Engineers are a crucial part of Goulburn-Murray Water’s (GMW) workforce.
The water corporation manages some of Victoria’s most significant dams, as well as approximately 6,000km of delivery infrastructure.
While in the past there tended to be few women in engineering roles at GMW and in the engineering industry more broadly, recent years have seen a considerable shift and women now make up a significant part of GMW’s engineering workforce.
Held on June 23, International Women in Engineering Day seeks to recognise the contributions of women to the field while also highlighting the amazing opportunities available in the industry to young women.
Civil Engineer Anne Noonan has been with GMW since it was established in 1994 and said she has seen considerable change during this time.
“When I came to Tatura to work for GMW I was the only female engineer there,” she said.
“Before that, when I had been studying, I was one of five women out of an intake of 200. So, there weren’t many of us.
“I find it really exciting that we now have so many female engineers in our division. We get along very well and are able to bounce ideas off one another.”
Asset Planning Coordinator Gemma Payne-Croston joined GMW about eight months ago and said she had been similarly pleased to see gender diversity in her field.
“At GMW there are definitely more female engineers than in other organisations I have worked for,” she said.
“It’s a great job, and it’s been really enjoyable learning a new industry at GMW.”
In addition to the women in engineering roles at GMW, the water corporation’s Managing Director Charmaine Quick also has a background in engineering.
Charmaine said she was pleased to see more diversity in these roles.
“It has been very encouraging to see an increase in women in STEM roles at GMW in recent years,” she said.
“We have taken various steps to ensure our workplace is one where everyone can thrive such as increasing the parental leave available to our staff, ensuring we have safety clothing that fits everyone, and providing leadership development opportunities to staff, including People Measures’ Women in Leadership Development Course that several staff have recently completed.
“I’m glad I chose engineering. Growing up on a farm, it was a great choice to use my practical skills and my interest in mathematics.
“I am also excited to see engineering is a career path that more women are choosing.”
Anne also said it was a career choice she was thankful she made.
“I still enjoy it,” she said.
“I love problem solving, and as an engineer, there are always new challenges and new things to learn.”