Hyne Timber’s Tuan Mill recently hosted the Hervey Bay Zonta ‘Women and Careers’ event, showcasing opportunities for women in manufacturing.
Zonta, whose motto is to ‘Build a better world for women and girls’, coordinated the attendees comprised of female school leavers and women considering new life pathways.
The visit to the Hyne Tuan Mill commenced with a welcome and introduction to the business by 5th generation Hyne family members, Kelly and James Hyne.
Hervey Bay Zonta club secretary, Robin Rayner said this was a great opportunity to highlight the opportunities for women in the region. “We know not many women consider careers in manufacturing for various reasons but in partnership with the manufacturers themselves, we can break down these barriers and stereotypes.”
“There is a whole world of opportunity in our own backyard including career support, training and development.
“It was great for the group to be reassured from both James and Kelly Hyne about the commitment to recruit more women while also hearing from a young woman who recently joined the business and is progressing rapidly through her hard work and initiative.
“The feedback I have received from the attendees on our visit has been overwhelmingly positive and very much an eye-opening experience in what is out there.
“This feedback makes the event a huge success and inspirational for women looking for that change in direction,” Rayner said.
Team member Lisa Coy shared her journey of development since commencing with Hyne Timber just 12 months ago and is now an apprentice electrician.
People and culture specialist Emma Conway was also able to share information specific to current career opportunities at Hyne, employee benefits, and practical tips on how to put your best foot forward such as presenting the strongest resume and what to expect from the recruitment process.
The visit included group tours throughout the Mill for attendees to experience the various working environments and diversity of roles within a large-scale sawmill.
One of the small group tour leaders, Kelly Hyne said the tours presented an informal environment for participants to ask more questions.
“We often have equipment providers, contractors and industry stakeholders visiting the Mill but this group was seeing the sawmill for the first time through a completely different lens: as women looking for new opportunities.
“I am proud of the working environment we have today. We have come a long way as far as women in manufacturing roles are concerned and we truly value all diversity and the advantages this brings to us as a business.
“In return for great people joining our team, we can offer a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements and training needs, acknowledging not everyone’s circumstances are the same.
“It was clear from the questions I was being asked by the participants, there was a genuine interest to learn more, not only about career paths, but also about the renewable building materials which we produce.
“The natural scent of pine throughout the Mill certainly didn’t go unnoticed.
“At the end of the day, we want people to want to work with us because of the environment provided, a great team ethos, and also because of the renewable products we are proud to make,” Kelly said.
Students Cara Williams, Elle Taylor and Chloe Haskew enjoying celebratory birthday cupcakes.
To end the visit, participants enjoyed birthday cupcakes as the company continues to celebrate their 140-year milestone throughout 2022.
Photo: Zonta Careers participants and Hyne Timber hosts at the Tuan Mill
