Brisbane TSXPO hosts Girls in Hard Hats

Minister for Women Margaret Keech is inviting Brisbane girls to take a peek into the lives of women in hard hats.

Mrs Keech said the Girls in Hard Hats panel event at the Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO) on 21 - 22 July 2007 would provide an exciting and interactive forum for girls.

"The panel session organised by the Queensland Government's Office for Women will showcase successful women working in non-traditional fields," said Mrs Keech.

"The Girls in Hard Hats program is about opening girls' eyes to the possibilities of working in mining and construction.

“There are many talented women working in these fields having an absolute ball.

"They have a fantastic lifestyle, earn great money and work on projects that truly make a difference,” she said.

Anna McMullen, one of the two panel members sharing her story on the day, is manager of project approvals at Rio Tinto Coal and has worked in environmental management roles in the mining and construction industries for the past 18 years.

She has experience in underground and open-cut operations in coal, uranium, copper, gold and bauxite and has worked in diverse geographical and social environments in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

“I still love my job and am really keen for young people to experience the industry and the variety of challenges available. I will continue to promote the industry and encourage another generation to give mining a go,” said Mrs McMullen.

Carlie Wright, a plumbing inspector for the Brisbane City Council is another panel member at the event. Carlie’s job involves travelling to commercial and residential sites and carrying out plumbing inspections to ensure the work is completed and complies with industry standards.

As a woman working in a trade, Carlie says she gets paid exactly the same wage as her male counterparts and strongly encourages more females to make the most of the opportunities in the building and construction industry.

“The industry is just screaming for more people, especially women. As with any job, you need to work hard to prove yourself to your employer but in the long run it really pays off,” Miss Wright said.

"The reality is Queensland needs more women in ‘hard hat’ careers and the Girls in Hard Hats program is just one way the Queensland Government is working to break down gender stereotypes and inspire women to consider different career paths," Mrs Keech said.

"Audience members will be able to interact with the panel and ask them questions at the Girls in Hard Hats event."

Details: Girls in Hard Hats panel event – TSXPO, RNA Showgrounds, Sunday 22 July at 3.15pm. For more information go to www.women.qld.gov.au/hardhats or call 1800 177 577.