Jack MacCauley has been awarded won a CareerTrackers Award for his work on a world-first bitumen durability test at the company’s Geelong refinery.
Mr. MacCauley was presented with a Project Excellence Award at the CareerTrackers Awards gala dinner in Sydney.
General Manager Refining Thys Heyns said Viva Energy was delighted to have had Mr. MacCauley working at the refinery’s laboratory in Geelong, where he helped develop an alternative test to measure bitumen durability – considered a world-first in the refining sector.
“Viva Energy is excited about the win and we extend our congratulations to Jack for his contribution towards pioneering a test method that will enable us to further improve our production control to more efficiently deliver quality bitumen products,” said Mr. Heyns.
“Geelong Refinery is Australia’s last bitumen manufacturer so it’s critical that we continue to innovate and help build a strong business for the long-term benefit of the economy and our employees,” he said.
“The project Jack worked on has helped reduce bitumen analysis from two weeks to two hours and allows us to test the product at the refinery rather than relying on an external laboratory.
“The direct result is closer monitoring during the manufacturing process, to yield consistent, high grade locally made bitumen for Victorian roads.”
CareerTrackers is a national non-profit organisation that creates internship opportunities for Indigenous university students. It supports pre-professional Indigenous university students and links them with private sector employers to participate in paid multi-year internships.
“Jack is a Tasmanian studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Chemistry and Geology, at Monash University. I imagine both Monash and his home state will be extremely proud that a local has already made their mark in the business world,” said Mr. Heyns.
“A female apprentice – a local Geelong resident – recently won a WorldSkills Championship apprenticeship award, which demonstrates how important it is that the refinery continues to manufacture in Geelong so we can create opportunities for our youth to shine.”