Two miners have been awarded top honours at the 2011 Queensland Resources Council Resources Awards for Women.

 

Moranbah woman Simone Forbes was named top tradeswoman while Sharon Ward, of Nebo, shared first place in the top operator's award.

 

Ms Forbes is a mine technician/electrician at Anglo American's Moranbah North Mine.

 

Ms Ward is an operator at Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Hail Creek Mine, near Nebo.

 

“When people say ‘I couldn't' do that, I ‘couldn't work underground', it just makes me want to do it even more,” Ms Forbes said.

 

Ms Forbes had been accepted to study at university but wanted to pursue a career that was more hands-on.   After working for Queensland Rail, she joined the mining industry, inspired by female friends who worked in the mines at Blackwater.

 

In a different profession,  Sharon Ward has the qualifications to operate many vehicles at the mine including dozers, water trucks and haul trucks.

 

Mrs Ward said she was honoured to receive the award and be recognised as an ambassador for other women, both in the industry and those thinking about joining.

 

“After 14 years as a teacher aide at Nebo State Primary School, I never imagined that a career change into the mining industry would bring such satisfaction,” Mrs Ward said.

 

“It's great that more women are entering (the resources sector) and I hope that my story would encourage others to take the same leap of faith that I did,” she said. “It's certainly been worth it.”

 

“Awards like this prove that woman can do just the same jobs as anyone if we put our minds to it.”

 

QRC chief executive Michael Roche said both women were excellent ambassadors for the resources sector and mentors and role models for other women working in their fields.