Local women had a chance to brush up on their tradie skills when Northam Mitre 10 hosted a Lady Tradies Night last week.
The business used the event to promote its new product range, as well as showcase the new garden centre.
The boys from the Railways Football Club were on hand to serve wine and hand out Cheezels to the women as they entered the door.
There were also plenty of staff and specialists available to provide advice and assistance.
Representatives from various supplier companies including Selleys, Makita, Yates, Haffleur and White Magic were part of the night, demonstrated their products and offered great giveaways.
Rose Ozito from Northam was one of the lucky winners, scoring two prizes – a Makita power tool pack and a Grilled stainless steel barbecue.
She was totally surprised at her multiple win.
This will no doubt help with her projects around the house, particularly as the Avon Valley heads in spring and summer – traditionally the busiest time of the year for DYI projects.
Store manager Shayne Lucy congratulated all the prize winners and thanked everyone who was involved, including the football club.
He also thanked the women who attended and made the night such a success.
Feedback from women who attended the Lady Tradies Night was that they enjoyed it and many of them were looking forward to being involved in similar promotions in the future.
National data released in 2016 showed that thousands of women each year were getting more involved in traditional male roles and becoming qualified tradies.
Almost 5000 joined in 2015, the highest number in a single year, showing that women are taking up the challenge.
Various industry groups have reported that more women are entering the construction and renovation industries, realising there was no career they couldn’t do, based on gender.
This is also reflected in more women involved in trade studies.
And in a further reflection there are more women who are keen to do jobs around the house, making events like the one at Mitre 10 more popular.