6 November 2025

From apprentice to Superintendent: Luke’s 11-year journey with Whitehaven’s Maules Creek (MCC) mine

Growing up in Narrabri, Luke Bailey was fascinated by the sight of massive mining machinery passing through town.

“When you see mining machines out on the highway, you can’t help but stop and be in awe of the sheer size,” he recalls. While his family wasn’t directly involved in mining, the industry’s presence in the region left a lasting impression. That early curiosity has since grown into an 11-year career with Whitehaven, a journey that’s taken him from school-based apprentice to Projects and Infrastructure Superintendent at Maules Creek Mine.

Luke’s career with Whitehaven began in 2012, when he became Maules Creek’s first Mechanical Apprentice.

“Back then MCC wasn’t yet operational,” he said.

“I was hosted to a local road transport workshop while completing my school-based apprenticeship. In 2015, I transitioned to site as a second-year Heavy Diesel – Mobile Plant Mechanical Apprentice and was lucky to grow alongside MCC as it evolved from a greenfield site into the large-scale operation it is today.”

“It’s been great to see Maules Creek’s transformation firsthand. The major change has been growth, from two excavators and a small fleet of trucks in 2015 to a fleet of around 100 today. I tend to find myself reminiscing about the humble beginnings from the early days and acknowledging how far we’ve progressed.”

Since those early days, Luke’s career has brought him a variety of opportunities and featured several significant milestones. His early hands-on learning experience was complemented by offsite rotations to engine repairers and equipment overhaul workshops, providing a well-rounded foundation for his future roles.

After completing his apprenticeship, he joined the Excavator Maintenance Team. He then transitioned “off the tools” to become Maintenance Planner for the Excavator Fleet, before moving into Reliability Engineering and later into a Projects and Infrastructure leadership role.

Now, as Superintendent of Projects and Infrastructure, Luke oversees the management of Maules Creek’s critical offsite infrastructure assets, from rail and water to roads, and supports the amalgamation of Maintenance and CHPP Operations.

“I enjoy the variety. The role can range from a major access road repair campaign to workshop extensions or sourcing new equipment. You’re always testing your processes and thinking, which is both challenging and satisfying.”

Reflecting on his progression, Luke credits his advancement to consistency, attitude, and commitment.

“Strong processes, the right attitude, and dedication have been key for me,” he said.

“And I’ve been lucky to have mentors from all levels, from tradespeople and supervisors early on to engineers and managers in more recent years. Many have contributed positively to both my personal and professional development,” he added.

Among the many projects he’s been involved in, two stand out. Firstly, the installation of a Workshop Floor Protection system for tracked equipment resulted in a significant reduction in manual handling activities and improved tool time for tradespeople. “It was rewarding to see a project move from concept through to execution and handover safely and successfully.”

The second, during his time as the Reliability Engineer for Excavators, was to investigate, initiate and implement an Overhaul Program for Whitehaven’s excavator attachments (booms & arms) to reduce equipment downtime, improve availability and de-risk the maintenance function.

“The project was successfully scoped, tendered, and contracted and has been ongoing since commencement in 2023 by one of our external professional engineering providers, Morgan Engineering,” Luke said.

“In October 2025, Morgan Engineering was awarded ‘Project of the Year’ for this project at the Weld Australia Awards. This was a key project I feel that cemented the foundation of my career progress.”

Outside of work, Luke is firmly rooted in the Narrabri community. “Narrabri is still home for me and in my own time there are three contributors that keep me grounded; yard work at home, the gym and investing money into cars that could probably be better directed elsewhere!”

Looking ahead, Luke is focused on furthering his education as he continues his Engineering degree.

For those considering a career in mining, Luke’s advice is simple: “I’d highly recommend both mining and apprenticeships. Hands-on learning worked best for me, and there are so many paths within mining; from technical roles to planning and project management. You’ll always find something that’s enjoyable and rewarding.”

At Whitehaven, we’re proud to see local team members like Luke build long and rewarding careers through our apprenticeship and development programs. To learn more about opportunities to start your career with Whitehaven, visit our Careers page.

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