Physically, there is only one road into Sandy Ridge, Tellus’ geological repository in the WA Goldfields.
But when you meet Tellus people, you realise how many different journeys have brought them there.
None of these journeys has been longer, or had more twists and turns, than that of Su Pan, our Research Chemist.
Born and raised in Shanghai, Su graduated in Chemistry at the Shanghai Institute of Education in 1982. She promptly commenced her career as an analytical chemist.
In 1989, to gain fluency in English—a professional imperative—she came to Canberra. It was the first time she had lived away from home, and she planned to study for a year.
Two events—one geopolitical, the other personal—changed all that. First, in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests, the Australian government announced Chinese foreign students would be permitted to remain here, if they chose to—and Su did.
Second, Su met her British husband, and they started a family, which Su took time out to raise.
In 2000, the family moved across to Perth, mainly for the weather, and Su grasped the opportunity to resume her career. But that meant some retraining. Su needed to update her skills in a modern laboratory. Nervous about whether her Chinese training would stand her in good stead, she undertook a diploma course at TAFE, followed by a second Science degree at Murdoch University.
Not only did these learning experiences renew her confidence—she graduated with flying colours—but the contrast with her earlier education complicated and deepened her perspectives.
“In China, they emphasise the foundation, every step of the way, and require you to master it. In Australia they emphasise innovating, thinking outside the square—they make you think deeper and ask ‘Why?’” This learning style made all my previous learning become more meaningful.”
After a range of other FIFO roles, Su joined Tellus in 2021, her first foray into waste and environmental management. As well as her research role—analysing the incoming waste at Sandy Ridge, and developing safer and more efficient ways of treating it—she has increasingly taken on a training and mentorship role.
It’s a long way from Shanghai. But Su regrets not a single step of the journey.
“I love the job,” she says. “Whatever the discipline you have, whatever your work experience outside the waste industry, you always have a part to play in this company moving forward.”
“The site is so impressive. It is the safest place in Australia for waste material, and also the safest place to work.”
“The countryside, the beautiful sky—no two days are the same. Nature makes us become happier and more settled.”
