Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) is helping break down a barrier that stops many mums from returning to work. They have introduced two dedicated portable breastfeeding facilities for mums returning to work.
HVO Human Resources Manager Michelle Douglass said the idea came about from conversations with women on site when they were upgrading their facilities.
“The women shared their experience with me and said they felt like they had two choices; not come back to work or come back to work but every time they need to express, they have to call a supervisor who picks them up and takes them up to the office,” she said.
“So, we thought okay what if you don’t go to a room, but the room comes to you?”
Michelle said she found a trailer they could fit out with everything they needed, got everyone on board, and before she knew it, they were shopping for the fit out.
Gemima Teaupa has been at HVO since 2024 and went on maternity leave with her fifth child unsure of what her return to work would look like.
“As a mum of five and an avid breast feeder I wanted to extend that journey as long as possible but I wasn’t sure how that would work,” Gemima shared.
“I didn’t want to ask too much, but I came back and they brought these trailers in and I couldn’t believe it.
“Not only can I express but I can store milk in the fridge. It saves me from getting engorged and mastitis was a worry as well.”
The trailer is locked and only the women who are approved to use it have access.
“The room isn’t just a room, it’s a symbol that women do belong in mining and we can balance both parenthood and having a career,” Gemima said.
The trailers are both decorated with artworks which were created by the women on site with the local Indigenous community.
These artworks represent inclusivity, connection and belonging and include key features from HVO and the local community area such as the Hunter River, the Minimbah ironbark tree and the Wonnarua totem, the eagle.
