Acknowledging the outstanding achievements and impact of individuals aged 30 years or younger in South Australia's energy or resources sector.

Aboud Babaa, Graduate Project Engineer,  Santos

Aboud Babaa is an Engineer working in the energy sector. Since joining the Santos Graduate Program in 2024 he has worked in roles within technical services, innovation and major projects. Early in his career, Aboud has established a reputation for identifying inefficiencies, respectfully challenging the status quo and seeking opportunities to utilise new technologies and systems to improve processes. He embraces digital tools and brings a unique perspective, combining technical skill with a commerce-focused mindset.

During his 15 months as an Innovation Adviser in Santos’ Real Impact Centre, Aboud worked on a range of challenges relevant to the sector. He also developed Ignite, an internal innovation platform deployed Santos-wide to gather ideas from employees and enable them to participate in the Centre’s work.

Aboud is now in a Project Engineer role, supporting a key Cooper Basin midstream infrastructure project that seeks to support operational longevity and emissions reduction.

Emily Palmer, Superintendent Control Operations, BHP

Emily Palmer is an emerging leader in mining whose influence extends beyond her professional role. In eight years, Emily has progressed from Graduate Geotechnical Engineer to Superintendent of Mine Control Operations at BHP’s Olympic Dam, building experience across Engineering, Mine Execution and Contracts. She manages a team of 15 with an annual budget of $9 million. This 24/7 Control Room supports up to 500 people working underground and is the central hub for Mine Evacuations.

Emily is recognised for combining technical expertise with people-focused leadership centred on safety, teamwork, and developing others. She also serves as President of the Eastern Australian Ground Control Group (EAGCG), a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing technical excellence and knowledge across mining. Through mentoring, professional development, and collaboration, Emily supports the next generation of mining professionals.

Reece Townsend, Senior Reliability Engineer, Santos

Reece Townsend is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and emerging leader in Australia's energy and resources sector. He has built a reputation for delivering exceptional technical outcomes, leading multidisciplinary teams, and driving meaningful improvements in asset reliability, safety, and operational performance.

Over six years, Reece has progressed from Graduate Engineer with Glencore to Senior Reliability Engineer and Acting Reliability Engineering Team Lead at Santos, supporting critical energy infrastructure. His experience includes underground, open-cut and fixed plant environments across Australia, developing reliability-centred maintenance strategies for major operating facilities, supporting capital projects exceeding $100 million, and successfully leading a team of 12 engineers across multiple disciplines.

Reece’s ability to combine deep technical expertise with leadership, innovation, and a genuine commitment to developing others distinguishes him. His passion for continuous improvement, emerging technologies, and engineering excellence is helping shape future industry capability while delivering tangible benefits to both operations and the broader sector.

Young Indigenous Achievers

Dana Wright, Processing Operator, Iluka Resources

Dana Wright is a proud Kokatha and Mirning woman from the Far West Coast whose journey reflects resilience, determination, and a commitment to continuous growth. Dana began her mining career in 2023 as a Laboratory Metallurgist Assistant at Iluka's Jacinth-Ambrosia operation and has since progressed through a range of roles including plant operations, field operations, earthmoving, haul truck operation, and control room operations.

As a young Indigenous woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Dana has demonstrated adaptability, confidence, and a strong work ethic while developing a broad range of technical and leadership skills. Committed to fostering a positive workplace culture, Dana leads by example through mentoring, teamwork, and a dedication to safety. Her achievements, community involvement, and commitment to Indigenous representation makes her an outstanding Young Indigenous Achiever Award nominee.

Joel Hill, Training Specialist, BHP

Joel is a standout achiever whose resilience, integrity and leadership set him apart. Proudly representing the Wiilman people of the Noongar Nation, Joel has transformed personal challenges, including experiences of racism, into opportunities to educate, build understanding and foster inclusion. In doing so, he has become a confident and respected voice. Joel consistently exceeds expectations, delivering high‑quality outcomes well beyond those expected of him, while demonstrating exceptional reliability, initiative and a commitment to continuous improvement. His work on complex projects and mastery of multiple systems reflects both capability and drive.

Beyond his role, Joel actively gives back by mentoring Indigenous students through the Tjindu Foundation and supporting GO Foundation alumni, quietly guiding others to achieve their goals. With our Indigenous Engagement team, Joel works with Traditional Owner groups, strengthening cultural connection and respect. Joel works with our Indigenous Support Specialists to support Indigenous employees entering BHP, is a role model and a beacon of success, leadership and quiet, impactful mentorship.

Jumeka Saunders, Nipapanha Community Energy Liaison, Nipapanha Community Aboriginal Corporation

Jumeka Saunders is an emerging Aboriginal energy leader from the Nipapanha community on Adnyamathanha Country in the northern Flinders Ranges, roughly 600 km north of Adelaide. Nipapanha sits at the outer edge of the National Electricity Market, supplied by a single 33 kV line from Copley, and has lived with repeated extended outages - including seven days without power after a storm destroyed 19 transmission towers in October 2024. Rather than wait for change, Jumeka went looking for it.

In 2025 Jumeka completed the PowerMakers clean-energy training program with the First Nations Clean Energy Network in the Northern Territory, visited the Marlinja Community's microgrid, and worked with AGL and SA Power Networks to conduct an electricity meter audit across Nipapanha. She was awarded the Kelvin Trimpler Scholarship to lead a pilot community Energy Working Group building local energy literacy and supporting Nipapanha's path toward a community-owned solar microgrid.

Find out more about Jumeka's journey, learning about clean energy and how it can help her community achieve energy security:  Watch the video