Your 2024 ACT Women of the Year have been named
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Needing no introduction to HerCanberra readers, Joanne (Jo) Farrell has been named the 2024 ACT Woman of the Year.
A carpenter, builder and General Manager of construction company Kane ACT, Jo (pictured above) founded the not-for-profit organisation, Build Like A Girl Australia to encourage and support girls and women to find rewarding careers in the trades.
But HerCanberra readers will also know her as a driving force behind the incredible Strathnairn Charity House, a groundbreaking project that brought together female professionals to build a multi-million dollar home in Strathnairn that sold for over $1.5 million, with the proceeds going to a range of local charities through Hands Across Canberra.
Not only has Jo been named ACT Women of the Year 2024, but she was also the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year.
“I’m really honoured to be nominated and to be recognised for the work,” says Jo. “I just turn up every day and try and promote the industry for other women to work in and try and change that.”
“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.”
Also named yesterday were Mijica Lus as the ACT Young Woman of the Year and Glenda Stevens as the ACT Senior Woman of the Year.
A tireless volunteer for the Canberra community, Mijica Lus dedicates her time and effort to supporting multicultural communities and working in areas of education, media, health care and human services.
She currently 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 highly experienced community leader whose work history includes Chair of the ACT Council of Social Services and a former Air Force Air Traffic Controller.
Glenda is the founding CEO of Fearless Women and works with several community organisations that focus on empowering girls and women.
Photography: NADC/Salty Dingo
