The awards, held on Friday 24 October at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, were established to honour the achievements and encourage the advancement of women in construction.

NAWIC’s Victorian and Tasmanian Chapter President, Catriona Smith, says: “NAWIC’s Awards for Excellence are an important platform for us to recognise outstanding women for their achievements, and to applaud the companies that are supporting these women,” Ms Smith says. “The quality of nominations this year was a testament to the quality of the women that have dedicated their careers to our industry, and to building a better Australia.” Leighton Contractors was presented with the prestigious Probuild Crystal Vision Award for its work to boost its female workforce.

“Leighton Contractors has developed a blueprint for enhancing female participation and career opportunities. By investing in strategic policies – such as flexible working arrangements, job sharing and teleworking, mentoring and networking programs – Leighton Contractors has increased its female workforce from 16 per cent in 2011 to 25 per cent in 2014,” Ms Smith explains.

“NAWIC applauds Leighton Contractors’ leadership, and in particular the work of Dr Collette Burke, for initiatives that are making a measurable difference to career opportunities for women in our industry.” A panel of industry experts selected winners based on strict award criteria. Category winners and commendations include:

Probuild Crystal Vision Award for Advancing the Interests of Women in the Construction Industry

Winner: Leighton Contractors
Commendation: Brookfield Multiplex
NAWIC Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Businesswoman
Winner: Kate Wickett, Aurecon Australasia
NAWIC Award for Contribution to Environmental Sustainability
Winner: Priya Pathmanathan, Leighton Contractors
Project: Regional Rail Link – Work Package F,
West Werribee Junction

NAWIC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Delivery, Development or Construction

Winner: Sarah Barclay, Monaco Hickey
Project: CSL Privigen
Commendation: Anna Marshall, Johnstaff
Project: Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre

University of Melbourne Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design

Winner: Danielle Savio, Brookfield Multiplex
Project: 700 Bourke Street Development
Brookfield Multiplex Award to a Young Achiever
Winner: Stephanie Wood, McConnell Dowell
Commendation: Jessica Anderson, John Holland Group

NAWIC Award to an Emerging Leader

Winner: Benita Husband, Aurecon
Commendation: Sarah O’Neill, Leighton Contractors
MBAV Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Tradesperson
Winner: Helen Anthony, Fine Style Painting
Commendation: Rhonda Neil, AGA

RMIT University Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Student

Winner: Elena Casa, University of Melbourne and
Brookfield Multiplex
Commendation: Natasha Ugrinoski, University of Melbourne and Johnstaff
Boral Award to a Diversity and Inclusion Champion
Winner: Clare Robertson, Jacobs

Sponsors

Major sponsors of the awards were Probuild, Master Builders Association, Boral, Brookfield Multiplex, RMIT University, Melbourne University Melbourne School of Design. Support sponsors include Hickory Group, Kane, McConnell Dowell, Johnstaff, Leighton, City of Melbourne, Cockram, Aurecon, Westkon Precast, Walker, the Building Leadership Simulation Centre and the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council.

Each year, the NAWIC Awards for Excellence also feature an auction to raise funds for the annual International Women’s Day Scholarship. The scholarship is generously supported by Cult and its Managing Director Richard Munao. This year, Cult donated a designer chair which raised $4,500.

Nawic
nawic.com.au