tim has an extensive background in operations, management, and leadership with career foundations in the Australian Military. Actrua Performance Cultures are an award-winning performance culture consultancy that focuses on behaviour change in organisations across strategy, culture, leadership development, and safety solutions.
Mark Smithwick is Onsite Rental Group’s Northern Region General Manager. Onsite Rental Group is a specialist equipment hire provider delivering intelligent rental solutions to businesses across Australia. Mark is a qualified and highly motivated leader, skilled in leading and coaching teams in customer service, and asset and operations management. Mark is adept at developing business improvement strategies and customer relationship management across a range of industries, including mining, oil & gas, construction, industrial, infrastructure, and government.
Willem Robinson is the Business Development Manager for STEINERT Australia. From traditional and trusted magnetic separation equipment, right through to sensor sorting technologies, STEINERT Australia have developed intelligent separation and sorting solutions for a range of industries throughout the Mining, Resource Recovery, Scrap, Waste and Recycling sectors. William is an Experienced Chief Sales Officer with a demonstrated history in Business Development and Relationship Management across cultures and has helped shape the direction of the company through analysing markets and identify avenues of growth.
Scott Walton is the managing director and owner of CQ Soil Testing. CQ Soil Testing specialise in the investigation, sampling and testing of soil, groundwater, and geotechnical work for the domestic, industrial, government, and mining sector.
Brad Waldon is the managing director of the Corehesion Group. The Corehesion Group transforms processes and deploys a suite of combining application modules to facilitate proactive planning and safety management for heavy industry. From starting his working career as a mechanical engineer to an analyst programmer, and even a high school teacher, Brad began Waldon Services developing custom built software for heavy industry however, to bring the company forward he only recently launched the Corehesion Group to ultimately bring together People, Safety and Productivity for industry.
James Moohan is the chief executive officer of Vertical Horizonz Australia. Vertical Horizonz Australia provide tailored safety training to various industries. In 2020, James became the CEO of Vertical Horizonz Australia, New Zealand, and International. His experience spans the construction industry, industrial Health and Safety, and Public Service.
Anthony Groen-int-woud is the managing director of Multitrade Building Hire. Founded in 1979, Multitrade Building Hire has 40 years of experience providing quality temporary site accommodation buildings for the oil, civil, construction, and mining sectors.
Cian Brennan is the Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Contract Solutions, a company that assists construction subcontractors avoid contractual landmines when it comes to contracts in the resource and construction sector. Cian was on, what he calls, ‘the Dark Side’, which is the Client Side of Construction, for almost two decades. Over this time, he saw hundreds and hundreds of Construction Companies being bullied contractually, losing money and going out of business. In 2019, after becoming deeply concerned with the state of the Industry and having inside knowledge of how the clients manage Contractors, Cian started Quantum Contract Solutions to help Construction Contractors. Please note: This podcast was recorded via a video podcast.
Anthony Beunen is the Managing Director of Gladstone Drafting. Gladstone Drafting are a specialist multi award winning design drafting and licenced building firm servicing the resource and construction industry including mining, infrastructure, local government and the building design sectors applying engineering, design and drafting services from conception to completion. Gladstone Drafting is unique in Central Queensland because of its approach to managing complex projects and its ability to supply all necessary complementary services in house, under one roof, and from start to finish.
Robert Dark is the publisher of Industry Queensland, an online publication producing information on mining, construction, and infrastructure development predominately across Queensland. From growing up in a mining region to becoming a journalist in Central and Northern Queensland, to starting Industry Queensland as a print publication in 2004, Robert has a firm grasp of the current issues and opportunities in the resource sector including the future of coal, critical minerals and the renewables industry including the effects of the battery revolution.
Peter Jones is the Chairman of the Australasian High Pressure Water Jetting Association (AUSJET), the peak national industrial services representative body with members across Australia and internationally. Formed initially as a response to injuries sustained in the water jetting industry, AUSJET exists to strengthen safety standards for business and industry working in the Water Jetting, Drain Cleaning, Vacuum Loading and Hydro Excavation Industries. Peter has more than 20 years of management experience in the Service Industry and moved into the Industrial Service Industry in 2004 and is currently the business manager at KOR Equipment Solutions in WA, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Mike Ferraro is Strandline Resources Ltd Technical and Marketing Director. Mike is a resource industry professional with 30+ years’ experience and is a qualified metallurgist. His experience includes significant roles including Managing Director of Doral and Chief Operating Officer of MZI as well as earlier technical and operational management roles with Cristal and Simcoa. Specific to mineral sands, he has managed completion of bankable feasibility studies, operational readiness from greenfield for several operations and subsequent management thereof, as well as oversight on several expansions including design, approvals, project management and market development.
Nigel Hunt is Metronet’s, the single largest investment in public transport Perth has ever seen, Morley-Ellenbrook Line Principal Project Director. Nigel has over 30 years of experience in the design and construction of passenger, freight and heavy haul railways and his experience includes management roles for the design and construction of Perth’s last major new railway line to Mandurah. In the Pilbara, he has worked on major railway and non-process infrastructure projects for the mining sector.
Sarah Smith is the CEO of Scenario, a company that offers project, portfolio and enterprise-wide solutions, by providing a platform to manage project delivery, collaboration and processes for large to major projects. Sarah took over as Scenario’s CEO in June 2019 however, she started working for Scenario almost 21 years ago, initially starting her career in Quality Assurance, then specialising in providing workforce management solutions for mining for 15 Years, before stepping into various management roles within the organisation.
Vincent Algar is the Managing Director of Australian Vanadium Limited. Vincent is a geologist by profession with over 27 years’ experience in the mining industry, spanning underground and open cut mining operations, greenfields exploration, project development and mining services in both Western Australia and Southern Africa. Since 2015 Vincent has been Managing Director of Australian Vanadium Limited and is responsible for advancing the company’s high-grade Australian Vanadium Project in Western Australia with its mine site south of Meekatharra and processing plant location between Mullewa and Geraldton.
Anton Guinea is the director of the Guinea Group, a company that supports leaders to create high performing teams and an environment of psychological and physical safety predominantly within the resource and construction sector. As a 21-year-old sparkie, Anton survived a near fatal workplace incident which changed his life forever. Over the last 15 years, Anton has worked with over 150 businesses globally, and has dedicated himself to safety thought leadership. The Guinea Group have developed and implemented methodologies which create lasting and impactful safety change, through a combined approach to psychological and physical safety.
Nicole Allison is the Operations Manager of EQIP Gladstone (Education Queensland Industry Partnership). EQIP is a non-profit initiative, providing a central point of contact to facilitate collaboration between Education Queensland, business, industry, and the community, to provide alternative education opportunities and career pathways into the resource and construction industry. EQIP’s Workplace Learning Programs have won two Queensland Training Awards for Industry Collaboration and have been twice finalists at the Australian Training Awards. Prior to EQIP, Nicole worked in Engineering, Safety and Training roles, predominantly in the Coal and Gas industries.
Stefan Maslak is the National Sales & Marketing Manager at Stabilised Pavements of Australia, the largest specialist stabilisation contractor in Australasia providing services in the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of pavements. Stefan has 20+ years working in the resource and construction sector within the civil and building industry. Utilising an established network of contacts in global markets, Stefan has worked for several companies in the sector not only throughout Australia, but with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India and Europe. Welcome Stefan to the program.
Tony Harmey is the National Head of Sales and Relationships for Apricity Finance, a company that provides invoice finance facilities available to businesses providing goods or services to high credit customers including the resource and construction industry. In his role as National Head of Sales and Relationships, Tony works closely with his clients to ensure the model is right to assist with the continued growth of their business. Prior to joining Apricity, Tony owned and operated his own hotels for more than 20 years, providing him with extensive knowledge of small to medium enterprises, and the day-to-day challenges and opportunities they face.
David Watt joined the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) in 2020 as Head of Commercial for the Inland Rail Program. He is accountable for the Program’s commercial strategy, assurance, procurement and delivery strategy, as well as all procurement and contract management activities and insurance services. David has more than 25 years’ experience across all aspects of commercial, risk, contract, project, and general management – both on project sites and in the corporate environment – and brings his most recent experience from a range of Director-level roles at SNC-Lavalin.
Paul Hodgson is the East Coast General Manager, Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement for the National Energy Resources Australia (NERA). Paul works with stakeholders to increase the productivity, competitiveness and export potential of the energy resources sector. Paul has spent over 20 years exploring the competitiveness of businesses, industries and regions, and designing and implementing strategies to improve performance through innovation and collaboration and most recently, he has been leading the establishment of Australia’s national hydrogen technology cluster network, including a funding program for regional clusters across Australia.
Joseph Adair is a senior ecologist at Green Tape Solutions, a consultancy specialising in environmental assessments, environmental approvals, ecological surveys and environmental auditing for private and public sectors within major infrastructure, mining, renewable energy, and residential developments. Before joining Green Tape Solutions, Joe worked within the environmental sector as a Project Coordinator and Sanctuary Manager for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Consultant to Arrow Energy and Papuan Oil Search and Principal Ecologist for the Santos GLNG project, and for the Queensland Government’s Parks and Wildlife Service.
Dean Lynch is the Snowy 2.0 Relations Manager for the Snowy Hydro project. A fifth-generation resident of the Monaro and Snowy Mountains region, Dean has been a leader in the community as Mayor of the Cooma Monaro Shire and administrator of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. He also has extensive experience in business as the former owner and operator of a chain of electrical retail stores, and in civil earthworks and contracting. Dean remains a retail business owner in Cooma and owns and manages Kunuma Stud.
Barry Maluga is co-founder and director of Emergency Response, Readiness and Recovery – a consultancy that assists the mining and industrial sector on emergency response planning, readiness and procedures, and developing recovery guidelines including auditing emergency response operations and emergency vehicle acquisition. Prior to establishing the business, Barry managed the Biloela Command for Queensland Fire & Emergency Services where he led the agency in natural disasters and emergency incidents within the mining, industrial and private sector including all levels of government.
Kate Swain is a Leading Environmental and Planning Lawyer at McCullough Robertson based in Newcastle, NSW. Kate is a Partner in the environment and planning team and works primarily in the resources and renewables sectors with a particular focus on land access, pollution, water licensing and approvals, native title and biodiversity. She assists her clients through the complex development assessment process, including overseeing the preparation of project applications and environmental assessments and is recognised as a leading mining lawyer across the eastern seaboard with a detailed understanding of Mining legislation and associated policies.
Ian Hudson is the Executive Director of Industry Capability Network (ICN) NSW. ICN supports local and regional business by helping them access major project new business opportunities or individual buyer requirements. At ICN, Ian has held roles as Regional Manager in Central West NSW, where he engaged SMEs in major mining, construction and transport projects. Prior to that, he held an Agrifood industry role and Aboriginal business development mentoring role. With almost 10 years at the ICN, Ian now leads a passionate team of people located in regional and metropolitan NSW who are intent on helping buyers efficiently develop a competitive and capable supply chain by finding and introducing competent suppliers.
Carey West is the director of Loadscan, a company providing load volume scanners and measurement systems for mines, quarries, and civil construction companies for the resource and construction industry to optimise production and loading which has subsequently become the industry standard . Carey formed the company in 2012 when he acquired the license from Tally Clerk to manufacture and sell load volume scanners globally which was the brainchild of Carey’s father, Wayne West. Carey has since developed the product from the ground up which is now being used in over 20 countries from around the world.
Patrice Brown is the Director of CQG Consulting, a firm offering planning and development, environmental and engineering services to local, national, and international clients. Patrice has been a Corporate Environmental Advisor for over 30 years’ experienced in industrial and environmental management, regional business leadership and an advocate for sustainable development. A leader in environmental impact assessment and a Certified Environmental Practitioner, Patrice established CQG Consulting in 2003 as a professional consultancy to deliver practical, creative and cost-effective solutions throughout regional Australia.
Mark Hinton is the Manager for Longwall Hydraulics, a hydraulic engineering company specialising in design and manufacture of longwall pump and tank stations, based in Mackay. Mark has worked in the mining industry for the past 40 years beginning with working in a mineral sand’s mine in WA. For the last thirty years he has worked in sales and management with manufacturing and engineering companies in Perth and Brisbane, supplying equipment into the exploration drilling and the hard rock mining industries.
Ben Hughes is the Principal at Hughes et al, a local content consultancy working with resources and infrastructure projects who want to increase manufacturing and deliver on regional jobs. Ben began his career in local content in 2008 and has represented a range of proponents and contractors throughout Australia. He has only recently published the ‘Project Directors Local Content Guidance Note’ which provides thought leadership on how projects can maximise local content. Hughes et al work for tender and delivery teams and project owners to design and implement local jobs, supply, and regional capability projects.
Sam heads Coffey Testing’s Central QLD office in Rockhampton. Coffey Testing offer construction materials testing and geotechnical services for the construction industry from mining, oil and gas and residential projects to publicly funded roads and social infrastructure works. Coffey Testing Central Queensland has grown substantially under his guidance from its inception only two years ago to now having a Rockhampton based laboratory with over 20 technicians working from just below Mackay to as far as Gin-Gin in the south and west to Emerald
Jodie Currie is the Director and founder of the Bowen Basin Mining Club (BBMC), as well as a co-founder of Strategic Mining Communications, a consultancy business working with mining industry leaders. Jodie started the Bowen Basin Mining Club in 2010 after seeing a need for mining industry suppliers to work together by bringing high-profile speakers to regular regional networking events. Jodie has established the BBMC Yearbook, an annual thought leadership publication, as well as recognising the industry’s achievers through the Queensland Mining Awards. In 2020, Jodie launched the BBMC’s newest extension, The Crib Room podcast.
David Nunn is the managing director of High Risk Solutions (HRS), a scaffolding company working within the mining, construction, and residential sectors. Operating for over 8 years and with over 2000 tonnes of scaffold available on hand and the backup capability when required, David has established a team of industry specialists where the business delivers specific project teams for large, one-off projects through their industry partners. . David has a double Diploma in Business and Human Resource Management and he believes his greatest asset is the ability to look at each job differently, often coming up with simpler more economical solutions.
Edwin Davis is the founder and creative director of Pure Gold Films, a video production company with a primary focus on the resource and construction sector. Edwin is responsible for all end-to-end production requirements and has an in-depth knowledge and passion for heavy industry and has been delivering unique insights and the right advice to create engaging corporate and commercial videos across Australia for well-known businesses and brands working in the resource and construction industry since 2006.
Nicola Curtis is the Health, Safety, Environment, Quality and Security Manager for MAXAM Australia, PNG and the Pacific Islands and business owner of OHS72. Nicola is a qualified trainer, accredited auditor, and workplace rehabilitation coordinator and has extensive experience in mining, heavy manufacturing, transport, and infrastructure including RTO management and oil and gas. Nicola is also the managing director of OHS72 which provides health, safety, environment and quality assurance management systems and certification audit programs across the resource and construction industry.
Andy Shone is the CEO of The Southpac Group. The Southpac Group assist organisations improve safety across three key objectives – Human and Organisational Performance, Management Systems and Leadership. An active facilitator, lead auditor and consultant, Andy has led the development of innovative training and assurance programs covering leadership, quality, safety and continual Improvement all with a focus on the critical role of people. He is a postgraduate of the Griffith University Safety Science Innovation Lab in Brisbane and is a passionate proponent of cutting-edge leadership concepts and safety science.
Stephen Grocott is the CEO of Pure Minerals Limited who are developing the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub. He most recently sat on Clean TeQ’s ExCo where he was Chief Technical Development Officer having responsibility for process development, technical guidance and technology development for Clean TeQ’s Sunrise project. Prior to that, Stephen worked with Rio Tinto where he was Chief Advisor – Process Development, having responsibility for operations technical support and investment advice. Before that, he worked with BHP where he was Global Technology Manager – Minerals Separation & Hydrometallurgy.
Daniel Belton is a senior engineering professional and has worked across a variety of sectors, including engineering, automotive and defence. In his role as the General Manager Engineering and Construction for ACCIONA’s Energy’s business in Australia, Daniel leads a cross-functional team to design, develop, deliver and grow ACCIONA’s renewable energy portfolio. Daniel will lead the engineering and construction team for the MacIntyre Wind Farm, and his large-scale renewable energy experience extends to other projects including the construction and development of Stockyard Hill and MacArthur Wind Farm (both based in Victoria).
Michael Swart is the Executive Director of the Industry Capability Network (ICN) in Queensland and the Director of QMI JV – Online Procurement Services (OPS). Michael has held various senior positions in Europe, Africa and Australia and is skilled in procurement and supply chain, business development ,planning and operations management in the resource and construction industry. As Executive Director of ICN, Michael manages a team of procurement specialists focused on supporting major projects to achieve local content targets by identifying suitable suppliers to meet the supply chain requirements of the project.
Mick Storch is the managing director of the Bullion Group and 4PS Software. Mick has worked in the mining, construction, agriculture, forestry, and water utilities industries which has assisted him to take a methodical approach to safety in industry. For the last 14 years he has converted his safety knowledge into the business and digital world where he develops compliance software for managing and tracking the requirements of people, plant, procedures, and processes, including the tracking of drilling activities and most recently digital customising processes for managing projects in engineering, manufacturing and plant hire industries.
Lucas Dow, CEO of Adani Australia, is an experienced senior executive who oversees the strategic direction and activities of the Carmichael Mine and Rail. He joined Adani Group in April 2018. Lucas is an experienced senior executive and has managed full profit and loss accountability for multibillion-dollar businesses and capital projects. Prior to joining Adani in April 2018, Lucas held senior roles in global organisations including CEO and Asset President for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, VP of Operations and Director at South 32. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering and in his early career held operational and management roles in thermal and metallurgical coal operations.
Brolga Cranes & Equipment is the first 100% indigenous owned and managed crane company in Central Queensland. Managing Director Paul Olsen has traveled the country working in the crane and rigging game for the last 17 years but after long periods working away from home and inspired by his wife and two daughters, Paul decided to start his own crane company in August 2019. After putting things on hold due to COVID-19, he has only recently acquired his first crane which he’s branded with indigenous artwork and the spirit of the Brolga Crane and can be found working in Gladstone, Central Queensland.