On Thursday 11 September 2025, the Property Council of Australia hosted the annual Girls in Property Day in the Victoria Gardens precinct - a dynamic, hands-on event designed to open girls’ eyes to the exciting and diverse career opportunities in the property industry. Our involvement in this learning opportunity was a direct result of the construction works underway on the School’s empowerED building, and of the industry partnerships that the School is pursuing with contractors engaged in this important project.

Year 10 students from across Melbourne came together to explore how the property sector shapes the cities and communities we live in - from homes to retail centres and workplaces. With over 1.4 million Australians working in property, the industry offers a wealth of pathways in design, sustainability, technology, business, and community development.

A highlight of the day was the various breakout sessions with industry professionals. Students heard firsthand from inspiring women in property, learning about their career journeys and the many roles available beyond the traditional construction stereotype. Indeed, it’s not all hard hats and “For Sale” signs in the property industry!

A guided site tour of Victoria Gardens by program partners Salta Properties and Vicinity Centres gave students a behind-the-scenes look at projects across retail, residential, and commercial spaces. The afternoon featured a collaborative group activity where students worked alongside industry mentors to develop their own theoretical property project for an unused site located adjacent to the Victoria Gardens shopping centre.

Opportunities like this one align beautifully with our vision for learning at Ivanhoe Girls’. Our Year 10 students who participated in this experience saw value in their learning that extended beyond the traditional four walls of the classroom, and they benefited from the mentorship of women in industry who shared their passions, challenged their thinking and fostered in them a spirit of agency and empowerment.

We’re looking forward to further developing our industry and community partnerships that will enrich the learning of every Ivanhoe Girls’ student in the years ahead.

Ms Catherine Spurritt
Director of Learning and Innovation