The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is delighted to announce an entertaining fireside chat between two Australian legends as part of its annual Gala Dinner, bringing together the worlds of mining and sports in a stimulating conversation.

“Green and Gold: Mining and the Wallabies” gathers two iconic Australian Rugby Captains, John Eales and Nathan Sharpe, hot on the heels of the Rugby World Cup in France.

It’s a timely opportunity to explore the parallels between mining, the business sector and sporting excellence with two high-profile leaders who have excelled on the field and in the boardroom.

John Eales is a celebrated figure in Australian rugby history, with 86 Tests for Australia and an astounding 55 as Captain during an illustrious 11-year international career.

He is also a highly successful businessman and author, celebrated not only for his contributions to the sport but also for his leadership qualities that have seen him address audiences all over the world.

Notably, John authored “Learning from Legends,” a best-selling work that delves into the art of leadership. Through a collection of interviews with sporting icons such as John Betrand, Gai Waterhouse, and Layne Beachley, John dissects the elements that constitute a true leader. The book uncovers the driving factors that have enabled these ‘Legends’ to learn their lessons, reach their goals, and now pass on to the rest of us the essence of what it takes to lead successfully.

Joining John on stage will be former teammate Nathan Sharpe, himself a Wallabies skipper whose own career spans 116 Tests for Australia, including 10 as Captain, over a remarkable 12-year international journey.

Nathan is also no stranger to the challenges facing the mining and resources sector, as Director of Talisman, an organisation which provides tailored services for the resources sector. Talisman focuses on helping the mining sector maximise the value of their assets by optimising their people, systems, and culture while prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Nathan says he is looking forward to an insightful discussion with his old mate that draws parallels between the grit, determination, and strategic thinking needed by mining professionals and rugby players alike.

“It’s an honour to be part of IMARC 2023 and to have this opportunity to chat with John, who has a unique perspective on the pursuit of excellence in sport and business. In particular, I am looking forward to exploring the parallels between our experiences with the Wallabies and the mining industry, and how they both strive for excellence and innovation,” Mr Sharpe said.

Mr Eales said: “I’m excited to share my insights on how the lessons learned from rugby can be applied to the mining and resources sector, and vice versa. We only have to look at the extraordinary success of teams like the New Zealand All Blacks in rugby, or champions like Novak Djokovic and others who have dominated their fields to find similarities between sport and enterprise and the attributes that contribute to success in both domains, such as culture, values, teamwork, resilience leadership and, innovation.”

Another theme to be explored is how the mining industry’s digital transformation will require a robust change management process to ensure the integration of advanced technologies and methodologies, such as the use of AI.  Just as coaches nurture new tactics and talents, mining industry leaders should drive technological adoption while empowering their teams for a seamless transition. Both sectors share a common thread—adapting, learning, and thriving in the face of transformation.

The Gala Dinner is an annual highlight of IMARC and tickets are selling quickly.

Adrian Beers, CEO of METS Ignited and long-time partner of IMARC, believes the mining and resource sector has a lot to learn from sport.

“In sport, you have to play within the boundaries and follow the same rules as everyone else, but it’s how you leverage and showcase the talents of your team that makes you win games. The mining industry operates in a similar way, and we have a lot to gain from this perspective.”

The IMARC Gala Dinner will also feature:

IWIMRA 2023 Art Silent Auction

Following her beautiful art that was produced as part of IMARC 2022, artist Leah Cummins of Bunya Designs, will once again be painting live. The work will be silent auctioned at this year’s IMARC Gala Dinner, with proceeds going towards IMARC’s First Nations partner IWIMRA.

The Carly Champion Band

One of Australia’s hottest and most sought-after cover bands, providing dinner and after-dinner entertainment, playing everything from the very latest hits to old school Rock, Soul & Blues.

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is a globally renowned event that convenes mining industry leaders, experts, and innovators from around the world. IMARC serves as a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaborations, and showcasing cutting-edge technologies and practices in the mining and resources sector.

Registration:

For those eager to witness this unique fusion of sports, arts, music and industry, registration details for IMARC 2023 can be found on the event’s official website: https://imarcglobal.com/

About IMARC:

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is where global mining leaders collaborate on trends in mining, investment and innovation towards a sustainable future. As Australia’s largest mining event, it brings together over 8,500 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators, and educators from more than 100 countries for three days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking. IMARC is developed in collaboration with its founding partners the Victorian State Government, Austmine, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and Mines and Money, and held with the support of its Host Partner, the NSW Government.