Page 754 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
It is important work, considering that as at 2020 women make up only 12.7 per cent of the construction industry’s workforce. These statistics are why it is so important to recognise the contributions of the 2020 ACT NAWIC award winners. The NAWIC award celebrates the achievement of members in a male-dominated construction industry and has the help of generous members of the Canberra industry who support the NAWIC ACT chapter with financial sponsorship. The winners are exciting examples of what a more diverse, gender-balanced future in the construction industry can achieve, and some of those are here today. Welcome to your Assembly.
Last year 12 deserving women received awards. The prestigious Crystal Vision Award went to Rebecca Power, the first female branch manager of commercial infrastructure at Major Projects Canberra who has personally prioritised the promotion of women through parental leave. The Emerging Leader in Construction Award was given to Satomi Honda, a qualified geotech engineer and current site manager at Kane Constructions. She is dedicated to challenging stereotypes surrounding women in construction.
Construction Businesswoman of the Year went to Tush Gerebtzoff. She founded two businesses in the construction industry, including Queen Bee Construction. Within her businesses she is dedicated to the elevation of women through opportunity, promotion and work experience. The Capital Region Student of the Year went to Ashleigh Johnston. Originally a receptionist, she was inspired to commence her bachelor of construction management because she observed incredible women in the industry.
The Leadership in Construction Award went to Jillian Rheinberger, a senior project manager who is passionate about diversity, actively promoting discussion surrounding gender issues. Tradeswoman of the Year went to Anita Hac, who has made an outstanding contribution in the construction industry, including a role in the short film Redraw the Balance ACT. And mentor of the year went to Lucie Hassall, the general manager for Invasive Species Solutions. She founded the Women in Lend Lease Program, a female-led network which aims to improve the retention of women in the workforce.
The Achievements in Engineering Award went to Michelle Dimoski, a geotechnical engineer who has a reputation for prompt and precise consults. She has been instrumental in providing opportunities and courses for women. The Innovation in Construction Industry Award went to Vanessa Brady, the project director of the COVID-19 surge centre. You may recall this project was completed to a high standard in only seven days.
The Achievement in Design Award went to Belinda Barnes, whose design for the Stromlo Leisure Centre was notable for its incorporation of future planning considerations. The Achievements in Safety Award went to Rhiannon Sutherland who, in her capacity as work health and safety coordinator at Kane Constructions, has taken on a mentor role at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Finally, but by no means least, the Diversity and Inclusion Award went to Kane Constructions who, over the past year, have transformed themselves into a company focused on championing gender and equity, with 44 per cent of their staff now female.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video