A number of high-performing women in the Victorian mining sector has been recognised at the annual 2026 Victorian Women in Resources Awards, celebrating leadership, career excellence, and a shared commitment to workplace inclusion.
The awards seek to empower women in mining and encourage greater female participation across the state’s resources sector. This year’s recipients span six distinct categories, highlighting a diverse and rewarding range of roles, from heavy engineering and technical innovation to emergency response and artificial intelligence.
Taking out the top honour of Exceptional Woman in Resources was Jody Altmann, Manager of Mining at GHD.
The title of Exceptional Young Woman in Resources was awarded to Stevie Child, an undergraduate mining engineer at Alkane Resources, while Sarah Berkin of Southern Cross Gold was named Outstanding Trade Operator or Technician for her work as a Core Shed Manager.
In technical excellence, Newmont’s AI and Machine Learning Analyst, Man Ching, secured the Technological Innovation Award.
The awards also celebrated those driving cultural change. Narelle Burns, Production Manager of Metals at Alcoa Portland Aluminium, was named Gender Diversity Champion, while the award for Excellence in Company Programs and Performance went to safety and emergency specialist ISH 24 Safety & Rescue.
Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Victoria Executive Director James Sorahan praised the winners for their contributions both on-site and within the broader community.
He noted that the recipients act as vital role models, helping to establish mining as an industry of choice for women.
The Victorian award winners will automatically advance as finalists to the national stage, representing the state at the 2026 Women in Resources National Awards.
The national event will be hosted by the MCA this coming September in Melbourne.