General News
20 September, 2025
Rotary explores dark matter with special guest speaker
The Palace Hotel was the place to be on Wednesday, September 3, when Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory's chief operating officer, Kim Mintern-Lane, came to Warracknabeal for a Rotary Club event.
Organiser Ross Johns said the event went very well, with a great turnout showing their support.
"Kim was sensational and by far the best guest speaker I've heard," he said.
"She spoke about her involvement in the crime scene investigation in the Netherlands of MH17, the plane that was shot down.
"That was really fascinating."
Ms Mintern-Lane spent 18 years as the Team Leader in Crime Scenes and Imagery, as well as Geomatics, for the Australian Federal Police, serving as Coordinator of Forensic Operations and Capability, and as Forensic Liaison Officer.
She has managed areas of forensic intelligence, forensic operations, strategy, and performance, as well as counter-terrorism, rapid response, search precincts, and operational systems across various fields.
"There were lots of questions and it was very well received," Mr Johns said.
In April 2023, Ms Mintern-Lane was appointed facility and laboratory manager at Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL), returning to her hometown of Stawell.
She was promoted in April 2025, stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer.
SUPL is a world-class facility established to support breakthrough and applied research that requires an ultra-low background radiation environment.
"The facility is doing globally significant research and I'm proud to have it happen in the Wimmera," Mr Johns said.