Last year was a very special year for me, a time when I was recognised by my chosen industry not once but twice. I would like to share one of these experiences with you, in the hope that you will either nominate yourself or consider nominating a women in industry that you consider to be in need of recognition.

Unbeknown to me, my very sneaky husband, The Builder, nominated me for a Women in Industry award, and I was named as a finalist. This was so exciting to me, as I had not been recognised, other than by our own team, in our industry at all. The award is the first of its kind, and this year has been opened up to all women in industry. I will share a little more about this later. You can read a little more about my experience last year here.

Imagine my surprise when a letter arrived to inform me that I had been selected as a finalist and inviting me to attend a very special awards luncheon held at one of my favourite venues, Victoria Park Golf Course. An opportunity to get frocked up, share a delicious lunch with my team, and celebrate some of the women who have inspired, motivated and made things happen within our industry.

I have since had the opportunity to connect with many of the other finalists, and create my own network of likeminded professional women who are regularly there to cheer me on, boost me up and support me when I need it most.

Last year was the first year of this wonderful award, with its success has the opportunity for improvement and an opening for even more women to be given the recognition they truly deserve.

So who can enter? Women who are currently in a professional role in the building industry or related industry including but not limited to trades, design, professional services, business owners, manufacturer & supplier, senior management and executives.

Due to the diverse roles of nominations received last year, the judges may determine categories to best represent nominees’ various industry background and achievement, including but not limited to:

• Recognition of Outstanding Achievement – open to all professions
• Exceptional Young Woman in Industry (nominees under the age of 30 years)
• Trades Professional – open to all trades

Nominees who have previously nominated are invited to re-nominate for the 2016. Nominees are not required to be HIA members.

A broad range of categories to cover every type of women in the industry from the tradie to the office manager, to the engineer or architect, this opportunity for recognition is open to just about everyone!

My call out to you today, is not to be shy, if you are a women working in the building industry, or its related services, please stand tall and nominate yourself. If you are aware of a women in the industry that you believe deserves recognition, help us all by nominating her.

Let’s come together in support of one another, and raise the profile of women in construction. If you would like to nominate, or are interested in nominating some one else, please follow do so here.

Have you ever been nominated for an award? How are you at public speaking? Know a women in construction you’d like to nominate?

Nicole xxx

This post is not sponsored, I am simply passionate about supporting the recognition of women in the building and construction industry.

If you are interested in nominating, you can simple follow the link about or you can contact

HIA: Kim/Kerry ph. 07 3021 8800 or [email protected]