The GEMG committee wished to recognise long standing members and those who have had a long standing participation in enhancing environmental management within the Goldfields. In 2014 the first contribution awards were presented to recipients from across the environmental management community at the GEMG workshop dinner. We have continued this tradition at the 2016, 2018 and 2021 workshops.  If you would like to nominate someone for a contribution award please email our secretary.

2023 CONTRIBUTION AWARD WINNERS:

Wayne Astill

Wayne is an experienced HSEC Manager who has lived and worked in Kalgoorlie for over 20 years, primarily in senior roles across mining and government sectors. His active involvement in the environment and safety industries, including in the Goldfields Environmental Management Group (GEMG), Goldfields Environmental Forum (GEF) and the Mine Emergency Response Committee (MERC) has placed him well respected amongst his peers. Wayne brings a wealth of strategic and practical experience and has a deep understanding of the Goldfields-Esperance region from both environmental and community perspectives.

Jon Hall

Jon Hall is a hydrogeologist with a successful career in mine water management consulting spanning over 35 years. He has local, national and international experience in all aspects of mine water management including mine dewatering and depressurisation, water supply, seepage management and integrated water/environmental management. He has worked on projects at all levels from field supervision to specialist technical input and project direction. In the last 15 years he has also been commissioned by many international mining companies to provide high level technical and due diligence reviews. He has worked on projects throughout Australia, in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.

His role is to provide specialist technical input to, and direction of mine water management projects, and to continue providing high level review for local and international clients

Chris Lane

Chris is a Principal Consultant (Engineering and Environmental Geologist) with broad experience in civil construction fields including site investigation of land based and marine based developments and particular expertise in large resource projects. He has more than 30 years’ experience in resource projects including site investigation and construction of infrastructure (plant sites, heap leach facilities, roads, railways and airstrips and tailing storage facilities (TSFs). His involvement with TSFs covers aspects of design concepts (start up through to closure), construction, and reviews (auditing and tailings management) for a large number of projects covering a range of commodities including: alumina (bauxite residue), coal, gold, iron ore, nickel (sulphide and laterite), manganese, uranium, vanadium and a variety of base metals (copper, lead and zinc). Chris has completed many strategic studies and financial analysis of TSF options. His special TSF interests are in-pit and integrated waste landforms.

2021 (2020) CONTRIBUTION AWARD WINNERS:

Jim Williams

Jim has been involved in the Goldfields for his whole life and over 30 years of work that involved seed collection, flora & fauna surveys, rehabilitation and all areas of environmental management.  Jim has been part of the GEMG for that time and held various roles including President in 2016 & 2017. 

Andrea Reid

Awarded to Andrea for her work in environmental management at various gold mines in the region and dedicated contribution to GEMG committee. Andrea was been involved with the group since 2010 and was Treasurer from 2011-13 & 2017-18 and President in 2015.

Greg Barrett

Greg was a founding member of the GEMG in the late 1980s and was President in 1996. Greg was also a founding member of the Goldfields Naturalists’ Club and during his time in the Goldfields he was the able to organize the field work and write the report for the biological survey of Victoria Rock Nature Reserve. He then went on to complete a PhD looking at salt tolerance in Goldfields plants.  Greg has since continued to be an active contributor and mentor in the environmental management field.

2018 CONTRIBUTION AWARD WINNERS:

Scott Thompson

Scott Thompson has been involved with the GEMG since the early 2000’s, and has presented at almost every GEMG Conference since then. Scott also co-authored the field guide book “Reptiles of the Western Australian Goldfields”, that the GEMG assisted publishing.

Graham Thompson

Awarded to Graham for his contribution to the GEMG Conferences, being an active researcher in the last 20 years in ecology, physiology, and reptiles, and has presented at almost all GEMG conferences in that time. Graham has also co-authored a field guide book “Reptiles of the Western Australian Goldfields”, that the GEMG assisted publishing.

Brian Moyle

As a member of Goldfields Threatened Flora Recovery Team and the Cliffs Community Reference Group, Brian has dedicated a lot of his own time to run/assist with a successful campaign to save the Helena and Aurora Ranges. Brian has also been a volunteer for the Wildflower Society and Department of Parks and Wildlife and assists the herbarium on a weekly basis. 

Catherine Wharton

Long standing and dedicated member of the GEMG Committee (Since 2008), serving in almost all executive committee roles. Outside KCGM, she is an active member of Kalgoorlie-Boulder community volunteering her time at various events.

Kylie Payne

Awarded to Kylie for her contribution to the Goldfields at CALM and KBULG. Previously an important Executive Officer of KBULG that made it the award winning organisation it was in the 1990’s/2000.

Colin Woolard

Awarded to Colin for his long time contribution to the GEMG committee from its commencement in 1987/88. Presented at the original workshop in 1987

2016 CONTRIBUTION AWARD WINNERS:

Michelle Berryman

Awarded to Michelle for her almost 20 years in environmental management associated with KCGM. This culminated  in the significant improvements in dust management and sulfur dioxide management at the Super Pit with the ultra fine grind circuit.

Graeme Campbell

Awarded to Graeme for his contribution to waste characterisation in the mining industry. Graeme has shown a passion to educate those on the risks associated with adverse rock types encountered during mining operations.

Tony Fitz-Gibbon

Awarded to Tony for his significant contribution to recycling across the Goldfields through not-for-profit organisation Ruggies Recycling. Ruggies recycling has established waste disposal relationships with numerous mines in the Goldfields and raises funds for PMH and Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Ian Kealley

Awarded to Ian for his contribution to environmental management through his work at the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Ian has been a pillar for positive proactive environmental management in the Goldfields for over 30 years.

John Law

Awarded to John for his contribution to the Goldfields over the last 30 years. John was a founding member of the GEMG and has worked in government, consulting and  mine rehabilitation. He continuously looks for ways to innovate and do things better.

Jeff Waddington

Awarded to Jeff for his contribution to mentor and develop environmental professionals. Since his time at St Barbara he has been chairman of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Goldfields Environmental Forum and supporter of the GEMG workshop.

2014 CONTRIBUTION AWARD WINNERS:

Belinda Bastow

Awarded to Belinda for her active contribution to GEMG committee. Belinda shares knowledge through her wonderful presentations at GEMG workshops and actively participating in GEMG events.    

Gay and Gerry Bradley

Awarded to Gay for her contribution to the GEMG committee. Gay help facilitate workshop in 1992 to 1996 and was involved with the production of the Plant Identification Handbook in collaboration with Steve Rusbridge. Awarded to Gerry for his contribution to the workshop and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge.    

Claire Burns (Mcguire)

Awarded to Claire for her contribution to the GEMG committee. Claire has been President and Secretary of the GEMG for 4 workshops.

Nick Galton-Fenzi

Awarded to Nick for his contribution to the GEMG committee. Nick was President of the GEMG from 2005 to 2008 and Vice President from 2008 to 2011.

Ray Gerrard

Awarded to Ray for his constant contribution to environmental management in the Goldfields particularly in regard to rehabilitation of mine waste landforms.

Harley Lacy

Awarded to Harley for his contribution to the environmental management. Harley has presented numerous presentations at GEMG workshops and supportive innovative ideas such as the Ecosystem Function Analysis.

Danielle Risbey

Awarded to Danielle Risbey for her commitment to environmental management in the Goldfields through her work at the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Steve Rusbridge

Awarded to Steve for his involvement in bringing together information to produce the Plant Identification Handbook. Steve took all the photos and wrote the descriptions.

Kristy Sell

Awarded to Kristy for contribution to environmental management over the past 20 years. Kristy has contributed to the GEMG workshops and been a mentor for young environmental professionals.  

Andrea Williams

Awarded to Andrea for her contribution to the GEMG committee. Andrea was been involved with the group since 1994 and was Treasurer from 2004 to 2010.