Date: |
Friday, 26 June 2026 |
Time:
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10:00am - 4:00pm (inclusive of site tour)
12:00pm - 4:00pm (if attending lunch only) |
Venue:
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Deer Park Club
780 Ballarat Road, Deer Park, Vic |
This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect, network, and be inspired. It will include an optional tour of Alex Fraser Laverton Recycling Facility, followed by lunch at the Deer Park Club featuring a keynote presentation plus a panel discussion.
Spaces are limited - this event sells out every year. Don't miss it!
Event Program
| 10:00am |
Registration and board bus |
| 10:15am |
Bus departure for site tour |
| 10:30am |
Arrive at Alex Fraser Laverton |
| 10:40am |
Welcome and tour of site |
| 11:40am |
Bus departure for venue |
| 11:55am |
Arrive at Deer Park Club |
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| 12:00pm |
Registration (for those that did not attend tour) |
| 12:15pm |
Lunch, keynote presentation, panel discussion, and networking |
| 04:00pm |
Event concludes |
A bus will collect registrants from the Deer Park Club for an optional tour of Alex Fraser Laverton Recycling Facility and will return to the venue for lunch. The site visit is optional - registrants may attend the lunch only if they choose. Bus transport is included.
Site Tour | Alex Fraser Laverton Recycling Facility (optional)
Step inside one of Victoria’s most advanced recycling and construction materials hubs with a guided tour of the Alex Fraser Laverton Recycling Facility. Often compared to a quarry, the site transforms concrete, brick, rock, asphalt and glass into high-quality recycled materials that help build greener roads across the state.
Visitors will experience a fully integrated operation in action, including a C&D crushing plant, glass recycling plant, maintenance workshop, and a high recycled content asphalt plant. This unique setup supports the production of Green Roads Construction Materials, showcasing how circular economy principles are applied at scale.
With more than 145 years of industry experience and a reputation as a global leader in sustainable construction materials, Alex Fraser offers a compelling look at how innovation, recycling, and infrastructure come together to support a more sustainable future. Since joining the Heidelberg Materials Australia Group in 2018, the company has further strengthened its commitment to innovation, reliability and the circular economy through sustainable materials solutions.
Keynote Speaker | Bonnie Ferguson-Stewart
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Bonnie Ferguson-Stewart has just over a year of experience in the quarrying sector, having worked as a Weighbridge Administration Assistant and now as an Operations Assistant at an independent sand quarry. Supported by a strong network of women in the field, she has developed a keen interest in the dynamics of male-dominated sectors and the experiences of the women within them – an interest inspired by her grandmother, the first female board member of St Kilda Football Club.
Bonnie recently graduated with High Distinction from Monash University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Management. Her thesis, “Between a rock and a hard place: Doing gender in the male-dominated extractive sector,” explores how female operators experience quarrying through interactions, bodies, and spaces. Outside of work, she’s known for her love of purple, her loyalty to St Kilda, and time spent with her Red Heeler, Skye.
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Panel Discussion
We will be hosting a panel discussion featuring three professionals currently working in the quarrying sector.
Emma Elliott, Site Manager, Alex Fraser Group
Emma Elliott began her career with Alex Fraser and Heidelberg Materials Australia in 2018 as a Weighbridge Operator at Hanson’s Axedale Quarry. She quickly expanded into sales administration and operations support before moving to Melbourne to join Alex Fraser as an Operations Administrator, where she streamlined processes and improved efficiency.
Her drive to learn led to supervisory roles and deep experience in recycling operations, culminating in her promotion to Laverton Recycling Site Manager in 2023. A graduate of Hanson’s Emerging Leaders Program, Emma is known for her people-first leadership style and focus on team development, continuous improvement, and strong collaboration.
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Taylah Pisani, Boral Construction Materials
Taylah Pisani has been part of the quarrying sector for the past two and a half years, bringing curiosity, enthusiasm, and a strong willingness to learn to every role she takes on. Joining Boral after being made redundant from a previous corporate position, Taylah initially had little knowledge of the sector – including what a quarry actually was. What began as an unexpected career move quickly became a rewarding and fulfilling path.
Since starting with Boral, Taylah has gained hands-on experience across a wide range of site operations. She now works in the laboratory, testing all material produced on site. Supported by leaders who recognised her eagerness to grow and develop, Taylah has embraced every opportunity to expand her skills and industry knowledge. |
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Rachael Quinlan, Development Project Mgr, Heidelberg Materials
Rachael Quinlan is a Development Project Manager with Heidelberg Materials, supporting quarry development projects across Victoria’s Southern Region. She manages projects from planning through to active development, focusing on compliance, contractor management, and operational delivery. Originally from Ireland, Rachael holds a degree in Environmental Science from University College Cork and moved to Australia in 2022 to pursue a career in the resources sector.
After starting with Heidelberg Materials as a Compliance Officer at the Wollert Landfill, Rachael progressed through project management roles in resource recovery and quarry development. She is passionate about the role quarrying plays in delivering essential infrastructure and is a strong advocate for sector engagement initiatives such as Quarry Safari Open Day. Rachael brings valuable insights into career pathways, technical development, and working in a traditionally male-dominated sector. |
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Mandatory PPE for Site Tour
Helmet, Steel Cap Boots, Safety Glasses, High Vis Long Sleeve Shirt or Long Sleeve Shirt with High Vis Vest, Long Pants
Who Can Attend?
This event is in line with the IQA's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the quarrying sector, and is open to all members, non-members, associates, and sector personnel, regardless of gender.
Registration for this event includes site tour with bus transportation, a three course meal, refreshments, and featured presentations.
Registration
Members: $130.00 (inc GST)
Non-Members: $180.00 (inc GST)
Join the IQA here for member pricing.
Registration closes at midday on Thursday, 18 June 2026.
Contact the IQA Events Team for more information.
Telephone: 02 9484 0577
Email: [email protected]
Thank you to our Victorian Women in Quarrying Sponsor
Thank you to our Event Sponsors
| Tour Sponsor |
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Prize Sponsor |
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Disclaimer:
All information is correct at the time of publication. The IQA reserves the right to alter or delete items as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions and changes.
By participating in this event, you consent to being captured on film or in photographs, which may subsequently be utilised for future research, marketing and/or promotional activities.