Fredon

Celebrating International Women’s Day On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women who contribute so much to the success of our business, industry and communities. We asked our amazing colleagues what International Women’s Day means to them and their experiences as women working in the construction industry. Thank you to Sarah Dick, Hannah Lee, Brianna Eden, and Roselyn Jimenez for sharing their thoughts with us. #IWD2025 #ForAllWomenAndGirls #AccelerateAction Click to read more: https://lnkd.in/g8Wtbszf

Sarah Dick is a Project Controls Specialist at Fredon Electrical WA, where she plays a key role in managing project costs, schedules, and productivity to ensure projects stay on track and within budget. Her work is fast-paced and hands-on, focusing on forecasting costs, maintaining schedules, and tracking labour productivity. For Sarah, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the progress women have made and acknowledge the work still to be done. It’s an important reminder to highlight women’s achievements and inspire future generations to pursue their passions without limits. Sarah recognises that many women are overcoming barriers in the workplace. One piece of advice that Sarah values is: “Keep Learning & Growing.” She believes staying ahead in the constantly evolving construction industry is essential to being a valuable asset. The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” resonates deeply with Sarah. It represents the importance of equal opportunities and empowering women and girls from all backgrounds to succeed. Sarah’s work at Fredon WA and her perspective on this day inspire ongoing progress toward equality and empowerment. #IWD2025 #ForAllWomenAndGirls #AccelerateAction

As an Electrical Estimator, Hannah Lee plays a crucial role in shaping projects from the ground up. Each day brings something new, and she enjoys the opportunity to gain insight into upcoming developments, seeing projects take shape long before they come to life. Throughout her career, Hannah has faced challenges as a woman in the industry, especially in the early days as an electrician on-site, working in predominantly male teams. Stepping to this environment was initially daunting, but by putting in the effort and finding her voice, Hannah was accepted as one of the team. With the support of male colleagues, she has been able to thrive in her career, and this positive experience continues at Fredon. Reflecting on the progressing industry, Hannah notes: “It’s also encouraging to witness an increasing number of women entering the trades, as well as the growth of support programs for women in the industry.” International Women’s Day holds significant meaning for Hannah as it is a moment to promote and celebrate the incredible achievements of women in all their diverse forms. It’s also a day for us all to shine a light on the areas where we still need to strive for greater equality. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” resonates deeply with Hannah. It represents the ongoing need for equal opportunities and support for women and girls. Especially in the trades, she believes that men play a crucial role in bridging the gap. Without their support, achieving equality will continue to be a challenge. Small actions, such as hiring more women or supporting programs dedicated to women, can make a meaningful difference in creating a more inclusive and equal industry. #IWD2025 #ForAllWomenAndGirls #AccelerateAction

As a Design and Integration Engineer for Fredon Technology, Roselyn Jimenez plays a key role in delivering innovative technology solutions. Her responsibilities vary depending on the stage of the project. During the design phase, her focus is on creating schematic diagrams and layout designs using tools like Visio, AutoCAD, or Revit for 3D modelling. In the commissioning phase, Roselyn spends time testing and configuring AV equipment, either in the lab or on-site, ensuring everything functions as expected. International Women’s Day holds significant meaning for Roselyn as it is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, especially in male-dominated fields like engineering and technology. For her, the day highlights the importance of encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM, showing that gender should never limit success. Throughout her career, Roselyn has faced challenges, particularly in establishing credibility as a woman in the AV field. As someone new to the industry, it was important for her to build confidence through continuous learning, asking questions, and gaining practical experience. Seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues has also played a key role in overcoming these challenges. One valuable piece of advice Roselyn has received is to "never stop learning, as technology is always evolving." Roselyn has also been encouraged to seek mentorship and to get hands-on experience.  #IWD2025 #ForAllWomenAndGirls #AccelerateAction

Brianna Eden is the Office Manager for Sturdie SA, where she plays a crucial role in managing operations, resolving challenges, and keeping the team motivated to succeed. Her typical day involves overseeing tasks and ensuring smooth office operations while fostering a positive environment for her team. For Brianna, International Women’s Day is about being heard, supported, and seen. She believes women have fought hard for recognition and equality, and things are slowly improving. She stresses the importance of celebrating women’s strength and resilience, particularly for her teenage daughter, who is inspired by women in sports receiving equal recognition. Brianna acknowledges that many women are breaking barriers in the workplace and her advice to others is to always remember that you have a choice and to take chances, ensuring happiness without regrets. The theme of "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment" resonates deeply with Brianna, as it highlights the importance of supporting young women to be strong, confident, and independent without judgment. Brianna’s journey is a reflection of the progress women continue to make, both personally and professionally. #IWD2025 #ForAllWomenAndGirls #AccelerateAction

Project Highlight: Swinburne University Gas Training Facility Swinburne University of Technology is a leading dual-sector institution known for its commitment to high-quality teaching, practical focus, and graduate outcomes. The Fredon Air VIC team were recently engaged to modernise and improve the plumbing training facility at the Croydon campus. The team safely supplied and monitored LPG and natural gas to the facility which incorporates a range of appliances, from domestic to commercial cooking equipment.   Read more about the project here: 

Fredon were honoured to attend Melba Copland Junior Campus for the opening ceremony of two outdoor learning spaces designed and built by Women in Construction students as part of the “Understanding Building and Construction Program” (UBCP). This ground-breaking initiative promotes gender equality by empowering young women and gender-diverse students to explore rewarding careers in construction. Representing Fredon, Hannah Lee and Katrina Moore were inspired by the passion and dedication of the next generation of construction professionals proving that “you can’t be what you can’t see!” We are proud to support programs like UBCP that shape the future of construction and foster diversity and inclusion. Phil Grove

AMCA (Air Conditioning & Mechanical Contractors Association) Australia held their National Industry Excellence Awards for 2024 at the Playford Hotel in Adelaide on Friday 22nd November. The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of emerging leaders and exceptional staff, and we are proud to announce that Joshua Scaffardi, Fredon Air WA Project Manager, was a finalist in 2 categories – Future Leader Award and Project Management and Support Award. Joshua joined Fredon in early 2022 and has played a key role in delivering a variety of projects, including the State Government rail network upgrade know as Metronet which was comprised of 8 brand new stations and a luxury apartment complex development called 8 Parker Street, consisting of 26 high end apartments all individually tailored to each owners specifications. These projects were marked by tight schedules, budget constraints and ran concurrently but Joshua approached these challenges with confidence and professionalism. His commitment to excellence ensured the successful delivery of these projects to a high standard. Congratulations, Joshua! This recognition is well-deserved. Keep up the great work!  

Emmalisa Engelbrecht Nominated at NAWIC NSW Awards 2024    Fredon is proud to recognise Emmalisa Engelbrecht, an apprentice with Electrical NSW, for her nomination for the Tradesperson Scholarship at this year’s NAWIC NSW - National Association of Women in Construction Awards, on Thursday, 28th November. Emmalisa is currently working on the Sydney Children’s Hospital/Minderoo Children’s Cancer Centre project in Randwick, where she has excelled under the guidance of her supportive team. Her positive attitude and eagerness to learn have earned her the respect of her colleagues and peers. As a passionate advocate for gender diversity, Emmalisa participated in INSW’s Hard Work Knows No Gender campaign and is dedicated to increasing female representation in the construction industry. She actively inspires other women to explore careers in trades through her platform. While not a finalist this year, we are incredibly proud of Emmalisa’s achievements and honoured to attend the NAWIC NSW Awards 2024 to celebrate her efforts and the accomplishments of all women in construction. The Tradesperson Scholarship recognises outstanding achievements in trades or trade apprenticeships within the construction and related industries, celebrating women who make a significant impact in their fields. 

At Fredon, safety is a priority for our entire team. In this Safety Share, Anthony Minutolo, an electrician with 38 years' experience in the trade, reflects on a life-changing incident from his time working with a previous employer. Around 10 years ago, while performing modifications on an LV switchboard, Anthony was involved in a severe electrical accident that resulted in catastrophic injuries to his left hand and arm. He shares the excruciating pain he endured, the extensive medical procedures he underwent, and the long, challenging road to recovery. Anthony’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of verifying power isolation, avoiding shortcuts and prioritising safety at all times. This Safety Share highlights the very real dangers in the electrical trade and underscores the need for rigorous safety practices. Take a moment to watch Anthony’s Safety Share, and let’s continue working together to ensure a safer workplace for everyone.