CME chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said the interest in the Women in Resources Awards grew stronger each year, reflecting the increasing efforts by the WA resources sector to redress the gender imbalance at all levels of the industry. 
 
 According to a new Workplace Gender Equality Agency report released last week, the resources sector leads the way in efforts to wipe out the gender pay gap, with the 15% rate among the lowest across all industries in Australia.

Howard-Smith said the report was a call to action for boards and executive teams, who need to ask for their organisation's diversity metrics and then be accountable for redressing the gender imbalance.

He said that while there was still a fair way to go in terms of gender equality in the sector, the achievements of today's finalists showed that the industry was making great inroads into providing rewarding career opportunities for women, in a traditionally male-dominated space.

Panellists at the breakfast also had views on gender equality, with St Barbara chairman Tim Netscher saying that at a board level, gender equality is spoken about constantly at St Barbara both formally and informally.

Evolution Mining non-executive director Andrea Hall said it was everyone's job to pursue gender equality; while BCI Minerals non-executive director Jenny Bloom said that while she has worked in numerous roles where she was the only woman and had learnt how to deal with that and was not uncomfortable in that space, just knowing there was change coming was heartening.

In the awards ceremony, the Outstanding Woman in Resources award was won by Digirock managing director Peta Libby.

Libby said that at the beginning, her parents instilled in her the joy of giving back to the community and a sense of social justice and a world of no barriers, but as a teenager she found out that women were paid less and were less likely to become executive managers than their male counterparts, which to her was an absolutely ridiculous notion.

"I just expected equality, which is a human right, and if I didn't get it I demanded it, or voted with my feet and found a way to get it, which is where Digirock came from," Libby said.

"My message today is that role modelling starts in the home, and it's not just for our daughters but our sons too, so let's teach our sons and daughters that it takes a team to run a home, and both mums and dads can cook, clean, nurse cuts and bruises and sore tummies."

The Outstanding Company Initiative award this year was taken out by Rio Tinto for its achievements in getting  White Ribbon Accreditation, which was granted just last week.

Rio introduced a range of measures in 2017 to support employees impacted by domestic violence, including paid leave for medical and legal assistance, counselling, relocation or other safety arrangements.

Emergency financial assistance and accommodation is also available to anyone needing immediate help, as well as specialised support services.

Rio Tinto also trains its leaders to equip them with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond. 

The Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman in Resources award this year went to BHP's Nicole O'Keefe, who told the crown she loves the whole industry and loves her work, especially the time off and the travel opportunities.

In other awards, the Outstanding Young Woman in Resources award went to Dhakshi Weerawardena from BHP; the Women in Resources Champion award went to Veena Mendez from Chevron; and the People's Choice Award went to Shannon Youd from KCGM.