As part of the 2025 Seed2STEM careers initiative, Boral welcomed 25 Year 10 students to its Deer Park concrete plant and quarry for a hands-on look at STEM careers in construction and materials.

Seed2STEM, led by the Geelong Manufacturing Council, connects young women with local manufacturing and engineering businesses through immersive industry tours. Over two days, students explored four industries - pouring molten tin at the Australian Foundry Institute, building stainless steel rail freight models at UGL, and climbing into 777 quarry haul trucks at Boral.

At Deer Park, students toured the concrete plant and control room, gaining insight into the role of concrete in shaping Australia’s built environment. They then visited the quarry, where they learned about blasting processes and material testing - a highlight for many who hadn’t realised the technical rigour behind construction materials.

The concrete plant tour, led by Plant Manager Michael Vi, was a standout. “It was a great experience and a real pleasure to be part of the Seed2STEM visit,” Michael said. “I really enjoyed showcasing the workings of our concrete plant and giving the students a behind-the-scenes look at what we do here at Boral. The girls were especially curious about the technical side of concrete production, including the role of automation and quality control in our day-to-day operations." 

"As a father to a daughter, it means a lot to be involved in programs like this that encourage and empower young women to consider careers in traditionally male-dominated industries.”

Students also heard from Lauren Trewin, Operations Manager, who shared her path from working part-time in weighbridges while studying law to overseeing multiple quarries. “I spoke about my own career path where I hadn’t always felt that I had the right skills or abilities to take on a role but was lucky enough to have leaders who encouraged me to have a go anyway,” Lauren said. “There is no right or wrong path – follow your passion, be prepared to take a risk and don’t underestimate your own capability. Just have a go!”

Frank James, newly appointed Quarry Manager at Deer Park, also spoke with the students during their visit. “It was great to see all of the girls getting involved and asking lots of questions about quarrying,” he said. “This will be my 18th year working at Boral and now I'm lucky enough to manage one of our largest quarries. There is lots of opportunity here if you have the right attitude.”

The visit was supported by a dedicated team across Boral’s operations, including Jason Gready, Alaa Lababidi, and Laura Woods, with coordination led by Community Engagement Officer, Melinda Farrell. “We were described as a little family by the visiting staff,” Melinda said. “That sense of teamwork and positivity really made the day special.”

Photos from the day captured the students in action, including a dynamic shot of a haul truck in motion. “We wanted to give them something memorable,” Melinda said. “And that photo did just that.”

Seed2STEM continues to provide real-world, hands-on experiences that spark ambition and open doors to STEM careers. Boral is proud to be part of that journey.