When the team visited Ivanka Andrews in Newcastle they discovered the importance of understanding and being accepted as part of the community. Ivanka shows the positive impact this can have on people and business.
Ivanka was born in Czechoslovakia and lived in South Africa and Sydney before settling in the Hunter Valley. The coal industry has been a big part of her life with her father and husband both working inthe industry. Ivanka is a mum to sporting sons, one who is now training with the Newcastle Knights rugby league team which is sponsored by Aurizon.
A conversation with…
How would you describe what you do?
Some would say I'm a bean counter... we're presumed to be boring individuals. But no I'm the Finance Manager for NSW. So, I look after the existing operations and help the project teams bring on new projects, and I also work with them on their capital applications and development.
Does your history with the coal industry help with your job?
My work life has been in the Hunter Valley. My history is 20 years in the coal industry, so I have a lot of experience in terms of producing coal, I've opened up several mines, and am now working in the delivery of coal. I've worked in every aspect of the industry apart from going overseas and marketing it. I guess with a production background I bring to my job an understanding of how coal mines operate. In the Hunter I was actually the first non-admin support female to work in the industry in the financial stream.