AAL Shipping celebrates women at Melbourne Cup

A HISTORIC Melbourne Cup win set the stage for AAL Australia to celebrate women in shipping at the Ladies Day event at Queens Wharf, Brisbane.

Guests enjoyed a refined ballroom luncheon, live entertainment and vibrant performances.

The event was hosted by renowned TV personality David Whitehill and featured an afternoon of exclusive entertainment by Australian singer-songwriter Ricki-Lee Coulter.

The day was marked by a historical sporting achievement, as Australian-bred gelding Half Yours claimed victory under jockey Jamie Melham—the second female jockey in the race’s history to secure the milestone win.

AAL’s table was made up of their female clients, industry partners and employees who reflected the company’s commitment to gender inclusions and professional development across all maritime services.

In attendance and hosted by AAL Shipping were:

• Nicole Carusi – chartering broker (AAL) – organiser
• Yui Yamaguchi – chartering assistant (AAL) – co-organiser
• Katalina Giraldo – customer service representative (AAL)
• Emma Cook – state manager QLD/NSW (TGP Logistics)
• Amanda Simpson – project manager, transmission (DSV Air & Sea)
• Vicki Cunningham – key account manager, aerospace, marine, defence (DB Schenker)
• Martine Gibson – national project logistics customer excellence manager (Kuehne & Nagel)
• Kelly Runge – shipside superintendent (Australian Amalgamated Terminals)
• Nicola Murray – logistics and project cargo manager (Port of Brisbane)
• Mindy Valdiviezo – logistics coordinator (WRL Shipping)

The commitment is underscored by findings from the in IMO-WISTA Women Maritime Survey 2024, which revealed women represent about 19% of the maritime workforce within IMO member states.

Women at sea remained underrepresented, accounting for 1% of seafarers, according to the survey.