From backyard rocks to building communities: Michelle Knott’s journey

When a close family member mentioned there was “rock in the backyard,” Michelle Knott and Scott Blake’s curiosity was sparked. 

“Scott’s uncle, for as long as Scott could remember, had said, ‘There’s rock in my backyard.’ One day, he said to me, ‘Should we go have a look at these rocks in my uncle’s backyard?’ I was all for it, we’re both quite adventurous and love a challenge,” Michelle said. 

 They decided to investigate the potential of the family farm. After testing, they discovered the basalt was perfect for road base aggregates and other essential products. 

 “We took them to a rock testing company, and they replied that the rock was viable to make road base aggregates and other products. So, we started the long journey of discovering what a quarry actually is and what it does.”

 This discovery set them on a three-year journey of research, learning, and determination to open their family-owned quarry in regional New South Wales. 

 In fact, the first time Michelle and Scott set foot on a working quarry, it was their own. 

 “Prior to this, we’d never been in a quarry,” she said. “I’d been to an old quarry which had been converted into a swimming spot, but not a working site where they drill and blast.”

 Her prior experience in project management and juggling the demands of running a business and being a mother of four proved invaluable in running a quarry. 

 “My previous experience helped greatly in being an operations manager and managing a quarry because it comes down to project management. Being a mother of four, you learn to juggle lots of things happening all the time,” she laughs. 

 The learning curve was steep, involving calls to regulators, mountains of paperwork, and countless hours of research. Michelle’s persistence and adaptability helped them navigate every challenge. 

 “I remember calling the New South Wales resource regulator and asking, ‘How do you actually start a quarry?’ There was a long pause on the other end, but then the person explained the pathways and things we’d have to do - administration, paperwork, licence applications, accreditations, and testing. It was a rabbit hole, but we kept going.”

 Now, nearly three years since opening, their quarry supplies materials to local councils, civil contractors, concrete companies, farmers, and stone masons. 

 “Our main customer base includes local councils, Walcha, Armidale, Uralla, and Tamworth, as well as civil contractors, local concrete companies, and farmers who use our products for laneways and farming operations,” Michelle said. 

 “We also have stone masons who hand-pick rocks for specialised walls and landscaping. The list of customers is quite endless; we even have people come with a trailer to get rocks for their backyard.”

 Michelle is passionate about educating the community on the importance of quarries. She wants people to understand that the roads they drive on and the infrastructure they rely on all start with quarry products. 

 She’s also a strong advocate for quarrying as a career path for school leavers, especially young women. 

 “I’d love to see my daughters join this industry. It offers a strong, diverse skillset, great foundations, and is well supported by organisations like the Institute of Quarrying Australia,” she said. 

 “There’s camaraderie, education, and personal development.”

 Michelle enjoys the diversity and finds the work both rewarding and fun. 

 “One day you’re working on a training schedule, the next you’re sourcing parts from overseas, or learning how to test rock,” Michelle said. “You can’t go to work expecting to tick off a list of tasks; you have to be adaptable. What surprised me most about this sector is how much fun it is. It’s enjoyable and brings a lot of joy. There’s always something new to learn or do.”

 Outside of work, Michelle enjoys archery, a hobby that mirrors her approach to quarrying. 

 “There are similarities between archery and quarrying, you have to silence your mind, be determined, and aim for your target.”

 Her advice to mothers and daughters considering a career in quarrying is simple: “It builds self-confidence and belief, and everyone has the right to work in any sector that makes them happy.”

Michelle’s story is a testament to curiosity, resilience, and community spirit. From a simple comment about rocks in the backyard to running a thriving quarry, she’s laying foundations for everything that lasts, locally and beyond.

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