Celebrating International Women’s Day and women in water

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we're proud to introduce you to some of the exceptional women at GWW who are driving change and accelerating progress in the water industry.

This year's theme, 'Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress,' emphasises that when women are empowered with equal opportunities to earn, learn, and lead, entire communities thrive.



Through the inspiring stories and remarkable achievements of these women, we’re highlighting the importance of investing in women and ensuring their voices are heard and valued.

Louise, Chief People Officer

As Chief People Officer, Louise stands at the forefront of driving diversity and inclusion initiatives at GWW.



With a passion for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, Louise spearheads policies aimed at advancing gender equality and supporting working parents.

Louise, Chief People Officer

"One of our achievements that I’m super proud of is our Parental+ Leave policy. We implemented this in 2022, and it’s all about changing the systems to progress gender equality."



Through this policy, we challenge traditional gender norms by giving all parents access to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, which they can take anytime from the day they start working with us. “This policy enables shared care by removing the concept of primary and secondary carers. Recent data tells us that since implementing this policy, men are taking longer periods of parental leave.”

Louise's focus includes initiatives that promote women in leadership roles. "Having women in leadership is absolutely a critical focus for us," she says. "This is important as women in leadership roles, or lack thereof, is one factor that leads to a gender pay gap and women not having the economic security and access to advancement opportunities that men do." 

By deliberately recruiting and promoting women, we’re addressing historical biases and discrimination. Currently, 80 percent of our executive leadership team and 50 percent of our board identify as women.



Louise's journey at GWW has been marked by a profound sense of purpose and support. "I love the work I do as I believe it has impact and meaning. I love the people I work with — they are passionate, committed individuals who understand the importance of our mission."

After dedicating seven years to fostering a culture of inclusivity and care at GWW, Louise reflects on the impact of her efforts: “When people tell me that they can feel the culture we have, and experience our intent every day, that makes all the hard work worth it."

Hannah, Chemical Engineer and Project Manager

Hannah, one of the Project Managers in GWW's Growth and Infrastructure team, has faced her fair share of challenges in navigating male-dominated industries. "As a chemical engineer, there were often times when I was the only woman on a work site. I have experienced biases, especially on construction and manufacturing sites."

Hannah, Chemical Engineer and Project Manager

Despite these obstacles, Hannah takes immense pride in her resilience and hopes to inspire more young women to pursue careers in fields where women have traditionally been underrepresented. "I’m proud to have made it so far and hope I can help pave the way for more young women to enter male-dominated industries.” 

Drawing from her own experiences, Hannah offers invaluable advice to aspiring female engineers. "Don’t be afraid to talk about the challenges you may be facing," she encourages.

"Reach out to your manager or other women in the industry. Each time we speak up, we’re making it easier for the next young female engineer." 

Reflecting on her time at GWW, Hannah feels a deep appreciation for the supportive work culture she has found. "I have felt very welcomed at GWW from day one: I can confidently say it’s the best work culture I have come across."

What does International Women’s Day mean to Hannah? "For me, it’s advocating for gender equality," she says passionately. "Gender equality within male-dominated industries is only one very small part of the puzzle. As a society, we should all be striving towards a day when women can walk home at night and feel just as safe and comfortable as men."

Adlin, Water Operations trainee

Meet Adlin, who is currently undergoing a two-year traineeship with GWW through our partnership with apprenticeship and traineeship organisation, SkillInvest. "I am learning all about water network operations and customer service."

Adlin, Water Operations trainee

Adlin's journey goes beyond technical knowledge; she's diving into hands-on training, from working at heights to risk management. "This role requires me to carry out various tasks like VIRs, dam safety inspections, and water tank roof inspections.”

Adlin’s six years of experience in the water industry spans from Fiji to Melbourne, and gives her an immense sense of fulfillment. "This is an exciting and very fulfilling career. I believe this industry has a lot to offer to anyone who is passionate about their environment and the surrounding natural resources." 

For aspiring women considering a career in water operations, Adlin offers this advice: "Stay committed to your goals and work with confidence in yourself," she says. "Be ready to learn and don’t shy away from the chance to demonstrate your skills."

As the only woman in her field team, Adlin feels valued and respected. "Working with a great team every day is one of the highlights. I’ve always been given an equal opportunity to share my opinions and contribute to daily operations, feeling like my voice is valued."

On International Women’s Day, Adlin reflects on the profound impact of women in our lives and workplaces. "International Women’s Day is a day where we celebrate the fact that women everywhere positively impact all of our lives," she emphasises. "Their contribution in our workplaces and in our personal lives is not something that should be forgotten."

Adlin is guided by the lessons a remarkable woman — her mother — shared with her. "Throughout her life, my mum demonstrated these principles and examples," Adlin shares fondly. "While it's not always possible to buy presents for the women in our lives, receiving a simple ‘thank you’ for our contribution is a beautiful gift."