Awesome Women in Construction have this weekend celebrated the successful launch of the annual AWIC Awards.
The AWIC Awards recognised the invaluable contributions women make to the construction industry, and close to 300 guests were in attendance for the inaugural event held at Brisbane’s Cloudland on Friday, October 7.
Awesome Women in Construction Founder and CEO Amanda Bulow said she hoped the success of the inaugural Awards would help raise awareness of the impact women have across construction, Australia’s most male-dominated sector.
“Women have long been an integral part of the construction arena, and with these Awards we’re putting the focus on their contributions to the past, present and future of our industry,” Ms Bulow said.
“These women are contributing to the future of the construction industry in very real, high-impacts ways, from project managers to tradies, to women in STEM, young achievers, sales and management, and support and admin teams.
“The Awards also recognised those who are advocating for women in construction and the employers of choice that we need to look to as the new benchmark for what the future of our industry should look like.”
The Awards celebrated women’s contributions across 11 categories, including Outstanding Woman in Trade, Exceptional Contribution to Construction, Achievement in STEM, Young Achiever, Inspirational Leader and AWIC Professional of the Year.
“We had an amazing calibre of nominees across each category, and our awesome Awards panel had the difficult but wonderful job of selecting our very first winners,” Ms Bulow said.
“The AWIC Professional of the Year award was the main event of the night, and our first winner of this category was Keeley Tilbrook, who blew away the panel with her insightful reflections and positive outlook on a career in construction.
“During interviews, Keeley had the panel in tears as she described her journey and decision to undertake an apprenticeship, and the highs and lows of navigating high school, friendship struggles and working towards her dream.”
At just 17, Ms Tilbrook is a part-time high school student and committed electrical apprentice at Dawson Electric, where she has made a lasting impression on her employers as an up-and-coming electrician.
“I think what makes me an awesome woman in construction is my positive perspective on all aspects of my work and my genuine love for what I do,” Miss Tilbrook said.
“I am strong willed, honest, optimistic and am always learning through failure.
“I get the job done with a smile and push myself to do what scares me, but mostly I love to show not only young girls, but everyone around me that it is fun to do things that aren’t the norm.”
Miss Tilbrook also took home the Young Achiever award sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland.
“Congratulations to everybody who was nominated, all of our finalists and Awards winners,” Ms Bulow said.
“We can’t wait to watch you all continue to succeed in the industry and wish you all the best for the future.
“I would also like to thank all of our Awards sponsors, our judging panels and everybody who helped make our inaugural Awards a huge success.
“Next year we hope to double what we achieved this year, welcoming more guests, more nominees, more categories, celebrating more awesome women.”
Expressions of interest are now open for 2023 Awards sponsorship opportunities.
A not-for-profit organisation, AWIC provides support and resources for women working in all areas of the construction industry, from administration, sales and management to tradeswomen, architects and engineers and everyone in between.
Since its launch in 2017, AWIC has grown to support a community of more than 200 members across Australia, headed by Ms Bulow and her Board and Committee members.
Full list of 2022 AWIC Awards winners:
- AWIC Professional of the Year: Keeley Tilbrook, Dawson Electric
- Austworld Outstanding Woman in Trade: Cassidy Bowman, Firstline Engineering
- Construction Skills Queensland Young Achiever: Keeley Tilbrook, Dawson Electric
- Regional Development Australia (Gold Coast) Achievement in STEM: Ros Wilson, Wilson Environmental Compliance
- HazardCo Exceptional Contribution to Construction: Jess Knott, Coast2Bay Housing Group
- Meka Recruitment Employer of Choice: Georgi Le Lay, Rocket Building Approvals
- Johns Lyng Group Advocate of Change: Angela Dähn, Wolter Consulting Group
- Office2Site Executive PA: Theressa Cowie, Emergency Trade Services
- Qld Small Business Commissioner Exceptional Small Business Manager: Melinda Costa, Go Bins Gold Coast
- TAFE Queensland Inspirational Leader: Sarah Rees, Fluid Building Approvals
- James Hardie Business Professional: Dr Brenda Jamnik, ORG CD
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Amanda Bulow
Awesome Women in Construction Founder and CEO
M: 0405 133 126
