For her work, Simonelli received the ‘Women in Resources Award’ as ‘Inclusion & Gender Diversity Champion’.
The award was presented to Simonelli at the official ceremony at the Ballarat Art Gallery, which was attended by the State Minister for Employment, Jaala Pulford.
Simonelli was “lost for words” upon receiving her award, as she was “so grateful”.
She credits her father for instilling her with integrity and professional values.
“His work had a huge impact on my life,” she says.
“He was a plasterer before he became an owner of a tile factory.
“My father always had great respect for whomever he worked with and taught me what it meant to be professional.”
Born in Cassino, near Rome, Simonelli’s parents married before her father migrated to Australia in 1956.
Around 12 months later, her mother, Iolanda, followed.
Simonelli, who was born in Australia, grew up in Blackburn South – a “decidedly Anglo-Saxon area with an excellent state school”.
She admits that even though she never enjoyed science subjects, she attended a school that specialised in preparing students for careers in medicine, teaching or finance.
After a brief stint working in a film production studio and dealing with issues deriving from an unhappy marriage, Simonelli decides to shift her focus.
Her interest in human resources led her to an engineering union and the Victorian Skills Authority, two roles that assisted her in transitioning to the mining industry.
Throughout her 20 years of experience, Simonelli noticed the lack of women in upper management roles and tried to subvert the trend, “constantly trying to support her colleagues and employees”.
A bauxite mine in Queensland
“When I started my career in mining, only 12 per cent of the entire sector was made up of women,” she says.
“I found myself in business meetings and appointments, surrounded by men.
“It was so odd, as women weren’t included in the slightest – there weren’t even separate bathrooms for them.
“It was clear that this needed to change.
“In my role within the Women in Mining Network, I’ve found greater gender acceptance in the industry, especially in the last five years.
“Women now make up 16.5 per cent of the sector – we’ve got a long road ahead of us.”
One of Simonelli’s initiatives has been the Stem Professionals in Schools program that aims to “transform students’ perceptions of working in the mines”.
“I always say that you cannot become what you do not see,” she says.
“Many families are unfamiliar with the industry, and sometimes even teachers aren’t aware of all the roles the sector offers.
“You have to educate them about the boundless opportunities.”
Even in the midst of the pandemic, Simonelli continued her work, moving the awareness programs, seminars and tutoring services online to provide support to young graduates entering the workforce.
“We receive a range of reactions from the schools we visit,” Simonelli says.
“They’re usually very positive because the children are curious and want to deepen their understanding.
“One of the main concerns that I hear often is: ‘What’ll happen to my career when I have a child?’”
“The workforce is competitive and my own experience has been difficult.
“When I had my daughter, I found myself without work or money, and I had to rebuild myself.
“Sometimes I share my story, if I think it will inspire people.
“One thing is for certain: attitudes have changed over the years and many companies allow women to gradually return to work after their pregnancy.
“The world is, fortunately, evolving, thanks to everyone who has fought to make a change.”
