International Women’s Day 2025 Accelerate Action – With Julia Hall CEO McCormacks Australia

Written by FTMA’s Kat Welsh

It’s International Women’s Day on March 8th 2025. A time when we can celebrate the women working within the timber industry, look at what we’re achieving, and how to keep the trajectory of attracting and supporting more women in the sector.

The United Nations’ theme this year is March Forward, or the IWD organisation’s theme is Accelerate Action (in case you’re seeing different messaging).

Recent data for the gender pay gap in Australia was released by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Women are earning $28,425 less than men each year. Let’s be clear, it’s not that they’re getting paid less for the same job, that’s been illegal since the 60’s… but it’s that more men are paid overtime, bonuses, additional super, and are in more management and leadership roles.

It felt like an opportune moment, to write an article about an established leader in the timber industry, what her journey has been like to get where she is, and how she is promoting equality and equity in the workplace. Julia Hall is the CEO of McCormacks Australia, and has been succeeding in management roles since her 20’s. She didn’t start off working with timber, her journey has led her here. Or rather, once Julia realised what an amazing product timber was, she knew that’s where she wanted to be – making a difference with a product that’s sustainable, diverse, and environmental. Julia’s worked tirelessly to get where she is, and while not all her roles have been in the timber industry, a vast majority have been in areas employing a much higher proportion of men, than women.

Julia was born on the Sunshine Coast. Not long after her family moved to Sydney, and then up to the NT, Darwin, when she was 10.  “When I was 19, I was still going to Uni. I got offered a role in Sydney as a telemarketer manager. So, at 19, what do you do? You just pack the car and go… I drove to Sydney in my little Hyundai Excel,” said Julia. After establishing herself in telemarketing, Julia then went out on the road as a sales rep, before getting into state management. A secondment position in marketing became available, which Julia leapt at. “I’d always wanted to get into marketing. When you’re in sales, obviously you have a bit of ego, and you have to have a bit of ego to make it this far. I hate to admit that, but it doesn’t work without it. If you’re shy, or your scared, it’s not going to work.”

While working on the trade’s strategy project for Cabots, Julia was offered a role as the National Commercial Market Manager. Julia went from strength to strength, as she then accepted further job roles at Dulux, swiftly climbing the ladders. “I’ve been really lucky,” Julia reflected, “I say that, but, I’ve worked my butt off.”

“I spent time with Cabot’s on the Timber Flooring Association board. When I was at Sia [Abrasives], I got the call about working at Timberlink. And I had always wanted to get into timber.” Julia talked about the sectors that she had had a strong pull towards, being timber and anything sustainable. When Julia started at Timberlink in 2017, that was her first introduction into the frame and truss industry.

When the Victorian government announced in 2019 that native forestry would be coming to an end by 2030 – which actually ended sooner, in 2024 – this was something significant for McCormacks Australia. It was at that time that Julia came on board. “What options do you have for a business that’s main supply is native hardwood? They’d already found this amazing product Magnum Board, but it hadn’t taken off. I had a look at what our options were, what did McCormacks’ sales do already and what did they do well? And what were the opportunities. We came up with our new strategy. Phil and Jane asked me to come and help roll that out. Here I am, 3 and half years in. The roll out of the new products, and the new strategy has gone really well. Magnum Board, Thermory board, and saveBOARD, are all growing in sales. Magnum Board is off the charts. Every week we have new opportunities popping up… When I started, the new products were obviously zero % of our sales, but now our new products are sitting around 22% of our turnover.”

Julia embodies a strong philosophy of inclusion when it comes to managing the business. Every person is an essential part of the success. “When I first started, I did a 1-on-1 with everybody, to find out where were people’s skills levels, what did they enjoy, where were they going.” The wonderful thing about Julia, is that she leads with such a genuine drive, and enthusiasm.

“As a manager, we have to remember that we’re managing people. Recognise opportunities for them to step up. Some women won’t put their hand up, because they think ‘no, I wouldn’t get that job’. So don’t let them. Have those 1-on-1 conversations with them, have those reviews. And talk about ‘what do you want to do next?’… Open that dialogue so they feel they have a safe space to speak up, because they will. But they won’t do it until there is a safe space for that.”

Any business culture should be this – every employee should have that space to voice their skills and wisdom. It breeds value. “Every single person is important in the company. If one person doesn’t do their job, it impacts the whole company. Regardless of what role you’re in.” It’s important to prioritise that time with employees, not leave it up to them to come to you. This is where we can start to accelerate action. 

Julia’s background in sales and marketing brings a lot to the table both for McCormacks and the timber industry at large. Her skills, strengths, and experiences help to bring alternative perspectives into play. Julia established her way into the timber industry and expresses so much love for it, that it is hard to not feel inspired around her.

Having Julia as a successful CEO, is a great example to promote the sector for other women – there is an abundance of jobs, meaningful careers, and opportunities.

“We all need to stand up and be proud, because we are doing great things.”

When it came to Julia’s experiences of being in leadership, she said, “most people in the industry remember me. For years, I was the only female in the board room. I was the only female in the state manager’s meeting. The only female in the senior management team… what you do is very visible. So you have a platform, an opportunity probably more than some of the guys because you are memorable. But, you get judged much more harshly. I definitely had to work harder than most of the guys to get the same roles.”

A lot of women face extra barriers entering traditionally male roles, having to prove themselves more – especially when heading into leadership territory. It’s not always the case, but it’s common. Women are more likely to have their previous work experience scrutinised to a higher degree when being considered. Women often are faced with questions or judgements about their marital status, future family plans, or how they intend on juggling home duties or kids. Questions that aren’t standard in interviews with men.

This most definitely isn’t about man-bashing or pointing fingers – it’s a learning opportunity about unconscious biases. Although it is IWD, it has to be about equality, equity, and men throwing support behind championing women, not just women marching forward in isolation.

Women aren’t asking to be given more opportunities than men, just equal ones. And, our guys are part of the solution. Men can support women into the industry – back us, and understand that diversity breeds a wealth of innovation. “What we need is not much, we need support, and an equal opportunity. We don’t need special treatment,” Julia said. It needs to be about the best person doing the best job, but treating everyone with respect and an even playing field. Everybody is unique – male, female, other, or cultural diversity – and will bring different life skills and variety.

Julia has had wonderful support along the way from key men in her life. Both from family, and work. And at times when she feels that she’s had to step up more to prove herself, because she’s a woman, she said “It’s part of my personality. If you tell me I can’t do something. I am going to work my butt off to do that thing… Mum and Dad were pretty big on giving things a go. Dad was actually quite shy, but he never wanted us to be. He would always push us to give things a go, and we did. We knew if we fell, he’d catch us… especially having a male supportive of you like that, made a big difference.” Julia’s husband, Wayne, has been backing her every step of her career. Julia’s roles and opportunities have taken their family on a number of moves, including interstate – her husband has been her biggest supporter. “My kids grew up with their dad at home, that is so unique. Neither of them feel like their mum did some crazy job where they didn’t see her… I could juggle it [being an active mum and career leader], because I had that support. It makes a massive difference.”

Equality in Australia is definitely improving, and love or hate it, social media is great at promoting this. Whether it’s women working in trades or men working in childcare, generations of people are growing up seeing the possibilities for themselves in any career mould – increasing the traction of normalcy and gender equality in the Australian workforce. Julia is setting a wonderful example of being in leadership, advocating for a positive work culture for everyone to thrive, and also promoting an industry that is an extremely exciting place to be in.

This IWD, let’s celebrate the phenomenal women working in timber, and let’s welcome as many more into the fold as we can. Because it’s a pretty awesome place. McCormacks Australia, with Julia as CEO, are educating about and supplying solutions, for the future of construction, housing, and environment.

“All of us Australians will have an opportunity to live in a better house. I think that’s really cool that we get to be a part of that… you don’t get a lot of opportunities throughout your career to have a big impact on an industry. I feel like we’re doing that here… I am totally passionate about what I am doing.”

Julia, thanks for your time in making this article happen. It was an absolute pleasure to come and hang out with you. You’re an inspiring person. What you are achieving with the genuine love of what you do, is role modelling for the industry and the next generation on how to be a congruent, strong, and compassionate leader, regardless of gender.