Meet Hanna Moriconi. Hanna is a plant operator at Tichum Creek Quarry. Tichum Creek Quarry is located near Mareeba, about 60 kilometres south-west of Cairns.
The story starts when Hanna was working as a bookkeeper in Atherton. She was offered a part-time position in Cairns and to fill the other days, she applied for a part time administration role at Boral.
“I came to see John Carroll, the Quarry Manager at the time, and apply for the role. I stayed for three hours to see what it was like. I was offered the job straight away, working the weighbridge and helping with admin for two days a week,” said Hanna.
Months later, when Hanna’s boss in Cairns asked her to start full time, she had a decision to make.
“I thought about it a lot, but I had fallen in love with the job and the people at Boral and I didn’t want to leave”.
After talking to John, Vilma Wildman, who manages the weighbridge, moved to two days off a week, which gave Hanna the opportunity to take on three days permanently. As the team and site changed, Hanna became a full-time member of the team.
“One morning John just randomly asked me if I was interested in learning to drive the dump truck, and how to operate other equipment at the site. I thought why not! I’m always open to trying new things”.
“Adam West showed me what to do and I loved it. After that I drove the water cart, learnt how to operate the crushing plant and the pug mill. I am currently learning how to drive the loader.”
John Carroll set a great culture at the Quarry, he was caring and wanted everyone to be the best they could be. Adam is now continuing that legacy; everyone here feels like family.
If it wasn't for John and now Adam, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They both really encouraged me to try new things and supported me to get to this point.” said Hanna.
The best work advice Hanna has received was from John on her first day in the truck, “John said that slow is smooth, and smooth is fast and it has stuck in my head. Every time I do something with the machinery, I think about that.
John told me even if I am feeling more confident, I still need to take my time, there is no need to rush. It does appear to be working as I haven’t done any tyres yet” Hanna laughed.
When she’s not at work, Hanna loves gardening, being at the gym, clay target shooting, and watching the North Queensland Cowboys or Brisbane Broncos, or the V8 supercars.
Hanna still helps on the weighbridge and administration though she says, “I love it outside in the machines, I have found where I want my career to be”.
