Growing up, Kirsty Sultan always looked up to her grandfather, respected Kokatha Elder and loader operator Abdul Sultan. ‘I just always admired him and thought, I want to be like him when I grow up,’ Kirsty says.
At the time, many people told her operating machinery was ‘a man’s job’. But Kirsty never let that stop her. ‘I’ve always liked proving people wrong,’ she says with a smile.
Today, thanks to her determination, hard work and the support of her mum Tania
Sultan, Kirsty has achieved her childhood dream – becoming the first female
operator at Kokatha Mining Services (KMS).
‘As a Kokatha woman, it feels really special to be employed by KMS and to be able to work on Country every day in a job I love,’ she says. ‘I could never have done it without my Mum though, she’s been a constant support.’
Kirsty is one of four Kokatha people recently recruited to KMS and contracted
to work with Aurizon, as part of a new labour hire arrangement.
She is currently driving a water truck and says she has quickly settled into the role. ‘I love the work and I’m really proud to be part of the KMS team,’ she says. ‘All the guys have been really welcoming and positive about having me onboard.’
Kirsty is no stranger to working in what has traditionally been a male-dominated
industry.
She began her career at Olympic Dam when she was just 25 years old, at a time when there were very few women working in mining. ‘I actually started in admin, but it really wasn’t for me,’ Kirsty laughs. ‘Before long I was driving trucks underground. These days there are a lot more women doing that work, but back then there weren’t many at all.’
Her career then took her to Iron Knob, where she operated dump trucks and loaders, before moving to the Whyalla steelworks to work in a production role.
When she saw a position advertised at KMS, the decision to apply was an easy one.
‘I thought, well I love operating and I’m Kokatha, so why not?’ she says.
Kirsty is Mum to a teenage son and a four-year-old daughter, and says her family is
incredibly proud of her new role. ‘They come up and see me at work and it’s really special to be able to tell them that Mum’s working on Kokatha Country, doing a
job she loves,’ she says.
Kirsty hopes her journey will inspire other young Kokatha women to pursue careers in the industry too. ‘If you’re passionate about operating and working on your Country, just go for it,’ she says. ‘It’s really rewarding.’
This is just one of many positive stories happening across Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation. To read more about the great work, achievements and community updates, check out our latest newsletter by clicking on the button below.
Pictured – Kirsty Sultan in front of the Aurizon water tanker she proudly operates on Kokatha Country.