5 minute read
Celebrating women in automotive at the Auto Women Dinner 2023
MTA QUEENSLAND HELD its second Auto Women Dinner on October 6th, celebrating the success and contributions of women working across the automotive industry. A fantastic night of networking, live music, and delicious food, the Auto Women Dinner provided a great opportunity for guests to come together in a relaxed environment to catch up and have a good time. The event saw over 100 women (and male champions) in attendance, from apprentices to qualified technicians, and administrative assistants to business owners.
Bringing the event to life as hosts were Auto Women Mentors Kellie Dewar, the Deputy CEO of MTA Queensland, and Kathy Winkcup, the Association's CFO. Kellie and Kathy are just two of the eight-strong team of mentors recognised on the night for their efforts supporting the Auto Women initiative. MTA Queensland extends its thanks to Andrea McCarthy (McCarthy Panel Works), Fionna Blackburne (Southeast Auto Mechanical), Gabrielle Clift (Triple Eight Racing), Hatice Hutchinson (All Car Engine Reconditioning Services), Leanna Tucker (MTA Queensland), and Sharine Milne (R.H.D Classic Supplies and Services).
“Tonight is a special celebration of the strength, resilience, and achievements of women in the automotive industry. This women’s networking dinner is not just an event, it is a testament to the incredible power of unity and collaboration among women,” said Kellie.
“As we look around the room, we see faces from all walks of life, all coming together to support and empower one another," added Kathy. “It’s a wonderful reminder that regardless of our individual journeys, we share a common goal to uplift and inspire one another, and in doing so, create a brighter future for all women.”
Joining as a special guest speaker on the night was Siobhan Macdonald, Director of Premium Diagnostic Equipment Australia. After working tirelessly to prove herself both to customers and colleagues in the workplace, Siobhan was extremely excited to open her own automotive tools business in 2022, and now, at the age of just 28, her company has boomed in to a multi-million dollar enterprise. Siobhan was awarded the Gold Coast’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2022 and is currently a finalist for MTA Queensland’s 2023 Women in Industry Award, with the winner to be announced in November.
Siobhan told the audience about how she entered the industry, why she started her own business, and provided some helpful tips to the business owners in the room on what has made her business so successful. Siobhan is just one of the many remarkable women showcasing what female leaders can achieve in the industry.
“Throughout history, women have left their mark on the automotive industry in countless ways - from inventors, engineers and designers to executives and leaders. It’s no secret that women are underrepresented in our industry and we need to attract more, but we are excited to see the percentage of women in maintenance and leadership roles increasing everyday. Our own female apprentice enrolments grew by 43% over the last year,” said Kellie.
The second guest speaker who stole the show was Lily Blocksidge, recipient of Auto Women’s Round 1, 2023 Leading Edge Scholarship. Auto Women is committed to providing professional development opportunities for women working across the automotive industry and was thrilled to see Lily’s confidence soar after completing the course.
Lily is a fantastic example of the calibre of young females coming through, initially signing up for a school-based apprenticeship in 2019. After graduating, she continued working as a trade assistant before commencing her light vehicle qualification, and now, at just 20 years old, she is nearing the final year of that training with Albany Creek Auto Centre.
The scholarships, funded by MTA Queensland, Spirit Super, and Women and Leadership Australia, provide a fantastic opportunity for professional growth and to date have assisted six women in progressing their careers, with two more to be announced later this month.
“Our work doesn’t end here. The journey towards gender equality is ongoing and there’s still much work to be done. We must continue to support one another, mentor the next generation, and advocate for positive change in our workplaces, communities, and beyond,” said Kellie Dewar. “Let’s do everything we can to support women in our industry to meet their full potential and help make Auto Women 2024 bigger and better!”
MTA Queensland welcomes the significant support of the event’s sponsors BUSY Sisters, Capricorn, and Spirit Super. The 2023 Auto Women Dinner was a tremendous evening, and the Association thanks its guests, friends, and sponsors for making it so memorable.
