20 August 2025

Gunnedah local Carys Griffiths forging a career and giving back to her community at Whitehaven

For Gunnedah local Carys Griffiths, community connection runs deep, through her family, her culture and now, her work with Whitehaven.

A proud Indigenous woman born in Newcastle, Carys was raised in Gunnedah and comes from a strong line of mining workers.

“My family on Dad’s side is from Breeza. I have uncles, aunties and cousins, many of whom have worked at Maules Creek or other Whitehaven operations. Mining is a big part of our story.

“I’ve always been interested in mining. It’s such a broad industry, with so many different career paths you can take. That’s what drew me in. Unlike other sectors where the roles might be more limited, mining offers opportunities in everything from engineering and operations to safety, environmental work, logistics, technology, and more.”

Prior to joining Whitehaven, Carys spent several years at the local Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, moving from reception to early learning, then into family support and eventually bookkeeping.

Two years ago, she applied for a role as an Indigenous Engagement Officer at Whitehaven, a leap that pushed her out of her comfort zone and into a people-focused role.

“Community engagement has really helped my confidence. This role pushes me out of my comfort zone every day. No two days are the same. The hours vary, the people vary, and you’ve just got to pick up the phone and make those calls. It’s a lot sometimes, but it’s been good for me and definitely different from what I was used to.”

Two years after joining Whitehaven’s Community Engagement team, Carys plays an important role in stakeholder engagement, both within the company and across the broader community, and this year she has been instrumental in coordinating events for National Reconciliation week, NAIDOC week and Whitehaven’s recent Cultural Immersion experience held at the Pilliga Nature Reserve and Timallallie National Park, near Coonabarabran and Baradine.

Her passion for her job is evident. “Mining isn’t just trucks and diggers, it creates real opportunities for Indigenous people – jobs, homes, education and community programs.

“When over 10% of our workforce is Indigenous, that helps to put roofs over heads, school buses, preschools, and secure long-term income for our community. That’s what it really means.”

Despite her family’s history, both mining and community engagement were new to Carys professionally when she joined Whitehaven but she’s embraced the challenge. She credits much of her growth to the strong mentoring culture within the business, both internally and through external networks.

Bob Sutherland, Senior Manager – NSW Indigenous Engagement, has been instrumental in Carys’ career progression.

“Bob’s always thinking about how we can grow, not just in our roles, but as people.

“He’s incredibly supportive and has a way of seeing potential in you before you see it in yourself. He always reminds me to get comfortable in the uncomfortable and encourages me to take on opportunities I might not have otherwise. That push has made a huge difference in my confidence.”

Carys has also had the opportunity to be part of Women in Mining NSW’s mentoring program (WIMnet). Through the program, she has been paired with an industry mentor who brings a wealth of global experience, including time spent working in Western Australia and Japan. Meeting monthly, their sessions are a mix of structured goal-setting and open discussion, with her mentor assigning homework to help Carys reflect, stretch herself, and work through professional challenges.

“She brings a different perspective, especially as a woman in a leadership position, and helps me think about things that might not come up in conversations with my other mentors.

“She encourages me to tackle the things that hold me back and helps me map out a path forward. It’s been incredibly valuable.”

Whitehaven is a platinum member of WIMnet, sponsoring and participating as both mentees and mentors in its Mentoring Program.

Outside of work, Carys is a proud representative athlete, competing in Indigenous Oztag and touch football at a high level. Her commitment to sport reflects her strong community spirit and is just one of the many ways she stays connected to culture, community, and country.

To learn more about the great work Carys and the team are doing in the community, head to https://whitehavencoal.com.au/sustainability/indigenous-engagement/

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