In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), we shine a spotlight on the contribution which successful women at Essendon Fields are making to their profession and to our community. Here are five stories to inspire young women to seize their dreams.

Kathy Craig, COO, Essendon Fields | Diversity is key

Kathy Craig’s career started in criminal law, later switching directions into project management. She has a diverse background and prior to joining Essendon Fields was with energy giant BP for 10 years. Her career has seen her deliver projects, manage portfolios, develop strategies, undertake acquisitions and various large and complex transactions.

Kathy brings this diverse background to her role as Essendon Fields’ Chief Operating Officer, which not only helps her to understand new problems and determine how to solve them, but also allows her to adapt to the needs of the enormous diversity of customers at Essendon Fields.

“It was the diversity of the role that attracted me to Essendon Fields. The remit is so broad. One day could be all about property deals or hotel operations, and the next I’m involved in the technical aspects of the airport’’ she said.

Kathy encourages future generations of women looking to prosper in mostly male dominated industries and to use their strengths to build their confidence as well as investing in developing skills and expertise.

“I have benefited from a great career so far, learning from inspirational leaders and colleagues, which has ultimately helped me to build up my leadership tool kit. Leadership comes from everyone not just management and is all about how you show up everyday and vary the approach to suit that particular circumstance.”

On International Women’s Day, Kathy hopes to see diversity in the workplace become more commonplace.

“Diversity in the workplace is about diversity in thought. Obtaining various perspectives to evolve ideas. It is critical to continued business success and developing well rounded cohesive teams. We will all know the day we have achieved true diversity because we will no longer talk about it because it will be commonplace in everything we do.”

Stacey Pettit, General Counsel, Essendon Fields | Build relationships and network

Essendon Fields’ in-house General Counsel Stacey Pettit began her career in law firms, before going in-house on a secondment and never looking back.

With experience in property, commercial and compliance, Stacey says she has focussed more specifically on development and infrastructure in recent years.

“In my role today, every day is different. The opportunity to work on significant transactions, see projects take shape and help solve strategic problems is the best part of my work,” she says.

“A constant feature of my work is a focus on risk management and helping businesses navigate through legal and governance requirements.  Essendon Fields offers an exciting combination of property leasing, development and aviation projects for me to work on.’’

She has a simple message for women interested in a career in the law – build relationships and don’t be afraid to network.

“I love reading tips from successful senior lawyers and sharing my own! One of my favourites is that I believe it’s important to seek out a sponsor, not just a mentor, and develop strong relationships with legal and non-legal personnel. It’s important to get involved in your sector through an industry body and look after your network by sharing insights, giving referrals and recommendations and identifying opportunities for others,’’ according to Stacey.

“A lawyer should always build a portfolio of skills readily transferable to your next role. Of course, most of all, female lawyers should not be reluctant to move into a role not previously held by a female before. They should simply ensure that they enjoy the work they do and the people they work alongside.’’

Kellie Gavin, General Manager – Operations, Microflite | Harnessing a love of flying

Kellie Gavin’s love of flying began as a child, as a passenger in a small aircraft to visit her family on Flinders Island. She never thought she’d end up in the aviation industry, but through hard work and completing the right University degree, today she finds herself at Essendon Fields as Microflite’s General Manager – Operations.

Microflite, one of Australia’s fastest growing helicopter operators, established a base at Essendon Fields Airport a year ago to manage their expansion plans and for most of that time Kellie has been managing the company’s firefighting and passenger operations.

“I actually started my career in IT alongside saving up to get my pilot’s licence. After gaining my PPL, I decided I loved being around aviation but wanted to pursue a ground based role rather than flying. I enrolled in university to complete an Aviation Management degree over a number of years whilst still working in IT. I was fortunate to gain a graduate position at Virgin in Brisbane upon completion of my degree,’’ Kellie said.

After leaving Virgin, and working briefly for a regional airline, Kellie moved to Melbourne and joined Microflite. Her new role as GM Operations is her second stint within the company.

“The thing I love about my current role is that each day is different. The morning starts with a check-in with my team, review the bookings and calendar for the day, and then it’s all go from there. There could be a meeting on strategy with the exec team, reviewing processes and procedures to make sure they are efficient and working for the team, or some project planning,’’ she said.

“Our department is tasked with ensuring we have the right people in the right places, at the right time so that the customers journey from start to finish is impeccable. My focus is to ensure my team have the resources they need to be able to do this on a day to day basis, and to ensure there is clarity around what they do and how it contributes to the bigger picture.’’

Her advice to young women seeking to be in the aviation industry is gain as much exposure as you can.

“Go and hang out at your local Aero Club or flying school if you’re wanting to go down the flying path, or reach out to companies that you’re interested in and offer to volunteer. I was so fortunate to get the chance to volunteer at a number of companies, including airports, whilst I was studying. It was a great way to build networks and to identify what areas of the industry I enjoyed.’’

Amy Hill, Chief Operations Officer, Y Australia | Always add new skills and capabilities

Amy Hill might only have recently become a member of the Essendon Fields community, but for her coming back to Y Australia as Chief Operations Manager (COO) in December last year was definitely a homecoming.

Amy first worked for the Y as a teenager as a swim instructor and lifesaver at her local pool, over the years graduating through different roles and positions within the organisation, including managing lifeguard teams, operations and venues.

In recent years, Amy held a role at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), eventually becoming its General Manager of Operations and delivering major events to showcase Melbourne, Victoria and Australia on the global stage.

“I’m thrilled to now be back with the Y, having worked for Y Victoria for many years earlier in my career. I learnt a great deal through that time, and it has certainly set me up for success in my current role. The Y backed me as a young person, providing me with unrivalled opportunity and experience which ultimately gave me the foundations to propel my career in major global events through to my new role as national COO,’’ Amy said.

Y Australia’s headquarters are based at Bristol Street at Essendon Fields, which means employees are just a short walk to everything from Essendon Fields Central to a work out at Fitness Addix at lunchtime. Amy says working at Essendon Fields is already one of the highlights of her new job back at the Y.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of this precinct. Like many folks who live north of the city, I was drawn in by LaManna many years ago, and it just keeps getting better and better. It’s such a thriving community with so many diverse people and businesses, I’m really enjoying my new work home in EF,’’ she said.

On International Women’s Day, Amy has an important message for young aspiring female leaders: diversify your skillset.

“I see work like a home DIY project – if you don’t have the right tools, you don’t get the job done well, so having a toolbelt full of skills that you can select from and use in different situations, is vital. Adding new skills and capabilities to your unique way of working will continue to open up new challenges and opportunities.

“At every stage of my career, I have had ambitious improvement and development goals. I have an ‘always learning’ mindset, and that extends to understanding other people’s roles as much as my own. I always focus my efforts in the technical, operational, strategic and leadership aspects of any position I’ve held. When all four aren’t balanced and in sync, it’s like driving a car with the hand break on.’’

“I think people thrive if they have a multi-layered skillset and it’s a real asset to offer employers. This approach has genuinely helped advance my career and always kept it interesting and rewarding.’’

Nat Roberts, Head Coach, Niddrie Gymnastics | Follow your passion

Niddrie Gymnastics is one of Essendon Fields’ longest standing tenants, helping promote physical activity and wellbeing to children interested in discovering gymnastics. The Club itself is more than 40 years old, moving into their Wirraway Road facility in 1997.

Nat Roberts is Head Coach at Niddrie Gymnastics, and not surprisingly gymnastics has been something she has always enjoyed.

“From a young age I loved being upside down and I spent my days doing cartwheels. My love for the sport started in primary school when my PE teacher introduced me to formal gymnastics and I spent many years training at Essendon YMCA, and then at Footscray City Gymnastics,’’ Nat recalls.

“I will forever love the sport and I feel so grateful to have a passion that has lasted a lifetime and given me so much satisfaction. I have shared my passion and love of the sport with so many young girls, including my own daughter, who now coaches alongside me at the Club.’’

Nat wasn’t always destined to be Head Coach at Niddrie Gymnastics, initially working as a legal secretary at a Collins Street law firm, but she couldn’t deny her true love and at first worked part time coaching a squad of young girls while working full time at the law firm. After she was married, Nat commenced full time work with the Club, about 15 years ago.

Clearly having a passion for what you want to do in life is Nat’s message to young girls on International Women’s Day. Her day often starts with a 6am training session with the Club’s highest level competitive squads and doesn’t finish until after 8pm.

“The greatest blessing in my role as a gymnastics’ coach are the relationships that I build with the athletes and their families. The sense of belonging at Niddrie Gymnastics is strong and I always feel at home here in my happy place at the gym,’’ she said.

“Choosing a career pathway in sport is all consuming. The hours are long, the pressure of competition can be intense, but the moments and the memories are worth it. The saying ‘find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life’ rings very true for me. I am very blessed.”

Read more stories about inspiring women in the Essendon Fields community:

FEARLESS FEMALES OF ESSENDON FIELDS 2022
FEARLESS FEMALES OF ESSENDON FIELDS 2021