Meet Natalee: Like father, like daughter

When Natalee Treay joined the Glencore team, she had one person in particular cheering her on.

She may be new to the industry, but you could say mining is in Natalee Treay’s blood. Working as an Administration Assistant at Ulan West for the past two-and-a-half years, Natalee follows in the footsteps of her father Steven, who worked for Glencore for more than 15 years.

“My dad began with Ulan Underground, the site right beside Ulan West, and then switched over,” says Natalee. “As a Deputy, Dad’s job was all about keeping things running smoothly. He supervised his crew, handled the reporting side of things and made sure everyone was following safety procedures. He spent a lot of time underground checking on the team and making sure everyone got back up safely at the end of the day.”

While Steven moved on to a new role in 2024, Natalee was able to work with him when she joined the team at Ulan West, located in central-west NSW. “Working together was a great experience,” she says. “It was nice to share that connection and have a familiar face as I began my career in the field. Dad’s work was underground and mine wasn’t so we only bumped into each other a few times, but it was always nice when we would cross paths and have a quick chat.”

As for how Steven felt about his daughter joining him in the mining industry, Natalee says he was “very supportive” of her decision. “He felt it was a great opportunity.”

But her dad’s role wasn’t the only factor influencing her career choice. Born and raised in nearby Mudgee, where close to 20 per cent of employed people work in coal mining, Natalee has had a lot of exposure to the industry and the benefits it brings to the local community. “I have always seen myself working in the mining industry,” she says. “It’s such a big part of the region and something I’ve grown up around.”

Despite her interest, mining isn’t where Natalee got her start. Before joining Glencore, she worked at her family business, Mudgee Horse Riding Centre, for four years, organising trail rides and setting up picnic experiences.

Natalee’s days look a bit different now, but she’s still making the most of her exceptional organisational skills as well as her ability to stay calm under pressure. Tasked with ordering clothing, stationery, catering and other supplies for the Ulan West site, she also handles travel requests and assists the HR team.

“A big part of my role is making sure everything is organised behind the scenes,” she says. “I need to stay on top of a fast-paced workload where priorities can shift quickly depending on what’s happening around the site – whether it’s dealing with urgent calls or supporting the team with last-minute tasks such as travel arrangements.

“There’s a lot of coordination involved,” she continues, “so being organised and adaptable is really important. It can be busy, but I enjoy the variety and problem-solving it brings. It keeps the role interesting and rewarding.”

Interacting with a range of employees and visitors has given Natalee a new understanding of mining. “I’ve learnt just how complex and collaborative the industry is,” she says. “There are so many different teams and roles working together to keep things running smoothly. It’s given me a real appreciation for the coordination and effort that goes into every part of the operation.”

While mostly in the office, Natalee has had a few opportunities to get underground, giving her an insight into her dad’s job. “It’s eye-opening seeing the work that goes on,” she says. “It really gives you a deeper level of respect for the crews.”

Having recently taken on the HR admin responsibilities, Natalee hopes to continue growing in this area. “Even though I’m still very new to the HR space, I’ve really enjoyed learning more about the behind-the-scenes work, especially on the payroll side of things,” she says. “I see myself hopefully advancing my career further in the HR field. I also plan to pursue further studies to build my skills.”

Outside of work, while overseas travel is in the pipeline, Natalee is just as happy staying local. “On the weekends, I love spending time with my partner and my friends, trying out the local wineries for lunch and enjoying everything the region has to offer.”