Dean Forbes began his journey with Macmahon in March 2020 as a Drill Trainer. With years of experience and a passion for developing others, he stepped into the role of Training Supervisor in April 2025. His positive experience at Tropicana soon became a family affair.
His wife Rebecca (Bec) came on board in 2021 as a HSEQT Administrator, leaving a Monday to Friday job in Kalgoorlie for a 2 and 2 roster that gave her more time with Dean and the chance to travel in their caravan. Their daughter Paige also joined as a DTO in 2020 before moving on in 2022.
Dean’s brother Warren joined Macmahon in 2023 after being referred by Dean, and Warren’s wife Paula came through the Drill and Blast Academy in early 2024. Bec later referred her daughter Rhylee and Rhylee’s partner Brendan, both experienced DTOs, who joined in September 2024. Rhylee has since stepped up as an All Rounder.
With so many family members on site, Bec keeps a spreadsheet of everyone’s rosters to track when they’re on break or working together. While they don’t always align for meals, they make the most of quick chats, lunch breaks, and the occasional catch-up at the wet mess.
People laugh and call us House Forbes, like something out of Game of Thrones, but we always make room for others. We get asked, ‘Can I join in on family dinner?’ and we say, ‘The more the better.”
There have been some proud moments along the way. Bec got to ride in both her daughters’ trucks, watching them operate with confidence. Dean had the chance to train and sign off his brother Warren on the drills. He called their mum to share the news that the big brother was training the little brother again, 30 years after they last worked together. Bec and Dean have also teamed up for Blast Guard duties, cooked Christmas BBQs, celebrated birthdays on site, and even got married during their time with Macmahon.
For the Forbes family, Macmahon offers more than just a job. It provides flexibility, support, and a culture that values people and relationships.
Macmahon has always been supportive of couples and families working together, they really value that dynamic.”
And while they try to leave work talk behind during their breaks, it’s not always easy. “Someone always ends up saying, ‘OK, no more Tropi talk,’” Bec laughs. “But there’s always something to chat about, especially everyone’s favourite topics: food and wine.”
*Personal relationships are subject to Macmahon’s Conflict of Interest Agreement. Structures are in place to ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with the company policy.