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A warm congratulations to Clare Bailey, Head of Marketing, for receiving the Champion of Change Award at KARI’s 2022 Thank You Celebration. 

A passionate driver of diversity and culture initiatives at Taylor, Clare’s unwavering commitment to reconciliation and inclusivity was acknowledged in front of industry peers at the event, held at the ICC. The Champion of Change Award recognises Clare’s personal contribution to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the significant role she plays making a difference in the lives of Aboriginal peoples. 

Joining Taylor in 2020, Clare reflected on the need to build cultural capacity – particularly by continuing to strengthen business relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders in the community. Through this journey, Taylor began the process of developing their own Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), as well as establishing an ongoing relationship with Official RAP partner KARI. 

Reflecting on the evening, Clare said, “One of the best things about doing a RAP is connecting with new partners, and none have been more pivotal than KARI Foundation.  

KARI is the largest Aboriginal Charity in Australia, existing to support Aboriginal people and community through education, employment and connection to celebrate culture.  

We connected through their work with the Property Industry Foundation – since then, Casey Ralph, CEO, and Cain Slater, COO, have generously advised Taylor on our RAP. I am delighted that KARI has also become involved with us in ceremony and engagement, procurement, tender advice and volunteering opportunities for our team and the UTS Built Environment Student Association that we sponsor.  

In 2022 Taylor announced an annual $15,000 KARI/Taylor #WomenBreakingGround Scholarship to support high achieving female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to pursue tertiary studies in Construction.” 

Congratulations, Clare, on this well-deserved recognition. You strive to embrace the strength of our differences and cultivate a sense of belonging by initiating important conversations to nurture partnerships that celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.  

You can learn more about Taylor’s commitment to Diversity here, and our #WomenBreakingGround Scholarship here. 

Commit. Champion. Lead. These are the underlying principles of The Property Council of Australia’s 500 Women in Property program – an initiative spearheaded by the Council’s Diversity and Inclusion Committees across Australia.  

This program involves a personal commitment from Property Council Members to identify and champion women in their organisation, with the aim of accelerating more women into leadership positions in the property industry through sponsorship of high potential talent. 

As part of this initiative, Adam Towner, Head of New Business and Strategy, sponsored Emily Carlton, People Relations Coordinator – read on to learn about Emily’s experience in the 2022 program.  

Tell us about joining the 500 Women in Property program – what was involved? 

The launch event was held in March – this was a great opportunity to connect with both participants and sponsors across the NSW property sector. My sponsor, Adam Towner, helped set me up for success by sharing his networking ‘tips and tricks’ before introducing me to his fellow Diversity and Inclusion Committee members.  

Did you receive ongoing mentorship and support throughout?  

Adam and I held regular training sessions throughout 2022. These meetings were a wonderful opportunity to discuss my goals and career development, while exploring strategies for success. I am incredibly thankful for Adam’s support and encouragement. 

What events did you attend as part of the program? 

I was invited to an array of online masterclasses focused on elevating personal strengths and attributes, as well as identifying the power of actions, mindset and behaviour in leadership. 

The first masterclass was hosted by Jane Anderson. Jane was incredibly knowledgeable…her positivity was infectious! We learnt how to leverage our personal brand, as well as strategies to implement when putting yourself ‘out there.’ Participants received free access to two of Jane’s e-books, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading. 

The second masterclass was hosted by Sonia McDonald. A key takeaway was that leadership is not a role or a title, but an attitude. Sonia had the class thoughtfully reflect on their personalities to determine personal leadership styles based on values, mindset and behaviour. 

In October, I was invited to be part of a Property Council of Australia Committee meeting. Joining the Hunter Chapter Committee, I met a mix of passionate and intelligent individuals – it was so inspiring to be involved in a discussion with people who fiercely drive equality and promote a cohesive, collaborative community.  

Taking part in the 2022 program has been a wonderful experience. I’m in awe of the influential people I’ve met, who pave the way for an equitable industry. The 500 Women in Property program fosters connection and I have no doubt it will be a valuable experience for 2023 participants.  

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Awards for Excellence celebrates the contributions made by women at all career levels and in all sectors of the construction industry. Last year, a category was added to acknowledge a male champion for change for accelerating and advancing the interests of women in the industry. 

A warm congratulations to Cassandra Zughbi, Design Manager, and George Bardas, CEO, for being recognised as finalists.  

A champion for bettering the lives and careers of women in the construction industry, Cassandra is a proud committee member of TWIC — Taylor’s Women in Construction  engagement program.

Cassandra was also the recipient of the Connecting People & Spaces Award at Taylor’s annual conference. This award is peer-selected and recognises achievement for focusing on the end-user to deliver projects that effectively connect people and spaces. 

Projects like Ingleburn Logistics Park represent a special opportunity for Taylor to honour its vision for reconciliation. 

La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council Representatives Leslie Mcleod, Owen Wards and Jesse Currie held the Smoking Ceremony to cleanse the site in preparation for Stage 3’s construction, which is due for completion around March 2023.  

Uncle Leslie led a moving Traditional Smoking Ceremony on the land of the Dharawal People where attendees including Taylor’s Jerry Fanos, General Manager Industrial, and Stockland’s Tony D’Addona Executive General Manager Logistics walked the site.   

A traditional smoking ceremony marked the commencement of Charter Hall’s Horsley Drive Business Park, Buildings 2 & 3 – an industry-leading precinct located at Wetherill Park.

Guests joined La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council Representatives, Owen Wards and Jesse Currie, proud Yuin, Dharawal and Ngarigo men, to lead on the site of the new development, which is due for completion in May 2023.

The cultural tradition of a smoking ceremony is undertaken to cleanse an area, protect a build site, and show respect to Elders past and present.

Brendan Kerin from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council performed a traditional smoking ceremony at Rosebery Engine Yards, with attendees and the site smoked and cleansed for protection. This reflective and rewarding morning was a chance for attendees to reflect on the heritage and history of Rosebery Engine Yards – a development that pays homage to the past but looks boldly towards the future.   

The 11,650 square metre development is defined by a large-scale, single storey floor plate, and sits on 1.9 hectares stretching an entire block in Rosebery. It is considered one of the largest heritage brownfield developments in the area. 

Architecturally striking and cleverly refurbished, Rosebery Engine Yards will feature soaring sawtooth ceilings, retained timber framework and exposed brickworks – a collection of bespoke workspaces rooted in authenticity and reimagined for a new era. 

La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council Representatives, Owen Wards and Jesse Currie, led the smoking ceremony at ESR’s new development, Lot 204 Horsley Logistics Park.

ESR Australia has secured Lot 204 Horsley Logistics Park, which offers brand new, A-grade industrial and logistics facilities. With a site area of over 40,000sqm, the project is split across the construction of two warehouses, in addition to two, two-level offices, awnings, pavement and carparking.

Congratulations to Taylor’s WINX Stand and Uniting Bowden Brae Stage 2 project teams for their recognition in the Master Builders Association Excellence in Construction Awards 2022: 

– Hospitality Buildings – New: $40 Million & Over: The WINX Stand, Royal Randwick
– Lifestyle Living Over 55’s: Up to $80 Million: Uniting Bowden Brae Stage 2, Normanhurst 

Congratulations too, to our clients Australian Turf Club and The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW).  

Uniting Bowden Brae is the newest independent living village positioned in the leafy suburb of Normanhurst on the upper north shore. The site is in close proximity to the entrance to the M1 and adjacent to beautiful park and bushland. The facility provides an easy-living, contemporary retirement village and community for the growing population of seniors in Sydney’s northern suburbs.  

Taylor delivered Stage 2 of the development, comprising of 101 apartments as well as community spaces including a chapel, swimming pool pavilion, a senior’s gym, café, consultation rooms and hair/beauty salon. Click here to learn more about this project.  

Ms Prentis partners with Roseville College in the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and Reconciliation, sharing a message of Reconciliaton as friendship. She joined guests of Taylor and Roseville College including Roseville College Principal, Ms Deb Magill, past-Principal and Council member, Mrs Elaine Collin, and student leaders from Junior and Senior school, along with Taylor attendees.

This modest yet important ceremony saw Roseville College and Taylor mark a major milestone in the development of the College’s Sport and Wellbeing Centre. Cultural engagement marked the start of bulk earthworks and construction, with Roseville College students given a rare opportunity to gain first-hand insights into an active construction site.

Listening to and being led by an Aboriginal person and friend sharing about the significance of Country to Aboriginal peoples before digging the soil was deeply sincere and moving.

Ms Prentis spoke of the true history of “these lands now called Australia” and how we all can, and must, participate in Reconciliation with “truth, justice, love, and hope”.