Tradeswomen through the lens

A NEW photographic initiative is putting the spotlight on tradeswomen.

The Celebrating Women in Trades project launched at the Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades last week, acknowledging women in trade industries as positive role models, while seeking to inspire a new generation of ‘tradie ladies.’

MDP Photography and Video’s Mitch Nivalis has captured and depicted 12 women from across the Central Highlands region at work, and those images have been printed on a banner which will be displayed in different locations in Ballarat.

The women photographed include apprentice electrician Guinny Nunes who is working at Sovereign Hill and was one of the electricians who wired up the Rare Trades Centre.

“I feel privileged to be a woman in a trade,” she said. “I went to an all-girls high school in Ballarat, and it was quite rare to see any representation of trades.

“Although it was tricky to find my own way to get to where I am, it’s rewarding, and it’s great to be part of this project.

“It’s great that people will see this banner out in the community.”

The initiative has been developed by partners Women’s Health Grampians, Apprenticeship Support Australia, and Hope Assistance Local Tradies.

WHG’s See What You Can Be project coordinator Ange van den Berg said she was excited to show Ballarat the photos, and share each tradie’s story.

“We’re delighted to be here to celebrate these amazing women and their stories,” she said.

“It’s a natural choice to launch the project at the Rare Trades Centre, not only because we can showcase this amazing venue we have in Ballarat, but because this a beautiful place that one of our participants did some of the wiring on.”