Page 29 - Climate Control News Magazine October 2018

HVACR Leadership Awards
LEFT: Last year's Woman of the Year in HVACR Award winner, Kelli McDonald.
BELOW: 2016 Award winner, Ania Hampton.
ceeding in a role that requires a high degree of resilience and perseverance. She has been with O’Connors since 2006 providing safety train- ing and safety plans for the company’s con- struction processes. Giles has successfully taken on each of the challenges she has faced in the industry and on-site by acting in a pro- fessional manner, standing her ground and ad- dressing situations in an educated way. Giles has achieved this while raising a family and supporting a husband dealing with medical is- sues. Despite this her focus on legal compli- ance has led to the company winning a num- ber of awards and being recognised for her detailed understanding of WHS legislation.
For the past decade, BSA national WHSEQ manager, Jane Taylor, has worked in the HVACR industry.
Taylor’s focus has been on health & safety leg- islation, codes of practice and relevant stand- ards to support sub-contractors and employ- ees. Her role involves audits and ‘return to work’ plans for employees and strategies that can make a difference to the entire organisation.
Taylor is the first to admit that interpret- ing WHS Law is never easy, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated industry. But Taylor is quick to look beyond stereotypes and get on with the task at hand. That is what sets her apart when working across so many business units at BSA. Her safety strategy and her personal determination has ensured workers and subcontractors have a transpar- ent link into the BSA business. Today, safety
is a seamless part of the organisation’s day to day operations. When CCN asked colleagues to describe the qualities that set her apart from the rest, they said she was “passionate, strong and resilient – able to adapt and over- come in any situation.”
Heatcraft account manager, Katrina Smith, has worked in the HVACR industry for 22 years - now that’s an accomplishment. It shows total dedication in an industry where women often
“SUCCESS IS A TEAM SPORT.” - SOUTH COAST REFRIGERATION & AIR CONDITIONING MANAGING DIRECTOR, VONNETTE COOK.
have to work twice as hard to gain credibility. Her “roll up your sleeves and get the job done” attitude has won widespread recognition with- in the organisation. In fact, there are few roles within Heatcraft she hasn’t tackled from ad- ministration to operations, sales and training.
Regardless of the role she is a high achiever. She won Account Manager of the year in 2017 for an outstanding sales performance (21% growth) and she is an inspiration to females in more junior roles throughout the regional net- work. There are now six females in similar roles in the region thanks to the successful
foundation set by Smith. She set the path for others to follow and has won the admiration of colleagues for her high level of teamwork, per- sistence and compassion.
South Coast Refrigeration & Air Condition- ing managing director, Vonnette Cook, is a bit of a rarity - a woman with her own refrig- eration and air conditioning business. She joined the company, under previous owner- ship, as office administrator in the year 2000. Then in February 2014, Cook purchased the business and two of the four technicians stayed and supported her through the transi- tion. As well as being passionate about the in- dustry, she believes its everyone’s responsi- bility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “One way of making a difference is choosing energy efficient equipment; it also saves mon- ey in the long run,” she said.
“I also believe in the importance of increas- ing our skilled trade workforce and I can play a part in that by taking on apprentices. I cur- rently employ two apprentices and take every opportunity to build their competencies.”
Cook describes success as a team sport. When she isn’t encouraging employees she is pushing herself. She recently employed her very own busi- ness coach to extend her business skills and to avoid getting stuck in a ‘bubble’. ✺
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS OCTOBER 2018
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