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At the 2026 NSW Women in Mining Awards, Evolution Mining was recognised across multiple categories:
- FlexCrew Program (Northparkes) — won Excellence in Diversity Programs & Performance
- Taleigha “Tilly” Everingham-Potts — won Exceptional Tradeswoman / Operator / Technician
- Stephanie Penales — finalist for Exceptional Young Woman
The 2026 NSW Women in Mining Awards highlighted the people, programs and leaders shaping a more inclusive and innovative future for Australia's mining industry — and few organisations made a bigger impact than Evolution Mining.
From award-winning diversity initiatives to standout individual achievements, Evolution Mining's people were recognised across multiple categories, reflecting a growing commitment to creating opportunities for women in mining and building a stronger, more inclusive workforce.
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FlexCrew Program Wins Excellence in Diversity Programs & Performance
One of the standout moments of the evening was Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations taking home the Excellence in Diversity Programs & Performance Award for its innovative FlexCrew Program.
FlexCrew launched in April 2025 as a two-year pilot designed to rethink traditional mining rosters and remove barriers preventing many women and carers from entering operational mining roles. Instead of forcing employees into rigid roster structures, working arrangements are co-designed between employees and leaders, creating more flexible pathways into mining careers.
The program responded to a clear imbalance at Northparkes, where women represented only 16–17% of the workforce despite the surrounding community being far more balanced. By redesigning operational roles around flexibility — and pairing them with the right staff management systems — FlexCrew demonstrated that safety, productivity and operational performance can still thrive alongside more adaptable work arrangements.
The response exceeded expectations — 100+ applicants for just four roles, all filled by women who had previously felt mining careers were inaccessible. Nearly a year into the pilot, all participants remain employed and highly engaged.
FlexCrew finalists: Natalie Kelly, Carling Henderson, Eliza Jagusiak, Lauren Spicer and Lisa Ellsmore.
Tilly Everingham-Potts Wins Outstanding Tradeswoman
Another major achievement came through Taleigha “Tilly” Everingham-Potts from Northparkes Operations, who won the 2026 Exceptional Tradeswoman / Operator / Technician Award.
Tilly's journey began in 2018 with an apprenticeship as an Automotive Electrical Technician at Cadia Valley Operations. Over the years she built deep experience on underground mining machinery, including CAT loaders, Sandvik and Epiroc equipment, before joining Northparkes Operations in 2025 as a Light Vehicle Workshop Auto Electrician.
Her career reflects technical excellence, resilience and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Alongside continuing her studies to become dual-traded, Tilly has supported female apprentices and advocated for greater representation of women in mining trades.
Stephanie Penales Recognised as a Finalist
Evolution Mining's presence extended beyond operations and trades, with Stephanie Penales named a finalist in the Exceptional Young Woman category.
As Group Senior Advisor ESG & Social Responsibility, Stephanie's career demonstrates the evolving pathways available within mining. She began as Evolution Mining's first Sustainability Graduate and has gone on to lead major sustainability reporting initiatives, contribute to First Nations engagement programs, and support the company's environmental, social and governance strategy.
Her recognition highlights the growing importance of ESG, sustainability and community engagement roles within the modern mining sector.
A Stronger Future for Women in Mining
The recognition of both individuals and programs from Evolution Mining reflects a broader shift across the resources industry — one focused on inclusion, flexibility and creating meaningful career opportunities for women across every part of mining. Explore more stories in our Knowledge Hub.
Programs like FlexCrew are proving that operational success and workforce flexibility can work hand-in-hand, while leaders like Tilly Everingham-Potts and Stephanie Penales continue to inspire the next generation of women entering the industry. For practical context on how flexible scheduling actually works on the ground, see our guide to flexible staff scheduling.
The 2026 NSW Women in Mining Awards showcased not only the talent already shaping the industry today, but the growing momentum behind building a more diverse and sustainable future for mining in Australia. Learn how the right staff management platform can support inclusive workforce programs at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 NSW Women in Mining Excellence in Diversity Programs & Performance Award?
Evolution Mining's Northparkes Operations won the 2026 Excellence in Diversity Programs & Performance Award for its FlexCrew Program — a flexible-rostering pilot designed to remove barriers preventing women and carers from entering operational mining roles.
What is the FlexCrew Program at Northparkes?
FlexCrew is a two-year pilot launched in April 2025 at Evolution Mining's Northparkes Operations. It replaces rigid mining rosters with arrangements co-designed between employees and leaders, opening operational mining roles to people who previously couldn't access them due to traditional roster structures or caring responsibilities.
Who won the 2026 Exceptional Tradeswoman/Operator/Technician Award?
Taleigha “Tilly” Everingham-Potts of Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations won the 2026 Exceptional Tradeswoman/Operator/Technician Award. She is a Light Vehicle Workshop Auto Electrician who started her career as an apprentice at Cadia Valley Operations in 2018.
Who is Stephanie Penales?
Stephanie Penales is Evolution Mining's Group Senior Advisor ESG & Social Responsibility and was a 2026 Exceptional Young Woman finalist at the NSW Women in Mining Awards. She was Evolution Mining's first Sustainability Graduate.
What are the NSW Women in Mining Awards?
The NSW Women in Mining Awards, hosted by the NSW Minerals Council, recognise individuals and organisations driving leadership, innovation and diversity across the NSW mining and resources sector.
Why does flexible rostering matter in mining?
Flexible rostering expands the available talent pool by making operational roles accessible to women, carers and workers who can't commit to traditional fly-in, fly-out or rigid shift patterns — without compromising safety or productivity, as the FlexCrew pilot has demonstrated.
Ready to build a more inclusive mining workforce?
Flexible rosters, transparent compliance and modern workforce tools make programs like FlexCrew possible. Talk to the SprintSuite team or book a 30-minute consultation to see how it works for your operation.
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