Published: Thursday, 8 March 2018 at 2:50:09 PM
The Port continues to celebrate their dedicated staff
Among the Mid West Ports Authority staff, there are many amazing women who ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the port.
On International Women’s Day, the MWPA recognized the efforts of one of these women in particular - who is an integral part of managing the Port’s rail network.
Kim Holdsworth is well known by many in the community and across the MWPA for her hard work and dedication in the role of Rail Operation Coordinator.
Kim joined the MWPA team several years ago, having moved from the United Kingdom with a wealth of experience in the rail industry.
She’s now responsible for coordinating several areas of the rail network, including the port terminals and movements across the rail corridor.
Kim said she loved her job and had worked hard to get where she is today.
“Persistence and integrity are a good thing - you have to be confident in your worth because I think sometimes that can get lost in a very male dominated industry,” she said.
“But if I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve never come across an occasion here where I felt like I’ve been defined by my gender in this role.
“I’m just part of the team and that comes from pushing yourself forward, learning, understanding and taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves
“I’m driven, I have a work ethic and I want my kids to have a work ethic and be strong and independent in their own right, not because they’re a boy or a girl.”
Kim also advocates for other women to join the industry and has a few words of advice for those starting out.
“I would advocate for woman to be in this industry because it is fantastic, but I would always encourage them not to lose who they are,” she said.
“I’m always going to wear my lipstick and I’m always going to have blonde hair but that doesn’t mean I’m not capable of doing my job and I still put in the hard yards.
“It means I can still go home covered head to toe in dirt because I’ve had to help the team with the spade or I’ve had to do whatever I’ve needed to.
"But I haven’t needed to lose my femininity to be part of the team, because in itself that brings a whole new dynamic.
“I love the environment I work in and I love what I do, I’ve been lucky but I am very driven.”
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