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The Taylor team recently came together for an afternoon of connection and recognition at our Let’s Get Together event held at Taylor HQ. This special gathering is a key event highlighting our commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging workplace.

Enjoying a delicious spread of sushi, pizza, sandwiches and beverages, employees caught up and shared laughs with old and new faces. It was an afternoon of celebrating both company and personal achievements, kicking off the event with the ceremonial ‘Ringing of the Bell’ to acknowledge recent project wins.

After staff mingled and connected, it was time to get to know our General Managers and CEO in a fireside chat, hosted by Mark Taylor, Managing Director. Ben Folkard (Refurbishment and Live Environments), Stephen Williams (Commercial & Regional), Tim Christie (New Build), and George Bardas (CEO) shared memorable moments in their careers and offered insights into Taylor’s key values.

Recently the Taylor team at Darcy Road Public School had the pleasure of hosting a site tour for students from the Western Sydney University (WSU) Complex Building Projects Course, currently implemented by Taylor, and members of the Australian Institute of Building (AIB) Young Builders.

The tour began with a warm welcome from Fred Sedighi, Senior Project Manager, who provided a high-level summary of the Darcy Road project and the challenges the team has overcome. Fred also highlighted some of the additional safety initiatives implemented on-site, such as the “What Does Safety Mean to Me” initiative, which received positive feedback from the students and professors.

Following the introduction, Glenn Harris, Senior Site Manager, guided the visitors through the site, showcasing various innovative initiatives including the use of umbrella handles as reinforcement bars in lieu of bar caps and cast-in ferrules to manage silica dust. Glenn also shared insights into the planning process for temporary sheds and site access, addressing the challenges faced and solutions implemented.

Throughout the site walk, the Taylor team engaged with all guests, answering questions and providing further clarifications. The tour concluded with a lunch invitation from Fred, allowing guests to continue their discussions and network in a relaxed setting.

Clive has returned from the outback after completing the 2024 Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Car Trek with his brother Phil. Their journey took them from Bendigo to the Gold Coast, passing through Mildura, Burra, Arkaroola, Innamincka, Hungerford, St George, Toowoomba, and Sea World Gold Coast. They travelled in a custom-built 1970 Ford Mustang, covering a total distance of 3,898.1 km.

Since 2007, Clive has embarked on numerous treks, and this marks his 10th journey across the rugged Australian outback. His efforts have been dedicated to raising funds for the RFDS, which provides essential medical services to rural and remote communities.

A special thank you to our long-time supporters, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Coverforce, whose support has made this trek possible year after year.

Final confirmation of the funds raised is still pending from the RFDS, but it is believed that the total donations (including auctions) for Trek 2024 will amount to an impressive $1,196,010! This is an extraordinary achievement, especially given the current cost of living crisis.

The RFDS Outback Car Trek has now raised more than $35,000,000 for the charity as they enter their 35th Birthday year.

The Scape Kingsford project began with a vision to set a new benchmark for quality student accommodation in the bustling heart of Kingsford. This development was not just about constructing a building; it was about revitalising the Kingsford neighbourhood and enhancing the community’s amenities.

The journey started with the design and construction of an 18-storey mixed-use student accommodation building. This impressive structure would house 354 rooms including studio, one- and two bedrooms apartments, communal dining and lounge areas, a games lounge, and private study pods. Additionally, the property features a rooftop terrace complete with a BBQ area, three retail spaces, and basement parking for 16 cars, 100 motorcycles, and 96 bicycles. The project also included extensive landscaping in communal and public areas within the retail precinct, aligning with the Council’s revitalisation strategy.

One of the challenges faced during the project was traffic management. The site was located at a busy intersection with buses, light rail, and commuter traffic. Meticulous planning was required to ensure the safety of site workers, pedestrians, and traffic. The planning of deliveries also required careful consideration due to the projects ‘boundary to boundary’ nature.  Additionally, the basement was redesigned to find efficiencies in the limited space provided to ensure all essential services and parking spaces could be maintained.

Taylor is proud to share our Major Projects division has been chosen by Nuveen Real Estate Australia to deliver the design and construction of The Switch Student Accommodation located in Macquarie Park.

The 15-storey, purpose-built student accommodation development will be The Switch’s first in Sydney and the fourth across Australia, designed to suit the lifestyle needs of a young generation of renters. The building will include 491 modern apartments, comprising single studio rooms as well as three, four, and five-bedroom apartments. The 5-Star Green Star development also features communal lounges and kitchens, a games lounge, gym, laundry, media and podcast rooms, outdoor terraces, study pods, end of trip facilities, and basement parking for cars and bicycles.

This state-of-the-art development will cater to the increasing number of international students returning to Australia, particularly those attending nearby Macquarie University, which hosts over 44,000 students from 10 countries. The vision is to create a well-connected living, learning and social environment built to the highest environmental standards and address the acknowledged shortage of accommodation for international students.

Works are set to commence later this year, with completion expected in mid-2026. Partnering with Nuveen Real Estate Australia for the first time, Taylor looks forward to working closely with our client to bring this significant development to life. We look forward to collaborating with The APP Group, Rothelowman, and all consultants and subcontractors on this exciting project.

Taylor recently hosted a Resume Workshop for students from the UTS Built Environment Association at our Head Office. The workshop was facilitated by Elizabeth Mackison, Submissions Manager, and Dan Copping, Talent Manager, who guided the students through the essentials of resume writing.

The session began with an icebreaker activity, an online quiz designed to gauge the students’ current understanding of resume writing. Following this, the workshop covered the basics of resume writing, including how to structure a resume effectively, what experience and qualifications to include, and tips to enhance each section. Students were also taught how to tailor their CVs for specific job applications, making their experience and skills relevant to the positions they are applying for. Elizabeth and Dan also shared important do’s and don’ts for resume writing, tips extremely relevant for the University students.

The workshop then moved into a live resume review, where students volunteered their resumes for a group review, providing a practical, hands-on learning experience. The session also included key pointers for optimising LinkedIn profiles, emphasising the importance of building a professional identity, networking, and attracting potential employers. Students then had the opportunity to review their resumes one-on-one with Elizabeth and Dan, receiving personalised feedback and advice.

As a proud Gold Sponsor of the UTS BEA, Taylor is committed to supporting students’ professional and personal development, helping them develop their skills and knowledge beyond the classroom.

Sponsored by Taylor, the Property Council of Australia (PCA) NSW Future Directions Committee recently hosted their annual Great Debate at The Establishment in Sydney’s CBD. Six of Taylor’s young professionals attended the engaging discussion about Gen Z vs Millennials to decide who the better workforce is in the industry.

As the event sponsor, Daniel Taylor, Site Engineer, delivered the welcome address to commence formalities and the debate.

Moderated by Ross Grove, PCA Western Sydney Regional Director, the discussion covered various topics including productivity, efficiency, adaptability, collaboration, use of technology, and social consciousness in the workplace. Each team battled it out on the stage presenting several convincing arguments and opposing ideas for and against each generation.

Taylor provided everyone with debate paddles, which were used to engage with the speakers during the event. One lucky winner had a special golden paddle under their seat, earning them an extra 10 bonus votes once the poll had closed. The competition was fierce, with only two votes deciding the outcome. In the end, it was team Gen Z who took the crown to win the debate.

Thank you to the event host, Kate Dickinson, Chair of the Future Directions Committee, and the panel speakers for sharing their perspectives:

• John Georgaklis, Mechanical Engineer | Project Manager – Stantec
• Kaitlyn Davidson, Director of Strategic Growth, Corporate Affairs and Marketing – Built
• Lucia Chapple, Development Intern – Mirvac Group
• Marc Lucas, Managing Director – 151 Property
• Nathaniel Jende, Associate – Allens
• Sarah Kay, CEO – Woods Bagot Pty Ltd

Taylor is a long-standing and proud series sponsor of NSW Future Directions. Investing in our next generation, Future Directions is an initiative developed to support young property professionals under 35 years old, by providing pathways and networking opportunities through engaging events, committees, research, and learning.

Taylor was proud to be a part of the The Property Industry Foundation’s Tour De PIF event, held on Friday, 13^th September at Miramare Gardens, Terry Hills. This annual event brings together industry professionals to support the fight against youth homelessness.

Taylor had two dedicated cyclists tackling the 60km course, both making significant contributions to the event. Tim Christie emerged as the top individual fundraiser, raising an impressive $17,490. His dedication and efforts were truly commendable. Alongside him, Steve Winfield also represented Taylor with great commitment.

Overall, Taylor raised a total of $18,780, showcasing the team’s collective effort and dedication to this important cause. The funds raised will go a long way in supporting the Property Industry Foundation’s mission to provide safe and secure housing for homeless youth across Australia.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

For more details about the event, please visit: https://give.pif.com.au/event/tour-de-pif-nsw-24/

Today we celebrate an impressive milestone for Damian Fisher, Senior Site Manager, as he clocks over a decade of dedicated service with us. With over 24 years’ experience in the construction industry, Damian is a highly respected and supportive member of the team who has helped deliver an array of large-scale, complex projects.

Having worked mostly on fast-paced but highly detailed projects, Damian knows what it takes to complete a project on time and to the highest standard. Over his time at Taylor, Damian has worked notable projects including the Sydney Opera House Western Renewal, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga Zoo, Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Rosehill Racecourse Refurbishment, and most recently, Scape Kingsford.

Damian has vast experience across the construction lifecycle from the tender stage and programming to client liaison, construction and completion. As a Senior Site Manager, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing all construction processes including programming, management systems, and subcontractors.