Excellence in energy

The Women in Industry Awards took place on Thursday 20 June in Sydney, acknowledging the exceptional women who have achieved success from a range of industrial sectors.  

Attendees hailed from several industries, including energy, mining, transport manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and construction and infrastructure. 

The awards comprised 12 categories, including the newly introduced ‘Excellence in Energy’, sponsored by The Australian Pipeliner, Energy Today and ecogeneration. 

This category recognises an individual who has made a positive contribution to the renewables, pipeline or oil and gas industries. 

While there were many worthy nominees in this category, it was Vesna Olles, director of strategy and Clean Energy at BOC, who took out the award. 

BOC, a Linde company, supplies compressed and bulk gases, chemicals and equipment around the globe. 

The company specialises in developing safe, sustainable and innovative solutions for customers in many specialty sectors, heavy industry and medical environments. 

Olles was recognised for her work in driving BOC’s efforts in clean energy, and advocation for the company’s investment in nationally significant projects that will support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions. 

“Vesna has had a long successful career in the gas industry and drives our strategic direction in clean energy, including hydrogen, renewable fuels and liquified natural gas,” BOC said.

“As an advocate for our investment in several nation-building projects, Vesna is enabling our transition to net zero emissions for the future.”

Olles is also a strong advocate for females in the workplace, actively mentoring the women in her direct team, as well as in the wider business.

When receiving her award, Olles said it was a privilege to be placed among the other amazing finalists and winners. 

“Occasionally I have to pinch myself and think how amazing some of the work I’m doing at BOC is, because it really is rocket science,” she said.

“I get to do amazing things with an amazing team. 

We’ve built a team of incredible engineers that we’re going to need if we’re going to decarbonise Australia.”

Olles also took the opportunity to mention her daughter, who attended the awards night.

“I invited my daughter here tonight to be in a room full of women who are at different stages of their careers and because I want her to see what kind of excellence is possible,” she said.

“Thank you for your amazing examples that she can see here tonight. 

“I’m very honoured to receive this award.”

Beyond the Excellence in Energy award, the event also recognised achievements of these women in the following categories: Business Development Success of the Year – Sandra Robinson (United Rentals), Excellence in Construction – Sinead Redmond (GeelongPort), Excellence in Engineering – Allyson Woodford (APA Group), Excellence in Manufacturing – Derelle Mitchell (Health Focus Manufacturing), Excellence in Mining – Sinead Booth (Fortescue), Excellence in Transport – Anne Modderno (Swietelsky), Industry Advocacy Award – Steph Gee (CM & SM Gee Electrical), Mentor of the Year – Kirstin Reblin (Opal), Rising Star of the Year – Kate Leone (UGL – M6 Stage 1 Project), and Safety Advocacy Award – Kathleen Kelly (McConnell Dowell).

And last but not least, this year’s Woman of the Year award was taken out by Health Focus Manufacturers managing director Derelle Mitchell.