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As part of our Learning Partnership Program with Roseville College, Taylor hosted a Women in Construction breakfast for students in Years 10-12, exploring various careers available in the construction industry.

Four Taylor representatives, Floriane Trazic, Project Manager, Sylvia Lee, ESD Engineer, Jade Biazzo, Cadet, and Olivia Losurdo, Marketing Coordinator, shared their career stories in an engaging panel discussion. Offering valuable insights into their respective roles, the Taylor women discussed how they began in the industry, their daily tasks and responsibilities, and what it is like to balance work and study.

The panellists also provided guidance and advice to students who may be uncertain about their career choices, emphasising the importance of continuous learning. Olivia highlighted her non-traditional entry into the industry, conveying the multitude of pathways students can explore to enter this field.

The Taylor team talked about the important contributions of women in the construction industry and discussed the supportive and encouraging environment that exists for women in a traditionally male-dominated field. They also outlined Taylor’s initiatives, including the Taylor Women in Construction program, aimed at enhancing female representation and engagement in the industry.

Following the panel discussion, students were able to engage directly with the Taylor women and ask questions while sharing in breakfast.

It is initiatives like this that highlight Taylor’s commitment to inspiring future generations. By encouraging the exploration of construction as a rewarding career path and advocating for increased female participation in our industry, we are laying the groundwork for a diverse and inclusive future.

This primary school, which plays a pivotal role in re-engaging disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with education, has received a much-needed facelift. The renovation of essential spaces such as the kitchen, art room, and school entrance will significantly enhance the teachers’ ability to provide hands-on educational support and prevent First Nations children from falling behind in basic literacy, numeracy, and general academics.

In collaboration with Architectus, Interspace, The Property Industry Foundation, and its partners, Team Taylor has worked diligently to revitalise the school. The new, safe, and naturally lit layout is designed to foster knowledge and self-confidence among the students. A special mention to Tim Christie, General Manager – New Build, and his involvement in this project.

The refurbishment included:

• Installation of safety mesh along the stairwell and balconies
• Renovation of the art room and supplies
• Security enhancements with a new double front door
• A new kitchen and dining room
• Sinks for children to wash and brush their teeth
• A renovated calm room
• Safe air conditioning

The completion of this project was recently celebrated with the incredible partners and subcontractors who made this transformation possible. The collective effort has improved the school’s infrastructure and strengthened the community’s spirit, ensuring that Jarjum College remains a beacon of hope and progress for its students.

Rammed earth walls are an integral part of First Building’s design to allow visitors to feel connected to the warmth, depth, and texture of the environment.

Using natural materials with strong sustainability credentials and low embodied carbon, First Building’s twenty-four rammed earth wall panels were constructed on site from raw materials.

Supported in a steel framework, the walls encase the office workspace core and provide an impressive entrance with four large wall panels in the central spine spanning almost the entire height of the building.

The walls are non-toxic, non-polluting, never needing to be painted or plastered.

With impressive insulation benefits, the walls help maintain a constant internal temperature, and at end of life, they can be broken back down and returned to the ground from which they came.

Source: Western Parkland City Authority

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!