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We are thrilled to share that Taylor has been awarded the design and construction of Stage 3A of the Renewal Project for Trinity Grammar School!

The project involves construction of a new four-storey building at the heart of the campus, which will provide flexible general-purpose teaching and learning facilities, along with a new location for the School’s Reception, administrative offices and the relocated Arthur Holt Library. The project will also involve constructing a new basement level which will connect into the existing carpark to the west, and the Sports Centre to the north.

The new building is positioned in the centre of the School campus, between Oval 2 and the Quadrangle, and between the Sports Centre and the James Wilson Hogg Assembly Hall. This is the most significant building in the school’s masterplan which will serve the school for future generations.

Works are set to commence later this year, with completion expected in 2027. Taylor looks forward to working with Trinity Grammar School, Bloompark, TKD Architects, and all consultants and subcontractors in bringing this project to life.

Introduction

In a groundbreaking initiative, Taylor partnered with Roseville College to create a learning partnership program to promote women in construction. Jacklyn Wickham, Head of Marketing & Communications, led this initiative alongside Jessica Evans, Relationship Manager, and Olivia Losurdo, Marketing Coordinator. Supported by Taylor’s Executive Team, this initiative highlights the company’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the construction industry.

The Journey

The initiative focused on a complex problem-solving project using a design thinking framework. Taylor is in the final stages of delivering the College’s Sport and Wellbeing Centre, and during the construction phase, various initiatives were conducted with different year groups. The most successful and rewarding project was the complex problem-solving initiative completed with Year 9 and 10 students. 

The Challenge

We presented a real industry issue to 20 Year 9 and 10 students: Attracting and retaining women in construction. Using the NSW Government’s target of achieving 15% female representation by 2030, the students were tasked with using the design thinking framework to develop solutions to this challenge.

Taylor, Health Infrastructure (HI), and Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) recently came together for a Sod Turning Ceremony to mark the start of construction at the Blayney Multipurpose Service (MPS) Redevelopment.

To commence the afternoon, a Welcome to Country was performed and then attendees heard from HI and WNSWLHD representatives. The traditional ‘turning of the soil’ then took place, with tea and cakes enjoyed afterwards with the aged care residents who call the MPS their home.

This project will be delivered by our Regional team, Project Manager George Stegnjaic, and a special mention to Site Manager, Tim Fitzgerald and his family who have relocated their lives away from family and friends to deliver this important project for the local community. Tim’s children stole the show as they enthusiastically participated in the sod-turning ceremony, engaging with the community and adding a personal touch to the event.

The redevelopment will provide a one-stop hub for services featuring a new residential aged care wing with all single rooms, an Inpatient Unit supporting palliative care, an expanded HealthOne, and emergency and ambulatory care services. These significant improvements will create more modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that enable a seamless care experience and will meet the growing health needs of the Blayney community for years to come.

Team Taylor looks forward to delivering this redevelopment that will provide improved access to health and aged care services for the Blayney community.

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.