Program aims to Tackle Shortage of Women in the Property Industry

The Property Council of Australia’s, 'Girls in Property Program' has kicked off in the Hunter for the first time today. 

Fifty female year nine students from Hunter River High and St Pius X High School in the Hunter, will be exploring the in’s and outs of the property industry, taking part in the program which brings together some of the biggest property companies in NSW. 

The program aims to inspire more young girls to choose property as a career, with currently only 28% of leadership roles within the industry held by women.  

The day hopes to inform young girls about the extremely diverse range of careers and roles available within the property sector. 

"We really want to open up the conversation and talk to these girls about the myriad of different roles that they can access within the property industry," Mrs. Hugo said. 

"It's not just about construction and it's not just about engineering. There are professional services, there's architecture, there's planning, there are so many different areas that they could be looking at and so many more opportunities if they just knew what was available" 

During the day the girls will hear from women leaders in the property industry, develop real-life projects to represent their schools, and learn more about university education options related to property. 

"Relative to other industries there's so much more room to grow in terms of participation in diversity and sometimes its a case of 'you don't know, what you don't know'," Mrs. Hugo said. 

"Today they'll be talking to people about their journey and experiences and they'll start work on some really exciting processes that they need to be involved in." 

                               Image Source: Property Council of Australia 

A political statement, not an education statement: MacDonald on Foley

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Opposition Leader Luke Foley visited Medowie yesterday committing to build the high school which was promised 15 years ago.

But the state government have been quick to say it's no longer needed in the area because since it was initially required both Irrawang and Hunter River High Schools are now both under capacity.

There was talk of building a high school for Medowie back in the early 2000's, but now in 2017 the need is no longer there according to the Department of Education. Both Irrawang and Hunter River High are at 1,539 students which is under capacity.

Luke Foley & Kate Washington in Medowie on
Tuesday.
Image: Twitter @Luke_FoleyNSW

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says the figures aren't that different to back in 1996 so he just doesn't see the point.

"It's just disappointing that the Opposition Leader won't take the advice of the Department of Education which is very clear in this case that in the Medowie area we need to back the two schools that are there now - Irrawang and Hunter River High - and not build and not promise to build a high school that's not needed for many many years."

The Opposition Leader also called on the current government to step in and make a move towards building a school, but the government won't have any of that.

"What this is, is a political statement not an education statement. It would penalise the school communities and the students of Irrawang High and Hunter River High. There is capacity at those schools, it would mean weaker subject choice for those schools and they would be even further under capacity," said Scot MacDonald.