From City Lights to Country Skies: Raff’s move to the Mid-Western region.

For Raffay Rao, trading the pace of the city for the charm of Mudgee wasn’t just a career move - it was a lifestyle shift.

Arriving in early 2023 as a Graduate Electrical Engineer at Wilpinjong Mine, Raff quickly immersed himself in a new way of life, one filled with early starts, sweeping landscapes, and a crash course in Aussie slang. 

Fast-forward to today, and he’s now an Electrical Reliability Engineer, keeping critical equipment running smoothly and pushing for smarter, more efficient systems underground and onsite.

Wilpinjong Mine is located about 50km northeast of Mudgee and is owned and operated by Peabody, which has operated mines in Australia for over 60 years. 

The thermal coal mine is a major employer, supporting 570 local jobs, 200 specialist contractor roles and paying $96 million in wages to employees last year while operating as one of the region’s lowest-emission coal extractors.

“The transition from graduate to engineer was made easy by the support and hands-on experience I got early on,” he says. “Now I’m solving more complex problems, and I love being

able to see the real-world impact of my work.”

But it’s not just the job that’s made Raffay’s time in the Mid-Western region memorable. Life outside the mine has been equally transformative. 

Settling into a farm property just outside Mudgee, he’s embraced a quieter rhythm with starry skies, early sunrises, and the occasional unexpected encounter with local wildlife.

“The peace and space out here is incredible. I’ve learned a lot about self-sustainability, and I’ve come to really appreciate the little things like how golden the light is at dawn, or how fresh the air smells after rain.”

He’s also discovered that moving regional doesn’t mean hitting pause on career progression. At Wilpinjong, there’s structure, support, and a clear path forward. For someone with big ambitions, Raff says the Mid-Western move has only strengthened his resolve.

“This is a place where you can build something both professionally and personally. You’re surrounded by good people, you’ve got room to grow, and the view’s not bad either.”