ACT Australian of the Year Joanne Farrell has been named the 2024 ACT Woman of the Year.

A carpenter, builder and general manager of construction company Kane ACT, Joanne founded the not-for-profit organisation, Build Like A Girl Australia to encourage and support girls and women find careers in the trades.

“I just turn up every day and try and promote the industry for other women to work in and try and change that,” Joanne says.

“Build Like A Girl works with various government and private organisations, employers, peak industry bodies, to create programs, whether their pathway programs or other types of programs to encourage more women of all backgrounds and ages to start a trade, an apprentice role, or a semi-skilled role in the construction industry.”

Master Builders ACT CEO Michael Hopkins says: “Jo Farrell is an inspirational member of Master Builders ACT, who is leading the work required to attract more women into the building and construction industry.

“The MBA congratulates Jo for this award and hopes that she is an inspiration to ACT women considering the construction industry as their career of choice.”

Mijica Lus is the ACT Young Woman of the Year and Glenda Stevens is the ACT Senior Woman of the Year.

Mijica Lus volunteers her time to supporting multicultural communities and working in areas of education, media, health care and human services. She leads the Aurosokwo Project, which works with local charities and organisations in a range of activities from creating care packs, book drives and medical outreach.

Glenda Stevens is a former chair of the ACT Council of Social Services and a former air force air traffic controller. She is the founding CEO of Fearless Women.

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