Geraldton port chief Rochelle Macdonald wins national shipping and maritime industry award

Geraldton port chief Rochelle Macdonald has taken out a national shipping and maritime industry award.

Dr Macdonald, the Mid West Ports Authority chief executive, was last night awarded the Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Award for Women, in a ceremony in Melbourne.

The award recognises her strategic contribution and influence in the industry.

Dr Macdonald, who has more than two decades of experience in the industry, said she was humbled by the award.

“I am humbled and grateful to be recognised, especially given the other amazing women who also participate in the same space,” she said.

“It is a sign of our times that many women are coming to the forefront in what still is very much a male dominated industry.”

Since her appointment in 2018, Dr Macdonald has led change in the port’s organisational structure, including more streamlined processes and strategies to enable further growth.

She has also overseen the release of a draft Geraldton Port Master Plan to accommodate “potentially significant trade growth” over the next 30 years.

She has been on the Board of Ports Australia since 2018, the peak body representing Australia's port authorities and corporations.