When Joanna Cassidy picked up a trowel for the first time, she wasn’t just learning to lay bricks, she was rebuilding her life.
For years, Joanna had followed a traditional path. She’d studied environmental health and criminology, built a stable career in local and state government, and raised a blended family of five children with her husband, Josh. But something was missing. Despite the security of her job, Joanna often found herself drawn to the building sites she inspected, not as an officer, but as a participant.
That pull became impossible to ignore the day Josh, a seasoned bricklayer, asked her to lend a hand on a retaining wall at their home in Ningi. “The block was heavy, the trowel awkward, but something about it just clicked,” Joanna recalls. “I absolutely fell in love with it. It gave me an instant sense of purpose, creating something real and lasting.”
A Leap of Faith
For Joanna, bricklaying wasn’t part of the plan, it was an awakening. “I grew up in a very traditional Greek and Dutch household,” she says. “University was the only option, and trades were never considered a path for women.”
But life has a way of rearranging priorities. In 2017, the sudden loss of her father became a turning point. “It completely changed how I viewed life. You can’t wait for the perfect time to do what sets your soul on fire. Life is short, and the biggest risk is not trying.”
That conviction pushed her to apply for a bricklaying apprenticeship, a decision that came with resistance. “I heard every excuse: it’s too hard, too physical, you won’t last,” Joanna says. “But I refused to let old stereotypes dictate my future.”
When she finally landed an apprenticeship, she found not only a new career but a new sense of identity. “The first wall I built on my own, I cried. It wasn’t just about the wall, it was about proving to myself that I belonged.”
The Balancing Act
Completing a bricklaying apprenticeship while raising five children is no small feat. “There were days I’d be on site before sunrise and then rush to school pick-up covered in mortar,” Joanna laughs. “It was chaos, but it was also progress. I wanted my kids to see what persistence really looks like.”
Her husband Josh, a master bricklayer, became her mentor. “He guided me through everything from learning the basics to the fine details,” she says. “He taught me not just how to lay bricks, but how to take pride in every single one.”
Support also came from TAFE Queensland trainers and networks like Busy Sisters and Master Builders’ Emerging Women in Construction Program. “Having mentors and community made all the difference,” Joanna says. “It reminded me that success is never achieved alone.”
Building Cassidy’s Brick & Block Laying
With her apprenticeship complete, Joanna and Josh took the next big step, launching their family business, Cassidy’s Brick & Block Laying Pty Ltd.
“From day one, we wanted to build more than a business. We wanted to build a culture,” she explains. “We believe construction should support family life, not work against it. If your child’s sick or your partner’s unwell, you shouldn’t be made to feel guilty for putting family first.”
That philosophy underpins their company values integrity, quality, and compassion. “We do things right the first time, we treat people with respect, and we make mental health a priority on site,” Joanna says. “We’ve both seen how powerful it is to check in, speak up, and look out for each other.”
Cassidy’s Brick & Block Laying is now on the verge of securing its QBCC company licence, a milestone that will allow the business to subcontract in its own right. “It’s a huge step for us,” Joanna says. “We’ve built this from the ground up, together.”
Breaking Stereotypes, One Wall at a Time
Being a woman in a male-dominated trade hasn’t been easy. “Earning respect takes consistency, resilience and a thick skin,” Joanna admits. “But every day I show up, I’m helping normalise women being on site.”
Her children, meanwhile, are watching their mum redefine what’s possible. “They tell their friends their mum’s a bricklayer, and I love that,” she smiles. “It’s taught them that hard work pays off and that there are no limits to what they can become.”
For Joanna, representation is about more than gender. It’s about mindset. “I want women, especially mothers to stop waiting for the ‘right time’. Courage isn’t about being ready, it’s about doing it anyway. Every wall starts with one brick. Every dream starts with one decision.”
Redefining What It Means to Be a Good Builder
When asked what “being a good builder” means to her, Joanna doesn’t hesitate: “It’s about integrity and intent. It’s doing what you say you’ll do, showing respect to everyone on site, and taking pride in your work. A good builder doesn’t just build structures, they build trust, culture and community.”
Her story is a testament to the power of self-belief, resilience, and purpose. From a government office to a muddy job site, Joanna Cassidy has proven that it’s never too late to rewrite your story or to build a better one.
The Good Builder’s Take
Joanna’s journey captures everything The Good Builder stands for: restoring trust, raising the bar, and celebrating the people who are doing it right. She’s not just laying bricks, she’s laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and compassionate industry.
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