MAKING A POSITIVE CHANGE FOR WOMEN

International Women’s Day, held annually on 8^th March, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

It is a day driven by international joint efforts in driving gender equality. In the words of world-renowned feminist, journalist, and activist, Gloria Steinem: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

Traditionally, surveying was a male dominated industry, but at Land Surveys we have many women staff in diverse roles all contributing to our success. In celebration of International Women’s Day, here are a few of the Land Surveys ‘Women in Surveying’:

Nazanin Nabavi, Draftsperson: I really like my job because…

My background is Architecture and I work at Land Surveys as a Draftsperson. I draft all kinds of plans such as building strata, survey strata, feature surveys, and also 3D modelling. The people I work with are very helpful – I have learnt a lot from them. When I started at Land Surveys, I was surprised at how organised the drafting department was. Most of my jobs are small and I will draft two or three plans a day. I really like my job because I come in for the day and I know what I am supposed to do, and I can go ahead and do

Jen Cibrasio, Dilapidation Services Coordinator: I really like my job because…

I really like my job because it entails a combination of onsite and office-based work. Each day is different, there is always something interesting happening. With the smaller projects I’ll often go onsite and do the dilapidation survey report myself. I really enjoy working for Land Surveys. I think they employ really good people and it makes it enjoyable to go to work every day.

Tania Murcha, Drafting Coordinator: My job is rewarding because…

I started at Land Surveys in 2007. My background is civil engineering so I learnt about surveying on the job. My role entails survey drafting and coordinating all the drafting requirements nationally. My job is rewarding because a lot of jobs can be very challenging, and I love the challenge of working through problems – working through data that has problems. After being in it for so long now and gaining the experience, I have good knowledge to prevent a lot of problems happening.

Gemma Murphy, Mining Coordinator: I chose this industry because…

I chose this industry because when I was around 13/14 years old, there was an advert with a big focus on ‘give a girl a spanner’. Back then, it was like a boom, everything was about mining. Jobs in mining were very accessible. There was a careers event called ‘Get Into Mining’, and I went with a bunch of 15 year-olds to Kalgoorlie and viewed the School of Mines. From then on, I knew I wanted to do something in mining.

 Naomi Patterson, Feature Survey Draftsperson: My job is rewarding because…

I studied Mine Surveying and over the years I have worked at so many different sites and had so many different experiences. Those experiences included challenges, and I feel that with what I learnt from it all, I can now help other people in my role today. My job is rewarding because I use my surveying experience to solve problems.

 Anne Woodin, Land Development Assistant: I really like my job because…

I started in 2013, and I am the Land Development Assistant undertaking the administration work for the Land Development team. Every day is different, we are always busy, and we have a laugh along the way too – I think we are a really good team. I really like my job because I like the administration work that I do; and surveying is orderly, there is a process to follow and I like that. I like boxes being ticked off.