Amelia Rosella

Amelia Rosella’s (‘11) career in Civil Engineering and Project Management, as well as participation in Women’s Aussie Rules Football has seen her in many traditionally male dominated fields. She explains her journey in these areas and how Loreto taught her that consistency and hard work pays off.

As the Inaugural Loreto Old Scholars Association (LOSA) Football Team Captain for 2022, we are proud to have Amelia leading and sharing her experience with this eager and fresh team for the inaugural season!

Amelia in her own words:

As I was nearing the end of high school, I was unsure of what avenue to pursue at university and luckily, I decided to enrol into a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. At first, starting out in a heavily male dominated course at the young age of 17, after having 13 years of schooling in an all-girls school was quite a significant adjustment.

I ended up leaving engineering, questioning whether it was the right choice. After dipping my toe in Human Resources and a few other prospects, I returned a few years later to give engineering another crack. It wasn’t until one particular subject in 2016, after coordinating the construction of a visitor seating area for the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens, that this path was for me. The possibility of admiring and reflecting on the physical, tangible product of my work made the decision easy.

At the time, there was a few large building companies that I thought would be perfect to begin my career, in particular Hansen Yuncken. If Loreto had taught me anything, it was that there are ample opportunities if you are willing to work hard for them.

I began my engineering career at Hansen Yuncken in November 2017, following success in the Hansen Yuncken Undergraduate Scholarship Program, a partnership with the University of South Australia. This scholarship offered three months of paid work experience, with the opportunity for full-time employment afterwards.  

Five years later, I’ve been involved in delivering projects such as Rundle Mall Plaza, the award-winning Eos by SkyCity Casino and Bice Building Lot 14. All of these projects differ significantly from each other and are located across different parts of Adelaide.

I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of delivering these outstanding projects, which have afforded me the opportunity to push the boundaries and apply what I learnt at university. Currently, I’m working as a Project Engineer at the Flinders University Health and Medical Research building. The beauty about my role is that no two days are the same, and every project is different; no matter how long you have been working within the industry, there is always something new to experience and learn.

When I first started at Hansen Yuncken, I was welcomed into a strong support network, through a group of likeminded women who were passionate about women in construction. Getting to know them on a personal level, and other women through the channels of the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) and HiViz – a play on our everyday high vis vests, I quickly realised that these highly experienced, talented women, have paved the way for future generations, challenging bias and driving equality in their own ways, with no signs of slowing down.

Fortunately, my personal experience within this male dominated industry has been quite positive, as I’ve always been treated as an equal. Having experienced this, I wanted to make a difference and saw an opportunity in 2018 through the form of Aussie Rules Football.

AFL is such an integral part of the Aussie culture. When the opportunity came about for women to start playing football, I knew I had to be a part of it. The main reason is to help pave the way and normalise girls playing football in school, much like it’s offered to boys.

In November 2018, I started my football career at Saint Ignatius Old Collegians. The last three years at Iggie’s had been very successful with making the preliminary finals in Division 1, as well as making two grand finals - one in which we won in 2021. It is truly amazing in how much women’s football is evolving and how quickly we all pick it up.

This year, I have decided to move footy clubs to be a part of the Inaugural Loreto Old Scholars Association (LOSA) Football team. I really hope I can do my bit in building this team and club to its full potential. It is so nice seeing so many old scholars as well as others outside of Loreto wanting to be a part of something new. I have no doubt that with the girls’ positive attitudes and quick learning that we will smash it.

Being a Loreto Old Scholar is something I am truly grateful for. Loreto taught me the importance of values and that consistency and hard works pays off. I very am proud to finally be able to represent this school as an old collegian in footy this year!