The road to Mineral Resources has been somewhat unconventional for Olympian Rachael Lynch.
After many years as a Neurological Rehabilitation nurse in the hospital system while balancing life as an elite athlete with the Hockeyroos, everything changed when COVID-19 hit in 2020.
With life turned on its head and just months out from the Tokyo Olympics, training came to a halt and Rachael quickly looked for ways she could make a difference as Western Australia grappled with the challenges of a world-wide pandemic.
That’s where Mineral Resources came in.
Rachael soon found herself managing MRL’s COVID-19 testing facilities, as part of one of the largest private screening programs in Australia. For Rachael, it evolved into what she calls her dream job.
“I loved it because it combined my medical experience with people management and travel across our 12 sites, so it was the perfect blend in a fast-paced environment, which I really liked,” Rachael said.
Wellbeing and balance
In many ways, working at Mineral Resources as part of WA’s booming mining industry is the perfect fit for Rachael. She’s no stranger to mine sites, having visited several as an ambassador for mental health charity R U OK? Since joining us, Rachael said she has been impressed by MRL’s support for mental wellbeing.
“I’ve done a mental health first aid course while I’ve been here and the company is very supportive of opportunities to support staff,” Rachael said.
Combining work at MRL with an Olympic level training regime would be challenging for the best of us, but, Rachael says the support she’s received from her manager and the business has played a big part in enabling her to achieve a good balance between the two.
“The flexibility here has been amazing and that has made a big difference the whole way through,” Rachael says.
Now, she’s a permanent and valued member of our health and safety team and is looking forward to getting involved in the wellness centre at our state-of-the-art new premises in Osbourne Park later this year.
The road to Tokyo
Before that happens, though, life is about to get even busier for Rachael as she’s set to join the Hockeyroos in their quest for gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The ongoing impacts of COVID-19 mean it will be a very different experience from Rachael’s first Olympic games in Rio five years ago. With no international travel, family and friends will be there in spirit and Rachael says it will still be really special.
All of us at MRL can’t wait to see Rachael and the Hockeyroos in action and we wish them all the best for a medal in Tokyo!
Pave your road to success with MRL
Our people are key to achieving our vision to be recognised as one of the great Australian companies.
When you join Mineral Resources, you join a company that continues to grow on the back of its entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to empower people to challenge the status quo and explore new opportunities.
Your road to Mineral Resources could be a permanent, project or fixed-term opportunity across our various operation. View our full list of open roles on our Careers page.
