Decmil is proud to celebrate the recent nominations of Project Engineer Noelia Lopez and Commercial Manager Rachel McKenzie for the Emerging Professional Award at the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) Annual Awards.
This prestigious award recognises the next generation of leaders shaping the construction industry and making a meaningful impact early in their careers. The category featured strong competition, with nominees representing leading contractors including CMC, CPB, Fulton Hogan, JF Hull and Seymour Whyte.
The award event was held in March, with Decmil team members attending to support Rachel and Noelia. As an active QMCA member, Decmil continues to maintain a strong presence across industry events, and the evening provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate the talent within our business while showcasing Decmil among industry peers.
Rachel’s nomination reflects an exceptional year of professional growth and leadership. She made the significant decision to relocate her young family from Victoria to Queensland to take on the role of Commercial Manager for the Borumba Dam Temporary Accommodation Camps Project. In this role, Rachel has demonstrated outstanding commercial acumen and leadership capability, successfully navigating complex engineering and contractual challenges. Beyond her project responsibilities, she has also strengthened her professional presence within the Queensland construction sector, building strong networks and establishing herself as a respected emerging leader.
Noelia’s nomination recognises her strong performance and rapid progression over the past year. Initially appointed as Site Engineer on the Temporary Workers Accommodation Camp (TWAC) at Borumba Dam for Queensland Hydro, she played a key role in maintaining quality standards, fostering effective relationships with clients and subcontractors, and supporting critical project functions including design coordination, programme management and quality assurance. Her consistent high performance contributed to the successful delivery of the project and led to her promotion to Project Engineer. She has since been appointed to the Eva Copper Operations Village project for Harmony Gold, reflecting the confidence in her capability and future potential.
Damian Murrihy, Operations Manager, spoke highly of both nominees:
Resourcefulness and industriousness are the cornerstone of Noelia’s approach to working life and problem solving in the construction industry. Noelia has shown that she is not content with standard outcomes in project delivery, and if that requires additional effort or learning, then all the better. It has been this relentless approach to improvement and learning that won the respect and admiration of her colleagues and driven her fast-tracked development. A genuine up and coming star.”
It is rare that one person can shift the dynamic of a large project, but for Rachel that has become business as usual. Rachel’s influence is as infectious as it is positive, and most importantly is founded upon care. As Commercial Manager, it has been her care for project standards and her care for work colleagues that has defined her exceptional performances in delivery and the development of team cultures.”
Macmahon and Decmil congratulates both Rachel and Noelia on their well-deserved recognition and looks forward to their continued contributions to the business and the broader industry.
