The ARA held its West Australian Women in Rail Lunch in Perth on Thursday 3 April, with a great panel discussion on how technology and innovation can help the rail sector achieve a more diverse, inclusive and resilient workforce for the future.  

The panel was chaired by ARA General Manager – Rail Freight and Heavy Haul, Georgia Nicholls, with panellists Candis Rhodes, Planning Manager: Rio Tinto Supply Chain Service Asset Management, Rio Tinto; Robyn Lamont, Chief Financial Officer, Public Transport Authority WA and Giulia Oliveri, Senior Project Manager, Hitachi Rail. 

ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie updated attendees on the latest Gender Diversity Data Report for the rail industry, progress on recommendations of the joint ARA/National Women in Transport report, Progressing Gender Equality and the ARA’s work towards an industry first code of conduct – one of the report’s key recommendations. 

The draft Rail Gender Equity Charter will outline a set of commitment statements for organisations to formally adopt, along with measures to track gender equality progress across the sector. This initiative is a significant milestone for the rail industry, setting a clear and unified standard for workplace expectations and behaviours. 

Thank you to our very generous sponsors of the event, Platinum Sponsor Hitachi Rail and Gold Sponsor Speno. 

Meanwhile, the ARA has partnered with Diversity Australia, a leading national firm specialising in workplace diversity and inclusion, to deliver a Diversity Webinar Series following outstanding feedback from ARA members on last year’s initiative. 

These webinars, scheduled for April and May, are exclusive to ARA members and will focus on fostering inclusive workplaces, addressing unconscious bias, and enhancing workforce diversity.