The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) has welcomed its members around Australia to a series of events, including conferences, networking events and site tours.
Safety and health conferences deliver strong outcomes across Queensland
June 2025 proved to be an exceptional month for safety and health education across Queensland, with two highly successful conferences bringing together sector professionals to address critical safety challenges and share best practices.
North Queensland leads the way in Townsville
The IQA North Queensland branch’s Safety and Health Conference at Mercure Townsville drew passionate sector practitioners from across the region. Partnering with Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), the day tackled the big safety issues, from critical control management to the emerging focus on psychosocial health and safety in workplaces.
Brisbane Broncos legend Shane Webcke headlined a speaker lineup that blended regulatory insight with real-world experience. RSHQ’s Ken Singer and Hermann Fasching shared regulatory perspectives, while operators like Fulton Hogan’s Robert Hemming brought practical quarry wisdom to the discussions.
The diverse program covered everything from corrective actions to education, ensuring every attendee took home actionable insights for their operations.
SOS Diesel Services kept the conversations flowing at the post-conference sundowner, while exhibitors TIMKEN, Coolfog, 5 Sticks Consulting, and IQA Education showcased the latest safety innovations.
Two weeks later, Brisbane took centre stage with a record-breaking performance. The 22nd Queensland Safety and Health Conference smashed previous attendance records, with more than 210 registrations creating a sell-out success at the impressive venue, The Star Brisbane Event Centre.
This annual flagship event proved that changing locations doesn’t mean compromising on quality. The Queensland branch’s conference planning sub-committee, working alongside RSHQ, delivered another world-class program showcasing safety practices and innovations.
The speaker lineup featured experts in quarrying safety. RSHQ acting commissioner Ken Singer and Prime Effect chief executive officer Dave Shillington set the strategic context, while chief inspector of mines Trevor Brown and Mineplex director Scott Graham brought regulatory and technical depth.
The highlight panel session sparked engaging discussions between sector leaders Martin Halliday (Boral), Steve Thomas (Holcim), and Hamish Weston (Adbri), demonstrating the collaborative spirit that drives safety improvements across our sector.
Gold sponsors Wagners, Komatsu, and Adbri, alongside numerous exhibitors, showcased how investment in safety technology continues to evolve the sector’s practices.
WA Women in Quarrying coffee conversations spark real connections
The WA Women in Quarrying (WIQ) coffee conversations are delivering real results.
The June edition brought together inspiring women from across the sector, with one participant already securing meetings with three senior managers.
From shared stories to genuine connections, these sessions are building bridges across companies and experiences.
Fluid analysis secrets revealed in WA tour
The WA branch in June took a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at WesTrac’s S.O.S Laboratory, discovering the critical role fluid analysis plays in keeping quarrying equipment operational. The site tour showcased WesTrac’s impressive oil sampling and diagnostics operation, with technical specialists sharing their expertise on preventative maintenance strategies.
Attendees gained fresh insights into how advanced fluid analysis helps predict equipment issues before costly breakdowns occur.
The mix of new and familiar faces made for engaging discussions throughout the afternoon and contributed to participants gaining a greater appreciation for the sophisticated technology involved in equipment maintenance.
SA breakfast seminar delivers powerful safety message
The South Australian branch’s breakfast seminar proved that, sometimes, important messages come from unexpected places.
With 80 quarry professionals gathered, guest speaker Theo Venter delivered a presentation that left everyone speechless.
Theo’s powerful account of surviving a 22kVA electrocution that should have killed him in 2006 was not just about the accident, it was about the ripple effects on family, body, and purpose. His intense presentation challenged everyone to identify “your why” and take that extra moment to understand workplace risks. The morning also celebrated professional milestones with Fellow status awarded to Todd Threadgold and Stuart McCrone, while Technical Member certificates went to Nicholas Williams and Rocky Fontanabella (both Hallett Group). New member certificates were presented to Kevin Mooney (AdBri), Armando Torres-Hernandez and James Stonier (Boral).
WA sundowner mixes tech talk with comedy gold
The WA branch’s networking sundowner proved the perfect recipe for sector connection – mixing great conversations, new relationships, and plenty of laughs into one memorable June evening.
John O’Reilly from Metso delivered engaging insights on sustainable technology and innovation, sparking thought-provoking discussions among guests. The evening’s energy peaked with Grant Mushet’s comedy performance, ensuring everyone left with smiles and new connections.
From seasoned professionals to sector newcomers, the relaxed atmosphere encouraged meaningful networking across all experience levels.
Victorian WIQ event sets new benchmark
The Victorian branch WIQ event on Friday 27 June shattered all previous records when 165 attendees gathered for the largest Victorian IQA event ever, This milestone celebration proved that diversity initiatives are gaining serious momentum across our sector.
The day kicked off with an inspiring tour of HiQ’s Sunbury Eco-Hub, showcasing how circular economy principles are transforming quarrying operations and turning waste into valuable resources through innovative, sustainable infrastructure.
At Novotel Melbourne Airport, keynote speaker Laura Chibnall (Grounded Resource Advisory) delivered powerful insights on leadership and inclusion, while the panel featuring Laura Bennie, Darren Toth, and Rachel Dillon tackled challenges facing women in quarrying and outlined practical solutions for attracting diverse talent.
IQA chief executive officer Jane Schmitt also provided valuable updates on the organisation’s diversity initiatives and progress being made across the sector
The overwhelming response from the demonstrates the sector’s commitment to creating inclusive workplaces that welcome everyone.
Queensland branch delivers another success at Rino Recycling
The IQA Queensland branch continued its streak of exceptional events on May 29, with more than 80 members gathering at the Rino Recycling Facility in Pinkenba for an evening showcasing quarrying expertise and circular economy innovation.
The event began at Trade Coast Hotel, where Rino Recycling general manager Daniel Blaser delivered an insightful presentation about Rino’s operations.
Three buses then transported groups through the facility using headset guides for detailed explanations of processes and equipment.
“The tour was absolutely fascinating. Seeing how Rino transforms waste materials into valuable resources really demonstrates the future direction of our sector,” one attendee said.
Following the site inspection, members reconvened for networking drinks at the Trade Coast Hotel courtyard, before enjoying a two-course dinner meeting with a Q&A about Rino’s future plans.
James Murphy from event sponsor CDE Group shared valuable insights, while Jason Egan FIQ from Lantrak provided project updates as the Queensland Major Sponsor. The sell-out success reinforces the strong appetite among Queensland members for professional development opportunities combining technical learning with networking. •
UPCOMING IQA COURSES AND EVENTS:
|
Event |
Date |
Time |
Location |
|
SA branch Young Member Network event |
1 Aug |
11:30am – 2:30pm |
Heidelberg Material’s |
|
WA branch health and safety workshop 2025 |
6 Aug |
10:00am – 2:00pm |
WA |
|
Introduction to quarrying webinar |
8 Aug |
10:30am – 2:30pm |
Online |
|
Northern Queensland branch golf day |
8 Aug |
12:00pm – 7:00pm |
Mackay Golf Club |
|
Hazard identification webinar |
12 Aug |
11:00am – 12:15pm |
Online |
|
Critical control management workshop |
13 Aug |
8:30am – 12:30pm |
Online |
|
WA branch AGM dinner |
15 Aug |
6:30pm – 9:30pm |
Perth |
|
Central Queensland sub-branch golf day |
15 Aug |
12:00pm – 7:00pm |
Rockhampton Golf Club |
|
SA branch women in quarrying coffer conversations |
15 Aug |
10:00am – 11:30am |
Thebarton |
|
Penrith supervising for safety |
18 Aug |
8:30am – 4:00pm |
Penrith RSL |
|
Quarry roads and onsite vehicle safety webinar |
19 Aug |
9:00am – 10:30am |
Online |
|
Effective leadership for senior managers |
21 Aug |
1:00pm – 5:00pm |
Port Macquarie |
|
Northern NSW branch 2025 AGM and dinner |
21 Aug |
5:30pm – 8:30pm |
Port Macquarie |
|
Learning from disasters workshop |
28 Aug |
8:30am – 4:30pm |
Singleton, NSW |
|
Queensland branch and Central Queensland |
28 Aug |
4:30pm – 9:00pm |
Grydale Solutions |
|
Emergency management webinar |
2 Sept |
10:00am – 11:15am |
Online |
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