On Tuesday last week I had a big day with the QRC. First, I was treated to a breakfast at the Sofitel celebrating the achievements of women in working in the resource sector. A number of awards were presented to some really amazing people. The winner of the top prize, the Queensland Resource Council Resources Award for Women, was Heather Parry, a project manager employed by Leighton Contractors. She's made a great contribution to the status of women in the resources sector and her mining team comprises 20% women. So it was really inspiring for me to hear her speak about her experiences. The keynote speaker, Diane Creel, spoke beautifully too. She was the CEO of a company called Earth Tech and had been flown in specially from the US.

Later that day, there was a lunch for the QRC student ambassadors at the Villager Hotel. It was a simpler event, but also really enjoyable. There were a few speakers, including Melanie Gordon, a young woman who's already achieved amazing things in the resource sector and won heaps of awards. I've heard her speak a few times now and she never disappoints.

So for any girls interested in a career in the resource sector, there are three names worth looking up - Heather Parry, Diane Creel and Melanie Gordon - if you're looking for some inspiration!

We're two weeks into semester now and already busy busy busy! Just spent the entire weekend at home studying, definately a first for the year. So far, my most interesting subject is Groundwater and Surface Flow Modelling, which is lucky because that's also my thesis topic :-). I'm also taking Environmental Risk Assessment and Regulatory Frameworks for Environmental Management. It's exciting to be taking so many subjects that relate directly to my major (Environmental Engineering), up until now my courses have mostly been the same as for Chemical or Civil Engineering.

I'm still working one day per week at Aurecon, which is a great opportunity. At the moment I'm doing a lot of environmental research on proposed sites, working out if there's any important vegetation or biodiversity that could be put at risk. I also have to consider creek crossings and the potential for erosion. So that's been really interesting. Additionally, I'm helping to manage the verification process for a set of Environmental Management Plans, which has proven to be a very challenging task! I have to make sure everyone is on track to finish their chapters by the respective deadlines and encourage people to follow the protocol we set at the commencement of the project. If they don't follow the filing system or manage the documents using the outlined method, I have to follow it up and put everything in the right place. So it's been a big job!