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Before moving to Kalgoorlie to study metallurgy, Ella thought Kal was a boring ghost town. Fast forward two years, she’s found her days filled with traditional mining games, paint-and-sip nights, and a supportive community around her.
Ella started out in Perth as a Chemical Engineering student, drawn to the degree by an interest in chemistry and a rough idea of working in a lab one day. But a couple of resources classes later, Ella found something that lined up far better with what she wanted from her career – metallurgy.
If you haven’t heard of this niche field, you’re not the only one. Ella hadn’t heard of metallurgy before and now wishes more people, especially high school students, knew it existed. “Processing is important in the resources sector,” she says. “Without metallurgy, you wouldn’t have anything that you have in your day-to-day life.”
The degree definitely gets hard at times, especially while juggling study with all her extracurriculars and events happening in Kalgoorlie. What keeps Ella motivated is her supportive friends and knowing that she has an exciting career ahead.
“Every time I feel down, I remember that I am the future of this industry that’s not really known about. It’s so special to me and I’m super excited and proud that I’m even able to be here.”
After spending two years studying in Perth, Ella is now completing her final two years in Kalgoorlie – a move she didn’t expect to love as much as she does. Coming from suburban Perth, the Goldfields were a big change. But when everyone around you is new too, it becomes much easier to meet people and make fast friends. Between weekly dinners, social nights and campus events, Ella quickly settled into the uni community.
Some of those events are organised by Ella herself. As secretary of Women of WASM, a club by and for women, she helps host paint-and-sip nights, industry dinners and excursions. And in her role as Vice-President of the WASM Wombats, Ella organises female-only trainings to help women feel comfortable with the blokey sport of traditional mining games before joining the team. Coordinating trainings, prepping the team for competitions and contacting companies for sponsorships can be full-on, but seeing the team come together and more women getting involved means a lot to Ella.
Looking ahead, Ella is keen to start her career with a graduate program in a mill or hydrometallurgy plant – anywhere but behind a desk. “I think it’d be good to get experience on the tools” she says. “I really like hands-on work, which is why I do the WASM Wombats! I don’t want to sit in an office my whole life.”
If you’re worried about your upcoming study in Kalgoorlie, don’t be.
Ella says the move is well worth it! There are people all around you at Curtin Kalgoorlie and Agricola, so get involved. And for woman, don’t feel intimidated by the male-dominated community. Ella says the cohort of female students is growing, and joining groups like Women of WASM can help you connect and feel supported.
“Don’t hide away because you feel like this is a place for men. Make yourself known. This is your space too and you deserve to be here.”
