Paula Dell-McCumstie - Founder

Paula's Experience

• Paula graduated as a geologist in UK in 1990 and worked there for a year before heading to the Western Australian desert to try out gold exploration. 
• After another few years working in the UK she returned to Australia for good.
• Paula worked at Newcrest's Telfer Gold Mine as an Underground Geologist and Resource Geologist and Newcrest's Cadia Valley Operations as a QAQC Geologist. 
• Paula joined the Cadia Community Relations Department and realised as much as she loved rocks, she loved people more. 
• From then on Paula  worked in Community Engagement with Rangott Mineral Exploration and Fortescue Metals Group.

Thomas Boneham - PArtner

Tom's Experience

     

• Tom is an articulate and versatile community engagement operator with a diverse mix of skills that uniquely serve him in this role. 

• Especially skilled at building constructive and meaningful working relationships with both clients and stakeholders. He has strong negotiation, documentation and project management skills developed over a career spanning top-tier corporate law, consulting and entrepreneurship. 

Nicholas Van Der Hoven- In-house solicitor

Nick's Experience

 

 

• Nick is a commercial lawyer with management experience in the exploration and mining sectors. His legal practice focussed primarily in mineral law, which he leveraged to transition into management, as CEO of a Johannesburg-Stock-Exchange exploration and mining company.

• He has extensive financial and operational experience in the commissioning of mines and related infrastructure projects.

• He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of South Africa. He has been admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of South Africa. 

• He is also an accredited Mediator with the Mediation Standards Board of Australia and a panel mediator with the NSW Small Business Commission.

Nerida Watson- Community Liaison

Nerida's Experience

 

 

• Nerida's passion for people and relationship-building, coupled with her extensive experience in environmental science and geophysical surveying, equips her with a strong foundation for creating solid ties with clients and stakeholders. This unique combination significantly bolsters her role in community engagement. 

• Nerida's passion for the performing arts shines through, adding a unique facet to her professional persona. With her exceptional negotiation skills and her talent for communication, she is highly capable in her field. Her approachable, friendly demeanor further enhances her professional interactions, making her a highly valued member of our team.

Joel Boneham - Community Liaison

Joel's Experience

     

• Joel excels as a community liaison, demonstrating a love for people and relationship-building . His defining characteristic, is his significant degree of friendliness, which fosters a sense of comfort and connection with every individual he encounters. 

• Joels background has been primarily business development in the tech industry, he is highly IT competent has strong negotiation skills, and is a great communicator. All this, while still being really approachable and easy to get along with.  

Alex Cook - Administration

Alex's Experience

     

 

• With over 14 years of experience in the mining industry and 21 years supporting small businesses, Aj brings a wealth of knowledge in administration, client support, and business improvement. She specializes in streamlining operations, implementing effective systems, and driving sustainable growth. 

• Her background in both large-scale industrial environments and hands-on business support gives her a unique ability to identify opportunities and deliver practical, results-driven solutions and offers reliable bookkeeping services as part of her comprehensive business support. 

Lucy Heath- Marketing Officer

Lucy's Experience

     

•  Lucy is an architecture graduate who has worked in event management, policy research and communications at some of the country’s largest galleries and cultural foundations. She puts her varied skillset to use at Community Engagement managing large and small-scale events without missing a beat and with a great eye for the details. 

• With her design background and experience in events and copy-writing, Lucy has a strong focus on visual and written communication and produces the collateral that supports our clients communications and relationships with the communities they work in.