Indigenous Intern Wins CareerTrackers Award
Viva Energy Australia (“Viva Energy”) is proud to announce that intern, Jack MacCauley, won the Project Excellence
Award presented at the annual CareerTrackers Awards gala dinner in Sydney.
General Manager Refining, Thys Heyns, said Viva Energy was delighted to have had Jack 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 Thys.
“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.
“The refinery has operated for more than 60-years in Victoria and continues to provide training and development
opportunities for young people through its internship and apprenticeship programs.
“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.”
Viva Energy is the exclusive licensee to the Shell brand in Australia and was launched following the purchase of the
Shell in Australia downstream business (excluding aviation). In addition to its 920 plus service station network and
its Geelong Refinery (VIC), Viva Energy operates bulk fuels, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses
supported by more than 20 storage terminals across the country.