WIC Committee

Kate Traeger – CHAIRPERSON
McMahon Services – Divisional Administrator-Civil Engineering Group

My Name is Kate Traeger and I am the Divisional Administrator for the Civil Engineering Group within McMahon Services, a family owned company who have been providing diverse construction services since 1990.

I joined the Women in Civil committee in 2016 with the goals to raise the profiles of women within the industry and to provide an environment of support for women, whilst encouraging them to join and remain within the SA civil construction industry.

In 2019 I endeavour to continue my support to raise the profiles of women within the industry, and I would also like to increase the CCF hosted networking events, open days and come and try days.

To find out more about Kate, click here to connect with her on LinkedIn

Natasha Hemmerling – VICE CHAIRPERSON
Partner of Clarke Hemmerling Lawyers

I have been involved with the construction industry for over 17 years practising as a lawyer and specialising in building and construction law. I am a partner at Clarke Hemmerling Lawyers and act for both builders and subcontractors on construction projects Australia wide. I chaired the board of a South Australian Industry Association for over 10 years that represents subcontractors in the plumbing industry in South Australia and I was a board member of the Construction Industry Training Board for 6 years.

The construction industry is one of the last industries to frontier an increase of women so I am passionate about assisting educate and promote change to this statistic by ensuring that gender diversity strategies and targets are set and translated into action and that the barriers for entry into the industry for women are overcome. I recently joined the Women in Civil Committee because I want to help promote women in the construction industry and I am excited to be part of a progressive Committee who are dedicated to the engagement of more women in the civil sector through education, raising of female profiles and provision of a supportive environment to assist achieve this.

To find out more about Natasha, Connect with her on LinkedIn

Julie Hiscock – TREASURER
Civil Tech Pty Ltd – Business and Quality Manager

My name is Julie Hiscock. My father is a civil engineer and it was no surprise when I joined the family owned company in 1989. I began working as a junior clerk and gradually learnt every area of the business including Business Management, Administration, Human Resources, Project Management and Quality.

As part of the committee, it is a passion of mine to see women shine in the civil construction industry through the provision of moral support, relationship-building, and advocacy, to inspire women to drive forward to rewarding positions within the industry.

To find out more about Julie, click here to connect with her on LinkedIn

Joanna Thornton – Membership/Recruitment
Team Manager, Hays Trades and Labour

My name is Jo, I joined the Hays Adelaide office in 2011 from the UK where I had worked as a BDM for global organisations operating across Sugar and Oil refineries. I developed my career with Hays across several of our business units, including banking, mining, manufacturing and logistics. I now lead a team of consultants that specialise in Resources & Mining, Oil & Gas, Construction and Civil Trades.

I’m passionate about fostering strong relationships within industry and partnering with organisations to achieve their goals. I believe diversity is vital and not only creates a workforce that represents the community but also enriches views, perspectives and stimulates commercial outcomes. I joined the Women in Civil Committee in 2018, my goal in the committee in 2019 is to understand needs, drive engagement of our members and ensure you understand the support available from the CCF SA Women In Civil.

To find out more about Joanna, click here to connect with her on Linkedin

Michelle Grose – Committee Member
Survey MANAGER - MCCONNELL DOWELL

I have been working in surveying for 27 years, with the first half of my career in mining and tunnelling. My career has taken me all over Australia, having worked in remote areas of SA, NSW and Queensland and on many major infrastructure and transport projects in the cities in SA, NSW and Victoria. A couple of local projects in my CV include the Crafers to Adelaide tunnels, the Northern Expressway, the Adelaide desalination plant and more recently the Darlington Upgrade Project. Studying and working in surveying has taken me overseas to New Zealand and Germany as well.

I value the empathy and understanding I bring to the teams I work with, as I believe our mental health and well-being is an important element of a healthy, productive team.

From staring underground in Olympic Dam in the early 90s through to today, I have seen an increase in numbers from one or two females on site to only a dozen or so. I don’t believe the increase is enough and would love to help spread the word that women can do anything they want to in the construction industry. I’ve seen women excel in many roles and feedback has always been positive. I hear many companies communicate their commitment to have more women in leadership roles and I welcome this move.

To find out more about Michelle, Connect with her on LinkedIn

Saba Jazi - Committee Member
Project Engineer - McMahon Services

I am Saba Jazi, a Project Engineer at the Civil and Environmental Remediation Group within McMahon Services. I moved to Australia after completing my studies in Civil Engineering and Master's Degree in Road Transport.

I joined the Women in Civil Committee in 2021 to be the voice for women in a typically male-dominated industry.

As a proud international woman myself, my objective as part of the committee is to encourage other women with English as their second language to engage within the construction industry. Through the CCF SA Women in Civil, I hope that we can support more females of all backgrounds to achieve success in their own right.

nikki orrock - Committee Member
account manager/sales representative - direct mix concrete

My name is Nikki, I am an Account Manager/Sales representative for Direct Mix Concrete. A key aspect of my role is being onsite ensuring the trucks are on time, the concrete is within specification and the customers are happy with our service. My position is very diverse and everyday if different, I could be involved in the concrete pour of a new major infrastructure taking place at 4am in the morning or I could be hosting meetings in the office.

I have recently joined the Women in Civil committee with the goal of inspiring other young women to pick up a hard hat and put on the high vis and join me in the civil and construction Industry. I endeavour to be a positive representative for women in an industry where women are not represented enough.

To find out more about Nikki, connect with her on LinkedIn.