Ambition often gets the spotlight, but what sustains a career is something quieter. Support.
For Shani Herat Gunaratne, that kind of support is not unusual. It is part of how her team shows up every day at Port of Newcastle. It is also what gave her the confidence to build a career in an industry she once was not sure she belonged in.
Support is built into the way people work within the organisation. It shows up in the way teams collaborate, how challenges are shared and how people step in for each other when it matters.
Shani, now an Engineering Services Manager, has spent just over three years at the Port. Her role spans both immediate problem solving and long term planning. One day she is onsite working through fire protection improvements. The next, she is mapping out infrastructure needs years into the future.
“The blend of tactical problem solving and strategic thinking keeps things dynamic and fun,” she says.
Yet when she reflects on what makes her work meaningful, it comes back to people.
“My favourite part of my role is the privilege of working alongside a team of passionate, committed people who genuinely care about the port, its assets and its operations. Every day I’m inspired by the pride they take in their work and the way they support one another.”
That support is practical, consistent and deeply human.
“My team genuinely supports each other. We all recognise that everyone has tough days, sometimes weeks, when the workload feels overwhelming, and when someone is struggling, it does not go unnoticed.”
It is this kind of environment that creates space for people to be honest, to ask for help and to keep moving forward.
“It creates a culture where we feel safe, supported to do our best work, and connected.”
For Nikki Ashworth, Financial Controller, that same sense of support has shaped a different chapter of her career. One that includes becoming a parent while continuing to grow professionally.
“I have had both of my children while working at the Port and have been lucky to receive paid parental leave both times,” she says.
Did you know that Port of Newcastle offer 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary carers?
Support did not end there. Her return to work was handled with care and flexibility, allowing her to ease back in at a pace that worked for her life.
“I was able to initially return part time and then gradually build back up to full time hours. Working for a business that offers flexibility and the ability to work from home has been helpful in achieving a work-life balance.”
For Nikki, that flexibility is not a bonus. It is what makes a demanding role sustainable.
“Having two children under the age of four means life is very busy. Working for such a supportive business has made returning to full time work a smooth transition.”
Her experience reflects a broader truth. Policies matter, but how they are lived day to day matters more.
Across both engineering and finance, Port of Newcastle has built a culture where support is visible and consistent. It shows up in the way teams collaborate, in how leaders respond to life outside of work, and in the trust placed in people to manage their responsibilities.
For Shani, that environment also played a role in reshaping how she saw herself.
“For a long time I never imagined I would be good enough for this type of role in this type of industry. But by learning all I could, saying yes when opportunities came up and stepping into challenges, I found a career that has been one of the most rewarding choices I’ve made.”
Her advice is simple, but grounded in experience.
“Stay open to opportunities, even the ones you never imagined for yourself.”
It is a reminder that careers do not always follow a straight path. Sometimes they grow through small decisions. Saying yes. Asking questions. Taking on something that feels just out of reach.
At Port of Newcastle, those moments are supported rather than questioned. And that makes all the difference.
Because when someone notices you are having a tough week, when your return to work is handled with care, when your team genuinely wants you to succeed, it changes how you experience your career.
For women looking for a workplace where support is more than a promise, Shani and Nikki’s stories offer something real. A glimpse of what is possible when people, flexibility and trust are part of the foundation.
