Meet John
- What is your role with BUMA Australia?
My role with BUMA Australia is Crew Trainer for B and C crew at Blackwater. I have been in this role for 4 years. Before I started working in the training department, I was an operator, operating haul trucks, graders, and dozers.
- How long have you worked at Blackwater? Can you tell us a bit about your career journey?
I arrived at the Blackwater site in 2012 with Downer as a green operator involved in a First Nations Traineeship. I then completed training for the grader. I spent a few years in the grader, then completed training in the dozer.
With the haul truck, grader and dozer skill, my shifts had plenty of variety, hot seating the different machines every swing. I then completed the training to be a Trainer Assessor. After a couple of years in the field training, I completed the course for the Truck Simulator. That’s when I accepted the role of Crew Trainer.
- What is the exciting thing about your job?
I enjoy my position as Crew Trainer because of the people I meet. It’s also rewarding to be a part of someone’s journey to becoming a competent operator.
I was a part of the transition from Downer to BUMA Australia here in Blackwater in 2021/2022, and I have been with BUMA Australia since. In total, I’ve been at Blackwater for 13 and a half years.
The transition from policing to mining has been the best decision I’ve made. I’ve always felt supported in all my roles, and I have been blessed with great mentors.
- Which of BUMA’s values resonate with you the most, and how do they play out in your daily work?
In relation to BUMA’s values, the one that resonates with me is Safety. I value safety at work because, at the end of the day, going home to my family is the ultimate goal – not just for me, but for everyone I work with. And this also applies to mental health. I volunteered for the Mates In Mining program for this reason.
- What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
When I’m home, I enjoy doing activities with my boys, from the boys’ junior league to fishing. I love my cultural heritage. I’m heavily involved in learning about my culture from yarning with elders to protecting sacred sites on our country. I’m very fortunate that I have an employer that recognises my professional abilities and values my cultural connection.
