HOW GILL IS EMPOWERING AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WITH TRADE SKILLS AND PROTECTING GREATER GLIDERS THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Facts about IWD, Woodchix and women in trades:

• International Women's Day (IWD) has been celebrated in Australia and globally since 1911.
• Woodchix Foundation is a women-led charity that teaches women woodworking skills.
• WWF-Australia partnered with Woodchix Foundation to build nest boxes for endangered greater gliders.
• Women are significantly under-represented in apprenticeships in Australia, making up around 28% of all apprentices and trainees.

This International Women’s Day (8 March), WWF-Australia is shining a spotlight on Gill Enterkin, Founder and Head Woodchick of Woodchix Foundation.

Woodchix is a women-led charity that teaches women hands-on woodworking and joinery skills via their ‘Empowering Women’ course.

Their goal is to build confidence and self-esteem and to equip women with skills to consider trade apprenticeships.

Around 200 women and more than 100 teachers from Sydney and the Blue Mountains have learned lifelong skills through woodworking workshops at Woodchix.

WWF-Australia’s recent partnership with Woodchix saw volunteers roll up their sleeves to construct nest boxes for endangered greater gliders.

Giving back from the heart

This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD 2026) United Nations’ theme is ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls’.

Gill embodies this every day by championing women.

“We do a lot of work with women from underprivileged backgrounds, women who’ve experienced domestic violence or may have been incarcerated,” says Gill.

“We aim to get women back into a social environment and give them the self-confidence to know that if something happens at home, they've got friends around them or have their own capabilities to fix things.”

While yearly membership costs are low to ensure price isn't a barrier, Woodchix also offers four free places per year for those who can't afford it.

How Woodchix began and Gill’s mission to empower women

Gill’s personal struggles with mental health is where it all began.

“I was a high school TAS (Technical Applied Studies) teacher specialising in woodwork for 20+ years, and had some major mental health issues and had to leave teaching in schools, but I couldn't sit at home doing nothing,” says Gill.

“When a friend of mine came around and said, “Let's get a skip bin and clean out your garage.” I said, “Oh, no, no, no, no.” Because all my wood was in there, all my tools. And my friend said, “Well then, do something.””

From there, Woodchix was born.

“Woodchix is a place I created for women to play with wood, enjoy themselves, meet other women with similar interests and relax, laugh and have a good time. I feel that I'm doing my life's work,” says Gill.

Gill’s foundation is proudly empowering women, from young girls to grandmothers.

“We have two girls, about 15 or 16, who haven't had an opportunity to learn woodwork at school, so they came to Woodchix. One of them wants to be a cabinet maker, and the other one wants to be a luthier, making violins and cellos,” says Gill.

“Our longest member has been with us for three years. She's 73 and still comes every week. She loves it, and she's strong as an ox too.”

How many women in trades are there in Australia?

According to the Cambridge University Press, women are significantly under-represented in apprenticeships in Australia compared to their share of the workforce – making up roughly around 28% of all apprentices and trainees nationally.

Facts about apprenticeships for women in Australia

• ‘Traditional trade’ apprenticeships are still predominantly undertaken by men.
• Apprenticeship Support Australia highlights that in the 12 months to 31 December 2023, 62,745 women started an apprenticeship (36.9% of total commencements).
• Master Builders Australia shows that women comprised about 13.6 % of the building and construction workforce in 2025, with only 3.7 % on the tools.

Gill’s experience reflects these realities.

“I went to a girls’ high school in Geelong, and there was no woodwork. We got the choice of sewing or home economics. That was one of the reasons I really wanted a place for women who have not had that opportunity,” says Gill.

“The government is looking for females to become apprentices in all areas of trades, and I think that's a really important thing that I can help with.”

How Woodchix supports gender equality in Australia

Gill’s message: Women can do all jobs as competently and skillfully as men!

“When I was a teenager, mum and dad needed the front paving ripped up and paved nicely. The guy delivering the stuff came and saw me digging, and dad was there, and he said, “Ah, mate, I can do better than her. And I'll give you a better rate too.” My father said, “I'd suggest you leave now before she rips your head off,” reflects Gill.

“I was always taught that women can do anything they put their mind to.”

Staying true to herself, Gill firmly believes that women can go against the grain.

“If you like working with your hands, it doesn't necessarily have to be construction or carpentry – it can be jewellery or working on aircraft – get an apprenticeship and have a good time,” says Gill.

“Working with tools is rewarding, and it's good for your mental health. There's so much support now for female tradies, so use all the support you can get and move forward and enjoy doing what you dream of doing.”

Women supporting conservation and endangered greater gliders

In 2025, Gill and a team of volunteers at Woodchix dedicated their time and skills to constructing greater glider nest boxes as part of a project by WWF-Australia and the Australian National University, and supported by HP Inc.

“I received a pamphlet about greater gliders and how endangered they were, and that WWF-Australia was making nest boxes. I thought, “Woodchix can do that,” says Gill.

Woodchix proudly contributed to the creation of 166 safe new homes for endangered greater gliders.

“It's been a positive way for the community to come together, for women to come together, to socialise and to learn at the same time. I would highly recommend it as such a rewarding experience to do.”

FAQS:

When is International Women's Day 2026 (IWD 2026)?

International Women’s Day is held on 8 March every year. However, events, campaigns and conversations often take place in the weeks leading up to and after the official date.

What is International Women's Day (IWD)?

International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. IWD is a movement, powered by the collective efforts of all.

What is the theme of International Women’s Day 2026?

While the overarching theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is ‘Give To Gain’, the United Nations has adopted ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls’ for 2026, while UN Women Australia is leading with ‘Balance the Scales’ as their focus.

What is gender equality?

Gender equality means equal rights, representation and opportunity for women and all genders. Gender equality is achieved when gender no longer determines a person’s opportunities, income, leadership or safety.

How can I join a woodworking workshop?

If you’re in Sydney or the Blue Mountains in NSW, join one of Woodchix’s workshops and learn to create, build and make friends.

Find out more about Woodchix Foundation or apply for a membership and see how they help women thrive. Interested in supporting wildlife conservation?

Donate today to support WWF-Australia’s efforts to protect endangered wildlife.