Shana Mooyman turned her back on a glamorous life as a model and swapped it for a job in the iron ore mines of Western Australia , which has earned her enough money to buy her three investment properties . The 25-year-old started modelling from a young age and often saw her face plastered on promotional nightclub and festival posters . Ms Mooyman , from Bunbury in Western Australia , made the unusual career switch at the age of 19 when she became a mobile plant operator at a mineral sands mine in Cataby . Shana Mooyman used to be a promotional model but now she drives heavy machinery in the mines . After six years behind the wheel of heavy machinery , Ms Mooyman , who is now a fully qualified operator , is adamant she can hold her own - despite working in such a predominately male industry . ' I was a little nervous first coming into this work , being so isolated from everyone into such a small area grouped together with mainly blokes around , ' she said . 'But I survived my first couple of shifts and an older lady took me under her wing . 'We started having after work drinks with my crew and that 's when the potty mouth started . 'They converted me . I was now just one of the guys holding my ground not taking any of their nonsense . 'You just need to learn to speak up and do n't take their jibes seriously and you 'll be fine . ' At 19 , she decided to leave the modelling industry ( right ) behind and head to the mines at Cataby in Western Australia ( left ) She is now a fully qualified mobile plant operator at a mineral sands mine because she wanted to do something new and exciting . Ms Mooyman said she wanted to move into the mining industry as it was 'something so new and exciting ' with 'heaps to be learnt ' . 'Once I started I was earning more than I ever did locally and loved being outdoors all day . I could n't imagine doing anything else , ' she said . 'It 's definitely not for all men and women as there are so many downsides to being away . ' Ms Mooyman said she left the modelling industry because she needed a more stable profession . ' I started modelling at a young age but it was never serious enough for me to take it up further , ' she said . 'When I was 18 years old I did a lot of promotional modelling night clubs , festivals and concerts in the Perth area . Ms Mooyman ( pictured left and right ) said she earned more working at the mines than she ever did locally . 'This involved photo shoots for particular venues to use for advertising purposes so I was plastered on posters for events also wearing certain outfits . 'But I was paying off loans and needed a change of job so a friend helped me out . ' Now Shana has three investment properties and is hoping her successful stint at the mine will help her set-up a life with her partner . She said she was grateful for the opportunities given to her , but she realised it was not for everyone . Now Shana has three investment properties and is hoping her successful stint at the mine will help her set-up a life with her partner . 'In no time I 'd developed skills to operate a large variety of machines such as excavators , loaders , dump trucks , water carts , tractors and forklifts - you name it , I 've driven it , ' she said . ' I 've been contracted to work on a variety of sites including Gin Gin , Eneabba and local areas around Perth . 'These would be a few weeks at a time working solo to get a job complete so I was stuck at the mines for long periods at a time . 'It can be very isolating . Being stuck in a tiny bedroom is n't for everyone . 'But it 's been a great step for me and something that I never knew I 'd end up doing . '
Shana Mooyman , 25 , used to be a promotional model when she was 18 . The Western Australian now works at a mineral sands mine in Cataby . After six years , Ms Mooyman is now a fully qualified mobile plant operator . She earns more than she did as a model and has investment properties .