Highlights
- Emily's family history is just as unique as her chosen career.
- She says that being a female carpenter has its mental and physical challenges.
- Having more female representation in the industry will inspire more women to be part of it.
In celebration of National Women's Month 2022, SBS Filipino presents a series focused on remarkable Filipino women who #BreakTheBias.
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Hinihikayat ng isang female carpenter ang ibang kababaihan na sumali sa trade
SBS Filipino
13/03/202209:38
"Growing up, everytime I would see a man build something, I would think that I wish I could do that myself. But because seeing females in the trade was so uncommon, I had this silly mindset that I couldn't.
"Then one day, I just thought, 'Stuff it! I'll do it.'"
Ever since deciding to throw caution to the wind, Emily Kelsall has been living her most fulfilling life yet as a carpenter.
Emily Kelsall, a carpenter from the Mornington Peninsula Source: Emily Kelsall
The foundation
"I had a very strange upbringing. My birth mother is from the Philippines and she's actually my mum's sister. My mum and dad are actually my auntie and uncle," Emily shares.
Although her brother is only two months older than her, she shares that she never questioned the oddness of it.
Emily with her birth mum [left photo] and with the mum who raised her [right photo] Source: Emily Kelsall
"My parents told me I was adopted when I was 10. It was a sad moment. Now I'm okay speaking about it, but for a few years," she trails off, "I don't know."
What Emily does know is that even as a child, she has always looked up to people who could create and build things.
"Going through uni, I liked being creative and being outdoors. Everytime I would hear a man say 'I built this deck' or 'I built this cabinet', I wished I could do that myself.
A young Emily with her siblings Source: Emily Kelsall
"I would love to build my own house eventually. I want to know all the steps. I would love the challenge and independence.
"I thought if I learned carpentry, I could build my own things; so I decided to give it a go. I sent in an application and I haven't looked back since."
Against the grain
When Emily decided to opt for a career in carpentry, she felt encouragement from the females in her life and pushback from the men.
"A lot of biases came out when I was telling people what I wanted to do. A lot of my girl friends were like, 'Go for it! You can do it!'"
"With the men though, there would always be a warning. They would say, 'You do know that it's very labour-intensive. It's very physical. It's long hours. Are you sure you're going to be able to do it?'"
Emily and her supportive girl friends Source: Alexia Charry
Her own mum had apprehensions in the beginning as well.
"Mum is from the Philippines and you don't see female labourers there, so she initially didn't understand why I wanted to do it.
"She once thought this was only for men, but seeing her daughter doing what men do changed her mind. She's proud. She's happy."
Under construction
While being a carpenter has changed her mum's mind about what women can do, Emily admits that there are still justifiable reasons why women hesitate to join the trade.
"I think there's this fear of being part of a male-dominated industry. It is scary - coming into this industry with all of these men thinking you shouldn't and that the work is only for men."
Emily shares that the bias coming from some can be blunt, while others can be more subtle and casual.
Emily is the only female in a three-person team. Source: Emily Kelsall
"I've had a few moments of working with men who are a bit older and there's that initial shock of 'You're a girl - why are you doing this?' Some of them can be very blunt.
"I also get casual stares when I go to pick up materials or something. I just find myself ignoring that though.
"I go to TAFE as well. The boys I go to school with are very nice; but unknowingly, they can make sexist comments and they don't realise that they're isolating me in a way. Also, if i carry something, they'll automatically come to me and be like, 'We can do it.'"
Aside from the biases, Emily admits that the mental and physical aspects of the job can be overwhelming; but that women bring something special to the table if they decide to take the challenge on.
Emily admits that the mental and physical aspects of the job can be overwhelming. Source: Emily Kelsall
"I find that women are more detailed work-wise and more patient. I find that when i work with the guys, they can get frustrated more easily," Emily laughs, adding, "Women can be more empathetic when something goes wrong. I think that we can bring a bit of softness to the job.
"But because women see very little female representation in carpentry, that in itself prevents them from trying."
Women only make up 2% of workers in Australian construction, but a new policy intends to attract, recruit and retain more female tradies. Source: Los Muertos Crew from Pexels
"One of the biggest challenges as a female in a male-dominated industry is self-doubt. You'll go through a lot - the comments, the physical labour, being the minority. I've questioned myself all the time if I can do this.
"The work isn't just about happiness. It can get hard and there's so much to learn. You just have to push through it.
"But at the end of the day, it's a job I want to do. I love watching a space transform, creating something that goes into someone's beautiful home. I love learning about every aspect of the trade."
