Wafi-Golpu'S First Female Passes Driving Test With Flying Colours
Wafi-Golpu'S First Female Passes Driving Test With Flying Colours
Wafi-Golpu'S First Female Passes Driving Test With Flying Colours
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News Release<br />
3 rd February 2012<br />
<strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu’s first female passes driving test with flying colours<br />
On a very wet morning back in December last year, Sarah Watson woke up with<br />
excitement and trepidation; this was the day she would sit behind the driver’s wheel<br />
for the first time.<br />
Sarah is the Environment Manager at the <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu project, operated by <strong>Wafi</strong>-<br />
Golpu Joint Venture, one of three joint ventures that make up Morobe Mining Joint<br />
Ventures. The <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu project located in the Mumeng LLG in the Bulolo District<br />
of Morobe Province is projected to be the next largest mining operation in the<br />
country.<br />
For employees who work at the project, being able to access the site and drive<br />
around the remote project area is essential to their work.<br />
The winding and mountainous roads with a number of river crossings are very<br />
challenging, but these hurdles did not hinder Sarah’s excitement and determination<br />
when she undertook her driving test the morning of December 17th.<br />
“I'd been worried about driving at <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu for a long time because of the<br />
challenging terrain and numerous creek crossings to contend with but knew that a<br />
licence was essential,” said Sarah.<br />
“At the time of my first drive from the <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu camp down to Demarkwa, <strong>Wafi</strong>-<br />
Golpu and surrounds had received a good soaking from about a week's worth of<br />
constant rainfall so the creeks were pretty high and that was definitely one of the<br />
biggest challenges to contend with, she added.<br />
Sarah’s first drive was also fun as she got lots of cheers and support from colleagues<br />
and the locals in the area which helped her to pass with flying colours. The locals<br />
seeing that she was an expatriate gave her plenty of encouragement.<br />
“<strong>With</strong> the support of the <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu team, in particular Peter Michajlow – training,<br />
Shane Richards - front seat coach and Bill Gracie and Alan Mariu-James,<br />
unfortunate back seat passengers, I decided to take the plunge and attend the Light<br />
Vehicle (LV) training course. <strong>With</strong> me for moral support was another female member,<br />
Jennifer Winzar, who has also now successfully traversed the road between <strong>Wafi</strong>-<br />
Golpu road which begins at Demarkwa.
“At one stage I was overtaken by two local kids floating down the river on a rubber<br />
ring! The local villagers thought it was funny to see a white meri behind the wheel so<br />
I got plenty of encouragement from local spectators too.<br />
“As well as the raging creek crossings, some other obstacles I had to contend with<br />
were landslips, culvert installations, large earthmoving equipment, pigs, and dogs<br />
and so on. It was certainly an entertaining journey.<br />
“Despite having driven the access road countless times before, it all felt very different<br />
when I was actually behind the wheel. That said, it was not as scary as I'd<br />
anticipated and I even willingly returned to the wheel the following day to do the<br />
return trip from Demarkwa to the <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu camp!<br />
“I have to commend Shane Richards for his support and unwavering faith in my<br />
ability on that very first drive. He foolishly and gallantly also volunteered as driving<br />
coach for Jennifer as well.<br />
“Look out <strong>Wafi</strong>-Golpu as female drivers are now on the road!! Still there's nothing to<br />
worry about because as one may say women drivers are better than men! says<br />
Sarah laughingly.<br />
Ends///<br />
Picture caption: An overjoyed Sarah after successfully completing the driving<br />
test.