Outward Bound Scholarship Winner 2024

On a chilly morning in November 2024 Georgia Mackfall embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Anakiwa, Marlborough Sounds joining the Women in Leadership Outward Bound course. Inspired to apply for the opportunity through NZ Women in Roofing’s scholarships programme, Georgia knew it would help develop her skills to achieve her career goals.

Georgia Mackfall, the Operations Manager at Gutterite, fell into the industry after returning from her OE. The Operations Manager at her family’s business, which owns Gutterite and sister company Texturite, had left suddenly and she was asked to step in temporarily. ‘Temporary’ turned into ‘permanent’ and Georgia is now well established and primed to take over the Gutterite arm of the business. This career path didn’t come without hurdles though. Georgia explains, “It has been challenging because a few of the guys have actually worked for Texturite since I was three years old. They’ve seen me grow up and then I came in as their manager. So, it did take me a good couple of years to earn respect.”

With plans for Georgia to take over Gutterite, she wanted a way to prepare herself for the mental and emotional challenges that would come. This is when she attended the Wellington New Zealand Women in Roofing (NZWiR) branch meeting and was encouraged

to apply for the 2024 Outward Bound scholarship. The scholarship prize was attendance on a 5-day Women in Leadership course.

The Outward Bound Women in Leadership course is an adaptation of their professional course, tailored to help current or aspiring female leaders increase their awareness of who they are, what they value, and how they can extend their impact within organisations. On top of building personal courage and confidence, participants increase their understanding of their own perceived limitations and learn strategies to break through these perceptions. They also learn to identify their core strengths and ways to apply these in a leadership role, all within a safe and supportive learning environment alongside other like-minded female leaders.

On this course the Outward Bound facilitators take attendees through outdoor activities like tramping, camping, at-height activities and activities in the water, integrating them with workshop sessions held by experienced facilitators. The course is designed to challenge and explore the attendees’ leadership skills and embed practical experiences that translate to the workplace. Not a casual summer camping trip, at one point the Outward Bound course had participants alone in the bush for a 24 hour period, Georgia says “You’re so much more capable than what you ever think that you are. Like, I would never go into the bush by myself and enjoy it. I’ve never actually spent 24 hours just me, without a phone, without a tv, I think that’s my generation. We’re brought up with technology and people being around you, always something to distract you – I can see that’s why they do it, because it fully takes you out of your comfort zone.” And of her night in the bush, she keeps her trademark positive attitude, “I was one of the lucky ones that didn’t have possums under the tarp, because there were a few people who woke up to a family of possums under there with them, I think I would have died if that was me.”

Throughout the experience Georgia was forced to reflect on her own capabilities and problem-solving skills. Though difficult, she believes she came out the other side with a raft of new skills and a renewed confidence. “The strengths that I gained throughout Outward Bound to help me in my job would definitely be on the leadership side of things. I think when you’re in everyday life it’s so easy to say, ‘oh no, I’m not capable of doing that’, but when you look back at things like Outward Bound and something’s pushed you so much, it’s just really showing you that you can do it and the negativity only lives in your mind. So, I think that’s what I’ve learned, that I’m way more capable than I ever thought I was.”

2024 was the second year that New Zealand Women in Roofing have offered this scholarship. NZWiR aims to empower women in the roofing industry, helping them develop essential leadership skills and build confidence, ultimately contributing to a more diverse and inclusive industry. With Education and Mentoring as key pillars of NZWiR, the course is a natural fit to offer women within the industry a chance to upskill and gather experience to further their careers. NZWiR is proud to be offering a chance to attend this course again later in 2025, with applications opening mid-2025.