Tradie Wives

WOMEN SHINE AT AWARDS

Women’s contribution to the West Australian building and construction industry was celebrated at the recent Master Builders-Bankwest Excellence in Construction Awards, with three exceptional people winning awards for their contributions.

Prudence McLoughlin of Land Surveys won the Consultants-Professionals Award; Alicia Gangemi of Affordable Living Homes took out the Office-Based Award, and the Onsite-Award was presented to Astrid Vasile, Proprietor of Vasile Build.

Master Builders launched the inaugural Women Building Australia Awards in 2020, with the key focus of the program to promote opportunities for women and employers in the building and construction industry.

Women currently make up 11% of the construction industry’s workforce and one per cent of building trades (national figures). Master Builders is working towards capitalising on the skills and talent of women in the industry, attracting the best workers and opening up new skills, ideas and innovations.

Prudence McLoughlin is a surveyor who works for national company Land Surveys. She gained her qualification from Curtin University, and while studying, worked as a surveyor’s assistant until gaining her bachelor’s degree. After working as a surveyor for 18 months, she took a position at Land Surveys as a surveyor working on largescale jobs such as railway projects and high-rise construction. She has gained experience working with drones and laser scanners. Prudence also worked on the construction of the Art Gallery of WA Rooftop, an extension to the science building at Penrhos College, and the Metronet rail project. She participated in workshops for high school students while studying at Curtin University, showing students the different aspects of surveying and promoting surveying as a potential career choice.

“As the course [Surveying] is fairly male dominated, my presence at these workshops for high school students showed that both boys and girls are able to follow this path,” she said.

“I hope that when I obtain my license I am able to inspire other women to join surveying.” General Manager at Affordable Living Homes Alicia Gangemi was awarded for her long-standing dedication to the building and construction industry, along with her philanthropic work. Alicia started in the building industry as a trainee scheduler in 1994 while studying her Diploma of Building and Construction. In 2005, Alicia co-founded Affordable Living Homes and 16 years later she continues to oversee all general business from estimating to scheduling and jobs in construction.

Today, Alicia still holds the position of General Manager at the Delstrat Group for Affordable Living Homes, Ideal Homes and Broadway Homes where she is responsible for procurement, administration and construction. Alicia and her family have started a philanthropic fund called the Blue Ripple Foundation, which provides back packs and meals for the homeless and recently purchased a trishaw from Denmark in support of the Cycling without Age movement.

“During my 25 years in the industry, I have had the opportunity to work alongside many talented individuals,” Alicia said.

“I have learnt from other professionals in their areas of expertise and together we have been able to provide housing solutions for families and give back to our community.”

Astrid Vasile is the Managing Partner of GV Constructions (WA) and Vasile Build. With a career spanning more than 23 years in the industry, and an MBA to boot, Astrid has been involved in the delivery of more than $60 million dollars’ worth of construction projects in WA. She has previously been awarded WA Business Partner of the Year and in 2009, became the 12th female Registered Builder in Australia. Astrid mentors employees in the building industry and graduate students. Outside the building Industry, Astrid is involved in supporting the Australian-Indonesian Businesswomen’s Network, and has been an active member of Master Builders