I had the pleasure this week of catching up with Peter Ernst, Head of Regional Ports, Port Authority of New South Wales and the Chief Executive of NSW Ports, Marika Calfas, and Mike Gallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Ports Australia, here in Canberra.

We were talking about the growing number of women employed in our ports and Peter told me about one of our local success stories.

Ruby Peterlin from Port Kembla joined the Port Authority of New South Wales not long after completing her Year 12 studies at Wollongong High School.

At the time she had no experience in the industry but she has put in the hard work to complete her training requirements including a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal), as well as completing a MED 3.  I also would like to acknowledge and thank all the Port Kembla staff who have mentored Ruby on her journey so far.

Ruby’s academic success was also recognised earlier this year when she was awarded the NSW TAFE Gili Award for the 2022 Supply Chain and eCommerce Student of the Year.  She also received a Young Achievement Award at the Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards, hosted by the Daily Cargo News.

Mick Cross, Southern NSW Branch Secretary who is also in Canberra this week, said that Ruby’s success was a wonderful story for the martime industry and an endorsement of Ruby’s hard work to date. Ruby started as a Trainee and is now permanent part of the maritime workforce at Port Kembla.

A huge congratulations to Ruby and I wish her well for her future career in a great industry.