Inspiring women and innovative companies from across the construction sector were recognised for their achievements at the annual NAWIC Awards for Excellence last week.
 
The event was hosted by the NAWIC NSW Chapter, and attracted a record number of entries in 11 categories.
 
Sarah Hogan, NAWIC’s NSW Chapter President, said more than 950 people gathered at The Star in Sydney last Thursday for the 20th anniversary event.
 
“The NAWIC Awards for Excellence celebrate both rising female stars and recognised leaders from across our industry," she said, "as well as the companies supporting and guiding female talent."

Laura Durkan won the WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff Business Woman of the Year Award.

Durkan is Head of Human Resources at construction company, Richard Crookes.

“Laura has faced significant challenges as Richard Crookes evolves from a small family business to a competitive, established name. The judges were impressed with Laura’s ability to create a successful learning and development function within her company, and with the positive impact she has made on the entire business,” Hogan said.

The winner of the Lendlease Crystal Vision Award for Advancing the Interests of Women in the Construction Industry was Hilti Australia, a tool manufacturer. Hilti has a dedicated diversity and inclusion team that focuses on flexible work arrangements, developing women for leadership roles, recruitment practices, and establishing external partnerships to raise awareness. Hilti has increased female applications for employment from 10 to 15 per cent in the last 12 months.

“Hilti’s commitment to advancing the careers of women is bearing fruit, and 30 per cent of its executive management team is female. Hilti is showing the industry how diversity can be delivered,” Hogan said.

Other category and merit winners include:  

Probuild Tradesperson Scholarship

Winner: Bonnie Marcus, Ferris Building

Merit: Sonia Morgenweck, Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen

Master Builders Association & Clinton Recruitment Award for Team Innovation

Winner: Jacobs, for consistent team work on multiple health infrastructure projects

Merit: Telstra Property, Davenport Campbell & Partners and Lendlease, for the 400 George Street project

Brookfield Scholarship for Future Leaders

Winner: Rodanthe-Marie Butler, Brookfield Multiplex

Merit: Jane Moran, Aurecon

Merit: Penny Campbell, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff

Stockland Award for Innovation in Design

Winner: Emma Favretto, Probuild Constructions

CBRE University Scholarship

Winner: Natalie Galea, a PhD student at the University of New South Wales

Merit: Vanessa Yee Lu, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering student at the University of New South Wales

HASSELL Award for Contribution to a Project’s Development

Winner: Kimberley Jackson, Lendlease, for Tower Three at Barangaroo South

Acoustic Logic Award for Contribution to Sustainability

Winner: Davina Rooney, National Sustainability Manager, Stockland

Merit: Lucy Sharman, Eco-concierge at Barangaroo South, Lendlease

MPA Award for Achievement in Construction, Refurbishment and Fit Out

Winner: Joanna Lees, Lendlease, for her work on Lendlease’s new workplace at Barangaroo

Built Project Manager Award

Winner: Samantha McWilliam, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, for Sydney Metro City and Southwest

Merit: Shivani Naidoo, APP, for the Westpac national retail rollout

Children from Moorambilla Voices, an arts program for rural and remote children in North West NSW, sang for the attendees. 

The NAWIC was established in 1995 and works with government and industry to improve the opportunities for women in the construction sector. NAWIC hosts networking events, education seminars, runs annual awards, and funds scholarships.

The NAWIC NSW Chapter is a passionate group of women who volunteer time and expertise to host events aimed at furthering the involvement of women in the construction industry. 

See also:

A call for equality in the construction industry

Empowering women in property

Growing women’s influence key to addressing gender gap