Meet Priyanka Adeshara Singh and Tamryn Agoston. The two technicians work at our Whinstanes Laboratory in Queensland which conducts quality and compliance testing for Boral’s Quarry and Concrete businesses as well as external clients across Australia.
Accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) – Australia’s national accreditation authority for analytical laboratories and testing service providers – the laboratory features a Concrete Testing Laboratory, Aggregate Testing Laboratory and Chemistry Testing Laboratory.
Testing our products to demonstrate they meet the necessary standards and specifications is essential for ensuring they are safe to use and give our customers confidence in their quality.
Priyanka and Tamryn both agree a role as a Laboratory Technician is both a challenging yet rewarding role and a great career for any woman wanting to enter the male-dominated construction industry.
On a typical day, Priyanka, who has worked at Whinstanes for over two years, undertakes various aggregate and road-base materials testing for clients as well as performing testing and calibrations in the Concrete Testing section of the facility.
The lab tech’s early interest in engineering led to her taking up a STEM-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-career.
Priyanka followed this up with a Cert III and A Cert IV in Laboratory Techniques during a previous role in the coal testing field.
"I had an interest in engineering at a young age, so once I completed school in my home country India, I went on and completed a Diploma in Plastic Engineering,”
Priyanka Adeshara Singh, Laboratory Technician.
“After starting my career with Boral, I have had the opportunity to extend my study to completing my Diploma in Laboratory Techniques as well as become a NATA signatory, which means that Priyanka will sign testing reports recognising her responsible that the testing and data received by the client from her laboratory, has been conducted under strict guidelines and standards as set out by NATA,” Priyanka said.
Tamryn was attracted to a science career as she enjoys being challenged.
A typical day for the chemical laboratory technician consists of conducting an array of chemical tests on concrete and aggregates in the Chemistry Testing Laboratory.
Before joining the Boral team, Tamryn worked for another chemical laboratory.
"Many factors influenced my move to Boral, however predominantly the diversity among staff, and the flexibility Boral has offered with my current university studies and personal life, have been the utmost qualifiers for my position.” Priyanka said.
From left, Andrew Rumney, Laboratory Services Manager, Vince Livaditis, Laboratory Aggregates Manager, Priyank Adeshara, Laboratory Technician, Tamryn Agoston, Laboratory Technician, Keelan Whittaker, Laboratory Team Leader, andDaryl McGee, Chem Laboratory Leading Hand.
The capacity to consistently challenge myself yet receive acknowledgements for my successes and abilities has been a consistent attraction to science, especially at Boral.
“The capacity to consistently challenge myself yet receive acknowledgements for my successes and abilities has been a consistent attraction to science, especially at Boral.”
Tamryn Agoston, Laboratory Technician.