Queensland Women of Wells hosted a ‘Count Her In’ 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) event in Toowoomba this March, attended by more than 60 women from the region, representing all aspects of our industry.

It was an early start for a small planeload of ladies visiting a rig site with host Dimity Agland (Business Development Manager, Ventia); with the majority of delegates gathering back at the Harness Energy host site.

The day kicked off properly with Harness Energy generously providing everyone with a brief taster of their firefighting, first aid, load restraint and working at heights training units.

The panellists for the ‘Count Her In:  Industry Panel Discussion’ – Investing in Women to Accelerate Progress’, Brennan Reid (Chief Executive Officer, Morpheus Energy Services), Kate Hutson (Talent Acquisition Manager Qld Scout Solutions (on behalf of Ventia)), Michelle Zaunbrecher (HSE Specialist and Board Director) and Rory Duff (Chief Executive Officer, Harness Energy) discussed different aspects of ‘Count Her In’ for women in our industry, and the growing opportunities for women in a workforce rapidly growing in diversity.  We learned (thanks Kate!) that sometimes women need to ‘count themselves in’ by aiming higher in roles they apply for, and approaching salary negotiations by researching industry benchmarks, aiming high, knowing your value, and backing yourself.

Through February at all their events, QWoW raised money for Protea Place Inc. - a local Toowoomba charity that assists vulnerable women in the area.  Along with donations collected during that time, all ticket sales from the IWD event were donated, along with raffle ticket sales. Thanks to our generous members and prize donations from Condor Energy Services Limited and Tasman, over $2000 was donated.

Our thanks to: 

  • Queensland Women of Wells (QWOW) for their continued support of women in our industry, 
  • Harness Energy for generously hosting this fantastic event and for providing delegates with such varied and interesting training opportunities, and 
  • Ventia for hosting the rig site visit and for sponsoring this fantastic event.

We are Stronger, Better and Safer Together.