30 years of memories

13 February 2023

Senior Energy Trader, John, is living proof a lot can change in 30 years but still remain the same.

Back in 1993, John was a fresh-faced new administrative trainee at the then Queensland Electricity Commission. Three decades on, a few company demergers and a secondment into the newly formed trading division, John is still a valued member of the trading team here at Stanwell.

“I initially started on a four-year administrative traineeship with six monthly rotations through various parts of the business,” John said.

“During a demerger of the Queensland Electricity Commission I elected to join Stanwell’s newly formed trading division where I worked in settlements and corporate compliance before eventually applying for one of the new 24-hour spot trader roles when the business was restructured to trade Gladstone Power Station.”

While working in spot trading John took an interest in Stanwell’s renewable assets, such as the North Queensland Hydro Power Stations, which eventually led him to apply for his current role as Environmental and Carbon Trader.

During this time at Stanwell, John has seen a lot of changes, including to his job positions, but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“I have been very lucky to work for managers who have given me great opportunities. Just when I have been ready to move on, another opportunity has opened up within the business that has interested me,” he said.

“I think support from management is a part of Stanwell’s culture which is worth staying for.”

Some of John’s career highlights include working with his current team and structuring renewable products for retail customers as the industry transitions to renewables.

John has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.

“With the current transition to a renewables future, and having worked in environmental products over the past few years, I feel like my background has kept me perfectly placed as Stanwell expands its renewables portfolio,” he said.

“I have enjoyed some amazing opportunities at Stanwell across the years, and I don’t think I would have stayed if it wasn’t for the great people I have worked with along the way.”

The original traineeship group in 1993. John is pictured fourth from the left in the back row.