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 attracting women isn't the major challenge, retaining them is, as evidenced by high dropout rates among female apprentices. Jack emphasises the importance of male advocacy in creating more women-friendly environments and believes diverse teams lead to better project outcomes. His approach includes partnering with programs like Build Like a Girl and NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) to mentor women and integrate diversity initiatives. He shares success stories from the Canberra Light Rail Extension project, where women fill a third of roles, surpassing the industry average. Cultural shift begins with project charters and leadership buy-in to foster an inclusive environment. Jack acknowledges the persistence of issues like microaggressions and harassment and highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and structure to facilitate change. He aspires for a 50-50 gender split in the industry and stresses that achieving diversity requires both men and women’s efforts, along with flexible workplace practices.

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 construction. The conversation emphasises the necessity of being on-site for most construction roles, making flexibility a challenge but achievable through creative scheduling like staggered starts or pre-start meetings held the night before. The John Holland team experimented with flexible work options on a rail project, including a trial of a nine-day fortnight, offering a scheduled day off while maintaining productivity. They shared insights on the cultural shift needed to implement these changes and the importance of leadership buy-in and visible support for initiatives like No Meeting Monday. They emphasise the value of flexible work for overall well-being, retention, and worker satisfaction, as evident from their 100 per cent retention rate. Regina and Amin recommend identifying organisational pain points to tailor solutions to specific environments, cautioning that flexibility isn't one-size-fits-all. The trial approach, visible leadership, and aligning organisational goals with flexible working structures are stressed as critical factors for success. The outcomes reflect improved work-life balance, increased productivity, and higher job satisfaction, suggesting broader applications across various industries.

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 not as a setback, but as a catalyst for growth — leaning on her professional network and embracing new opportunities.Jane reflects on how resilience and adaptability shaped her career path. Rather than following a linear trajectory, she navigated change by:Building and maintaining strong professional networksStaying open to new roles and experiencesLeveraging both technical capability and broader communication skillsSeeking environments that value inclusion and collaborationHer experience reinforces that rail is an industry where relationships and reputation matter — and where support networks can open unexpected doors.With about 25 per cent of the rail workforce expected to retire in the next decade, Jane highlights the significant opportunity ahead for new and emerging talent.For Jane, this transition represents not a challenge — but a generational renewal.She describes the rail industry as inclusive and welcoming, and an industry where collaboration drives success and careers can evolve in unexpected and rewarding ways.Jane concludes with a simple but powerful reflection: rail is easy to enter, and hard to leave. The industry’s scale, complexity and long-term impact create meaningful, fulfilling career pathways.As Australia’s rail network continues to grow and modernise, this episode highlights the opportunity for the next generation to step forward, bringing new ideas, diverse experiences and a commitment to shaping the industry’s future.Listen now to hear Jane’s insights on navigating change, building networks and embracing the opportunities ahead in rail.

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 journey, including roles with ARTC, Transport for NSW, local government, and her eventual return to rail inspired by her family's history in the industry. She highlights the importance of supportive workplaces, implementing family-inclusive policies like flexible parental leave, and ensuring employee well-being.Anne advocates for diversity and safety in the workplace, encouraging individuals to be their authentic selves and pursue growth opportunities with confidence. Her leadership is rooted in prioritising truth, communication, and creating an environment where employees feel valued and aligned with organisational goals.

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 involvement in developing New South Wales’ modern safety regulatory framework following the Waterfall rail accident, and her work advancing national rail safety reforms.Natalie discusses how major incidents can become catalysts for systemic change. Her early work on post-Waterfall reforms helped establish a more robust, nationally consistent safety framework grounded in accountability and clarity of responsibility.Throughout the episode, Natalie speaks candidly about the resilience and persistence required to drive reform within complex systems. She underscores the importance of collaboration across jurisdictions and organisations, noting that sustainable change relies on shared responsibility.She also reflects on the progress made in improving women’s participation in rail, and the broader value of diversity, migration and reconciliation in strengthening the industry’s future.

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.Mel reflects on her transition from project engineering into pre-contracts, highlighting how hands-on delivery experience has been critical to her success. She discusses the value of understanding projects from the ground up, from navigating unexpected site conditions to managing resource challenges, and how strong communication and teamwork underpin successful outcomes.Her experience on major infrastructure projects, including Sydney Metro, demonstrates the satisfaction of seeing tangible results and contributing to projects that deliver lasting community benefit.The conversation also addresses the realities women can face in male-dominated environments. While acknowledging the progress the rail industry has made in promoting diversity, she notes that attracting more women into engineering pathways remains a key challenge. Initiatives that create visibility, mentorship and authentic representation are critical to strengthening the future workforce.

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. They emphasise the importance of seizing opportunities, finding supportive teams and the need for more female representation in leadership.The episode acknowledges the upcoming retirement cliff by 2035, signalling a transformative period for innovation and technology in rail. They also discuss tackling the complexities of merging old and new technologies and the importance of fostering a supportive work environment. YRLC’s efforts to attract younger talent through initiatives like student tours aim to change perceptions of the rail industry, making it more attractive to new generations.The episode highlights the dynamic challenges and opportunities within the rail industry, urging continued advocacy for inclusivity and innovation.

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 engagement, workforce development and building high performing teams.She speaks candidly about returning to the workforce with renewed perspective, the importance of sponsors and mentors, and the need to foster inclusive cultures that retain women in rail. The conversation also highlights industry wide efforts to strengthen respect at work and address systemic barriers.Beata’s advice to emerging leaders is clear. Embrace opportunity, invest in capability, and remain resilient.Listen to episode one and join the conversation shaping rail’s future.

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 of the rail industry, from the train drivers cab to the boardroom. Through honest conversations, powerful stories, and practical insights, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and change happening across the rail industry. Launching February 2026, the season will bring you:Conversations with train drivers, engineers, CEOs, policy makers and emerging leadersInsights into workplace culture, inclusion, and the evolving rail workforceCareer pathways and advice for women considering or developing a career in railPerspectives from male allies and champions of diversityReal experiences, real voices, and the real future of rail So if you're ready to hear authentic stories from people who are shaping the future of rail, subscribe now join us On The Right Track.