WISER and IWIMRA unite to empower Indigenous women in resources

• Women’s groups WISER and IWIMRA partner to strengthen connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in resources sector

• WISER aspires to see Indigenous women take up 10% of their available Women on Boards (WOB) memberships and course places

• Both organisations share ambition to strengthen ties between First Nations communities and the critical energy and resources sector

Special Report: Australian women’s networks WISER (Women In Sustainable Energy & Resources Inc) and Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWIMRA) have joined forces to strengthen connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in natural resources and energy.

WISER and IWIMRA said they are working together to improve the outcomes for all women who touch upon the sector, with both entities committed to leaving no woman in the industry behind, particularly in regional and remote areas.

WISER aspires to see Indigenous women take up 10% of their available Women on Boards (WOB) memberships and course places, including any additional support which may be needed along the way.

WISER is a new, industry network of women in renewable energy, mining, and energy storage in Australia.

The not-for-profit was established by a group of like-minded women keen to increase representation and is backed by corporate partners including Thiess, u&u Recruitment Partners, Norton Rose Fulbright, QEM (ASX:QEM) and Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

WISER has a mission to support and advocate for women working at the forefront of transformative industries – from graduates to senior leaders – by providing opportunities to network, learn, celebrate, and share ideas.

One of WISER’s major goals is preparing women for board and leadership positions within resources companies.

The association offers a Women on Boards (WOB) 12 month subscription as part of its membership, which includes courses to kickstart and support women on their journey to the boardroom.

WISER aspires to see Indigenous women take up 10% of its available WOB memberships and course places, including any additional support which may be needed along the way.

‘Aligned in so many of our goals’

WISER chair and communications and sustainability director at partner QEM Joanne Bergamin said 5% of the first group of WISER members are women of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin and it aspires to a meaningful and fruitful partnership with IWIMRA.

“We are aligned in so many of our goals and we share IWIMRA’s ambition to strengthen ties between First Nations communities and the critical energy and resources sector,” she said.

“This has been an important part of WISER’s identity from our formative activity, a collaborative artwork designed by Indigenous Australian artist and proud Mayi woman from NW Queensland, Leah Cummins, and completed by 100 WISERs.

“Leah has been part of the WISER journey from the outset, involved as both an artist and as an active member of IWIMRA, herself formerly holding geotech roles in energy and mining companies.

“When we have Leah at our events and she offers the Acknowledgement of Country, it means even more to me and everyone in the room, because we are building this community together.”

Bergamin said the partnership also aims to elevate the profile of First Nations women working in the industry.

“As both entities build their communities, the WISER and IWIMRA leads will look for ways to work together towards increased representation across Australia’s critical energy and resources sector.

‘Significant way of closing the gap’

IWIMRA co-chair Karina Lynch said IWIMRA is very supportive of the partnership to boost industry-wide participation and retention, and support its members’ upskilling, whether that be refining professional profiles on LinkedIn or preparing for leadership and board roles.

“Working with Joanne and the WISER committee on their plan to positively shape their and our members’ futures and accelerate gender balance in our industry, is a fairly significant way of closing the gap,” she said.

IWIMRA co-chair Christina Coleman added: “We are in dire need of more women in leadership positions in our industries, and experienced and skilled Indigenous women should be part of the mix.”

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