Director and Co-Founder of Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWMRA)
From Thursday Island to the global mining stage, Florence Drummond’s journey is one of resilience, cultural pride, and unwavering determination. As the director and co-founder of Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWMRA), she has transformed from a young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman facing uncertainty to a globally recognized advocate included in the WIMUK Global Top 100.
Growing up as the oldest of eight children on Thursday Island—a remote community between Queensland and Papua New Guinea—Florence learned leadership early. When her parents sent her to boarding school for better opportunities, she discovered the profound impact of role models during a grade 5 police station excursion. “Looking back, I realize how important it is to have role models and family members who can expose children to a wide range of career possibilities,” she reflects.
Her mining career began unexpectedly in Weipa, Queensland, where she relocated in her late 20s with no job guarantee, adapting to life in a caravan. An operator position offered her the perfect entry into an industry that would become her passion. The transition to policy and governance roles required her to pursue a Dual Bachelor of Laws in Aboriginal Studies from the University of Newcastle—a challenge that only strengthened her resolve.
Florence’s defining moment came when she received an invitation to participate in United Nations forums for Indigenous women. “Meeting new people, learning about different cultures, stepping out of my comfort zone, and realizing, ‘I belong here too,'” she recalls of this dream-come-true experience.
This led to founding IWMRA, a non-profit network that now boasts over 10,000 supporters beyond Australia, connecting Indigenous women from various countries and women of color from multiple sectors. “Our goal is to cultivate self-confidence, promote ownership, nurture effective communication, and empower women to ask questions,” Florence explains.
Her philosophy centers on the power of dreams and intuition. “The power of dreams is tangible. Intuition, intention, manifestation, belief—these words may seem abstract, but they hold meaning. My defining moments have resulted from a dream, a sense, and a gut feeling.”
“Mining offered me the privilege to speak globally on behalf of Indigenous women’s participation and aspirations. However, the most rewarding part of my journey has been empowering women along the way.”
