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Mental health is a significant concern in the construction industry, often overshadowed by the physical demands of our work. This year, we want to highlight the ‘Good Health Heroes’ campaign, an excellent initiative by Healthy Male and the University of Western Sydney. This campaign encourages men to be proactive about their health, advocating for regular check-ups and open discussions about mental well-being.

The ‘Good Health Heroes’ campaign exemplifies the 6 key foundations of good health:

• Nutrition: Fueling our bodies with a balanced diet to support both physical and mental performance.
• Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity to strengthen our bodies and minds.
• Connection: Cultivating meaningful relationships and social support networks.
• Reducing Risk-Taking: Making informed decisions to minimise unnecessary risks to our health.
• Health Literacy: Understanding health information and services to make knowledgeable health decisions.
• Sleep: Ensuring adequate and quality rest to rejuvenate and maintain focus.

These six foundations are not just principles; they are actionable steps that each of us can take to improve our health outcomes in a self-manageable, achievable, and sustainable way. Our industry’s statistics on mental health are alarming, and we are dedicated to changing this narrative. By embracing the principles of the ‘Good Health Heroes’ campaign, we can start to make a difference, encouraging each other to prioritise health checks and mental well-being.

This MHW, let’s take inspiration from the ‘Good Health Heroes’ and become champions of our own health. We encourage you to ‘Take the Hero Test,’ a simple yet impactful way to assess your health and take the first step towards a healthier future.

Source: goodhealthheroes.org.au

Taylor is following the journey of our Chief Financial Officer, Clive Wickham, who has once again set off on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Outback Car Trek. Alongside his brother Phil, Clive has been continuing a tradition that spans over 15 years. Clive will travel from Bendigo to the Gold Coast in a custom-built 1970 Ford Mustang, totalling 3,898.1 km.

The Outback Car Trek is an annual charity rally that traverses the rugged Australian outback. It raises funds for the RFDS, which provides essential medical services to rural and remote communities. Over the years, the event has raised over $30 million, with participants like Clive contributing significantly to this cause.

Clive’s involvement goes beyond participation. His fundraising efforts and rallying support have been instrumental in the trek’s success. This year, as he navigates the challenging outback terrain, he carries with him the spirit of community and the shared goal of making a difference. A special thank you to our long-time supporters, CBA and Coverforce, whose long-standing support has made this trek possible year after year.

Stay tuned for updates on Clive’s journey and the collective impact of the Outback Car Trek on the communities it supports.

Today we highlight James Drury’s impressive ten-year mark of dedicated service with us. This momentous occasion not only symbolises longevity but also speaks volumes to the commitment and exceptional contributions that James has made over the years.  

Throughout his time at Taylor, James has been a pivotal figure in our Post-Contract Management division, demonstrating a significant level of expertise, professionalism, and leadership in his role. James’ achievements in this capacity have been nothing short of outstanding. 

In the sphere of post-contract works, James has consistently demonstrated a keen ability to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in post contractual programming and coordination. His precise approach and tireless efforts have consistently yielded projects of the highest quality, reflecting his steady devotion to excellence. 

James has been pivotal in overseeing many of our internal systems to maintain Taylor’s strong reputation and relationships with our clients and the quality across our projects. More recently, James has championed the implementation of Tools within the business to set new standards in quality and best practices, integrating cutting-edge quality systems practices to ensure excellence in every project. 

Beyond the worksite and into the classroom, James has also made an impression on our Learning Partnership Programs and is passionate about inspiring future generations. Most notably, James helped to facilitate an interactive workshop for kindergarten students at Roseville College. Embracing the lessons from ‘The Three Little Pigs’, the students ventured into the world of building and materials, transforming the classic tale into a practical learning experience. 

Outside these responsibilities, James embodies a set of professional attributes that have endeared him amongst clients and colleagues. His hardworking nature, combined with an incredibly high level of patience, reliability, and accountability, serves as a shining example within our broader team. James’ calm demeanour, effective time management skills, and skilled conflict resolution abilities further contribute to his reputation as a skilled professional. He consistently represents our company with integrity, embodying our core values in every interaction. It is for these reasons that James has been the recipient of both our Behind the Scenes and Peer Leadership awards at Taylor.   

As we celebrate this special milestone, we wish to thank James for his commitment and profound impact on Taylor. His contributions over the past decade have been invaluable, and we look forward to many more years of continued collaboration and shared achievements. 

Taylor is committed to providing employment opportunity and professional development experiences that support and complement related external studies. As part of this commitment, Taylor works with the NSW Government and Department of Education who deliver the Infrastructure Traineeship Program, offering a pathway into a career within the infrastructure industry.

The NSW Government Infrastructure Traineeship program is a two-year traineeship offering Year 12 school leavers an opportunity to be paid to learn while applying their learning through work-based experience in the public and private sectors.

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2022, of which Taylor hosted six trainees in 2022 and 2023. Charbel Helou, Ethan Daw, Ethan Le, Ethan Mosca, Evan Bicopoulos, and Zakaria El-Sabeh each completed an eight-month rotation at a Taylor project site, spanning education, commercial, data centre, student accommodation, and health sectors.

Reflecting on his experience with Taylor in the Infrastructure Traineeship, Ethan Le stated:

“My time at Taylor was an incredible learning experience. What I loved most about my rotation there was the people I got to work with. The supportive team, both in Head Office and on-site, made me feel at ease and helped me settle in quicker than expected. I particularly appreciated the friendly work environment and hands-on learning opportunities to truly improve my skills, as there was always someone ready to lend a hand. Seeing projects come to life from their plans was immensely rewarding, motivating me to pursue a career in construction. The sense of teamwork and personal growth I experienced was invaluable, and I would highly recommend Taylor to other trainees for their excellent learning environment and supportive culture.”

In a creative blend of camaraderie and charity, Taylor hosted a construction-themed Bake Off Challenge in support of the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea!

Team Taylor was encouraged to showcase their baking skills with a unique construction twist. From mini trucks to deconstructed demolition treats and double layered cakes, staff put their creative hats on to create edible masterpieces for a chance to win prizes.

Morning teas across our job sites were filled with laughter, delicious food, and friendly competition as staff bonded while raising funds for cancer research, prevention, and support services. Almost 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer before age 85, with every dollar bringing us closer to a cancer-free future.

Congratulations to Olivia Losurdo, Marketing Coordinator, for winning first place with her tiered cake construction masterpiece and Jacklyn Wickham, Senior Marketing Manager, for earning second place with her handcrafted mini truck and trailers.

A special mention to our judges – Clive Wickham, Min Saw, Roy Li, and Georgia Barnes – who had the challenging task of independently evaluating each creation. Their judgements were guided by the criteria of Presentation, Resourcefulness, Use of Materials, and Creativity. Thank you for ensuring a fair and delicious competition!

Embracing our company values of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit, the morning teas reminded us that whether we are on the construction site or in the kitchen, our collective efforts can build a better, healthier future for all.

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves, whether to bake, create or support, your participation has helped make this a success. Together, we’ve raised over $600 for the Cancer Council, contributing to help make a difference to those impacted by cancer. There is still time to donate by visiting our fundraising page here.

The first combined Cadet, Graduate, and Apprentice peer group catch up of 2024 was recently held at The First Building of Australia’s Newest City, housing the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF).

The event allows these three groups to share their experiences, build networks, and develop their understanding of different divisions and projects at Taylor. At each meeting, a Cadet, Graduate, or Apprentice from the hosting site presents to the cohort about their project, outlining the unique challenges involved and innovative solutions created by the project team. This initiative assists individuals in achieving the Communication competencies within the Cadet and Graduate Matrix.

To begin the catch up, our Cadet Peer Group champions, Dylan Massad and Ervin Bunic, welcomed everyone and discussed updates to the Cadet matrix. Jade Biazzo, Cadet, then offered insights from Taylor’s Pre-Construction division about projects in our pipeline and their status.

Amanda Bruhn, Cadet on the AMRF site, provided an in-depth presentation detailing the project’s scope, initial procurement, programme, construction methodology, and personal lessons she has learnt. Following this, Amanda led the group on an informative site tour along with Apprentice, Baris Ozturk, who provided additional insights and fun facts about the project.

The cohort then heard from Savcon Managing Director and Construction Manager, Mario Savva and Lindsay May, who discussed key innovations on the project, including the mass use of Cross Laminated Timber. Jason Tulich and Scott Dobson, our Graduate Peer Group champions, closed out the event with a short Q&A session and reminders for upcoming company events.

Thank you to our Peer Group champions, AMRF project team for hosting the event and to all those involved in organising the catch up!

 

Team Taylor came together for our first Let’s Get Together of 2024, held at one of our most unique and impressive projects, The Scots College John Cunningham Student Centre. Following the cessation of construction activity for the day, all staff reconnected while enjoying wood-fired pizzas and a selection of beverages from local food trucks.

Guided by the Taylor project team, staff were permitted to tour the amazing Scottish Baronial designed building, taking in the stunning intricate details and finishes. The camaraderie amongst Team Taylor was strong, as staff shared laughs catching up with each other and meeting new faces.

Towards the end of the evening, Ben Folkard, General Manager – Refurbishment & Live Environments, hosted a casual fireside chat with the site team who shared stories and fun facts about the project. Everyone then heard closing remarks from Managing Director, Mark Taylor, who spoke passionately about the importance of workplace culture and shared his views on what is required to strengthen team cohesion, leaving the team inspired for the upcoming quarter.

Our Let’s Get Together events are the perfect chance for our team to all catch up while sharing in the success of other projects in the company. We understand the importance of taking the time to connect as a key element in nurturing and building on our thriving culture.

Thank you to our Scots College project team for hosting and offering exclusive insights into one of our notable live projects. We look forward to our next Let’s Get Together later this year!

Taylor was proud to support the launch of the Property Industry Foundation’s Change Makers Series on Youth Homelessness Matters Day earlier this month. Presented by PIF’s Future Leaders Committee and hosted by Charter Hall, the event brought together 60 of our industry’s future leaders to raise awareness, generate public discussion, and work together on ways to make a tangible impact on youth homelessness.  

Four Taylor representatives attended the thought-provoking event which was filled with networking, a panel discussion, as well as interactive team building and ice-breaker activities, prompting discussions on innovative ways to tackle youth homelessness. Part of this involved Future Leaders working together to prepare one hundred Two Good Co Care Packs generously donated by Charter Hall, with each pack to go toward women’s refuge.  

Thank you to panellists, Natalie Devlin from Charter Hall, Kyle Westgarth from Two Good Co and Homeless Youth Advocate, Brendan Brest, for sharing their insights and experiences. Thank you also to the PIF Future Leaders Committee, championed by our very own Elizabeth Mackison, for bringing this great initiative to life. Taylor looks forward to continuing our support for The Change Makers series at their future events.  

If you would like to get involved in future events or donate towards Youth Homelessness Matters Day, please visit: https://give.pif.com.au/event/change-makers/home 

Team Taylor is proud to partner with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to make a meaningful impact in our community. Our team has now completed two blood donations since December 2023, helping to change 27 lives of those in need.

Blood donations play an essential role in supporting Australia’s healthcare professionals, and can be used in over 25 medical fields. Giving blood is important in the treatment of diseases including cancer, anaemia, stomach and kidney conditions, as well as the management of trauma and surgeries. Blood donations can also be administered to help cases associated with pregnancy and young children. Australia needs over 1.7 million donations every year to meet demand, yet only 1 in 30 people donate. 

Thank you to our team members who have participated so far. We look forward to completing more donations throughout the year!