20 | Mid-Western Living | WINTER 2026 Behind the scenes of Australia’s first renewable energy zone are a group of women helping power the state’s future, one trailblazer at a time. As transmission towers rise across the Central-West Orana REZ and construction gathers pace, the workforce behind the project is as diverse as it is skilled. With 265 women on the transmission project, including 152 in leadership and non-traditional roles, ACEREZ is creating career opportunities, from engineering and environmental advisory to rigging and heavy machinery operation. We’d love you to meet some of our team. Emily Scanlon moved from New Jersey to the CentralWest four years ago and found her calling. As Senior Environmental Advisor on the transmission project at Merotherie, she works with on-site teams to translate environmental policy into practical outcomes. “I’ve always cared deeply about the environment and I love working with people,” she says. “Renewable energy construction brings those passions together in a collaborative setting where the work feels meaningful.” Emily, now a Mudgee local, says it’s also personal: “I want younger generations to inherit a healthy environment supported by sustainable energy systems.” A little further west at Elong Elong, Senior Project Engineer Sophie Ohlsson thrives on the complexity of large-scale construction. She coordinates teams, solves real-time engineering challenges and keeps work on track, safely and on budget. “No two days are the same and there’s something incredibly satisfying about working through a complex challenge as a team and watching a project take shape in front of you,” Sophie says. Her advice to women considering a career in construction is simple. “Go for it. The industry is changing and there is absolutely a place for you here. Bring your perspective, ask questions and don’t be afraid to take up space.” Now meet Maggie Turner and Freda Danielson, great mates who arrived on the project with two years of experience under their belts and plenty of enthusiasm. As transmission tower riggers, they scale heights of up to 70 metres without batting an eyelid. “It’s really fun, like playing with a giant Lego set,” Maggie says. Freda loves the team culture as much as the job itself. “We get taught a lot by the more experienced riggers and we never feel out of place,” she says. Their supervisor, Matias Toneatti, couldn’t speak more highly of them. “They’re great assets to the team and always eager to learn. The rest of the crew are learning a lot from them too.” THE WOMEN POWERING AUSTRALIA’S FIRST REZ Freda Danielson and Maggie Turner Sophie Ohlsson Brittany Horne Emily Scanlon
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