On The Right Track

In a conversation with Jack Batty, a rail construction manager and male ally from the John Holland Group, this episode highlights the issue of male dominance and the need for men to support and drive the change towards gender diversity. Jack discusses efforts to increase female participation in the industry, noting that women often work harder due to the pressure to prove themselves. While attract...

This episode of On the Right Track explores strategies to support flexible work in the rail industry, focusing on initiatives by John Holland Group as discussed by Regina Wootten and Amin Mangat. They explain the company's use of a "flexibility wheel" to accommodate diverse working arrangements, such as flexible start times and remote work, highlighting the challenges of implementing these in cons...

This episode of On The Right Track explores the future of Australian rail — an industry defined by opportunity, transformation and growing diversity. Downer Group’s Jane Gillespie joins the conversation to share her career journey, which began in the UK rail industry during the 2010 financial crisis before relocating to Australia. Facing redundancy early in her career, she chose to see disruption...

In this episode of On The Right Track , Swietelsky Rail Australia Managing Director Anne Connors discusses her extensive 18-year career in the rail industry, overcoming challenges, and evolving personal values. Despite experiencing imposter syndrome and self-doubt, she emphasises the importance of reflection, transparency, and asking questions to drive improvement and learning. Connors shares her...

In this episode of On the Right Track , Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) CEO Natalie Pelham shares insights from her non-linear career in the public sector and her long-standing commitment to strengthening rail safety across Australia. Driven by a passion for safety and effective regulation, Natalie reflects on the defining moments that shaped her leadership — including her inv...

In this episode of On the Right Track , we explore the evolving role of women in the rail industry and the importance of building inclusive, respectful workplaces that support long-term career growth. Mel joins the podcast to share her journey into engineering and the rail industry — a path shaped by curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace opportunity in a constantly evolving industry....

In this episode of On the Right Track members from the Australasian Railway Association’s (ARA) Young Rail Leaders Committee (YRLC) discuss the evolving role of women in the rail industry and highlight the significance of diversity. Panellists Taryn De La Rey, Chantal Ivory and Michelle Doolan share their non-traditional journeys into rail and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated field. T...

In this conversation, Rail First CEO Beata Lipman reflects on her leadership journey across rail infrastructure and logistics, and the experiences that shaped her approach to strategic transformation. From entering the sector through a non-traditional pathway to stepping into pivotal leadership roles, including a formative chief of staff position, Beata shares practical insights on stakeholder eng...

The rail industry is changing, and we want you to be part of that change. Welcome to "On the Right Track," a new podcast from the Australasian Railway Association in partnership with Siemens Mobility, dedicated to supporting women, championing diversity, and shape the future of rail across Australia and New Zealand. This series dives into the real experiences of women working across every corner o...