Georgia Campbell admits the construction industry might not be every woman’s “cup of tea”, but she loves her job.

The Whitestone Contracting Ltd project foreman was recognised last Friday (June 6) in Queenstown, at the Otago Hynds Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) awards ceremony, winning the Women in Contracting Award.

Georgia started working at Whitestone Contracting as a labourer about seven years ago, after finishing school and taking a gap year.

She already had her truck driver’s license when she joined Whitestone, and has also been studying as she works, through infrastructure training company Connexis.

“The last few years I think I've done four different papers. I’m just keeping studying as I'm going,” she says. 

Georgia is foreman on civil projects, mainly to do with the three waters, or when things are quiet, she helps out with any roading or overlay jobs that need doing.

Her favourite part of the job is working outside in summer.

“And definitely the crew,” she says. “We've got a really good civil projects crew. You always have a laugh and have fun. It's not always so serious.”

Cold, wet, winter days are definitely the “downside”.

The job is “physically demanding”, but she also enjoys that part of it.

“I love it, because you can just stay fit, you know. You're walking everywhere or doing something in the trench. So, it is cool for that physical side, but obviously that's not every female's cup of tea.”

She has no issues working in a male-dominated industry.

“Especially at Whitestone, everyone's so welcoming. 

“I've never had any issues with any of the guys . . . it's quite a welcoming company to come and work for, and they do look after you.”

Whitestone Contracting Ltd Civil Division manager Callan Brash and project foreman and award winner Georgia Campbell with her awards. Photo: Supplied/Facebook

Georgia encourages other girls to consider the industry when they finish at school. She would welcome the female company.

“Some days I do miss having females around, but it's generally pretty good.”

She was part of a “Girls in Hi-Vis” initiative two years ago, encouraging secondary school girls to try their hand at various jobs within the industry.

“It was quite cool to see some of the young high school girls on the diggers; some of them were almost better than I was at that age.”

When Georgia began her job, she never saw herself in a foreman role, and her biggest job has been running the Kakanui watermains upgrade project, which took just over a year to complete.

She said the experience was “satisfying but stressful”.

“But, no, it's good. Especially, you know, I've had a great crew helping out."

Georgia’s boss, Civil Division manager Callan Brash says it was fantastic to see Georgia and her work recognised.

“Her skill, knowledge, and positive work ethic set a great example for others, and her leadership continues to lift the standards - not just for herself, but for her entire team,” he says.

“I’m proud to have Georgia as part of our team and have no doubt that she has a bright and successful future ahead of her.”

Another Whitestone Contracting employee, Jonty Comins, was a finalist for Young Contractor of the Year at the awards night, while other teams were nominated for project awards which included various Hanley’s Farm projects at the Jack’s Point development near Queenstown, and for a Kakanui flood mitigation project at Mill Creek.