MayHendryDevelopingWomenFund
Every strong company is built by its people. At Hutchies, we've always known that – and we've always had women at the heart of it.
The May Hendry Developing Women Fund is an annual pool of funding we've set aside to support the learning, development and career progression of women across Hutchies.
It's practical. It's flexible. And it's designed to back people who want to grow.
Elizabeth 'May' Hendry
Hutchies Veteran
May Hendry joined Hutchies in 1945 under John Hutchinson II. She worked first at Hutchies' yard in South Brisbane and later at the Paddington Plaza office – staying with the business for more than 30 years.
When things got tough in the early 1960s, May was the only woman in the office. For many years, she was one of only two people in the office full stop.
She taught herself to type on a manual typewriter with keys that didn't always work. She sat on a timber chair with no padding, made from scrap by a carpenter. She calculated wages entirely in her head – and those on site knew that if May had done the sums, the wages were right.
Jack Hutchinson Snr recalled his father saying if Hutchies didn't have May, it would have taken three people to replace her. That tells you everything.
May retired in 1977, but Hutchies never really left her. She read every edition of Hutchies' Truth cover to cover and proudly showed it to visitors, saying 'this is where I used to work.' She passed away in 2004 at age 87.
May was proud, humble and faithful. And the truth is – she played a major role in Hutchies' survival.
#Why the fund carries May's name
May represents a mindset that runs deep at Hutchies:
- Dedication
- Grit
- Loyalty
- A quiet, unwavering commitment to doing what it takes
We named this fund after May because it reflects our history and recognises the role women have played in shaping our business – often behind the scenes, but always in meaningful and lasting ways.
PennyHoolihan,Director–HutchiesIt's not just about recognising the past. It's about investing in the future in a way that's practical, real and aligned with who we are.
#Why we created it
We have talked to a lot of our people about career development, learning opportunities and where we're investing – particularly when it comes to women at Hutchies.
The feedback was consistent. People want something real, accessible and directly beneficial – not symbolic or external.
So that's exactly what we built.
What the fund covers
The fund is deliberately flexible. It's not limited to formal courses or structured training. It could be:
- A short course, certification or leadership program
- Further study like TAFE or university subjects
- Industry events, conferences, site visits or networking opportunities
- Something a bit different – like a project, research piece or capability idea that benefits your team or the wider business
The key test is simple: does it help you grow, and does it add value back to Hutchies?
What it doesn't cover
The fund doesn't replace:
- Additional salary, bonuses or general expenses
- Training that Hutchies already fully funds
- Anything without a clear link back to your role or the business
Who can apply
Applications are open to Hutchies' permanent female company members who have completed probation. There may be some flexibility for fixed-term roles depending on the situation.
How to apply
We've kept the process straightforward. Applications involve a short submission – roughly one to two pages – covering:
- What you want to do
- Why it matters to you
- How it will benefit Hutchies
Applications are reviewed by our Equity Action group – a mix of people from across Hutchies including team leaders, directors, project leaders and contract administrators. The focus is on fairness, consistency and practical outcomes.
If an opportunity comes up outside of the usual window, apply anyway. We want this to work in practice, not be bound by timing.
Get in touch with Hutchies' People Support Team to learn more.
#Why it matters
At its core, the May Hendry Developing Women Fund is about:
- Building capability across the business
- Supporting long-term careers
- Strengthening our leadership pipeline
- Investing in our people in a way that's meaningful