Page 40 - Climate Control News Nov 2019

HVACR Leadership Awards
BELOW: CCN Editor, Sandra Rossi, on stage at the awards presentation.
LEFT: Daikin's commercial sales manager, Andrew Symington, preparing to announce the winner of the Woman of the Year in HVACR Award.
Woman of the Year in HVACR Award
JENNY SMITH HAS spent her entire career as a pioneer for women in HVACR.
In 1981 she was the first female apprentice in refrigeration and air conditioning appointed by the Federal Government.
In fact she was part of a government program to assess whether a woman could actually com- plete a mechanical trade.
It sounds comical today but back then as a 15 year old Smith had a tough time in her steel cap
boots that didn't fit, pants and safety gear that didn't come in her size and class mates that weren't very welcoming.
That was almost four decades ago and Smith has mentored plenty of female fridgies since then. Moreover, she is currently an active mem- ber of the Northern Territory chapter of the Woman of AIRAH Committee.
Her first job involved working on Naval boats, submarines, RAAF and Army jobs.
“As a large central plant mechan- ic everything was big, heavy and dirty but I was strong and I held my own,” Smith said.
“Being in the plantroom in the middle of the night with a major breakdown and no-one but yourself to get it back on line is a great way to learn and really hone your skills.”
The Woman of the Year in HVACR Award winner then spent 13 years in Adelaide working at Simms Refrigeration and Logic Air which specialised in large chillers at Adelaide University and Port Ad-
elaide TAFE. She also worked with glycol chillers and completed a Diploma in Education so she could run a program promoting trade opportu- nities for women.
It allowed Smith to manage work placement experience for some 200 students.
In 2005 Smith returned to Darwin and started her own business, About Aircondi- tioning. As the business flourished so too did Smith's skills and education. She completed a Diploma in Business Management and a Diploma in Project Management which al- lowed her to work on a range of building pro- jects in Darwin.
“The scope of HVACR is huge and we need more women in this space as we think differ- ently which is great for diversity of ideas,” Smith said.
“I have enjoyed every day in this industry and although it has been difficult at times, it has re- warded me for a lifetime.”
Once again Daikin Australia sponsored the Woman of the Year in HVACR Award with Dai- kin commercial sales manager, Andrew Syming- ton, announcing the winner.
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