The awards, which are open to individuals working in the NSW minerals industry including mining operators, exploration companies and supplier businesses, aim to encourage a diverse workforce representing a broad range of skills.

Wowchuck was born and raised in Sydney and graduated from University of New South Wales with a Bachelor in Mining Engineering and Bachelor of Arts. 

She completed vacation work at Mount Thorley Warkworth and in 2014 was the only recipient of a graduate role. She then moved to Singleton as a graduate mining engineer. 

At this site she has worked as a production engineer, short-term planning engineer, mid-term design engineer and mid-term scheduling engineer. 

Wowchuck has also worked with the community relations team to raise awareness of the importance of the mining industry to the local area. 

She is passionate about improving the culture for women in mining particularly women in leadership roles. 

In 2016 she took up the challenge to start-up and chair Mount Thorley Warkworth’s first employee driven Inclusion and Diversity Committee. 

In 2017, she continued her professional development and began a Masters of Applied Finance.