From footy jokes in his first week to leading projects across the country, Project Manager Lance Duda has packed plenty into his 15 years at Monos’.
Before he had even set foot on site, Lance was already being quizzed about his surname and potential footy credentials.
“At the time, there was another engineer in the business with the last name Doodah, spelt differently, and everyone had to ask if we were related,” Lance explained.
“The second question was if I was related to the great Archie Duda from East Perth. I think they just wanted to know if I was any good for the Monos’ Footy Cup team.
“Sorry to let them down, no relation, and I am shocking at footy, but I am a big Freo fan!”
Lance joined the Graduate Program in 2010, slightly out of step with the usual intake, and went straight to Paraburdoo as a site engineer on the CV1 conveyor upgrade project.
“Back then, almost everything you learn is for the first time. These days, if you can find one new thing in a day, that is a win,” he said.
Over the years, he has worked his way through almost every role on offer – site engineer, project engineer, supervisor, planner, senior project engineer and now project manager. Each step added more experience, along with plenty of what he calls opportunities.
“I have had plenty of challenges, but I like to call them opportunities. I do not think there has been one big achievement, more a collection of little wins along the way,” he said.
“I do not have a bucket list as such. For me, it is about delivering consistent outcomes for clients and ideally getting to work more as a business partner rather than with a contractor mentality. Finishing major outages and long-term contract renewals are things I am proud of.”
Alongside his own growth, he has watched Monos’ evolve too.
“Probably the biggest change has been seeing Monos’ develop into different areas and grow into the multi-faceted construction and maintenance company we are today,” Lance said.
And his gratitude is clear.
“Big thanks to past and present managers and mentors over the 15 years who have given me a chance in a great industry and opportunities to develop. And, to my wife and family who have supported me through all the times away travelling for work,” Lance explained.
Here’s to the next chapter.