Wafi-Golpu'S First Female Passes Driving Test With Flying Colours

News Release
3 rd February 2012
Wafi-Golpu’s first female passes driving test with flying colours
On a very wet morning back in December last year, Sarah Watson woke up with
excitement and trepidation; this was the day she would sit behind the driver’s wheel
for the first time.
Sarah is the Environment Manager at the Wafi-Golpu project, operated by Wafi-
Golpu Joint Venture, one of three joint ventures that make up Morobe Mining Joint
Ventures. The Wafi-Golpu project located in the Mumeng LLG in the Bulolo District
of Morobe Province is projected to be the next largest mining operation in the
country.
For employees who work at the project, being able to access the site and drive
around the remote project area is essential to their work.
The winding and mountainous roads with a number of river crossings are very
challenging, but these hurdles did not hinder Sarah’s excitement and determination
when she undertook her driving test the morning of December 17th.
“I'd been worried about driving at Wafi-Golpu for a long time because of the
challenging terrain and numerous creek crossings to contend with but knew that a
licence was essential,” said Sarah.
“At the time of my first drive from the Wafi-Golpu camp down to Demarkwa, Wafi-
Golpu and surrounds had received a good soaking from about a week's worth of
constant rainfall so the creeks were pretty high and that was definitely one of the
biggest challenges to contend with, she added.
Sarah’s first drive was also fun as she got lots of cheers and support from colleagues
and the locals in the area which helped her to pass with flying colours. The locals
seeing that she was an expatriate gave her plenty of encouragement.
“With the support of the Wafi-Golpu team, in particular Peter Michajlow – training,
Shane Richards - front seat coach and Bill Gracie and Alan Mariu-James,
unfortunate back seat passengers, I decided to take the plunge and attend the Light
Vehicle (LV) training course. With me for moral support was another female member,
Jennifer Winzar, who has also now successfully traversed the road between Wafi-
Golpu road which begins at Demarkwa.

“At one stage I was overtaken by two local kids floating down the river on a rubber
ring! The local villagers thought it was funny to see a white meri behind the wheel so
I got plenty of encouragement from local spectators too.
“As well as the raging creek crossings, some other obstacles I had to contend with
were landslips, culvert installations, large earthmoving equipment, pigs, and dogs
and so on. It was certainly an entertaining journey.
“Despite having driven the access road countless times before, it all felt very different
when I was actually behind the wheel. That said, it was not as scary as I'd
anticipated and I even willingly returned to the wheel the following day to do the
return trip from Demarkwa to the Wafi-Golpu camp!
“I have to commend Shane Richards for his support and unwavering faith in my
ability on that very first drive. He foolishly and gallantly also volunteered as driving
coach for Jennifer as well.
“Look out Wafi-Golpu as female drivers are now on the road!! Still there's nothing to
worry about because as one may say women drivers are better than men! says
Sarah laughingly.
Ends///
Picture caption: An overjoyed Sarah after successfully completing the driving
test.