Meet Venus Carruthers
What led you to a career at Duratec?
“I graduated as a Civil Engineer in 2003 and after moving to Australia from the Philippines in 2007, I worked as a Site Engineer and held roles in project engineering, contract administration, quality assurance/quality control, and construction across the mining, commercial, and civil sectors.
What attracted me to Duratec was the opportunity to focus on asset remediation, structural integrity, and delivering specialised solutions for clients. It was a chance to combine my engineering background with my project management and quality expertise while working on diverse and challenging projects across Australia.”
How does your role safeguard and extend asset and infrastructure?
“As a Senior Project Manager, my role is focused on ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. Much of our work involves protective coatings, structural repairs, concrete remediation, and asset integrity projects. By implementing the right systems, materials, inspections, and quality controls, we help extend the life of critical infrastructure, reduce the risk of asset failure, and create safer environments for workers and communities.”
What’s your biggest professional achievement and why?
“One of my proudest achievements has been progressing from a Site Engineer to a Senior Project Manager while continuing to expand my technical expertise through certifications such as NACE Coating Inspector Level 2 and Statutory Supervisor qualifications. What makes this achievement particularly rewarding is knowing that the projects delivered by our teams contribute to safer, more reliable operations for our clients while also supporting the growth and development of the people I work alongside.”
What do you enjoy most about working at Duratec?
“I most enjoy the diversity of the work at Duratec and the people I have the opportunity to work with. Every project brings unique challenges, different environments, and ongoing opportunities to learn and grow. I value Duratec’s strong team culture, where people are willing to share knowledge, support one another, and collaborate to solve complex problems. Seeing a project progress from planning through to successful completion is always rewarding, and I have been fortunate to learn from experienced mentors within the organisation who have played an important role in my professional development.”
What have you learned during your time at Duratec / what has inspired you?
“Working at Duratec has reinforced the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. I have had the opportunity to work with clients across a variety of sitesand disciplines, and every project has taught me something new. I am inspired by the dedication of our teams, who consistently find practical solutions to challenging problems while never compromising on safety or quality. It has shown me that the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning and improving.”
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
“Be willing to learn, ask questions, and take on challenges outside your comfort zone. Technical skills are important, but so is communication, teamwork, and a positive attitude. Most importantly, build a reputation for being reliable, safe, and professional, because those qualities will open many opportunities throughout your career.”