1280x480 Mackellar annie.jpg

Empowering our next generation of female leaders – and helping shape Australia’s future

Diversity and Inclusion
  • 15 Mar 2023
  • by
  • Lendlease Author Better Places
Our Victoria Cross over station development in North Sydney has created a unique opportunity to partner with local girls schools to engage and motivate female students to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics based subjects and pursue careers in STEM related fields.

In 1973, our founder Dick Dusseldorf said, “companies must start justifying their worth to society, with greater emphasis placed on environmental and social impact rather than straight economics.”

While this sentiment is commonplace within modern organisations, fifty years ago the idea of companies answering to society as well as shareholders was revolutionary. And for every day over the past six decades since Lendlease was founded, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure each of our projects delivers lasting benefit to local communities well beyond the structures we create.

Our Victoria Cross over station development in North Sydney is a prime example of this. In addition to delivering the new Sydney Metro Victoria Cross Station and a world-class commercial and retail precinct, the project has created a unique opportunity to partner with the Regional Industry Education Partnerships and local girls schools to engage and motivate female students to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics based subjects and pursue careers in STEM related fields.

With the rise of new technologies and artificial intelligence impacting almost every aspect of commerce and everyday life, the ability for the next generation of workers to understand and apply data and develop viable solutions to complex problems is critical for both the employability of young people, and the long terms success and sustainability of our economy.

The project team have engaged with Wenona, North Sydney Girls High School, Mackellar Girls High School and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to showcase the diverse range of opportunities available to women in the construction industry at a series of workshops and site visits. These will continue throughout the life of the project.

Lendlease’s Girls in STEM program has already helped educate a large number of young female students about career prospects within the construction industry, and the opportunities open to women to work as tradespeople, administrators, construction managers, project managers and development managers.

With over 17,000 students based in the North Sydney area, our hope is to inspire young women today to aspire to be future leaders in the construction and development of our communities and cities for generations to come.

Victoria Cross is committed to delivering benefits to the local North Sydney community during project delivery and into operations. To find out more about our social initiative programs, click here.

Diversity and Inclusion