Category: Uncategorized

On Thursday 5th October, the Property Council of Australia NSW Future Directions Committee hosted their annual Fireside Chat with Mark Bouris AM at The Fullerton Hotel, welcoming property leaders across all ages and levels of professional experience. Ten representatives from Taylor attended the captivating conversation, No Bull with Mark Bouris, moderated by Amy Williams, Head of Strategic Growth & Partnerships at Growthbuilt.

Known as one of Australia’s most well-respected financial advisors, Mark Bouris shared his insightful journey to success. Mark started by delving into what he was like in his childhood and adolescence, followed by his career trajectory and growth, then onto launching Wizard Home Loans. The conversation naturally flowed with reflections on his relationship and key learnings from valued mentor and friend, Kerry Packer. 

The successful entrepreneur continued by sharing insights surrounding his unique business model and operations which effectively disrupted the industry landscape of the time. He then finished by answering various questions from the audience, communicating his thoughts on topics including Artificial Intelligence and Longevity. 

As a proud Gold Sponsor of the UTS Built Environment Association (BEA), Taylor attended the BEA’s Industry Cocktail Night on Friday, 29 September 2023, hosted at the UTS Aerial Function Centre. 

The Industry Cocktail Night is a professional networking and careers fair event held in collaboration with the UTS School of Built Environment and Industry Partners. Over 350 First and Second-year students attended from three universities; UTS Built Environment Association, UNSW Built Environment Student Association, UNSW Architecture Society, and Sydney University Designer’s Association. 

The event provides opportunities for Construction, Property and Architecture students to meet potential employers and forge connections with industry professionals. Team Taylor was represented by Emily Carlton (People Relations Coordinator), Christina Succar (Graduate Site Engineer), and Ervin Bunic (Project Engineer), who informed students about Taylor’s projects, culture, and Cadet Program.

At Taylor, we understand the challenges women face in our industry, and are actively working to raise awareness and drive gender balance across our business, and the industry. Our sector-leading Taylor Women in Construction (TWIC) program provides engagement opportunities for our female members across all facets of the business. Through TWIC, we work to strengthen the internal and industry connections for our women, as well as provide the chance to catch-up and meet new faces.

On 25 September 2023, Taylor’s Scape Kingsford project hosted our recent TWIC Tea and Tour. The event began with light pastries and tea as attendees caught up with each other, learned about the TWIC Committee, upcoming industry and company events, and gained an overview of the Scape Kingsford student accommodation project and its key innovations.

Works are progressing well at the heritage rich industrial icon, Rosebery Engine Yards. Numerous milestones have recently been achieved, including the commencement of internal linings and shopfront glazing finishes. This marks a significant milestone because the project team has invested several months in upgrading the old timber building to meet current standards. Due to the heritage nature of the site, all elements of the existing building have been assessed for strength, density, and compliance to ensure alignment with the new design. While this process has required patience, it has been extremely rewarding with new learnings and discoveries every day. 

Additional milestones include installation of the main roof, which is nearing completion, removal of paint on external brickwork, and glass installation that meets stringent Section J requirements. Cladding, windows, and masonry works to the façade are gaining momentum, revealing Goodman’s vision of blending old and new.  

Significant progress has been made over the past month at The First Building of Bradfield City Centre, home to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility. September saw multiple milestones as we successfully poured the office slab, the manufacturing halls’ columns, and the south wall, further reinforcing the project’s structural integrity. The team is currently preparing the plinths for the structural steel column pour. Concurrently, the excavation of the site’s entrance roads is underway, with ongoing compaction of the fill material. 

The arrival of structural steel on-site this week is a pivotal moment on our project timeline, which will be closely followed by the pouring of the manufacturing hall ground floor slab, leaving only the central spine slab on the horizon.

In a powerful show of support for mental health awareness, Taylor’s Eastern Creek Site participated in MATES in Construction Fly the Flag Day, raising an impressive $1,355. This day held special significance as it coincided with R U OK? Day, emphasising the importance of conversations with friends and colleagues. R U OK? and MIC advocate for the power of simple conversations, highlighting that checking in and having a chat can make a significant difference, even saving lives.  

Taylor’s Eastern Creek Site embraced this message by actively participating in Fly the Flag Day, which aims to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. While the site couldn’t physically “fly” the flag, the team came together to showcase their support creatively. The enthusiasm of the Taylor team was evident as they engaged in fundraising activities throughout the day.

By participating in events like MATES in Construction Fly the Flag Day, Taylor prioritises the mental well-being of its team members, reinforcing the idea that meaningful conversations can make a difference in supporting mental health. 

Over the past seven years, the Taylor Awards program has evolved into a prestigious occasion that recognises excellence within the company and provides the team an opportunity to get together. 

This year’s awards program featured four Major Awards, aligning with the company’s core principles: Listen, Include, Create, and Excel. This strategic shift allowed for a more focused and meaningful recognition of outstanding contributions. 

The judging process saw the introduction of a newly appointed annual Awards Committee. This committee was formed to ensure objectivity, diversity, and inclusivity. It comprised representatives from diverse roles across the business to provide a well-rounded perspective when evaluating nominations. 

In a testament to the company’s team culture, Taylor received an impressive 208 nominations across the four categories, highlighting the talent and dedication within our people. These nominations led to the choice of 16 finalists, who were all acknowledged in the lead up to the event. With an engagement rate exceeding 80%, the active participation of employees was highly successful. 

Congratulations to all our finalists and award winners. This event celebrated Taylor’s evolution, commitment to excellence, and the remarkable individuals who continue to drive the company’s success.

In recognition of R U OK? Day on 14 September 2023, the Taylor team came together for a reminiscent morning tea. R U OK? Day is an opportunity to come together and raise awareness of the importance of mental health.

Connecting over our favourite childhood snacks, we checked-in with each other and reminded ourselves to look out for our colleagues. Staff at Head Office and project sites shared food and memories while asking R U OK?, with an aim to foster a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable to ask for help. By starting a dialogue about mental health, we can reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.

R U OK? Day is reminder that any day is the day to ask “are you okay?”. At Taylor, we believe mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health and safety. Everyday, our team is encouraged to reach out and offer a helping hand to others. This can be done by following the simple actions below.

 

– Say hello. Check in: ask “how is your day going?”

– Listen: Pay attention to what they say. Eye contact is important for respectful communication.

– If they are dealing with a challenge or going through a difficult time, ask how you can support them.

– If you can, offer your time to help. If not, offering moral support is sometimes enough. Otherwise, encourage them to see a professional.

– Be honest and kind. Honesty helps ensure that the advice you give is helpful.

– Collaborate. Try to find a solution together.

– Stay in touch and check-in regularly with the person.

In honour of Colour Blind Awareness Day on 6 September 2023, the team came together to support those in the business living with colour blindness to understand and recognise their unique experiences. 

 As a kind gesture, team members baked treats, including a cake and brownies with black icing, to share amongst the team. Beyond the goodies, we embarked on a journey to explore the world of colour blindness. 

 Colour blindness affects over 350 million people globally, roughly 4.5% of the population, with men being significantly more impacted than women. Notably, 1 in 12 men carry the gene, compared to just 1 in 200 women.

While colour blindness presents challenges, it also offers distinctive advantages that set individuals apart: 

• Sharper with Shades of Khaki: Colour blind individuals often excel at discerning various shades of khaki, showcasing their heightened ability to perceive subtle colour variations. 
• Camouflage Detection: In contexts like nature observation and military operations, colour blindness can be advantageous, enabling the effortless identification of camouflage patterns often overlooked by others. 
• Military Eligibility: Specific military roles require colour blind individuals due to their unique capacity to spot camouflage and make crucial decisions based on this skill. 

 It was a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity that enhances our world.