SA’S KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDED ADELAIDE DESIGNER PAUL VASILEFF OF PAOLO SEBASTIAN SOME OF THE WINNERS AT THE HIA QLD WOMEN IN BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION AWARDS are ‘women who are working in construction Sarah Gamtcheff of Hafele felt a similar way roles right across our industry’. Similarly, both regarding the South Australia HIA–Polytec Women in Queensland and South Australia experienced this Industry luncheon saying the event ‘enables Hafele firsthand at their HIA Building Women events. to celebrate the important role women play in the The recent 2018 HIA Queensland Recognition construction industry’. of Women in Building & Construction Awards saw The luncheon was held in August this year with a range of exceptional women from nominees, a record attendance of 300 people. The event was winners and attendees that participate across the hosted by Rosanna Mangiarelli, an Australian journalist, residential-building supply chain. The fourth year and had keynote speakers including Adelaide fashion THE SOUTH AUSTRALIA of the Queensland women in industry awards saw designer Paul Vasileff of Paolo Sebastian. HIA–POLYTEC Kaitlyn Moore, director of O’Connell Agencies, win Judy Routley of Routleys Bathroom Kitchen WOMEN IN INDUSTRY the top award for Professional Woman of the Year. Laundry commented that ‘Paolo Sebastian was very LUNCHEON HAD A Kaitlyn came from humble beginnings in her inspirational’. RECORD ATTENDANCE garage, importing nails and silicone. Over time The luncheon provided an opportunity for men OF 300 PEOPLE her business gradually grew and Kaitlyn had and women alike to enjoy the amazing keynote the opportunity to expand and execute her speakers, great food and venue, all while affirming manufacturing vision. Since 2012, Kaitlyn has the ongoing contribution women make to the turned the former import supply business into industry. The collection of people and business Australia’s biggest PVC column form manufacturer. representatives further provide a wonderful Her PVC column tubing is utilised across Australia afternoon of networking where new and existing and supplies to some of the biggest construction relationships were formed or reconnected. projects in the country. This opportunity and growth South Australia went on to highlight the progress didn’t come by chance, instead it came through being made in the industry when presenting Susie many years of research and development, good Martin of Aaron Martin Constructions with a HIA stay in and bad experiences, and personal determination national award. Susie received the 2018 HIA – proving what women can do for, and within, the Australian Business Partner award from the 2018 the loop residential building industry. HIA–CSR Australian Housing Awards. HIA Queensland Executive Director Michael Graham Wolfe concluded that ‘the Building If you would like to stay up to Roberts says: ‘We must do everything we can to Women initiative is responding to the current date with the HIA Building Women encourage women into the industry at all levels, environment where the industry is still male- initiative and upcoming events in if for no other reason than to ensure that there is dominated, but with enormous scope to access the your region then register your details an in adequate supply of skills to meet the future potential for women to contribute right across the at www.hia.com.au/buildingwomen demand for housing in the state.’ spectrum of careers in the building industry’. NOVEMBER 2018 HOUSING 85 BUSINESS • HIA BUILDING WOMEN