Thirty Years, One Terminal: Renae Harmsworth on Leadership, Longevity and Loving Where You Work.

In an industry known for constant change, there’s something quietly powerful about staying.

For Renae Harmsworth, that staying has spanned more than three decades at Daly Bay—a career built not on grand titles or quick moves, but on consistency, adaptability, and deep belief in the value of regional work.

“I love putting my uniform on,” Renae says. “I love walking up the street in my uniform. That gives me such pride.”

Today, Renae is a Logistics Manager at DBCT P/L, leading the teams responsible for planning and coordinating the complex movement of trains, vessels and cargo that keep one of Australia’s most significant export terminals operating. But her story began long before leadership roles or long-range planning meetings.

Renae arrived at Daly Bay fresh out of university with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in accounting. Like many graduates, she wasn’t entirely sure where she fit—only that a traditional accounting firm didn’t feel right.

A short, five-week stint relieving in employee relations was meant to be temporary.

“Then I basically never left,” she says.

That five-week role grew into a 32-year career—one shaped by learning on the job, saying yes to opportunities, and evolving alongside an organisation that was itself transforming.

When Renae started in 1993, the terminal looked very different.

“There were probably seven or eight women on site,” she recalls. “And they were all in admin or accounts roles. There was nothing in non-traditional roles.”

The culture was also different—less formal, less structured, and far less diverse. Over time, she has witnessed enormous change: in systems, safety, leadership styles, and the visibility of women across the organisation.

“I’ve had a really great experience,” she says. “I feel fortunate that I haven’t been exposed to some of the traditional issues women have faced.”

That doesn’t mean the work has been easy. Logistics is fast-paced, high-stakes, and people-driven. Renae describes her team as the “glue” that brings everything together—constantly adjusting plans, managing complexity, and responding to change in real time.

What sets her apart as a leader is not dominance, but composure.

“I’ve been told I always look calm and composed,” she says. “I don’t fire the same emotion back.”

It’s a skill learned over time—and one she sees as essential in environments where pressure runs high.

Renae believes women bring something distinct to industries like resources—not because they do less, but because they often think differently.

“We can do everything men do,” she says. “But we approach things differently.”

For her, that means thinking ahead, anticipating issues, and having contingency plans ready before problems escalate. It also means challenging the idea that you need to be 100% ready before stepping forward.

“You don’t have to have all the skills before you apply,” she says. “Just because you don’t know the answer right now doesn’t mean you won’t get it.”

It’s advice she’s learned through experience—and one she now passes on to younger women coming through the industry.

After three decades at DBCT P/L, Renae is clear about what matters now: balance, wellbeing, and showing up as a better version of herself.

“I bring a better me to work,” she says. “I’m present. I’m in a better mindset.”

Joy, for Renae, isn’t found in accolades or titles. It’s in walking into work with pride, seeing her teams grow, and knowing she’s contributed to something meaningful—over time, not overnight.

As part of The Just Saying Project’s storytelling series with DBCT P/L, Renae’s story is a reminder that regional careers can be rich, long-lasting, and deeply fulfilling. That leadership doesn’t always look loud. And that sometimes, the most powerful stories belong to the women who stayed, learned, and quietly shaped the future.