Making her mark: Beth Conliffe

Mt Arthur South's new Health, Safety & Training (HST) Manager, Beth Conliffe, joined Thiess in early January, bringing with her a strong mining background. Since stepping into her new role, she has hit the ground running with her team.

We sat down with Beth to hear about her journey into mining and to discuss what sets Thiess apart as an organisation that attracts top talent.

"I began my mining career as a contractor in the HST department at Ulan," Beth shared. "That role shaped my understanding of what 'good' looked like in health, safety, and training, and also gave me insight into the experience of women in mining."

Beth credits her first mining boss, a fantastic female leader, who inspired her to challenge the status quo. This influence encouraged her to consider the impact she wanted to make in the industry.

During her early years, Beth participated in the Women in Mining Mentor program, gaining invaluable guidance from industry leaders. "I had access to their knowledge, experience, and insight into how they were driving change at their sites," she said. "This was a turning point for me. I set clear goals and mapped out a plan to achieve them."

By 2022, Beth had welcomed her first child and was working as an HST Advisor, focused on building systems and processes to support frontline teams and management. She juggled these responsibilities while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for the arrival of her second child. She refers to this period as her 'shaping years', a time that clarified her vision for leadership and the standards she wanted to uphold.

Returning to work in 2023, when her son was just 4.5 months old, is something Beth says she still struggles with. "At the time, it felt like my only option," she explained. "With rising interest rates, a newly built house, and no support network, it was a difficult decision. I'm grateful for the parental leave policy that supported both my husband and me, but it also made me realise that when we draft policies, we don't always consider the full impact on families. Greater flexibility would have made a big difference to my return-to-work experience."

Fast forward to late 2024, now with two children under two, Beth took a leap of faith and applied for the HST Manager role at Mt Arthur South—never expecting to receive a call back. But when she did, she realised her journey had prepared her for this opportunity. "Looking back, every experience has built me for this role," she reflected. "I'm ready to support Mt Arthur South's journey to and beyond 2030."

Since joining Thiess, Beth has received unwavering support from Project Manager Tom Carroll, the Senior Leadership Team, and her HST team. "This culture of inclusion and support is exactly what I want to be part of," she said. "Tom is a driving force behind positive change at Mt Arthur South, championing Women in Mining, mentoring, and diversity on site."

Beth recalled a recent trip to Queensland to meet with business partners, where she was able to bring her family along. "As a breastfeeding mother, having the flexibility and support from Tom was incredible. It wasn't just about me; it also made a difference for my family. When we create inclusive arrangements for one parent, the positive impact also extends to the other parent. These small but significant changes are key to fostering a truly inclusive workplace."

Following this experience, Mt Arthur South has established a dedicated space on-site for breastfeeding mothers and is working to improve the way parental leave information is shared with employees. "It's all about replacing fear of the unknown with support," Beth said. "When we do that, we can all strive for and achieve greatness."