Ross Gooley graduated from UQ with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1987. He filled various roles in government and directly in mining, including several overseas positions, but always with a land management and rehabilitation focus. In 2004, Ross worked as Environmental Superintendent at Saraji Mine and started to innovate with rock mulching for spoil rehabilitation as a technique to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Moving to Sojitz Minerva Mine in 2014, and later as Land Rehabilitation Manager for Sojitz Green, Ross continued to develop and implement improved rehabilitation practices until his untimely passing in 2022. Throughout his career, Ross saw himself as an enabler not a promoter. Humble and hard-working, Ross’s legacy is in the rehabilitation he undertook and in the environmental officers he mentored.

This award seeks to recognise the values exemplified by Ross – a meticulous and curious nature, a passion to improve rehabilitation outcomes and a willingness to share knowledge.

Nominations for this annual award are invited from or on behalf of anyone currently involved in mining rehabilitation in Central Queensland.

Please download the application form; available in both Word and PDF formats.

The committee, CQMRG