So many talented people come from the North. Each month we feature some who you may know and others we’d like you to meet. Tell us who else we should include.
Where are they now? I grew up in Ingham. When my parents retired we moved up to Atherton in the Tablelands. After school, I went to James Cook University in Townsville to study Engineering. I explored a lot as a child, especially growing up on farms and playing with equipment – I was naturally curious and inquisitive and wanting to solve problems, so I think it was really that side that drew me to engineering. I now live on the Gold Coast with my husband Lukas and our two children – George, four and Sofia, who is almost two. In my spare time I love cake decorating. It’s been a fun way to use my engineering skills with the kids!
Lydia Gentle Engineering Manager BHP Gold Coast
www.bhp.com
Mrinal Pawar Doctor Princess Alexandra Hospital Brisbane metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au
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I moved to Townsville at the age of 10 from the Fiji Islands. I absolutely fell in love with its beautiful weather, Magnetic Island and, when it got too hot, Warrina Ice Skating Rink! I completed my schooling in Townsville and met some of the best people who helped me grow into the person I am today. I live in Brisbane at the moment. It’s a big change and I go to the Sunshine or Gold Coast beaches whenever I get a weekend off. I’m a full-time doctor at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. My interest is primary health care, so I’m looking at either further training as an Emergency Physician or in General Practice.
duoma ga zine.com. au
I love the medicine involved at the frontier of health care. I feel we need more doctors in the community who are passionate about preventative health. I’m also furthering my training in psychiatry. I keep in touch with some of my mentors from Townsville. My family and friends also encouraged me to reach my goals, and I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without all the great people I’ve met throughout my journey. My favourite thing to do when I come back home is head to The Strand, get some ice-cream, and spend some time at the beach with loved ones.
I’m now at the portfolio level with BHP, where I oversee a significant amount of projects; I think there’s over 1000 that we’re executing this year. Everything from dams, roads, new power lines, substations, purchasing all our earth-moving equipment…. I could go on… There’s such a big list of different projects I have the opportunity to work on. North Queensland grounded me. It taught me grit, resilience and how to be true to myself and develop those relationships that have allowed me to prosper in my career. My parents are still in Atherton and I try to visit every month. We go to Palm Cove a bit as well. I love going up there.
