Airmaster Wins Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion at the AIRAH Awards 2025

Airmaster is proud to share that we’ve been awarded the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2025 AIRAH Awards, recognising the progress of our Airmaster Women’s Working Group. The AIRAH Awards celebrate standout achievements across Australia’s HVAC and building services industry and bring people together from across the country to highlight innovation, leadership and meaningful progress.

From left: Kate Newland, Monique Parker and Niamh Whelan accepting the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award on behalf of the Airmaster Women’s Working Group.

This recognition reflects the impact of the Airmaster Women’s Working Group, a national employee-led team made up of Monique Parker, Kate Newland, Liz Norris, Shelly Streit, Caitlyn Graham, Kasey Hall and Niamh Whelan, who have driven change across the business since forming in 2024. The group includes women from branches and roles across the country, bringing together a wide mix of experiences and perspectives that shape the work they lead.

Their efforts are guided by real experiences and comments raised through Airmaster’s annual staff survey. These insights shape the priorities that matter most, including representation, culture and clearer career pathways for women in HVAC and building services. With strong support from CEO Noel Courtney and Group Managing Director, Wayne Bover, the group has worked closely with teams across the country to turn feedback into practical outcomes.

In its first year, the group helped introduce company-funded Paid Parental Leave, a national mentoring program, leadership development opportunities and school holiday care for working parents. Work is already underway on pregnancy support guidelines, wellbeing initiatives and further development and training pathways.

Chair of the group, Monique Parker, accepted the award on the night alongside founder Kate Newland and Niamh Whelan, representing the full team behind the work. We caught up with Monique after the gala to reflect on the moment.

“Standing up there with Kate and Niamh felt pretty special. The whole night was a bit surreal. None of this would have happened without the support of the women in our group. Everyone has put so much into this.”

The work of the group continues to be shaped by honest feedback from women across the business, especially through the annual staff survey. Monique shared that many of the comments hit close to home.

“A lot of women are trying to juggle work and being a parent, and that came through so clearly in the survey. Paid Parental Leave and school holiday care make such a difference. It just takes a bit of the pressure off. It shows the company really is committed to supporting families.”

Reflecting on the recognition from AIRAH and the momentum it has created, she said:

“Having AIRAH recognise the work was pretty motivating. We’ve had so many people reach out since the event. It really reminds you why we’re doing this. There are so many paths' women can take here, and I want anyone joining Airmaster to see that they can build a long and varied career.”

Airmaster congratulates all finalists and extends a sincere thank-you to AIRAH for recognising the Women’s Working Group and the progress being made in this area across the industry. This recognition reflects the dedication of the group and the many women across Airmaster who continue to share their stories and experiences.