by Sher Mitchell, Advance Archaeology

DISCOVERING THE POWER OF FEMALE COMMUNITY

by Sher Mitchell

Archaeologist and Company Director, Advance Archaeology Pty Ltd & NAWIC Member

I’m an Archaeologist and the Company Director at Advance Archaeology Pty Ltd, which I established in 2017. My consultancy, based in Queensland, specialises in working with Aboriginal and historical cultural heritage. We also offer a variety of drone services. As a female-led consultancy, I employ a staff of three people, with a multidisciplinary and diverse skill set.

We’re engaged when development requires ground disturbance, at which point we assess the potential risks and impact to cultural heritage. Guided by various legislative requirements, both State and Commonwealth, we attribute risk allocations and ongoing advice which is provided to the proponent to assist in guiding the design, development and construction methodology of a project. My consultancy services a variety of different proponents with different interests including Local and State Government agencies, Native Title Groups, Registered Aboriginal Parties, Developers and various private industries. Archaeology in Australia has a large female contingent but female-owned and operated consultancies are uncommon. I am however, fortunate to have several women who have inspired me to build a business in an industry that is highly charged, both emotionally and politically. Being a female business owner in a largely male-dominated industry gives me the opportunity to build strong relationships with the women I work with. It also allows me to contribute to the equality of women in construction. Archaeology in Australia differs from the rest of the world in that we are working with a living, thriving and evolving cultural landscape where communication and collaboration to mitigate risks is crucial to the success of a project. Where many countries excavate to further our knowledge and contribute to the archaeological record, we aim to avoid disturbance of cultural heritage first and foremost, then look to alternative strategies where avoidance is not possible. In an advisory capacity, I feel I have a great responsibility to ensure projects are compliant and

that all stakeholders are provided the opportunity to speak and provide insight that may impact the outcome of the project works. The cultural heritage and archaeological industry in Australia is sometimes difficult to navigate and requires a strong, ethical approach to managing the risks of construction projects, particularly where it relates to Aboriginal cultural heritage. It’s a great time to be a woman in business. Freedom of expression, as well as the mindset and actions of our gender across the world, mean we are bursting with ideas and we are standing up, speaking out and taking our rightful places at any table. Over the past five to ten years I’ve witnessed a marked shift in the paradigm, where women are using their voices to diversify traditional male-dominated spaces within business. Nothing more is true for the construction industry where women are leading in many fields including management, engineering, design and fieldwork. I feel that the structure of our society can make women feel separated and insular, where life can be largely nuclear; all while still maintaining the responsibilities, judgements and blessings of being a woman. In times past the support of women was intergenerational and based in community to inspire and encourage individual potential. Today, we also live in a time where advertising, media and our daily lives pit women against each other, judging how we look, dress, eat, work, how we express ourselves and how we are as workers, wives and mothers. I’m at the stage of my life where I’m building a successful business within a traditionally male-dominated field, while raising a family and undertaking things that fill my cup. Pursuing these things, whilst also being closer to nature and building a community of women who support and lift each other up, is very important to me. I am surrounded by the most dedicated, educated, strong and capable women I’ve ever worked with and I believe that in Australia, women have a natural resilience and determination to succeed in their own right. A crucial decision I made when establishing my consultancy was to encourage and support all the women I am fortunate to work with and to always lift them up in the hope it will become infectious. Nearly four years on, I am surrounded a small, but strong, alliance of women within the construction industry that rely on and encourage each other to be their absolute best, no matter the challenge or obstacle. When I entered the workforce in the mid 1990s I was subjected to misogyny, intimidation and harassment from several employers. But I was fortunate to have been provided the right support to move past these occurrences. Many women have not been so lucky. As a woman, I hope that we will not always have to stand up against misogyny and inequality. However, my experience within the construction industry, particularly within the last few years has been one of acceptance and support where we are a team and my gender is not a point of discussion, nor a limitation. The Australian construction industry, considering the scale of works and diversity of roles and people required to undertake a project, has a fantastic opportunity to make a considerable impact on how women are perceived, supported and lifted in this space. I believe it will set the tone for the future. I am proud to be a member of NAWIC and honoured to have been selected to contribute my thoughts and experiences as a woman and business owner in the construction industry.

“I am surrounded a small, but strong, alliance of women within the construction industry that rely on and encourage each other to be their absolute best, no matter the challenge or obstacle.”