- Professional associations in Northern Territory organised a sold-out International Women's Day Event called 'Balance the Scales', featuring keynote speaker Jo Farrell from 'Build Like a Girl'
- Jo Farrell, an award-winning professional with nearly 30 years in construction, started as an apprentice carpenter and founded 'Build Like a Girl' charity in 2020 to support women in construction
- The event includes a panel discussion featuring notable women from the built environment, including Anna Kanaris, Dr Elisha Harris, Kate Finch and Maiya McKenna
- The event supports 'Share Dignity' charity by collecting personal hygiene products for those in need
- Key partners supporting the event include DCOH, Sitzler, Laing O'Rourke, and others, with attendance from the Chief Minister and Planning Minister Josh Burgoyne
Member associations in the Northern Territory have joined together for an impressive International Women’s Day Event – Balance the Scales – including the Australian Institute of Architects NT, Engineers Australia, Master Builders NT, National Association of Women in Construction and Planning Institute of Australia.
The sold-out event features Keynote Speaker Jo Farrell, founder and director of ‘Build Like a Girl’. Jo has an impressive list of Awards, including: AIB Professional Excellence Award Winner 2025, ACT Australian of the Year 2024, Excellence in Women's Leadership ACT 2024 to name a few and has served on many boards, including YWCA, NAWIC, and Trades Woman Australia.
Jo’s career spans almost three decades and across multiple spectrums of the construction industry. Her journey started in 1996 as an apprentice carpenter and Jo has seen her work in both commercial and residential sectors, as well as having spent 3 years in Lithuania on a Nuclear Decommissioning project. Jo is passionate about seeing more women in construction and leads with a strong focus on mentoring women at all stages of their careers.
She founded the National Not-for-Profit registered charity organisation ‘Build Like A Girl’ in August 2020, as a direct call to action to help women gain apprenticeship employment, receive mentoring and support, and to combat the negative cultural experiences women face in construction every day.
Joining Jo will be a panel of exceptional women and award winners from the built environment:
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Anna Kanaris, Builder/Company Director and mentor to young women in trade.
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Dr Elisha Harris, Engineers Australia, Engineer of the Year 2025.
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Kate Finch, NAWIC, Crystal Vision Award 2025.
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Maiya McKenna, Australian Institute of Architects, Emerging Architect Prize 2025.
This IWD event is also supporting ‘Share Dignity’ with an opportunity for guests to provide personal hygiene products for those in need.
The event has been supported by partners, DCOH, Sitzler, Laing O’Rourke, Georgiou, Norstar Marine and Elite Interiors (DCT). Guests will be joined by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and Planning Minister Josh Burgoyne, along with key dignitaries.
Contact details:
For all media inquiries, please contact: Karen Relph, Australian Institute of Architects
M: 0409697713