Woodside shines at Women in Resources Awards

_{Julie Fallon (second from left) and Irene Chandra (third from left) pictured with the other award winners.}

The awards were presented before more than 1100 people who gathered at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre for the prestigious event, now in its 16th year. They celebrated 16 outstanding finalists in seven categories, recognising their remarkable contributions to the resources sector.

EVP Technical & Energy Development Julie Fallon was named Outstanding Woman in Resources, while FPSO Senior Frontline Process Engineer Irene Chandra was a dual winner, claiming the awards for Outstanding Young Woman in Resources and the People’s Choice Award.

Reflecting on her achievement, Julie expressed gratitude for the colleagues who shaped her journey.

“I have had the privilege of working with amazing people, who I have been able to learn from, to grow with, and who I have always felt have had my back. So when I won the award it was important for me to say thank you to my colleagues over the years,” Julie said.

When Julie was appointed to lead Karratha Gas Plant at just 38 years of age she became the first female Operations Manager of an LNG plant anywhere in Australia. She has continued to pass milestones inside Woodside and externally and she recently added another when she became only the second woman in more than a century to become President of the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association.

Like Julie, Irene’s impact stretches beyond her role at Woodside. She co-founded a tutoring program for students in need, returned to her high school in Indonesia to teach maths and has supported Indigenous students in Australia.

Irene joined Woodside in 2018 after a stellar record of achievements at university and has continued to be a high-flyer. She led the offshore execution of our first subsea-to-subsea pigging campaign and shipyard completions in Singapore.

Irene gave her heartfelt thanks to her family and friends, her mentors, her Ngujima-Yin FPSO and Pluto Gas Plant families and her Woodside colleagues and leaders.

"The most important truth is I didn’t succeed alone. I couldn’t succeed alone. I am very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people who supported me in this journey,” Irene enthused. “Thank you for supporting me, challenging me and believing in me.”

_{EVP Technical & Energy Development Julie Fallon (l) received the top award for Outstanding Woman in Resources, and FPSO Senior Frontline Process Engineer Irene Chandra (r) won Outstanding Young Woman in Resources and the People’s Choice Award.}

Congratulations to all the winners, nominees and finalists – including Woodside’s Jessica Zambrano, Business Adviser Projects – for their outstanding achievements.

Julie and Irene are now eligible to enter the Minerals Council Australia’s Women in Resources National Awards, which take place in September.

The CMEWA is to be applauded, too, for organising an event which highlights to a wide audience the valuable contributions of people in the resources sector.

Finally, thanks to all those who cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award.