Building Her Future: Maeve Receives 2026 Downer Construction Scholarship
Friday, 6 March 2026
A huge congratulations to Maeve, who has been announced as one of the recipients of the 2026 Downer Building and Construction Scholarship at Wodonga TAFE.
The $6,000 scholarship was available exclusively to female students enrolled in the Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Site Management) at Wodonga TAFE, with the aim of supporting women from the Albury/Wodonga region to pursue leadership pathways within the building and construction industry.
For Maeve, the scholarship is both financial support and recognition of her dedication to building a career in the cabinet making/construction industries, areas where increasing female representation remains a key focus for the industry.
“I’m truly honoured to receive the 2026 Downer Building and Construction Scholarship. This support not only reduces the financial pressure of studying, but also highlights the vital and expanding role women play in the building and construction industry.
Through completing my Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Site Management), I am developing the technical knowledge and confidence needed to pursue leadership roles and manage projects in the future. I hope my journey inspires more women in the Albury/Wodonga region to believe in themselves and explore careers in trades and construction.” – Maeve
Applicants were required to submit a written response or short video outlining their career goals, personal strengths and any barriers they had experienced along their journey, along with a resume. The selection process highlighted not only academic commitment, but passion, resilience and a clear vision for the future.
“We are delighted to congratulate Maeve on being awarded the 2026 Downer Building and Construction Scholarship. At Wodonga TAFE, we are committed to creating clear and supported pathways for women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Scholarships like this are vital in removing barriers and recognising not only academic achievement, but determination, resilience and leadership potential. Maeve’s success reflects the positive shift we are seeing, with more women stepping confidently into building and construction and shaping the future of the industry.” Janelle Cretney, Director – Education & Training
Maeve’s achievement reflects the growing number of women stepping into trades roles, challenging traditional industry norms and helping to create more diverse worksites. Through the Certificate IV program, she is developing technical knowledge, leadership capability and practical skills needed to confidently manage projects and teams for her future career.
“Downer has a long‑standing presence in the Albury/Wodonga region, and we’re proud to be deeply embedded in the local community.
Supporting women like Maeve through this scholarship reflects our commitment to creating meaningful local employment pathways and backing the next generation of women in construction. By investing in local women, we’re helping build a stronger, more diverse workforce and delivering lasting benefits for the region.” Georgia Fugler, Design Director at Downer.
At Wodonga TAFE, we are proud to support and celebrate women like Maeve who are shaping the future of building and construction. Scholarships such as this play an important role in removing barriers and ensuring more women can access training, advance their skills and step into leadership positions across the industry.