Rio Tinto : Weipa represented at prestigious industry events

Weipa has been well represented over the past week with two Rio Tinto employees reaching the finals of prestigious industry awards events in Brisbane and Launceston.

Vince Lavery, a manager for service delivery at Rio Tinto's Weipa and Gove operations, was a finalist in the Gender Diversity Champion category at the WIRNA (Women In Resources National Awards) gala dinner on Thursday night in Launceston, Tasmania.

Earlier this year Vince was named 2017 Gender Diversity Champion at the QRC (Queensland Resources Council) Women in Mining and Resources Queensland awards.

Pictured: Rio Tinto's WIRNA finalist Vince Lavery with wife Fiona

Denica Russ, an electrical tradeswoman at Weipa operations, was a state finalist in the Apprentice of the Year category at the Queensland Training Awards on Friday evening in Brisbane, Queensland.

Denica received her nomination after winning the Apprentice of the Year Award at the regional Tropical North Queensland Training Awards event in July.

Denica had previously been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2016 Skill360 Western Cape Apprentice and Trainee Awards.

Pictured: Rio Tinto's Queensland Training Awards finalist Denica Russ with colleague Gerald Foo (L) and partner Mark Bowden (R)

Rio Tinto general manager, Weipa operations, Daniel van der Westhuizen said he was delighted with the achievements of the Weipa team so far this year.

'It is wonderful to see Denica and Vince recognised at these prestigious events. Their nominations continue a great run of achievements from Rio Tinto Weipa employees since the beginning of the year.'

'We are very proud to have had the opportunity to share our great work in inclusion and diversity as well as the opportunities we provide for local talent through our apprenticeship programme at a wider industry level.'

Queensland Training Awards celebrates the state's top achievers including apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers, training providers, employers and community-based organisations across a range of categories. WIRNA celebrates ambassadors and role models as an aid to the attraction and retention of women in the resources sector.