A Call to Accelerate Action for Women in Construction


Almost 800 people within the building and construction industry gathered today at Centrepiece Melbourne Park for the 2025 Master Builders Victoria (MBV) International Women’s Day (IWD) Breakfast, to celebrate the efforts of the many incredible women helping to drive change in our industry and beyond.
This year’s theme was “Accelerate Action.”
The insightful conversations, personal stories, and collective experiences at the breakfast truly reinforced this call to accelerate action. The event was a powerful reminder of MBV’s deep commitment, alongside all attendees, to drive change for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Welcoming guests, MBV CEO Michaela Lihou reflected on the significance of the event’s theme, noting how it resonates deeply as Master Builders Victoria celebrates its 150th year. She emphasised that although the industry has evolved over the years, outdated assumptions and gender-based double standards persist, calling for accelerated action to break down these barriers and create meaningful change.
“We need to recognise and reward women for their expertise and contributions – not as an afterthought or a ‘special mention,’ but as a baseline expectation; build cultures where leadership and success aren’t about gender – but about talent and effort,” she said.
“We can’t simply ask women to ‘lean in’ or ‘keep up’ while working within systems that were never designed for their success.”
“We need to create genuine opportunities, not tokenistic gestures. It’s not enough to invite women into the room – we need to give them influence and authority, and we need to respect them.”
The event was hosted by presenter and musician Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley, and featured a keynote address by renowned author, presenter, and diversity and inclusion ambassador Jamila Rizvi.
Jamila emphasised the importance of distinguishing between gender equality and gender equity. “Treating everyone equally doesn’t always lead to equitable outcomes,” Jamila explained, highlighting how the framework is inherently masculine and not tailored to accommodate women, and the complex roles they navigate in both the workplace and society while balancing multiple expectations and responsibilities. “Our workplaces are physically, legally and culturally designed with men in mind.”
Jamila concluded by calling for a collective commitment to ensure that economic inequality does not become the legacy of this generation.
The panellists Bardie Somerville, Clea Smith, Penny Gray, and Sarah Tozer shared powerful, real-world experiences that reinforced the idea that we all have a sphere of influence, and it’s not only our responsibility to stand up for others but also to advocate for ourselves.
Delivering the vote of thanks, MBV President Geoff Purcell stressed that discourse about speeding up gender parity is ‘not just a conversation for women.’
“Achieving equity in the building and construction industry requires all of us, men particularly, to step up. To be active allies,” he said.
Master Builders Victoria would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the sponsors of today’s event: Centrepiece sponsor Bunnings Trade, as well as AGL, Busy at Work, Cbus, Colorbond, Incolink, and Six Star Plus. Their generous support ensures that MBV can continue to drive important conversations like the one held today.
Going beyond a powerful call to accelerate action, the 2025 MBV International Women’s Day Breakfast was a clear demonstration of the collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive future for industry.