Shugg builds on momentum

THE mining industry held no appeal for Sabina Shugg when she finished school and went to university, but more than 20 years on she has won industry accolades for her contribution to mining.

After dabbling unsuccessfully in an arts degree at university, Ms Shugg returned to her childhood hometown of Kalgoorlie to start work as a field geologist.

That led to more study, a fly-in, fly-out role as underground manager on the Golden Grove mine in the Murchison, and various roles over a 14-year stint with Normandy Mining.

Now a management consultant with Perth-based Momentum Partners, Ms Shugg is best known for establishing the Women In Mining and Resources Network in WA (WIMWA), in 2003.

Her achievements at WIMWA led to her naming as the Women in Resources Champion at last month’s Chamber of Minerals & Energy awards.

It was the isolation she felt early in her career that motivated her to start the network.

“At various times in my career I felt quite isolated and it wasn’t because I was a woman,” Ms Shugg told WA Business News.

She says those feelings of isolation were still present once she moved to Perth to work in project management for Newcrest with its Telfer gold project.

“I felt there was a gap, an opportunity to start something that would be a good resource for people to turn to and feel supported and not isolated,” Ms Shugg says.

It seems that gap has been filled with the support the network provides – the success of WIMWA is evident in attendance figures.

Eight events are held each year and there’s strong demand, with invitations capped at 200 in order to run the events smoothly.

Ms Shugg says the network aims to help individuals working in the mining industry, but she hopes it will also help the industry by boosting the retention of female employees.

“It may have the knock-on value of keeping people in the industry,” she says.

The skills shortage is a pressing issue for Western Australia’s mining industry, and one Ms Shugg believes opens up opportunities to those forging a career in the sector.

“If you are prepared to go out there and have a go, you end up being the right person at the right time,” she says.

“I think you can use the skills shortage to your advantage. You might not be in the exact job you want but if you are in a decent company and something comes up, you put your hand up for; it might be the start of something good for you”.

While Ms Shugg says she was not motivated by a political or feminist agenda when setting up the network, she does believe there are differences between men and women that can affect their career opportunities.

“Often women won’t put their hat in the ring for something because they don’t think they have the qualifications,” she says.

“It is often said women wait until they have got 120 per cent skills to do a job whereas men go for it when they have 50 per cent, the reality is both are just as capable.”

A brief look at her CV and it’s obvious Ms Shugg hasn’t shied away from putting her hand up for different roles throughout her career.

She was the first female in WA to be accredited with two ‘tickets’ allowing her to move in to an underground manager role and perform as a shift boss.

More recently, Ms Shugg completed an MBA, broadening her mining experience to a business focus, a move that led to her role with Momentum Partners.

Momentum has been successful during Ms Shugg’s three years with the firm, more than doubling in size and extending its services across Australia.

Ms Shugg plans to continue on her path of supporting women in mining.

“I am just doing it because it needs to be done. I think it is really rewarding to make a difference.”

Words to live by?

Words to

Words to live by?

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

So many people think ‘leave it as it is’ because you can’t do anything about it, but that is not true; some people can make an effort and make a change.

Biggest career challenge?

At times doubting my own ability. Sometimes, it is a battle to have belief in your own ability. Knowing when to get out of a situation or work environment that is no longer the best for you anymore.

What would you do if you were premier for the day?

I would sort out the public transport system. We are stuck in the 1970s.

What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in the mining industry?

It’s hard to imagine, because that is what I have always done. Maybe something to do with growing things, organic, biodynamic, that sort of thing.

What is your career highlight?

Winning the Women in Resources Champion award was very rewarding.