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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this page contains the names and images of people now passed and resting in the Dreaming. 

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Boomalli artist, Shane ‘Joe’ Hurst. 

Longtime member of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative, Joe descended from the Johnson clan of the Murrawarri people, Northern NSW. Working across a vast array of disciplines including design, construction, sculpture, printing, painting, set design and public art, Joe completed a number of commissioned pieces for government bodies such as the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (NSW Government) and NSW Premiers Department. 

Taylor had the privilege of working with Joe on Schools Infrastructure NSW’s redevelopment works at Kyeemagh Public School. With its origami-inspired design, the two-stage project thoughtfully incorporated local Aboriginal totems and artworks. 

The various artworks have their own totemic significance, selected in collaboration with the school’s students and Dean Kelly. Dean is an Aboriginal Liaison Officer from NSW National Parks who grew up in the surrounding Matraville area – a part of the Sydney coastal region known as the traditional lands of the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples of the Eora nation.  

Dean spoke with the children about animal totems from the local area, sharing the importance of protecting your personal totem, and also that people can have more than one totem. Following this teaching, Joe collaborated with Dean and the children to design a variety of totemic artworks to be allocated across the school grades from Kindergarten to Year 5. 

Joe was responsible for creating these special pieces, including a mix of Aboriginal sculptures, concrete relief stencils, and log carvings. Joe’s sculptures for Kyeemagh Public School were designed and fabricated at Francesco’s Forge, a unique studio in Botany. Home to Joe’s longtime collaborator and fabricator, Francesco Petrolo, the Forge is full of history, character and an impressive portfolio of displayed artworks. Here is where Kyeemagh’s eight totemic sculptures were molded and forged from recycled steel off-cuts. Symbolic of the local animals surrounding the school, the totems include the Rainbow Lorikeet, Butcherbird, Blue Tongue Lizard, the Black Cockatoos that fly through the local area each April, as well as insect totems, the Native Ant, Snail, Bee and Spider. Drawing inspiration from his own backyard, Joe took photographs and used illustrations to sketch each totem before bringing the sculptures to life. The pieces are the cooperative cultivation and amalgamation of Joe’s artistic interpretation, connection with the land the project is built on, and Francesco’s lifelong forging skills. 

Joe also designed and created four concrete stencils and four log carvings featuring local plants Wattle, Banksia, Grevillea, Lilly Pilly. These plants have historically been used as emblems at the school. Sea creatures local to the traditional lands on which the school is situated are also present in Joe’s artworks. These include the Whale, Abalone, Mullet, and Cockle.  

We are thankful for Joe’s collaboration and connection to culture, helping educate our project team on the history and importance of the local land. 

Rest in Peace, Joe.  

More than 220 Taylor employees congregated at Royal Randwick Racecourse, to reflect on a successful, although challenging, FY22 and prepare for the coming fiscal year. With the construction of this venue completed in December 2021, it was fitting to come together in a state-of-the-art facility built by our own.

Taylor welcomed Leslie McLeod, a Yuin, Dharawal and Ngarigo custodian and loreman to lead the smoking ceremony to mark the start of the event. After this, Leslie led a traditional Welcome to Country to show respect to Elders past and present.

Mark Taylor, Managing Director, George Bardas, Chief Executive Officer and Clive Wickham, Chief Financial Officer took to the stage to lead the State of the Nation address. Reflecting on the unprecedented nature of FY22 due to COVID-19 escalation in pricing and inclement weather impacts, they acknowledged the resilience shown across the organisation in the face of shifting industry regulations and unforeseen lockdowns, thanking staff for their ongoing commitment to safety and wellbeing throughout.

Pouring a span of 640sqm – the equivalent of 88 trucks – over two days, this significant milestone is the first step in forming the flexible public spaces, before continuing the foyers walls to the roof level. Using a 51m boom pump to pour over 14m high precast concrete panels, the L1 was deck suspended close to 8m above ground.

Building J, designed by Lahznimmo Architects is designed with an appreciation of concrete as more than just a building material; it will be a core design feature of the new facility.

The expansion of Powerhouse Castle Hill will deliver new levels of access to the Powerhouse collection for the people of the Hills Shire and broader Sydney communities. The new building   also include state-of-the-art conservation facilities, learning, research and exhibition spaces.   .

The new building is set to be completed by early 2023. The site remains open to the public every weekend throughout the duration of the construction.  For more information on Powerhouse Castle Hill programs and tours, please visit this website. 

On 3 February 1993 at age 29, Kahi Puru was crushed in a forklift accident at work after completing a 13-hour shift. Due to the extent of his injuries, his left leg was amputated at the hip and he was hospitalised for 8 months. Drawing on the strength of his family and loved ones, Kahi defied the odds and went on to become a world-class athlete and safety culture champion.

One of Australia’s best bench press powerlifters, Kahi represented the nation at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney when he was ranked No. 1 in Australia and 7^th in the world. At the same time, he was slowly reintegrating into the workforce. Determined to shift the industry’s lacklustre approach to safety, Kahi spoke out about the shared responsibility of management, teams and individuals to create a safe work environment.

Joining the Taylor team onsite at Proximity@Botany, Kahi shared his powerful story of resilience, perseverance and determination. Exploring the power of connection, he encouraged the team to look after their fellow peers by adopting a collective approach to risk management and safety reporting.

Kahi said, “Safety reporting always has to be the top priority – the first and last 10-minutes of your shift can save your life, or the life of your colleague. Think safe, work safe, go home safe.”

Taylor would like to thank Kahi for sharing his story, as well as those who helped bring this event to life. You can learn more about Taylor’s commitment to safety here.

Since joining in 2012, Wayne has built a formidable reputation as a mentor, leader and role model across the organisation.  

With a deep understanding of the complexities of construction, Wayne’s fresh and innovative project management solutions are highly valued by his peers.  

Known for putting relationships first, Wayne effectively manages client needs to ensure strong bonds are formed between key stakeholders. His dedication to managing stakeholders and forging positive business relationships does not go unnoticed, with Hayden Kegg, Project Director at Mostyn Copper, saying: 

“The whole team of stakeholders involved in the The Winx Stand build for ATC appreciated Wayne’s expertise, inclusive management style, and his personal accountability. It takes a very high standard of project management to deliver to the quality achieved, in the environment we were operating in.” 

Above all, Wayne’s unfaltering commitment to quality and compliance plays a pivotal role in the successful delivery of Taylor projects.  

Thank you, Wayne, for truly living the Taylor values.  

You are a deeply trusted and respected member of Team Taylor, and we are proud to celebrate this exceptional milestone with you.  

Congratulations to our client, Taronga Conservation Society, for being one of Tripadvisor‘s highest rated accommodation destinations in Australia. This accolade is awarded to outstanding Australian and international accommodation based on visitors’ feedback and reviews.

The Wildlife Retreat at Taronga wraps around its own private native wildlife sanctuary nestled within the zoo. All guests are treated to the ultimate, immersive overnight conservation experience with multiple exclusive guided tours, close-up wildlife encounters, delicious dining opportunities and first-class views of Sydney Harbour.

Learn more about this impressive project here.

Taylor understands that women play a critical role in construction, and we’re actively working to drive gender balance across our business, and the industry. Through our sector-leading TWIC program, we work to strengthen the internal and industry connections for all female team members across all facets of the business.  

The TWIC Tea & Tour events are a great opportunity for the team to catch-up, meet new faces and learn more about active Taylor construction projects. 

Over the past decade, Adam has been responsible for the delivery of key development projects across the business. With a keen interest in – and passion for – process efficiency, Adam works closely with consultants and delivery teams to continually refine workflow procedures. He has a unique ability to bring people together and make everyone feel acknowledged and appreciated. 

A well-known and respected leader, Adam has developed a reputation as a strategic thinker who can be relied on to deliver solutions aligned to clients’ needs. His hands-on approach doesn’t end with project delivery. Adam takes pride in his role in Taylor’s Mentorship Program, where he shares his knowledge and experience with newer team members to advance their careers and develop their skills. Adam is also a pivotal committee member of Taylor’s groundbreaking women’s engagement program – known as TWIC. 

Thank you, Adam, for your continued integrity, dedication and teamwork. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you. 

More than 100 team members enjoyed a memorable afternoon, with Taylor transforming its North Sydney office into a bustling hub where employees from all facets of the business could mingle and connect.

George Bardas, CEO, and Clive Wickham, CFO, addressed the audience to celebrate the success of recent wins across the organisation. To acknowledge these significant achievements, the work-winning teams enjoyed a ceremonial ‘Ringing of the Bell’.