North West Annual Breakfast Workshop
Join WIMnet NSW for their North West Annual Breakfast Workshop in Gunnedah.
About this event
Secrets Of Success
What would you ask a General Manager in mining if you could ask them anything?
Please join the WIMnet NSW North West committee for their annual breakfast seminar for 2025 featuring five panellists in senior roles in mining, local industry and local government.
Further information to follow.
Speaker/s
Priscilla Puchala
Kris Sheehan
He has extensive experience liaising with government stakeholders. He led BHP to become the first mining company to win an Industry Excellence Award from CASANZ and was recognized for innovative leadership with a BHP Global Environment Award nomination. A career high point was being invited to present to the Samsung Innovation Board in Korea. Kris grew up in Northern NSW, has two daughters and uses his spare time surfing and parading as a stand up comic.
Jacinta Mannion
Jacinta is proud to have experience in her business start up, Ultra Fleet vehicle hire, and has built a solid business with reputable clients and over 140 vehicles servicing both NSW and QLD.
Today, Jacinta finds herself as the founder of Ultra Fleet along with her role as General Manager of her family-owned Drilling Company, Mannion Drilling, leading a team of 35 within both entities.
Throughout her career, Jacinta says her success is from hard work, honesty and wanting to be a positive role model to her family and industry. A passionate founder, wife and mum, Jacinta was born and raised in the cold country of Tenterfield NSW. She has proudly called Gunnedah home with her family for the past 14 years.
Ray Balks
After completing 7 years as a drill and blast engineer he went to work in a marketing role for a leading explosives supplier.
From there Ray spent 16 years with Thiess working across regional NSW and QLD before landing a role with Idemitsu Australia in 2012. Ray has led mining teams across NSW and QLD for Idemitsu Australia before taking on his present role in 2019.
Ray lives in Brisbane with his wife and together they compete in obstacle racing, travelling the world to follow their passion.
Susan Frater
Susan’s area covers economic development, social and community planning, youth, the Cultural Precinct, tourism, the Library and Gunnedah Regional Saleyards.
Susan has a background in transport, with experience at Qantas, QantasLink, Pacific National and Inland Rail. A chance meeting with a beef producer at the Royal Easter brought her to the region around 20 years ago.
Mining and mining services in our region brings skilled workers and welcome skilled partners and families- Susan’s goal is to encourage those families to stay and enjoy all Gunnedah Shire has to offer.
Location
Gunnedah Rugby Club
178 Wandobah Rd,
Gunnedah NSW 2380
Thursday, 23 October 2025
6.30am – 11.00am (UTC+11:00)
Sponsors
Date and Time
6.30am – 11.00am (UTC+11:00)
Cost
AusIMM Student Member: Free
Non Member: $20
Non Member Student: $20