A senior manager at Malabar Resources has been named the 2026 Exceptional Woman in NSW mining, with her work centred in the Upper Hunter.
Penny Woodward is the surface infrastructure manager at the Maxwell Underground Mine, where she leads a multi‑disciplinary team of more than 20 people responsible for infrastructure critical to the mine’s long‑term success.
Before entering the mining industry, Ms Woodward worked as a professional bassoon player, touring with orchestras. She says the resilience, perseverance and dedication developed through her music career have been key to her success in mining.
Ms Woodward has since become a strong advocate for women considering careers in mining, highlighting how transferable skills can open doors to new opportunities.
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephenn Galilee congratulated Ms Woodward on the achievement, saying her career journey demonstrated the dynamic options available within the industry.
“Penny’s pivot from music to mining shows the options available to women looking to forge a new career path,” Mr Galilee said.
“Her rise to a position of significant responsibility within Malabar Resources is a great example for young women exploring their career options.”
