AWARD 1: BARPA CRYSTAL VISION AWARD
Winner: Kate Finch |Kate Finch Consulting
Kate has spent over a decade supporting and mentoring women in the Northern Territory’s construction industry.
As Chair of Women in Resources for six years, she’s worked to improve female representation across construction and resources. She also founded the Women in Construction & Co Forums, helping women across the NT grow in confidence and industry knowledge.
Kate’s unwavering passion and leadership have truly transformed the landscape for women in the NT’s construction and resources sectors.
Through her dedication to the Women in Construction & Co Forums and countless initiatives, she has inspired, empowered, and uplifted women across the industry.
Tonight, we celebrate not only her achievements but the powerful legacy she’s building—one that is opening doors and creating opportunities for generations to come.
AWARD 2: NAWIC NT Award for Allyship
Winner: M+J Builders
With a strong female presence in both executive and operational roles, the business champions pathways for women through mentoring, training, and advocacy.
From remote mentoring programs to boardroom representation, M+J empowers women at every level.
AWARD 3: MW CONSULT CO, EMERGING TALENT FOR OFFICE PROFESSIONALS AWARD
Winner: Laurie Risk |Laing O'Rourke
Laurie started her career with Laing O’Rourke in 2021 and quickly progressed to Site Administrator on the RAAF Darwin Mid Term Refresh project. Laurie has consistently gone above and beyond to support her teams and projects, including key roles in the Larrakeyah and RAAF Darwin developments.
She champions inclusion and wellbeing as the NT Reconciliation Action Plan Champion and Mental Health Champion, driving positive change beyond her day-to-day duties.
Laurie’s passion, resilience, and leadership promise a bright future as a leader in the construction industry.
She has played a key role in project delivery and team setup, while also championing inclusion, safety, and mental health initiatives.
AWARD 4: GTNT TRAINEE, APPRENTICE OR STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: Georgena James |Power and Water Corporation
Georgena James followed her passion for science and sustainability into an electrical apprenticeship, thriving through hands-on learning.
She’s a strong advocate for inclusion and respect in the industry, actively involved with SALT, NAWIC NT, and school outreach to inspire the next generation of women in trades. Her confidence, leadership, and drive continue to make a powerful impact.
AWARD 5: DCOH, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
Winner: Trenna Gibsone|Apprenticeships NT
Trenna Gibsone is the General Manager of Apprenticeships NT, where she leads the delivery of services supporting over 3,500 apprentices across the Territory.
With a strong background in construction, education, and workforce development, she’s a passionate advocate for the life-changing power of vocational training and apprenticeships. Trenna brings over a decade of experience in construction and training to her role as General Manager of Apprenticeships NT.
She oversees the delivery of the nationally awarded Australian Apprenticeship Support Services contract, helping thousands of Territorians access meaningful careers while supporting local businesses to grow skilled workforces.
AWARD 6: INTRACT, ACHIEVEMENT BY AN INDIGENOUS WOMAN AWARD
Winner: Sharma Morris |Duratec
Sharma is a proud Aboriginal woman from Darwin with a lifelong passion for construction.
From winning an Endeavour Award at 15 to designing a bus shelter that still stands today, she’s now thriving at Duratec and hopes to inspire more young people to explore careers in construction. Sharma brings heart, talent, and lived experience to her role in construction.
Her journey—from a young student passionate about technical drawing to a proud team member at Duratec—reflects her determination and creativity.
As a mother of five and a proud Aboriginal woman, Sharma is not only building a career but also paving the way for future generations to see themselves in this industry.
Full name - Sharma Wirlmaka Koomulkunuh Morris (Wirl-ma-ka) (Koo-mul-kun-uh)
AWARD 7: PRACTICAL RISK SOLUTIONS, ACHIEVEMENT IN HEALTH, SAFETY, AND/OR ENVIRONMENT AWARD
Winner: Jyleigh Wilson|M+J Builders
Jy-Leigh is a Senior Health, Safety, and Environmental Professional with eight years of experience in construction. With nationally recognised safety qualifications and a passion for workforce wellbeing, she’s a respected leader helping to shape safer, more compliant practices across the Northern Territory.
With a strong foundation in HSE and industrial relations, Jy-Leigh Wilson brings eight years of hands-on experience and academic expertise to her role as a Senior HSE Professional. As a Standing Committee Member of Master Builders NT, she’s actively influencing regional safety standards and driving cultural change across projects.
Known for her leadership in risk, compliance, and workforce wellbeing, Jy-Leigh is a trusted force in raising the bar for safety across the Territory’s construction sector.
AWARD 8: AKJ SERVICES, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND/OR DIVERSITY AWARD
Winner: Josh Finn and Andy Chapman |Mates in Construction
Joshua Finn and Andy Chapman have taken their on-site experience and turned it into life-saving action.
Now with MATES in Construction NT, they lead mental health and suicide prevention efforts across worksites—creating safe, supportive environments where workers feel heard, understood, and never alone.
As former tradies, Josh and Andy know the power of a conversation on site.
Through their work with MATES in Construction NT, they lead meaningful change.
Josh brings strategic insight and community development skills, while Andy shares lived experience and expert guidance through helpline and case support.
Together, they embody the true spirit of mateship: standing alongside their peers and proving that showing up—and speaking up—can save lives.
AWARD 9: MCMAHON SERVICES NT, TRADESWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Abbe Ayres|GEMCO
Abbe Ayres is a dual trade qualified electrician whose passion for electrical systems began at just 15.
Now employed full-time with GEMCO, she’s gained hands-on experience across domestic, industrial, and port operations, and recently added Instrumentation and Control to her qualifications.
Abbe Ayres has forged a remarkable path in the electrical trade, becoming dual-qualified through dedication, determination, and a love of learning.
From pursuing her apprenticeship while still in high school to completing a sought-after qualification in Instrumentation and Control, Abbe has consistently gone above and beyond. Now a full-time team member at GEMCO and previous winner of GTNT’s Apprentice of the Year, she’s also earned national recognition through the NAEN “Today’s Skills, Tomorrow’s Leaders” program.