The National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) Regional Committee will host its inaugural cocktail event, Celebrate Regional, at Furphy Hall, Little Creatures Brewery on Friday, April 28.
The Regional Committee, which was formed in 2021 to encourage and support women studying and working in the construction industry, consists of nine women in diverse construction roles.
Over the past 18 months the committee has organised speaker events, site tours and networking events, but Lisa Cunningham, committee member and furniture specialist at K5 Furniture, said the Celebrate Regional event was intended to include the whole construction sector.
“This is not a women only event, this is a chance to get builders and companies on board at Furphy Hall to have a great night,” Ms Cunningham said.
Committee vice chair and Deakin University project manager Velina Genova said the intention was to make Celebrating Regional the committee’s annual flagship event.
“We need the support of and recognition from the industry as a whole, so the intent is to run it as an annual event,” she said.
“The Melbourne Committee has the NAWIC awards night every year in November, so we wanted to have something that is purely regional, an event that we’re known for.”
Ms Genova, who has recently been named Deakin’s project manager for the construction and fit-out of its new India campus, said an organisation like NAWIC would have been invaluable for her when she began her career in construction.
“I had a mini-meltdown in the first three months; I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” she said.
“At the time I had some really good mentors who were able to help me out. But I think a lot of females entering the industry don’t have that.
“So it’s about creating those connections and opportunities for people.”
For more information visit nawic.com.au.
