Accelerating Action: 2025 International Women’s Day at Daracon Group

As part of Daracon Group’s support of NSW Women's Week 2025 and International Women’s Day (IWD), the Daracon Wellness Team hosted a site gathering featuring guest speaker Samantha Newman from WesTrac Cat, in line with this year’s powerful IWD theme: “Accelerate Action.” This messaging was also echoed across the organisation, with multiple site gatherings held to share the IWD theme and Samantha’s talk.  

The 2025 IWD theme calls for collective action towards a world free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination—a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where difference is not only accepted but celebrated. Daracon Group, a leader in the civil construction industry, embraced this theme by bringing together employees and stakeholders to explore how they can support action in breaking down barriers for women, particularly in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Samantha Newman, a trailblazer in the construction and heavy machinery industry, served as the event’s keynote speaker. As a leader at WesTrac Cat, Newman has long been a strong advocate for women in the workplace, particularly those in non-traditional roles. Her leadership journey provided valuable insights into how individuals and organisations can take actionable steps to eliminate gender bias and foster truly inclusive environments.

The event at Daracon’s Beresfield head office featured a fireside chat with guest speaker Samantha Newman about the importance of accelerating action to create a workplace that values equity, celebrates diversity, and how everyone, regardless of gender, can play a role in advancing these goals.

Daracon support initiatives such as the CCF NSW 50 by 50 campaign – which aims to reach gender parity in our industry by 2050, National Association of Women In Construction program of events and awards, Women in Leadership Training opportunities, have women in their Cadet program and have welcomed female Trainees as an industry partner with the NSW Government Infrastructure Trainee Program. Daracon are also a proud Employer Champion for Women in Civil – which is focussed on supporting women to join and remain in the NSW Civil Construction Industry.