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BUILDING A LASTING LEGACY FLORENCE 45
Family business make up a large percentage of our industry and have been from the beginning.
These business have left a lasting legacy in the fabric of the state and will continue to do so well into the future.
But this legacy isn’t just tangible through the built environment, it is also passed down through generations – fathers and mothers showing their children what a rewarding career, and in many cases flourishing businesses, they can build through grit, determination and innovation.
CONTACTS
But it can also show them what working as a team towards a common objective can achieve, and what treating all people with respect looks like and that rewarding people for their hard work and loyalty will enable everyone in the industry to benefit.
News Corp Australia is the exclusive Publishing Partner of Florence magazine, in conjunction with the Master Builders Association of New South Wales.
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This publication is copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of Master Builders Association of NSW or News Corp Australia. Disclaimer: The information contained within Florence magazine is given in good faith and obtained from sources believed to be accurate. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. News Corp and the Master Builders Association of New South Wales will not be held liable for any opinion or advice contained herein.
Because when everyone is treated respectfully, they pass that on to everyone around them and a new culture is formed.
And when enough people embrace this new culture, real and lasting change, and legacy, can occur.
When everyone is treated with respect, they walk a little taller and they grow in confidence – both in themselves and in their ability to do their jobs. Then they can start to grow in skills and can innovate and they can pass those skills and innovations down to the next generation. And that generation’s skill and innovation can grow and then the cycle can begin again.
Not only does this benefit each individual, it also benefits the generations to come and ultimately the industry.
Until next time,
Alyssa Welke
Editor
GRAND DAME BUILDS LEGACY
Florence Taylor paved the way for women in construction
Florence Taylor was a pioneer of women in the construction industry and her legacy is still being felt.
As an architect and publisher, Florence believed in the notion that “a woman to marry, get into the confines of the home and never be articulate in public affairs is a disgrace” and her achievements in the male-dominated architectural industry proves that.
office she was promoted to chief draftsman.
Once she completed her training she became chief draftsman to J. B. Clamp, who nominated her in 1907 for associate membership of the Institute of Architects of New South Wales.
OLD COPY
She was known for her energy, determination and outspoken nature, a nature which distinguished her well throughout her colourful career, first as a draftsman and ultimately as a publisher of trade journals.
She was widely respected, even if her questions and criticism irritated some of her professional colleagues.
Her achievements within both of her fields had an indelible impact on the public acceptance of women in the professions.
She was a tall, striking woman, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and was known for dressing (even in the 1930s) in long sweeping skirts and a picture hat decorated with ostrich feathers.
She was born on December 29, 1879, at Bedminster, Somerset, England and was the eldest daughter of John and Eliza Parsons.
The family immigrated to Australia in 1884, where her father worked in the sewerage construction branch of the Department of Public Works, which gave Florence her first taste of working in the construction industry, as she assisted her father with his engineering calculations.
It was her father’s death in 1899 that pushed Florence into the architectural industry when she decided to become a draftsman to support her family.
She learned her trade under architect Edmund Skelton Garton, and simultaneously attended night-classes at Sydney Technical College until 1904.
During her time with Garton’s
Despite his defence of her talent (she “could design a place while an ordinary draftsman would be sharpening his pencil”), the nomination was defeated.
But this did nothing to deter Florence from thriving practice designing homes.
It wasn’t until 1920 that Florence was eventually invited to join the Institute of Architects, which she accepted.
On April 3, 1907 Florence married George Augustine Taylor.
Florence and her husband were founding members of the Town Planning Association of New South Wales in 1913 and she was its secretary for many years.
Together they started the Building Publishing Co Ltd, which produced trade journals, three of which Florence edited: Harmony, Young Australia and the Australian (later Commonwealth) Home.
Architect and publisher Florence Taylor; One of the periodical’s Florence published during her career.
PHOTOS: COLLECTIONS OF THE STATE LIBRARY OF NEWSOUTHWALES.
Through their journals they campaigned for urban planning, improved construction methods and better materials; they also promoted the interests of engineers, architects and builders.
When George Taylor died suddenly in 1928, Florence was determined to carry on their business and although eight of the 11 journals the business was publishing was forced to cease, she maintained Building (later Building, Lighting and Engineering) (1907-72), Construction (1908-74) and the Australasian Engineer (1915-73), and edited them herself.
She continued to produce town planning schemes but relied on others to draw them as she was unable to spare time from publishing.
NEW COPY
WORKING WITH BANTER
RETENTION AND DEVELOPING TRAINING RESOURCES TO ENABLE THE CREATION OF INCLUSIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND HEALTHY CULTURES FOR WOMEN IN THE NSW CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
BRIAN SEIDLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MBA NSW
The social context of the workplace is important for workers’ health, well-being, retention, and performance. “Banter” is a significant cultural characteristic of construction workplaces. Appropriate humour can enhance group cohesiveness, communication and creativity and reduce stress. However, sometimes banter can be harmful when inappropriate, offensive, undermining, or exclusionary. Examples of harmful banter include the use of crude language, mimicry and innuendo. Women are particularly impacted by workplace banter that includes sexual comments or innuendo, which is linked to reduced mental health and well-being.
Master Builders Association of NSW’s study will examine the impact of construction site banter on female workers and is one of the several projects the NSW Government will fund to increase women’s participation in the industry.
The study, in partnership with the Construction Work Health and Safety Research Group at RMIT University, involves an industry-wide survey on workplace banter and in-depth interviews with women construction workers around the types of workplace banter they experience and its impact on their longevity in the industry. Notably, the study will highlight the impact of inappropriate, offensive, undermining, or exclusionary banter.
The study outcomes will be used in the development of resources to help create respectful workplaces.
This research project will significantly contribute to creating more inclusive and respectful workplaces in the construction industry. The study on workplace banter is a crucial step in understanding and addressing just some of the many the challenges women face in the building sector.
VISION AND VALUES BUILDING LEGACY
The fathers and daughters thriving in their careers at JK Williams
ALYSSA WELKE
There’s something uniquely special about a business that’s also part of the family. The blend of values, trust and a collective vision creates a foundation where success is sweeter, because it’s shared. For 65 years, the Williams family has woven these values into the very fabric of their family business, JK Williams.
Founded by Jack Kenneth Williams in 1958, the business isn’t just another name in the construction industry — it’s a place where stability and quality meets cutting-edge innovation and where every project is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to making a difference, fostering diverse talent and helping them thrive.
Among this diverse talent? Five women who aren’t just paving the way for others like them in the civil construction industry, they’re also following in the
footsteps of their fathers in calling JK Williams home.
These father-daughter teams run the gamut of roles at JK Williams; from truck drivers to machine operators; surveyors to construction workers, and in both managerial and directorial roles across the company.
Take Chelsea Graham and her dad Shannon Graham. Shannon has been with JK Williams as a truck driver for eight years, while Chelsea started two years ago in a plant operator/ construction worker role.
Shannon was first drawn to the company because he said staff were made to feel like part of the family, but it was a conversation between the pair about JK Williams’ attitude to women within construction that sparked Chelsea’s interest.
“Everyone (at work) is supportive and accepting,” she said.
“No matter what, there is always help nearby.”
It is the culture of inclusion and encouragement that Chelsea and Shannon would love to see carried over into the wider industry.
Ms Graham argued if the culture changed, more women would be drawn to a career in construction.
“More people will be interested in joining and learning the industry.
“(There needs to be) more training and awareness regarding women in the industry by providing a more comfortable and accepting environment for women,” she said.
The inclusion of women in their workforce is not a recent development: it’s a longstanding tradition embedded deeply within JK Williams’s culture.
More than 19 years ago, the company welcomed its first female employees, and since then, their commitment to diversity has only strengthened.
One of the first women on staff, Lauren Pervan has been at JK Williams for 19 years, and is now a director, and their media and communications manager. Her father Leigh Hartog has been there for 51 years, and is the
Shannon and Chelsea Graham
managing director and owner.
“I always loved the diversity JK Williams offers, the people and culture at JKW is what makes it special, “ Ms Pervan said.
“Our culture is unique, (and) it is underpinned by our people, family and our integrity.
“We genuinely have fun at work, which is one of our core values.
She added the team is also innovative and curious by nature, which ensures there is opportunity to grow.
But she also said a big part of the joy of coming to work each day was knowing she was working with family.
“I really enjoy working with Dad — there aren’t any dull moments,”
“It has given me an appreciation for what he has created within the business. I look forward to continuing his legacy for many years to come.
But while it could be easy when working together to let work seep into your home life, she said the pair have firm boundaries.
“We’ve all learnt that a tough day at work stays at work.”
While Lauren and Leigh have been there the longest, in 2011, JK Williams proudly welcomed their second father-daughter duo, solidifying their belief that
Jessica Gardiner is a construction worker and her role includes everything from shovel work, to driving excavators.
Her step father also works for the company.
“I love the outdoors and this opportunity came up as my stepdad was working here,” she said.
“I was straight out of completing my HSC and wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do yet, as I was also starting to compete internationally in motorcycling.”
She said it’s great working in the same company as her stepdad.
While they usually work at different sites, Ms Gardiner said she is glad she can ask for guidance whenever she needs.
gender should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s passion and potential in civil construction.
Dave Zollener and Jessica Gardiner
Leigh Hartog and Lauren Pervan (Hartog)
“Most might think the dads go easier on us but to be honest I think they were harder on us to prove that girls can do this too!
“JKW has always been very catering to families and I think it helps keep the family aspect alive in the company too.”
She said an inclusive workplace environment made a huge difference to her career satisfaction.
“The guys have always been super supportive.
“They always treated me as their little sisters or daughters, and (gave us) lots of respect,” Ms Gardiner said.
“I am thankful for them always letting me get the job done. Now there are many more girls on site and it’s
nice to see. she added.
She explained that while the work can be demanding, she is fit and finds the challenge beneficial. “I love the outdoors and am very sporty, so this environment has been great for me. Physical labour goes hand in hand with keeping physically active and healthy.”
Ms Gardiner said skills can be taught with time, consistency and a good work ethic.
“There is no reason girls can’t be on every work site in multiple companies, and do a variety of work, “ she said.
She said women are often more skilled in certain aspects of construction.
“It’s why females live longer right? (We) generally look after machinery a lot more, and take a little extra care in attention to detail.”
When asked how the industry can retain more women, Ms Gardiner said equal treatment was paramount.
“Looking after the women as they do the guys, treating them as equal and being open to taking time to educate and help new ladies in the industry (is important)” she said,
“I have had a lot of help and guidance over the years,” she said, explaining mentors have taken the time to teach her new machines, or find a better way to complete a task. “I am forever grateful for that.”
Younger women looking to build their careers in construction are also encouraged to ask questions, and learn every day.
Erin Lucas is a trainee surveyor. For the past six months she has been learning a raft of new skills that will one day see her lead projects. She’s the third generation to work for JK Williams, with both her father and grandfather spending most of their lives at the company.
“I feel grateful I am able to follow in my father’s footsteps with his support along the way,” Ms Lucas said.
“When I first started, I gained a greater appreciation for his work ethic, as I got to see what he does day to day at work.
She said she’s particularly grateful for the chance to work with her dad.
Chris and Erin Lucas
“It is a rare opportunity to be able to work in the same company as someone you have looked up to your whole life.
“I was nervous at first starting out as I didn’t want to be held to the high standard of my dad and was scared of disappointing people or letting them down.
“I felt as though people may have expected I had more experience or knowledge, but I am working in a different role to him, and I’ve only just started to experience his work first hand, which is a lot different to just hearing about his day at work.”
She said that even though she works with family, the whole team at JK feels like family.
“Everyone is mates and is there to help each other out. I never feel a sense of competitiveness at work, which I love”.
She said not only is teamwork culture improving productivity, but it gives her the confidence to learn, with the ability to ask questions “without a sense of competitiveness or hierarchy.”
Site manager, Chris Goldmann, has been at JK Williams for 27 years, starting as an excavator driver, and in the industry even longer. He said he has grown in his career because of a positive team oriented culture. “It has allowed me to move from excavator driver to a well-regarded site manager in the industry, he said”
His daughter Charli Goldmann never intended to follow in her father’s footsteps. After starting university, she was forced online during COVID, so decided to work for a year instead. That was four years ago.
“JK Williams has given me many opportunities to broaden my knowledge and skills associated with civil construction.
“My role as a construction worker has involved a variety of different works such as machine operating in bulk earthworks, varying from scrapers to graders to dump trucks, concreting, pipelaying and laboring,” she said.
“The idea of being outside and having such a variety of hands-on work appealed to me straight away.”
Ms Goldmann admitted it hasn’t always been easy working in the same company as her dad.
“It can be challenging at times, but overall it’s very rewarding being able to follow in his footsteps.
She said while the work isn’t “stereotypical” for a woman, she is thrilled she can build a career.
She said she has always been treated equally, and believes this is the key to encouraging more women into the construction industry.
“Companies can continue to promote women into a safe and fair workplace where their abilities are seen as equal and are treated fairly,” she said.
She said women joining medium sized firms like JK Williams have the opportunity to try different roles, and grow their careers.
“If you want to give it a go and you’re willing to put the hard work and effort into succeeding, then don’t hold back and break that stereotype because you can achieve anything you put your mind to,” said said.
Chris & Charli Goldmann
Angela Hucker
Empowering People in Construction
(EPIC) CEO and founder
From her earliest life Angela Hucker saw and experienced females and males working alongside each other, and being treated equally, on her family’s turf farm.
So when she first experienced gender bias, it was a shock to her system, especially because she knew she was more than capable.
From her primary school years, Angela and her five siblings — three older brothers and younger twin sisters — worked alongside their father on the commercial turf farm at Green Bank, near Brisbane.
On weekends, the kids helped by cutting lengths of turf and, when Angela’s father moved into having a commercial landscaping business, working on major government projects.
ALYSSA WELKE
“He would do major government projects, which was like when a new school was actually being built, or just even extensions to the school, when there were new buildings being done and they needed the landscaping done, (and) housing commission estates,” she said.
“They were kind of the main things I can remember from my childhood, growing up, and that was basically all through high school that we would do that, and we would have to help.
“Being a commercial landscaping business, we actually had on our property our own nursery, so we would have to help with the plants and everything; growing all the plants, from seedlings all the way up, that he would then use for the landscaping part of it as well. And then weekends and school holidays, we were out doing the physical labour.
“That was my introduction to construction, many, many, many years ago.”
As a teen it was not Angela’s intention to work in construction. She actually had two aims: to be a hairdresser and to be an exchange student in America. But while she never planned to enter the industry, she is still in it more than two decades later.
“It wasn’t planned, to be honest, it was one of those things I fell into.
It certainly wasn’t a career path that
I had ever envisaged at all,” Angela said.
After high school she worked in the locksmith industry before transitioning into commercial fleet leasing in the Queensland Government, and then finding her way to construction.
“With my partner at the time, we were actually living on a boat down the Gold Coast, and we decided we were going to do this adventure and sail up the Queensland coast,” she said.
“Our first stop from the Gold Coast was Hervey Bay and we’d only planned on being there maybe six months, just to be in the area and do a little bit of work. Do it like a working holiday, a sailing working holiday.
“So I got a job working in the pre-sales office for the Peppers Resort that was going to be built.”
The job involved providing admin support for the pre-sales team for the 132-unit resort, which also had a conference centre, day spa, retail spaces, and restaurant. Once construction began, the developer offered Angela a role working on the construction site alongside the contracts manager and the project manager working on the sub-contractor packages.
“That’s how I just fell into it. They were awesome guys, and they just showed me what I needed to do,” she said.
“They showed me how to read plans, how to put a tender package together, how to understand all the specifications, how to let all the packages, how to assess them when they came in, and then with the managing of contractors as well on site.
I worked on that, until it was completed as well.”
Angela stayed working at the resort during its first year of operations before returning to Brisbane following a relationship break-up. She then continued her career in construction, working for an international company managing contracts for their civil projects internationally, including the Ferrari Resort in Dubai.
Construction wasn’t the first male-dominated industry Angela worked in, which proved to be a good training ground.
She managed a chain of locksmith stores around Brisbane and was one of only two women in
Queensland who was trained on doing really complex lock smithing systems. The men in her business took her under their wing and taught her the skills she needed to succeed, however it was in this industry she first experienced gender biases, although at the time she didn’t have the education or language to know that was what it was.
“I’d have people come in and they’d be like, can I talk to the locksmith? And I’d be like, well, can I help you? Then it was like, well, can I talk to a locksmith?
“I’m like, How can I help you? And they’re like, oh, well, we need to get a key cut. I was like well, you know, if you give me the key, I’ll be able to help cut the key.
“And they kind of were a bit taken aback, and now, I kind of realised that gender bias that used to go on, but I’d never grown up with that.
“With the family business that I grew up in, it was never that the girls did this and the boys did that; we all did it. It wasn’t that it was a girl’s job or a boy’s job. We all had to do it.
“It was this whole gender bias thing that was going on back then that I didn’t even realise, because I was only in my early 20s.
“I could never comprehend why people, especially in those instances, would think as a girl, I wasn’t capable of doing it.”
And in her two decades of working in the construction industry, she has acquired a diverse range of expertise in a diverse range of sectors including oil and gas, undersea electricity interconnectors, civil engineering, renewables, power generation, water management, commercial construction, government initiatives, forestry, tourism, marketing, and major international projects in various countries.
Angela’s experiences as a FIFO worker in remote locations exposed her to the challenges faced by women in the industry, including harassment, discrimination, and intimidation.
Here FIFO work included working on transmission projects around Chinchilla and Miles, transmission projects, and rebuilding power infrastructure in Far North Queensland after Cyclone Yasi destroyed it,
before being moved to the Curtis Island project.
This project included building the Curtis Island gas plants, which is located off Gladstone, where the coal seam gas was piped across to Curtis Island and converted to liquid natural gas.
“So that was my first, I guess you could say official FIFO project, living in a camp, which was an eye opener,” she said.
“The other ones that I’d been on, I was FIFO, but we had just apartments and houses, so we had our own spaces after work; we weren’t living with other people.
“Living in a camp was a different environment. The project itself had about 4500 people on site, and the camp had just under 2000 people living in the camp. There was probably, out of those 2000 people, there’s probably 100 females who were living in the camp. So it was a very intense environment.
“We were contractors on site, and we were meant to be there for six months, and 32 months later, we finished. The roster we were doing at the time was horrendous. We were four weeks on, one week off.
“And then being in management, we had to start earlier, because we had day shift and night shift happening, so we would have to come in, we were on site at 5am in the morning to see what night shift had done to get ready for the day shift crew coming in and then we would leave, honestly, probably wasn’t until at least 6pm most nights.
“So there were big days when I was doing end of month stuff, it would easily be 7, 7.30 at night that I was leaving.
“It was an eye opener being in the camp and seeing the behaviours and seeing what was going on and just personally, having to deal with some of the issues myself in those environments.
“I’m very grateful that I have some very good people in my team who were very protective of me and really did look after me, just really good men essentially, and really did look after me, but it was back then where I’ve gone, ‘if I ever had the opportunity to help make sure women were supported in construction, in those type of really
intense environments, I would do that’.”
Angela continued to work in FIFO for a few more years, biding her time to when she would get the opportunity to support more women in construction. And last year was when she made the leap by founding EPIC, Empowering People in Construction.
With a renewed focus from governments on encouraging, and retaining, women in the industry and an industry focus on creating widespread cultural change, the time was right for Angela to set up the organisation.
EPIC is dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering women in the construction industry, and its main missions are to create a more equitable and inclusive environment in the construction industry; to reduce sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination while promoting mental and emotional wellbeing; and to build an industry where everyone can thrive, succeed and shine.
Angela has a focus on addressing the issues in the industry through EPIC, and making the industry more welcoming, healthy and sustainable for all.
And with her experience in the FIFO environment, she understands the pressure all workers are under.
“Construction is an intense environment naturally anyway, with the work that there is, because once you’re awarded a contract, you’re essentially on the clock, so you’ve got the LDs hanging over your head, so you’re already under pressure,” she said.
“You then add in, if you’re working away, you’re isolated from your normal support network.
“I actually didn’t know a single person when I started on that project (Curtis Island). Then it’s like when you get put into an environment like that, where not only are you living in an environment with a couple thousand men, but you’re a woman, but you actually don’t know anyone as well, it’s really isolating and remote.
“Seeing the way that projects are going to be moving forward — there’s going to be a lot of regional and rural projects moving forward and so, my focus is really making sure the women are supported.
“I’ve got a big focus on mental health because I’ve seen the issues of mental health in those environments as well, which aren’t really openly spoken about.
“I’ve dealt with it myself being in those environments, but seeing how much it affects the men as well.
“I’m not saying that’s the excuse about why they behave badly, but it certainly doesn’t help with it either.”
Angela’s core focus is on addressing the psychosocial hazards in the workplace — sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation and inequity.
She has partnered with a technology company, which is a global leader in AI adaptive learning, to build learning modules to help transform antisocial behaviour, and ultimately culture, in the building and construction industry.
The learning modules are designed to uncover unconscious biases and to give tools to overcome these.
“We’ve all got biases; we’re human. Everyone’s got these biases, but when you can actually uncover the subconscious biases and make people consciously aware of them, what this has been proven to do is it actually then helps transform the behaviour,” she said.
“Then once you can transform the behaviour, then you can actually start to shift the dial with the culture.
“So it’s not just one thing, it’s actually slowly peeling back the onion, I guess you could say, to actually get to where the issue is, to then be able to make the changes that need to be made.
“For me, it’s like the root causes. Because if you can’t change the behaviour, you’re not going to be able to change the culture, and you can’t change the behaviour without education as well.”
And while she acknowledges this isn’t a silver bullet to fix everything overnight, addressing the systemic and pervasive problems is key to a better industry for all.
Shanika Vidana Gamage’s connection to construction
A childhood interest in construction management, naturally led Shanika to her accomplished career path
SAVAIRA RATUKULA
Construction management isn’t the usual interest one would expect a child to have, but for Shanika Vidana Gamage, her interest in the art of building was set up from an early age.
Not only has this interest guided her to her role as a full time researcher at the University of South Australia, it’s led her to achieving one of the most prestigious scholarships in an area she is passionate about.
The Allison Milner PhD scholarship is named in honour of the late Allison Milner, who served as the National Academic Director of MATES from 2013 until her passing in 2019. It recognises her significant contributions to research in suicide prevention, mental health and wellbeing in blue-collar industries.
The accolade was awarded by MATES in Construction to two exceptional recipients, Mohsin Ali from Auckland University of Technology and Shanika Vidana Gamage from the University of South Australia.
With the scholarship, Shanika aims to address the current gap in literature regarding drivers of mental distress for female construction workers.
Her study will investigate both work-related and non-work-related factors, and explore how industry stakeholders can better support mental health.
“Construction workers have previously been found to be at a greater risk of suicide than many other occupational groups,” Shanika said.
“Despite these challenging circumstances, research on female mental wellbeing and suicide in construction has received far less attention compared to male workers in the industry.
“Suicide prevention has often focused on male workers with the general assumption that strategies will adapt to females as well.
“Past research has failed to recognize the unique circumstances and factors leading to female workers’ mental distress and suicides, leaving a significant research gap.”
The project is expected to take roughly three and a half years to complete, and will result in a strategic framework aimed at enabling early intervention to mitigate and prevent distress and suicide among female workers.
“The knowledge generated from the framework will be used to enhance understanding of the potential contributions from multiple industry stakeholders in establishing a supportive work environment for female construction workers,” Shanika said.
“The strategical directions proposed will strengthen the collective efforts of the entire industry in developing gender sensitive suicide prevention programs.”
Shanika felt incredibly honoured receiving the scholarship as it’s a topic that’s both personally and professionally significant to her.
“The scholarship not only provides the financial support necessary to undertake this comprehensive study, but also connects me to a network of likeminded professionals and scholars dedicated to suicide prevention and improving mental health outcomes in the construction industry,” she said.
Shanika saw first hand how inherently demanding and stressful work in construction is, with long hours, job insecurity, and physically taxing tasks characteristic of the job.
“My personal experience has shed light on the fact that traditional stress inducing practices prevalent in the male dominated construction field often lead to mental health challenges, especially among female workers,” she said.
Shanika also said there may be additional unique stressors that female workers encounter which “warrants careful investigation”.
“This research project presents a remarkable opportunity for me to make a meaningful contribution to the existing body of knowledge in this field. On the other hand, it offers an opportunity to address a real-world problem, providing motivation to seek practical solutions with tangible implications,” she said.
THIS UPBRINGING INSTILLED IN ME A STRONG SENSE OF EMPATHY AND A DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS, WHICH HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE IN BOTH MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE
Shanika’s curiosity began with a fascination for how complicated constructions were executed, and how the management process throughout a project made it successful.
“This untimely curiosity for looking deeper into construction management made me pursue higher studies to expand my horizons in the field of construction,” she said.
“I had a keen interest (in) construction management which became more specific with time, making me interested in research and innovation in the fields of wellbeing of construction workers, culture in (the) built environment, women in construction and project behaviours.
Born in the charming town of Kamburupitiya in Sri Lanka, Shanika was raised in an “idyllic setting” with her father, mother, and brother. Growing up, her surrounding environment cultivated and fostered the values and interests she has carried through to her professional career.
“From an early age, I have always had a strong interest in construction management, which naturally led me to this career path,” she said.
“I grew up in a small town where the community was tightly knit, and everyone looked out for each other.
“This upbringing instilled in me a strong sense of empathy and a desire to help others, which has been a driving force in both my personal and professional life.
“The supportive environment I was raised in made me acutely aware of the importance of mental wellbeing on individual health.”
Many in town worked in physically demanding jobs, and Shanika was exposed to the challenges faced by workers in such environments, further fuelling her passion for making a difference in this field.
“It reinforced my belief in the importance of creating supportive work environments and addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by workers in various industries,” she said.
After high school, Shanika relocated to the bustling city of Colombo which kickstarted her professional journey.
She graduated with First Class Honours in a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa in 2018. Her academic and research achievements then secured her a position as lecturer in quantity surveying at the university.
While moulding young minds, Shanika was deeply involved in numerous research projects focused on construction industry practices, and gained valuable industry exposure working part-time as a consultant quantity surveyor with the Faculty of Architecture Consultancy Unit at the university.
She later grew an interest in mental health which led to her completing a Certificate Course in Psychology and Counselling.
Around a year and a half ago, she made the move to Australia with her husband to pursue a new career ambition.
“This significant move was driven by my aspiration to pursue a PhD, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life,” Shanika said.
Just a year and a half later, her PhD aspiration has been realised with the scholarship.
National CEO of MATES in Construction Chris Lockwood commended the 2024 recipients’ commitment to addressing mental health in the industry.
“Mohsin Ali and Shanika Vidana Gamage’s scholarships reflect our commitment to supporting global research that addresses construction workers’ mental health,” he said.
“We are proud of their achievements and are confident that their work will have a significant impact on improving wellbeing across both New Zealand and Australia.”
MATES in Construction is an industry-led, notfor-profit charity that was established in 2008 to reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers.
If you or a mate need some extra support, call the MATES helpline on 1300 642 111.
AN ADAPTIVE PATH
JESSICA KRAMER
For JQZ project compliance manager
Zoe Xu, being adaptive and following the career that is fulfilling has led to where she is today
Abandoned by her parents when she was a baby, Zoe Xu — now a successful project construction compliance manager — knows she is lucky.
Born in Chongqing, a megacity in southwest China, during a time of uncertainty and turmoil in the 1990s, her parents divorced not long after she was born.
“I was sent to different grandparents until they lost me. That was a generation of many lost children, [but] thankfully I was found and taken to the police station.
“My parents were starting their new families and careers and decided to send me to the best boarding school, from kindergarten.”
Zoe describes her child self as ‘never the best or the brightest’ but yet, with relatively wealthy families, childhood was very much about taking each day as it came and adapting to whatever was thrown at her.
It’s this adaptability that she credits to making the move from China to Australia when she was 15 years old as easy as possible.
It was the start of a new path to a career in construction compliance, where she is now a leader in her field.
“It wasn’t hard to leave as I wasn’t particularly close to any family at the time,” Zoe said.
“I was very lucky that my family supported my decision and financially supported me for the study trip in Australia. It was exciting, as everything was new,” she reflected.
“I had always been curious about living in a western country since I saw the very first Christmas bauble at a random Chinese market (not even at Christmas). It sparked my childhood fantasy,” Zoe remembered.
She recalled enjoying the stability of her new host family, and knowing
where she was going to sleep every night.
“It might sound strange [but] as life got simpler with the host family, I started gaining peace, confidence and enjoyment of learning from my host mother, a positive and hard-working Austrian lady. I lived with them until I was 21.”
But the path towards her current career took many turns, as Zoe struggled to find the right path for her.
“I tried early childhood education [then a] Bachelor of Arts and multimedia before I eventually decided to take up Bachelor of Architecture at UTS (University of Technology Sydney),” Zoe said.
“Even when I decided on architecture, I still wasn’t 100% sure. It was a ‘safe’ option as my dad is an architect/builder.”
During this time, Zoe had part-time jobs primarily in retail sales which she both enjoyed and excelled at.
“I ‘came up the ranks’ in retail — from stacking shelves in two-dollar stores to commission-based high end furniture stores,” she said.
“I loved working in retail as I got to practise English, observing and building relationships with people from all walks of life.”
In her final year of university, Zoe undertook internships with various architectural studios, followed by landing graduate roles once she got her degree.
While she “learned a lot” in this role, she was unfulfilled.
“I worked long hours as a drafter, not having much guidance, or internal or external feedback.
“I was also the only Chinese [person] in those places where other young designers were ‘cool and fun’,” she said.
“In design, there was a certain expectation of how we look, talk and behave. Walking in with a McDonalds coffee was just not okay.”
There were also issues with inequality that Zoe came up against as a young Chinese woman.
“I remember there was an older Caucasian male, who worked as procurement manager, who travelled mostly in Asia for work,” Zoe recalled.
“Every time he came back to the office, he had colourful stories to tell about Asian women, mostly in a demeaning manner.
“While a whole office would laugh, I often found the stories and his behaviour around me uncomfortable, as he treated me like his secretary while there was no direct work relation between us.
The personality clash came to a head when she stood up for herself after being asked by the older colleague to run some personal errands.
“I said, ‘I am not one of those women!’ in front of other people.”
While the incident led to her being told she was “no longer needed,” Zoe is glad she stood her ground.
“I spent my whole life learning to speak English, I shall not stop talking from now on.”
Leaving that role also gave her the opportunity to pivot, and she found a niche in compliance, starting with a role at NATSPEC (the government-owned National Building Specification organisation).
“Building compliance is about ensuring relevant building codes and standards are adhered to,” she explained.
She explained the role is needed as, while there are building code consultants and professional engineers, “everyone works for the developer/ builder”.
“There aren’t fresh eyes and impartiality to verify and do the checks and balances,” she explained.
In response to a senate inquiry into non-conforming building products in 2016, NATSPEC put together a construction product register of all products that had claimed to be compliant.
“My role was to collect the products’ evidence of compliance and verify the validity of the evidence,” Zoe explained.
“There was a lot of standard reading, contacting testing laboratories, certification bodies and product suppliers for process and verification — and often communication was in Chinese, [since] as you can imagine [it was] the country of origin for most of the building products.”
After two years in this role, backed by a supportive team and nurturing company culture, Zoe was promoted to project leader in order to further expand the register and make it work for the industry.
“I started collaborating with testing organisations including CSIRO, accreditation authorities like NATA and JAS-ANZ, and government agencies like Queensland’s QBCC to ensure the register served its purpose,” she explained.
Zoe also assisted events, like Design Build, in providing compliance pathways for their Chinese exhibitors if they were committed to entering the local market.
While she was busy building her career in a job she loved, Zoe also had her now five-year-old daughter during this time.
“I had my mum’s help in the first year, [but] I was eager to return to work,” she said.
Zoe went back part-time when her daughter was four months old — and she recalled there was a lot of milk pumping in the first few months!
When her daughter was one, Zoe returned to work full time. It was around this time she read about the establishment of the Office of the Building Commissioner and the reform in New South Wales. She applied for the job, and was hired in the first cohort in 2020 while the Building Commissioner was putting together the initial team.
She worked directly with NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler as a senior compliance officer, and had other roles including
construction design auditor and senior project officer. During this time, Zoe was often approached by Chinese builders and developers for advice on how to comply with Australian regulations, as she was the only Chinese-speaking compliance auditor in the government at that point.
“I couldn’t really help much due to my commitment to the government, until one day JQZ came to me and showed me the effort they are making in taking their establishment to the next level,” she said.
“They were growing exponentially, [and] were needing someone to manage compliance systematically and conduct training to ensure compliance is adhered to and quality is achieved eventually.”
And so, at the end of last year, Zoe resigned from her government job and joined JQZ.
“I enjoy my current role a lot as I used to be on the regulator’s side issuing orders on defective work; and now I work on the solution side with various consultants and the builder to coordinate and ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner,” she said.
“I get to see things from a different perspective.
“It is a good learning curve for me — when working as a regulator, I questioned the process and assumed things are not right until they are proven to be right; and now in the industry, everything is assumed to be right, until I question and do my due diligence to prove that they are not right.
She explained she is pushing for more than a “bare minimum to achieve compliance,” — she is helping her team reach the higher quality product that the NSW government now expects.
“JQZ has been exceptionally supportive, from the managing director to site engineers, empowering me and working with me to address my queries — even when sometimes it means opening up issues that are already closed,” she explained.
As well as being JQZ’s in-house independent compliance manager, Zoe runs regular Chinese/ English training workshops for their construction team, many of whom are young women, and it’s this that Zoe finds the most rewarding part of her role.
“Our engineers are mostly young graduates with a civil background, with strong theory from extensive academic training from Australian universities,” she said, explaining she enjoys educating her team on what non-compliance looks like, and the consequences of that.
“I have always told the trainees that I might not know the answer to your question straight away, but there is always a standard requirement in Australia, and I am here to guide you either to the answer or to the best point of contact.”
While the training role is the most rewarding part for Zoe, there are plenty of other aspects of her job with JQZ that she finds fulfilling.
“It is rewarding because I am given great authority by the managing director to regulate within JQZ, without the constraints of time and budget, and [be] completely impartial.
“Sometimes I find our staff (particularly Chinese young graduates) are a bit shy, or under pressure in asking certain questions, or might not know who to ask, but they know anything asked of me remains confidential and I’ll always have an answer for them.
“It is also rewarding to draw on my auditor’s experience to lead JQZ in navigating in this uncharted territory under the new Design and Building Practitioners and Residential Apartment Buildings Acts — the governing legislations of the Building Commission,” she said.
With all this, work-life balance can be difficult to achieve but Zoe has a different take.
“With my own upbringing, I don’t think quantity of time spent together directly correlates with the relationship between parents and the child,” she said.
“I have a very strong relationship with my parents now as an adult, because they wouldn’t be themselves had they sacrificed themselves just for me.
“My partner and I share care duties [of our daughter]. Children are adaptive [and] it is the quality not the quantity of the time with my daughter that matters to us.
“I make sure I read Chinese stories to my daughter every night, [and] we spend at least one hour each night playing. I do not have many rules, so I don’t spend time sticking to the rules (tried but failed).”
She said she treasures the time she spends with her daughter, and is thrilled to be raising her in Sydney.
“It makes me grateful for everything I have now,” she said.
But when it comes to work, Zoe shared the best piece of advice she’s ever received:
“Start with an end in mind,” she said.
“Where would you like to be ultimately? Work your way backwards, and (know) what you need to do every day and every minute (to get there).”
The essence of FLORENCE Magazine is yet again encompassed at the latest FLORENCE Luncheon as guests gather to Construct a New Perspective for women in the Building Industry.
The May 2024 Luncheon was an entertaining day at The Grounds of Eveleigh. We had the pleasure of hearing from Australian Netball Captain and multiple award winner, Liz Ellis AO, along with Director Legal from the Department of Customer Service, Elizabeth Stewart.
Guests enjoyed sparkling wine and canapés in the foyer before settling in for a wonderful feast and the afternoon’s speakers. Elizabeth Stewart shared an important industry update on reforms at the Department of Customer Service, highlighting a shift from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to focusing on risky players and buildings.
Liz Ellis then captivated us with stories from her career, including her role as a sports commentator
and her win on the 2023 “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.” She shared her impressive achievements: three World Championship gold medals, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, and four national premierships with the Sydney Swifts, whom she led for eight years. Her inspiring and humorous message was clear — a true leader recognises it takes a whole dedicated team to win, and sometimes it’s best not to take life to seriously.
We’re grateful to the guests and stakeholders of FLORENCE who make our mission to celebrate Women in Construction a joyful experience. Thank you to all who attended this luncheon, and to Master Builders Insurance Brokers and Women Building Australia for their continued partnership.
The next Luncheon will be held in the Eveleigh on 2 May 2025. For more information visit our website www.florenceaustralia.com.au.
Q&A
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Jessica Sadler, I am 32 years old, and I’m one of three equal owners of our business Shamrock Joinery.
I have two chocolate Labradors; Mikey, my oldest he is a delightful blend of calm, cute, and sensitive, with a touch of awkward charm and Archie, he is a whirlwind of cheeky energy and boundless
enthusiasm, loves to chew mums’ things but both are my world.
I purchased my fourth house on the Central Coast in November last year and have been renovating for a few months which keeps me busy outside of Shamrock.
I’m very grateful for my close-knit family with a loving mum Clare, her supportive partner Mark,
Jessica Sadler, Shamrock Joinery
and a tight bond between my brother and sister is incredibly fulfilling.
Where did you grow up and your early life history?
I went to St John Fisher Primary School, St Jospeh’s Catholic College high school, I finished school in year 10 and completed a diploma in Business Admin at St Patrick’s College in Sydney.
I have an older brother Sean, his wife Rachel and two beautiful girls, Rosie and Ella. My younger sister Katie married to her high school sweetheart Jay, they have a little one on the way and two chocolate fur babies, Tysie and Teddie.
My mum is an inspiration to everyone who knows her, especially to me.
After losing her husband, my dad, she faced immense challenges but showed remarkable strength and resilience in raising her three young children. She became the pillar of our family, balancing work, parenting, and emotional support with unwavering determination and love.
Her ability to navigate through such a difficult time while ensuring we felt secure and loved is a testament to her incredible spirit. Her strength, compassion, and dedication have profoundly shaped who I am and continue to inspire me every day.
Do you have hobbies/interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I have a strong passion for sports, which has been a significant part of my life since school.
I particularly enjoyed running, competing in events like the 100m, 200m, and relay races. These experiences were thrilling, providing not only physical activity but also a sense of achievement. If there’s one regret, it’s not pursuing my running career further.
Growing up, I also loved playing netball, which was a great way to stay active and connected with friends. Now, I play in a winter Oz tag competition.
I’m an introvert who finds comfort in solitude but also enjoys meaningful social interactions. As a homebody, I cherish the cosiness of home, yet I have a passion for outdoor adventures.
I love the gym – I spend most afternoons there because it’s not just a place to work out, it’s become a second home where the community feels like family. The supportive atmosphere among fellow gym-goers create a sense of belonging and motivation.
Tell us about your career before Shamrock Joinery?
After I finished school, I worked for an insurance
company but soon learned that it wasn’t the field I wanted to be in. Prior to Shamrock I worked for another joinery business where I gained seven years of experience within the office.
How did you get started in business?
My mum, embodying courage, and entrepreneurial spirit took a significant risk by opening a joinery business ten years ago.
She poured her heart into the venture, we’ve been fortunate to have immense support from a small, dedicated team who came on board and helped us elevate the business to new heights, transforming it into a reputable and thriving enterprise through sheer determination and hard work.
We never expected the business to grow to now having a team of 36 people.
Her journey was inspiring, demonstrating resilience and the power of following one’s passion.
After years of dedication, I had the privilege of purchasing the business alongside two partners Brendon and Richard. Together, we continue her legacy, building upon the solid foundation she created and driving the business towards new heights.
Tell us more about Shamrock Joinery?
Shamrock Joinery specialises in custom-made timber windows and doors but also not limited to this, our factory is located at Fountaindale on the Central Coast, our showroom at North Narrabeen in Sydney, working closely with architects, builders, and designers’ both commercial and residential projects.
My inspiration stems from the creative team Shamrock Joinery has and being able to contribute to the community, building relationships with clients and creating spaces that enhance people’s lives.
What is it like owning and running your own business?
Owning and running your own business is a challenging yet rewarding experience, it requires a blend of passion, dedication, and resilience.
Every day brings new opportunities and obstacles, from making strategic decisions and managing finances to leading a team and meeting customer expectations.
The sense of autonomy can be liberating, allowing you to shape your vision and culture something Brendon, Rich and I are so passionate about.
However, it also comes with significant responsibilities and the pressure of risk and accountability.
The journey is often unpredictable, demanding flexibility but we manage having three people aligned as well as the fortnightly support from our coach, Harry, there’s never a challenge we cannot overcome.
What do you enjoy about it?
What I enjoy most about owning and running my own business is how each day feels like a new adventure.
It’s not just work, it’s an immersive experience where I’m constantly learning and growing. I thrive on the challenges that push me out of my comfort zone, as they bring opportunities for personal and professional development.
Over time, I’ve come to embrace and even love the discomfort that comes with navigating the unknown. This dynamic environment keeps me engaged and motivated, driving me to innovate and find creative solutions.
The sense of accomplishment from overcoming these challenges makes the journey incredibly rewarding.
What do you find challenging?
Taking over the business, my initial challenge was stepping back from the roles I had managed. Transitioning from performing tasks directly to overseeing and empowering others to take on those responsibilities was a significant shift.
It required me to trust my team with areas I’d controlled closely for a long time. Letting go of control meant recognising their potential and believing in their abilities to contribute effectively.
This transition wasn’t easy, as it involved a mix of vulnerability and the desire to ensure that the quality and values of the business were upheld. Over time, this shift has allowed the team to grow and develop, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive. It’s taught me the value of delegation and trust in building a resilient and capable team.
How do you balance home and work life? Is this hard to achieve?
Balancing home and work life as a business owner is often more about integration than strict separation. For me, owning a business like Shamrock means that work naturally consumes a significant portion of my time and energy.
Later in life, I anticipate having more flexibility, but for now, I’m committed to building something meaningful that requires my full attention.
I’ve found that listening to podcasts, particularly those by Andy Frisella and David Goggins, has been invaluable. They emphasise the importance of prioritising tasks and using a power list to ensure that essential tasks are completed daily. This approach helps me manage my responsibilities effectively and stay focused on what needs to be done.
Growing up with a hardworking mum, I’ve learned the value of dedication and perseverance.
I enjoy what I do, and this passion makes it easier for me to integrate work into my life without the traditional need for a rigid work-life balance.
For me, it’s less about carving out separate time for work and personal life, and more about blending the two in a way that aligns with my goals and values.
What advice you’d like to offer to people in a business?
Navigating the world of business comes with its ups and downs, so my key piece of advice would be to embrace both the highs and the lows.
Celebrating successes, no matter how small, is crucial because these moments are what keep you motivated and optimistic. Recognising and celebrating these achievements helps to build resilience and maintain morale.
On the flip side, when faced with challenges or setbacks, it’s important to stay resilient. During those tough times, I find it motivating to reflect on the doubters. Their scepticism has often fuelled my determination, serving as a reminder of the obstacles I’ve overcome and the strength I’ve developed.
This mindset helps me stay focused and driven, especially when I’m starting my day early, like at 4am. Using past doubts as motivation, I push
through the difficulties, striving to prove to myself and others that I can achieve my goals.
What was the best piece of advice you have received?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is to focus on progress, not perfection. This mindset has been incredibly transformative for me, encouraging a journey of continuous improvement and learning rather than being overly fixated on achieving an unattainable ideal.
Embracing this perspective has allowed me to view mistakes as valuable learning opportunities rather than setbacks. It fosters a growth mindset, where every experience, including failures, is an opportunity for growth and development.
I apply this philosophy across different areas of my life, from managing Shamrock to my fitness routine at the gym, and in my daily personal development. Whether I’m tackling professional goals, business strategies, or setting fitness targets, this approach helps me stay motivated and resilient.
It reminds me that progress is a series of small steps forward, and each step, no matter how small, is a part of my overall growth journey. This mindset not only helps me achieve my goals but also enriches my life, making the process of striving and achieving more meaningful and fulfilling.
Female ambassador for the construction industry ‘Sydney Builder Chick’ Felicity Pettiford
HOW BUILDING STUDENT FELICITY BECAME THE MASTER OF HER DESTINY
The students at Master Builders never cease to amaze the trainers and staff with their amazing achievements. The dedication to reaching their qualification goals takes a lot of hard work and time management — many working full time and juggling family commitments.
Master Builders work with our students to provide them with all the support and encouragement they need to hit their study milestones and complete their qualifications. For many this is the first step on their pathway to an industry licence.
For recent graduate Felicity Pettiford her achievement has meant so much more than just an industry licence. At just 20 years of age, she has achieved the title of the youngest female student at Master Builders to complete the Certificate IV in Building and Construction. She is proud to be an active ambassador and role model for young women making a start in the male-dominated construction industry.
Masters Builders has nominated Felicity for the 2024 Vocational Student of the year into the NSW Training
Awards, and the team couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient. There is nothing like witnessing students have their hard work recognised by both Education NSW and the Building and Construction Industry.
The NSW Training Awards are prestigious awards conducted annually by Training Services NSW within the NSW Department of Education to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocation and training sector.
Felicity has been committed to a career in the industry since high school when she opted to do construction as an elective and loved everything about it. Not entirely sure how to make a career in construction a reality, but with the full support of her parents, Felicity started a carpentry apprenticeship. With advice and support from Master Builders she realised that becoming a licenced builder was the career pathway for her and enthusiastically embarked on this next stage in her construction journey.
“Juggling full-time work on the tools and studying towards my Cert IV definitely taught me valuable time management skills,” Felicity says of her time completing her qualification. “I was well supported by both my employer and Master Builders during the 2 years of study. All the way through, I knew I had someone in my corner who would help me prioritise
and be a sounding board to help keep me focussed.”
And Master Builders support hasn’t stopped with the completion of Felicity’s Certificate IV in Building and Construction. Master Builders is backing Felicity all the way for the 2024 Vocational Student of the Year in The NSW Training Awards.
“Felicity has achieved so much in a few short years and is the youngest female student at Master Builders to complete her Cert IV in Building and Construction. Not only is she committed to building her own successful career, but she is also an active and fantastic role model and advocate for women in the industry. She truly epitomizes what you can achieve with hard work and determination” says Jody McGann, General Manager Education and Apprentices, Master Builders Association NSW.
“We were delighted to support and endorse Felicity’s achievements in her nomination for the NSW Training Awards,” says Jody.
“And now, we are thrilled to announce that Felicity is a finalist in the Southern & South Western Sydney region for the 2024 NSW Vocational Student of the Year Award”.
The winner will be announced at an award ceremony held on 21st June 2024 and whatever the results, Felicity will have all of Master Builders NSW behind her.
Recent Master Builders Certificate IV in Building and Construction graduate Felicity Pettiford with 1st year Carpentry apprentice Lianna Tippett.
Meet some incredible women powering on in the industry WOMEN AT WORK
Name: Lorainne Brennan
Position at Master Builders Association NSW: Reception
How long have you worked for MBA NSW? : Six Years
What is your favourite/most rewarding thing about your job?
I love chatting to people, and if I can help them, it’s all the better. I can talk to anyone, and I really enjoy helping people. Especially when you build up a rapport over time, so you get to know them really well.
Do you have a favourite movie/musician etc?
I like quite a few people but a lot of them are dead. My favourites have to be George Michael and Queen. And my favourite movie is Dirty Dancing because I love to dance. I can’t be taught to dance, but I just listen to the music and move.
What is something about you that would surprise people?
I’m from Ireland, but sometimes when some people hear my accent, they ask if I’m American, English and Scottish.
I moved to Australia in March 1997 — where I met my partner, Brendan. We’re Going on 27 years together now. We have two children, an 18 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. I love spending time with them and going out as a family. The rest of my family are back in Dublin, where I am oldest of seven siblings. I went to visit them in Ireland again last Easter.
My favourite place in Ireland is Glendalough in Wicklow. The scenery is picturesque. I have beautiful photographs on an old camera I took years ago. All the old buildings and monasteries the monks used to live in make it incredible. When I went, I bought a bad camera from a hardware store and it was so hard to use, and I thought the photos were going to be terrible — but they were the best photos I’d ever taken in my life.
If you could acquire one skill without needing to do the 10,000 hours to master it, what skill would you want? And why?
I don’t wish for any other skills — I believe I’m quite content! If I could do anything in the world though I would love to go travelling again.
Once the kids get older, I think the first place I’d want to go is New Zealand. I’ve never been before but I hear it’s very like Ireland. A home away from home that I would want to check out. I love the green of Ireland and New Zealand. Australia is quite green at the moment because it never stops raining — but it’s usually more dusty.
What has been your experience with Women in Construction? Do you have any advice to offer them?
The questions I mostly get are not from young girls or women in the construction industry, but from older women looking to hire a builder and saying they’re scared because they get taken advantage of. These are 80- or 90-year-old women who don’t own a computer and don’t know the construction industry and trust the Master Builders to be able to answer their questions.
As we are here for our members, and our members are builders, we can’t recommend one over the other. So, what I do is compile a list around five pages of builders in their area. I mail them out a hard copy of the list and they then ring the builders to find the right one.
The only thing I would say is, girls can do anything they want to. Never think you can’t do it.
GREENER FUTURES:
Navigating Eco-Anxiety and Climate Progress
MAIYA IRVING-MACKINNON
Eco anxiety, as the name suggests, is extreme worry about current and future harm to the environment through climate change.
The discovery of the term was personally significant as it put a name to what I was feeling. That the climate crisis is a global issue we have never faced before, and we are hurtling towards inevitable repercussions of our own making. This anxiety is only accentuated by modern media, as 24-hour news cycles remind us of continuous threats, making it hard to relax.
While it is important to have a realistic outlook on the seriousness of issues such as the climate crisis, it is also important to have some respite, to help work towards a constructive outcome.
With this in mind, the following are some updates which bring some hopeful climate progress.
Conference of the Parties
For the last 28 years the United Nations has hosted the Conference of the Parties (COP) where global leaders discuss how to mitigate climate change.
COP 21 brought about the Paris Agreement as the first legally binding international treaty on climate change, established by 196 parties. World leaders agreed to limit the rising climate temperature to no more than the tipping point 1.5°C above pre-
industrial levels in long-term temperature trends.
At COP 28 in 2023 it was discussed that despite the Paris Agreement, the earth was now at an incredibly dangerous 1.48°C warmer than the pre-industrial average. To improve this the nations, present agreed to actively deviate from fossil fuel use.
If the UN not only ensures these are not empty promises but continues progress at future COPs, there is the potential for groundbreaking steps towards climate security.
Renewable Energy capacity doubled in a year
The world has added 510 billion watts of renewable energy capacity in 2023, as reported by the Australian Climate Council. 50% more than in 2022 and equivalent to the entire power capacity of Germany, France and Spain.
Rapid growth in China’s solar industry was the main driver, while European nations, the United States and Brazil also achieved impressive renewable energy growth. This capacity is on course to increase another 2.5 times by the end of the decade.
The Clean Energy Council Report for 2023 stated renewable energy accounted for 39.4% of Australia’s total electricity generation in 2023 (up from 35.9% in 2022).
The Ozone Layer is slowly repairing
It was first noticed by scientists in the 1970s that the effects of greenhouse gases had been eroding the ozone layer, and by the 1990s 10% of the layer had been lost. In 1987, UN members signed a treaty known as the Montreal Protocol, aimed at phasing out ozone-depleting substances and developing replacements.
Now over 35 years later, the UN Scientific Assessment Panel for the Montreal Protocol has found recovery in the Ozone. With the current rate of recovery, it is predicted the global average amount of ozone in the atmosphere will be back to pre-thinning levels around 2040. While in Antarctica where the Ozone is worst it will not be recovered until 2066.
It has been estimated that by 2030 the effect of the Montreal Protocol will save two million people a year from skin cancer.
Plastic Eating Enzymes
Researchers around the world have identified multiple organisms capable of decomposing plastics. The most prominent instance was an enzyme found in a Japanese recycling plant which has naturally evolved to eat soft plastics, which are polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
An international team of scientists has built on this to explore how it evolved, and experimentation showed they had inadvertently mutated the molecule to be more efficient when breaking down the plastic.
“What actually turned out was we improved the enzyme, which was a bit of a shock.” said leading Prof John McGeehan — University of Portsmouth, UK. “We are hoping to use this enzyme to turn the plastic back into its original components, so we can literally recycle it back to plastic. It means we won’t need to dig up any more oil and fundamentally, it should reduce the amount of plastic in the environment.”
What comes next
While positive news is welcome, it should not invite complacency or ignorance when the reality is our climate is still very much in crisis.
For the sake of all living organisms, it is important to utilise the good news for encouragement and hope, to make global and impactful changes to the course of our future.
“We must do more than take our foot off the warming accelerator — we must slam on the brakes. To avoid the worst of the climate crisis, global emissions must roughly halve by 2030.” — The Australian Climate Council.
Climate policy and clean energy shifts are bringing the world closer to an emissions peak — but governments need to do more. Climate Council Graph adapted from Carbon Brief analysis.
Western Downs Green Power Hub. Australia’s largest solar farm.
Colourised slides of enzyme (Ideonella sakaiensis) on left and the degraded remains of plastic on right. Enzymes produced by the bacterium reduce PET to its constituent chemicals. Photograph: Kohei Oda, Kyoto Institute of Technology 2016.
A bathroom inspired by biophilic design
THIS IS… BIOPHILIC DESIGN
JENNA MARTIN
Have you ever walked into a space and breathed a deep sigh of relief? Maybe something about it made you feel lighter, calmer, or more refreshed.
Look around, or think back to that space and what was in it… were there plants? Natural light? Indoor/ outdoor flow? There’s a good chance the answer is ‘yes’, and the reason you felt so comfortable was because of a principle called biophilic design, a concept that is all about bringing the outside in and creating harmony between the built environment and the natural world.
But it’s not as simple as chucking a Monstera plant in the corner and calling it a day. Here’s how to truly incorporate biophilic design into your space.
Let the sunshine in
A cornerstone of biophilic design, natural light not only illuminates a space more effectively than anything artificial, it also gives us a healthy dose of Vitamin D, boosting our mood and productivity. Think large windows, skylights and open floor plans, maximising the amount of space and making every room feel bigger, brighter and more inviting. Even better, diffuse the natural light in clever ways through the use of shades, blinds and sheer curtains that can create patterns on walls or mimick the dappled light found under a canopy of trees.
Embrace your green thumb
Once thought of as the denizen of childless millennials who couldn’t commit to a baby or a dog, indoor plants are now everywhere, and are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to embrace biophilic design. It might be a towering olive tree taking
Natural light filters through a window to a plant-filled room
pride of place in a sunroom, a cluster of hanging plants above the bath or a green wall in the entryway: whatever your flora of choice, greenery breathes life and warmth into interiors. Not only that, plants improve air quality and reduce stress.
Even if you don’t have the room to turn your space into a greenhouse, try to angle your furniture and living spaces to provide views of nature - whether it’s a lush park or garden or simply a strategically planted tree outside the window. Any view of a natural landscape is better than none when it comes to reducing stress, improving mood and boosting cognitive function.
Nothing artificial
Biophilic design makes use of materials like wood, stone and bamboo to reinforce the connection with the outdoors and nature. Not only do these materials add warmth and texture, there’s a low-key beauty to having them in your space. Think exposed wooden beams, stone countertops in the kitchen and bamboo flooring throughout the living spaces, all working together to create a tactile, natural environment.
Biophilic design also relies heavily on fresh air and natural ventilation. Windows and doors should be opened to encourage natural air flow as well as bringing in the scents and sounds of the outdoor world.
Just add water
There is a saying that parents have when it comes to toddlers and tantrums: just add water. Nothing cures a two-year-old meltdown quite like a drink… or a bath… or an afternoon splashing in puddles. And the same can be said for us adults: the sound and sight of water has a calming effect on the human psyche. Incorporating water features like fountains, aquariums full of fish or small indoor ponds can provide a truly zen experience. Furthermore, the gentle trickle of water can mask sounds like traffic or noisy neighbours.
Patterns and colours
Biophilic design features patterns and colours that mimic those found in nature.. Think ochre-coloured lounge settings, deep green bedspreads and floral throw pillows.
When it comes to furnishings and decor, engage all the senses. Beyond sight, look to incorporate sound like birdsong, rustling leaves or running water and smells like fresh flowers or natural wood. Rough stone on the walls or bamboo beneath your feet adds a tactile experience and creates a multisensory connection to the environment.
Getting started with biophilic design
Implementing biophilic design at home doesn’t require a complete overhaul or an expensive renovation. Small changes can make a big difference. Start by simply adding more plants or creating a small green wall. If you’re redecorating, opt for natural materials and fibres and shift your furniture to make the most of the natural light and ventilation available to you. Use nature-inspired colors and patterns to create a cohesive look.
If you are renovating or starting from scratch, consider architectural features like skylights, large windows and bifold doors to open the house up to the outside as much as possible. Go beyond the potted plants in the corner of the room and instead consider an interior courtyard or wintergarden or a small pond or fountain. Make smart choices when it comes to building materials, prioritising sustainability and natural fibres and textures. The goal is to create a seamless integration between indoor and outdoor spaces, blurring the lines between the two.
Biophilic design can be incorporated through furnishings
THIS IS… ELEGANT MINIMALISM
For as long as trends have existed, there have been crossovers between the fashion world and the land of interiors. In the last few years we’ve seen trends like Barbicore and Coastal Grandpa creep from the catwalks into our homes, filling our spaces with shabby chic accents and lashings of hot pink. The latest of these trends is quiet luxury, defined on the runway by clothes that express lived-in elegance and effortless sophistication. The aesthetic takes a similar cue in interior design, creating a look that is subtle yet never dull, elegant but not flashy, expensive but never garish. Mixing classic design principles with a modern appreciation for quality and good craftsmanship, quiet luxury is all about creating a home which feels luxe yet wonderfully lived in at the same time. Here are the key ways to bring quiet luxury to life at your house.
Elegant minimalism
The heart of quiet luxury is not about flaunting wealth, but about appreciating the finer details, skill and craftsmanship that goes into creating every piece.
Quiet luxury thrives on the principle of “less is more”: spaces are carefully curated with each element specifically chosen for its beauty, functionality and for how it contributes to the overall feel of a room. There’s no space for clutter: instead, everything has its place, creating a look that is calm and organised.
Timeless, quality design
While you don’t need to be flush with cash to enjoy this aesthetic, it’s also not an easy look to throw together on zero budget. One of the defining characteristics of quiet luxury is the use of highquality materials that have been expertly crafted. Think rich hardwood floorboards, luxurious marble countertops, soft cashmere throws and rich leather sofas. The good thing is that while there’s a higher up-front cost, knowing you’re investing in beautiful, durable and timeless pieces means you’ll save in the long run because they will last a lifetime. Quiet luxury ignores fleeting trends in favour of designs that are always in style. The look should focus on classic forms and clean lines, balancing the contemporary with the traditional to ensure longevity.
Neutral palette
If you’re a lover of bright colours and patterns, quiet luxury is probably not for you. The colour palette is mostly subdued, making the most of tranquil, neutral tones like grey, white and beige. If you do want to introduce colour, it should be done in deep, rich hues like maroon, navy or dark green. Colour should be used to add depth and interest, but never in a way that disrupts the overall feeling of calm.
Dappled, feature, pendant and down lighting work together to illuminate a space
JENNA MARTIN
The finer details
If you’re set on an aesthetic of quiet luxury, it’s time to step away from your big-name furniture stores and step into the world of artisanal craftsmanship and bespoke furniture design. That’s not to say you have to spend a fortune, but often buying custommade means paying more for attention to detail, like intricate stitching on a leather lounge or the subtle veining of a marble countertop. Although understated, these details add richness and depth and enhance the overall aesthetic and also create a unique heirloom piece.
Maximise comfort and functionality
Quiet luxury is an undeniably beautiful design style, but it is also designed to be comfortable and lived in, not just looked at. Comfort and functionality are very important, with rooms arranged thoughtfully to make it easy to move around, use and relax in. Textiles should be plush, furniture ergonomic and space maximised so that it feels open, airy and clutter-free.
Lighting is key
Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a space that is quietly luxurious. Rooms should prioritise
natural light, with large windows, sheer curtains and strategically placed mirrors to make a room feel bright and airy. When it comes to artificial lighting, it should be carefully layered, with a mix of ambient, down and accent lighting to both enhance the mood and highlight the beauty of the space.
Get personal
Quiet luxury might be — at heart — minimalist, but that doesn’t mean it is impersonal. Artworks, furnishings and decor should reflect the tastes and personalities of the people who live there. That might be a carefully stacked collection of your favourite books on a shelf, an original artwork, handmade ceramics or even a souvenir from your travels. It’s this personal touch which brings warmth and character to a space, keeping it luxurious but allowing it to feel lived in.
Quiet luxury is more than just an interior design style, it is a lifestyle choice that values quality, craftsmanship, and understated elegance. It is about creating spaces that are beautiful, functional, and timeless, where every element is carefully considered and every detail is appreciated. As a result, you’re cultivating a home which feels tranquil and comfortable, where you can slow down and enjoy the beauty of simple elegance.
Invest in detail and craftsmanship
With space to store and space to display, quiet luxury is a style that never feels cluttered.
Embrace natural, neutral tones
Diana Brajuha, Narelle Warren, Jane Langof, Liz Ellis, Ozge Fettahlioglu, Amanda Kelly and Raquel Manningat the last Florence luncheon.
ADDRESSING THE BIG ISSUES
RAQUEL MANNING
Driving towards the city on the M1 to meet with the women in the construction industry whom I have connected with through the inspiring leadership of Amanda Kelly at the MBA
NSW Florence luncheons, I am excited for the upcoming constructive conversations and laughter that will be shared around the table. As I stroll around the buildings, the bustling work day crowds
in the city are a comforting sight, especially in the current challenging economic climate. The idea of myself, Raquel Manning, a commercial property agent, Diana Brajuha, a town planner, Alice Pamment, a builder, Narelle Warren, a fencing landscaper, Ozge Fettahlioglu, an interior designer, Rebecca Perry, a Brand & Communications Consultant and Jane Langof, a Feng Shui expert, all gathering under one roof as highly respected professionals in our respective fields is truly engaging. Despite the increasing interest rates and building costs, we delve into discussions about the impact we, as women in the industry, can make in addressing the housing shortage across the country, particularly in New South Wales.
1. How can women in the property and construction industry use their skills and expertise to address the Australian housing shortage?
Diana Brajuha: “As a woman planner, I do feel that much of the housing supply problem is due to a build up of many years of slow housing approvals, leading to insufficient construction of new dwellings.
There are of course other forces at play such as the lack of development finance, and high costs of construction. However in my view, fixing the development application process to provide timely approvals and certainty to development proposals would be a big first step. To do this,
decision-making authorities need to focus more on outcomes rather than be hung up on pedantic minor details which sometimes prohibit even the lodgement of applications. The culture also needs to change to more of a ‘yes culture’ and more skilled planners are required in the system who understand issues rather than requesting unnecessary documentation just to fulfill a tick-abox Council checklist requirement.”
Narelle Warren: “The core of this issue lies with critical skills shortages, and the only way to move forward and fill the gap in a timely manner, is for increased women participation in these sectors. Employers within the property and construction sector are unable to fill job vacancies, which is undermining housing productivity in Australia.
Australia needs to implement a comprehensive legislative policy change with the adoption of longterm plans that advance sustainable development and growth. Women within the property and construction industry must lead the charge for this reform to Government, as there is a concerning increase of homelessness among women since 2016.”
Rebecca Perry: “As a Brand & Communications Consultant with 35 years in the property industry, I leverage my extensive experience in architecture and design, construction and fit-out, and recent accreditation in Sustainability and Social Impact
Alice Pamment, Raquel Manning, Rebecca Perry, Amanda Kelly, Jane Langof, Diana Brajuha and Ozge Fettahlioglu.
Strategy (SSI) to address the housing shortage. I see a critical opportunity to elevate investment in this crisis by documenting and showcasing how organisations can deliver real social value to our communities. The future of ESG and SSI reporting and compliance hinges on setting, measuring, and reporting on real targets through accredited local and global frameworks. I believe that by telling the stories of authentic social value initiatives that yield measurable data and results, businesses can not only meet real social imperatives but also enhance their reputational brand value. Through strategic communications, I aim to highlight the significant contributions of women in the construction industry, inspire greater participation, and drive the narrative towards sustainable, inclusive, and impactful solutions to the housing crisis, all while emphasising the need for real targets and measurable results.”
2. What specific initiatives or strategies can women in leadership roles implement to increase the supply of affordable housing in Australia?
Raquel Manning: “As a commercial agent in the property and construction industry, I believe that women in leadership roles can implement specific initiatives and strategies to increase the supply of affordable housing in Australia. One key approach is to actively collaborate with government agencies, non-profit organisations, and developers to identify and prioritise affordable housing projects. By leveraging our networks and industry expertise, we can advocate for policy changes that support the development of affordable housing and streamline approval processes for such projects. Additionally, promoting sustainable building practices and exploring innovative financing options can help make affordable housing more economically viable. By leading by example and championing these initiatives, women in leadership roles can make a significant impact in addressing the critical need for affordable housing in Australia.”
Narelle Warren: “Women in leadership roles should be advocating for younger female participation at root levels, and this means starting within the education and school system. Sadly, construction for women is not promoted at high schools. Career advisors and school counsellors should also learn more about different construction careers, so they can confidently tell high school students that it’s possible to enjoy a successful and fulfilling career within the trades and construction industry.”
3. How can women at all levels in the industry advocate for policies and practices that promote greater housing affordability and accessibility?
Diana Brajuha: “There is too much obsession with control in the approval process. Planners, both men and women, need to be facilitators of development. There is always a way to yes, there just needs to be a willingness and focus on the greater good.”
Raquel Manning: “I believe that women at all
levels can advocate for policies and practices that promote greater housing affordability and accessibility.
By participating in industry forums, networking events, and professional associations, women can amplify their voices and advocate for policy changes that prioritise affordable housing initiatives. I also believe finance institutions should do more and provide longer loans or better initiatives to the first home buyers and lower income earners. By uniting our efforts and leveraging our influence, women can play a crucial role in shaping policies and practices that address the housing affordability crisis and create more inclusive communities.”
Narelle Warren: “Perception is a powerful tool, and we need to be careful how women are perceived within the property and construction industry. A recent study conducted with year 11 high schools girls concluded their perception of other women in construction careers were limited to ‘lollipop’ holding and traffic management, with many stating that they do not know any women at executive levels in the construction industry and could not visualise themselves or their friends achieving promotion or senior roles in the sector.”
4. In what ways can women’s perspectives and experiences in property and construction contribute to innovative solutions for addressing the housing shortage in Australia?
Jane Langof: “As women in the property construction community, we have a unique opportunity to influence change through our professional skills and our capacity for collaborative, compassionate leadership. We can leverage our expertise in design and construction by developing affordable housing projects that are not only functional but also promote well-being. Creating safe, nurturing environments that foster peace and positive energy is essential.
I would love to contribute my Feng Shui design skills to such a project, enhancing the quality of life for women in need. Recently, I worked with property developers on multi-storey student accommodation, which included well-equipped studios and shared apartments with community facilities. These modern, well-appointed units could serve as a model for housing solutions for women over 55.”
Diana Brajuha: “An innovative idea would be to flip the notion of a Deemed Refusal on its head. Instead of the ability to lodge a Deemed Refusal Appeal of a Development Application with the Land and Environment Court after 40 days from lodgement, it could be that certain housing applications are Deemed Approved after 40 days unless there are real deal-breakers which require further resolution. We also shouldn’t be afraid to build taller buildings that contain more dwellings. Too often people complain about the height of buildings not realising they are in fact subconsciously complaining about poor architecture. Good design is a key ingredient
to support greater density.”
Ozge Fettahlioglu: “In the face of Australia’s housing crisis, we stand at a pivotal moment, one where women in construction have the power to shape a sustainable future. To meet the growing need, we must build 34 houses every day. This is where modular construction becomes a game-changer. It offers a faster, safer, and more efficient way to construct homes, ensuring they are sustainable, affordable, and built to last. By embracing innovative modular techniques and prioritising eco-friendly materials, we can not only meet this demand but exceed it.
Drawing from my experience in leading a sustainable modular construction firm, I’ve seen first-hand the transformative potential of these methods.
Whether women or men, we have the chance to create something truly special for Australia’s future. Let’s not just build houses; let’s build communities that are resilient, inclusive, and environmentally
responsible. The future of Australian housing is in our hands — let’s build it with purpose and vision.
Raquel Manning: “Women in the property and construction industry have a unique opportunity to address the housing shortage in Australia through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation. By leveraging our skills, expertise, and leadership, women can make a significant impact in promoting greater housing affordability and accessibility. Through mentorship, networking, and policy advocacy, women at all levels can drive positive change within the industry. By embracing innovative solutions such as modular construction and sustainable building practices, women can contribute to creating inclusive communities and shaping a more sustainable future for Australia. Together, women in the property and construction industry have the power to make a meaningful difference in addressing the housing crisis and creating positive change in their communities and constructing a new perspective to the housing shortage.”
Amanda Kelly, Ozge Fettahlioglu, Raquel Manning, Diana Brajuha, Jane Langof, and Alice Pamment.
VERITY HARE
GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A FINANCIAL YEAR CHECK UP
As a trade business owner, the beginning of a new financial year presents a prime opportunity to set the stage for success and ensure your business is on the right track. Here are some key strategies to kickstart the new financial year on a positive note:
1. Review Your Finances
Take the time to conduct a thorough review of your finances from the previous year. Analyse your income, expenses, and profits to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement. Use this insight to set realistic financial goals for the upcoming year and create a budget that aligns with your business objectives.
2. Update Your Business Plan
A new financial year is an ideal time to revisit and update your business plan. Evaluate your current strategies, market trends, and competition to identify opportunities for growth. Set clear objectives, outline actionable steps to achieve them, and establish key performance indicators to measure your progress throughout the year.
3. Invest in Technology
engaging social media content, and leverage digital marketing channels to reach a wider audience. Consider showcasing testimonials from happy customers, highlighting your expertise, and differentiating your services from competitors.
5. Enhance Customer Relationships
Prioritise customer relationships by providing exceptional service, maintaining open communication, and seeking feedback to continuously improve your offerings. Consider implementing loyalty programs, offering promotions, or sending personalised thankyou notes to show appreciation for your clients’ support. Building strong relationships can lead to repeat business and valuable referrals.
6. Monitor Cash Flow
NEW COPY
Keep a close eye on your cash flow throughout the year to ensure financial stability and avoid cash flow shortages. Create cash flow projections, monitor payment timelines, and negotiate favourable terms with suppliers to maintain a healthy cash flow cycle. Address any overdue payments promptly and implement strategies to minimise late payments from clients.
7. Invest in Professional Development
Embrace technology to streamline your processes and enhance efficiency in your day-to-day operations. Consider investing in accounting software, job management tools, or scheduling apps to automate tasks, track expenses, manage projects, and improve communication with clients. Leveraging technology can save time, reduce errors, and increase productivity.
4. Focus on Marketing and Branding
Boost your visibility and attract new clients by refining your marketing strategies and enhancing your brand image. Update your website, create
Stay ahead of industry trends and enhance your skills by investing in professional development opportunities. Attend workshops, conferences, or training sessions to expand your knowledge, learn new techniques, network and stay informed about changes in regulations or best practices within your trade.
Continuous learning can position you as a trusted expert in your field. By implementing these strategies and taking proactive steps at the beginning of the new financial year, you can lay a solid foundation for success, drive business growth, and navigate challenges with confidence. Embrace this opportunity to start fresh, set ambitious goals, and position your business for a great year ahead.
EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT PROMOTION
Toowoomba-born Excavation Equipment specialise in the sales of plant and machinery, conducting onsite auctions, and facilitating import/ export operations.
Their dedication to delivering quality equipment is reflected in their widespread presence, with bases in Toowoomba, Ipswich, and Shepparton.
As a steadfast and longstanding business, they not only support our local communities but also leave a significant footprint nationwide.
They are proud to be recognised as an awardwinning company, acknowledged for exceptional growth by the Australian Financial Review, most notably on their AFR Fast 100 list.
EXEQ’s mission is simple: to provide our customers with outstanding value and effective solutions at an affordable price, ensuring they can efficiently tackle any task at hand; their motto is: From a toolbox to an excavator, we’ve got the gear to help you get the job done. If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.
The business was born around the kitchen table with just three people, but by 2014 had diversified into the beginnings of the impressive company it is today, running both online and on-site auctions, selling plant and machinery as well as import/ export operations and logistics.
By 2016, it had already made the Fast 100 List by BRW and The Australian Financial Review, a feat
nothing short of incredible for a regionally based business still in its infancy.
As proud as Excavation Equipment general manager Catherine Ardi is of their achievements and their incredible team dynamic, one of the things that makes her most proud is having grown the business to the point where it could give back to the community that supported them as a fledgling business.
Cat says as a family-oriented business it isn’t just blood relatives who are welcomed with open arms and hearts worn on sleeves.
Every team member has a place in her heart and has been integral to the success of the business, from sales managers through to the truck drivers that move their equipment across the nation.
She says one of the greatest privileges in her life is supporting their workers through good times and bad, whether it is marriages, divorces, new babies or times of grief, and that simply being “good people” can have a wonderful ripple effect in a workplace.
“Nobody is above or beneath anyone else in this business,” Cat says.
“Ultimately, we’re all on the tools here and even though we all have our areas, if someone needs a hand you won’t hear ‘it’s not my job’ in this place.
“We’re not very glamorous but we do have a lot of fun together.”
LAW MATTERS
HANNAH SHEPHARD SENIOR SOLICITOR MBA NSW
TERMINATION TERMS
Parties to a construction contract often end up wanting to terminate the contract. The reasons vary — from the Council approval taking too long to be granted, to the owner running out of money, to a dispute escalating to the point where the relationship has deteriorated beyond repair and the parties would simply prefer not to deal with each other anymore.
Whatever the reason, a termination by mutual agreement is the safest, quickest and most amicable way for parties to end a contract.
Other alternatives for terminating a contract include:
• The contractual route, which involves a “Notice of Default” or “Notice of Intention to Terminate” under the relevant clause in the contract, and a subsequent “Notice of Termination” after the relevant contractual timeframe has expired such as 10 business days; and/or
• One party needing to prove that the other party has shown that they no longer intend to be bound by the terms of the contract and has therefore “repudiated” the contract, which the “innocent” party can either accept or reject.
These processes can be risky, as an incorrect termination can expose the offending party to a damages claim by the innocent party. As such, negotiating a mutual termination is often the better, cleaner and more cost-effective way to finalise a contractual relationship.
A mutual termination should be documented in a written agreement for abundant clarity on what each party’s rights and obligations are. The key terms which can be included in a termination agreement are:
A. A background — this section should include details such as:
• Parties to the contract, type of contract and date of contract;
• Dates works under the contract commenced;
• Reference to a list of the works which the builder has competed under the contract — this list can be put into a “Schedule 1” or “Schedule A” and is vital for ensuring the builder is protected from
liability for any defects in works carried out by the next builder on the site;
• A general statement that says the parties have agreed to terminate the contract by mutual consent in accordance with the provisions of the termination agreement.
B. The term that actually says the contract is terminated — the parties can agree that the termination will take effect “hereby”, that is, on signing of the termination agreement, or the termination can be conditional on a further trigger happening such as finishing an item of work. It is usually more definitive to make the termination immediate on signing of the termination agreement.
C. A payment clause — does the owner have to pay the builder for outstanding works or an agreed payout figure to compensate the builder for loss of profit? Or has the builder agreed to pay the owner back all or part of the deposit, or a settlement amount in respect of alleged defects?
D. A list of any remaining works the builder has agreed to carry out before it leaves site — however this is not vital and is not always relevant. Quite often the site will be handed over to the owner on termination so issues in relation to Work Health & Safety legislation and the responsibilities of the “principal contractor” should be considered when including a term like this in a termination agreement.
E. Arrangements for the fencing — will the owner take over the fencing hire or will the owner make their own arrangements to secure the site appropriately? If the builder is to collect its fencing, the owner needs to be aware of when this will happen so that it can organise replacement fencing to be delivered on the same day.
F. Arrangements for the builder to collect any tools and equipment that are still on site;
G. A term providing for certificates relevant to the builder’s completed works to be handed over to the owner within a certain number of days of payment being made by the owner, or of the termination agreement being signed.
H. Confirmation that the owner will do anything necessary to assist the builder obtain a Home Building
Compensation Fund (HBCF) insurance premium refund if applicable (particularly, if construction works have not yet commenced on site), including agreeing to a final value in relation to the builder’s works. HBCF brokers are usually happy with a signed termination agreement in order to close of the relevant HBCF policy, but it is vital that the termination agreement specifies the final value of the builder’s works.
I. Any particular items in dispute that the parties want to be settled as part of the termination — if there are items for resolution it can be beneficial to be crystal clear so that no further claims can be brought regarding these items.
J. A general release clause — this is very important. The parties should release each other from any further claims under the contract subject to the following considerations:
• Any defects that may arise in the future will not be settled — because of the operation of the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW), parties cannot include terms in their agreement that stop an owner claiming for defects which no one yet knows about.
• Will the release take effect immediately or once a certain event happens, such as the owner
making final payment under the payment clause? If the release takes effect immediately, then the parties have no further claims against each other, except for claims in relation to the obligations set out in the termination agreement (noting again however that unknown defects can always still be pressed). If the releases are conditional on payment and the owner fails to pay, the builder can revert back to claims it had prior to the termination agreement being signed.
• The parties’ preferred mechanics of the release clause should be carefully considered and/or discussed with a legal advisor as required.
K. A non-disparagement clause, which can be helpful where a relationship has deteriorated. Such a term will not always need to be included. Similarly, and depending on the circumstances, a confidentiality clause can be included.
If parties to a contract are looking to terminate the contract simply and effectively, it is a good idea for them to negotiate a written termination agreement which ensures that everyone is “on the same page”.
Specific legal advice should be sought for individual circumstances.
TRAILBLAZING WOMEN THRIVING IN NICHE CONSTRUCTION FIELDS
KATE CALACOURAS
PENNY TRALAU
It’s a question Penny Tralau has been asked too many times: “Where’s your husband?”
“I would turn up at building sites and let them know there’s no husband, it’s just me. And they would look at me and say, ‘Really?’,” she recounted.
The founder and chief executive of Mould Rescue Environmental said it was something women in the building and construction industry faced a lot — but during her 16 years working in the field she has answered that question with her expertise.
“I’m a confident person — I tend to just start talking, and some builders would realise I knew what I was talking about,” she said.
Ms Tralau has been undergoing continual education since joining the industry, and is now a Master Builders NSW consultant.
Her role is diverse, and includes everything from working on litigation matters through to consulting on large building projects to ensure they are compliant.
She explained that unlike other trades, hers involved a lot of education of clients, something she believes women excel in.
“If you never serviced your car, at some point it would fail,” Ms Tralau said. “It’s the same thing with buildings. We’ve got to give them some tender loving
care, otherwise they will fail.”
She explained her expertise in building science, including a certification in indoor air quality, meant she could not only fix existing mould issues, but teach occupants of the building techniques to avoid problems resurfacing.
“Occupants of any building have a role in maintaining it,” she said.
“If you walk into a home and never clean it and never open a window, the building is not going to cope.”
She said being a woman in this role could be advantageous, relying on her soft skills to improve her relationship with clients.
“Women have a slightly different way of approaching things,” she said. “People have high emotions, but if you have effective communication, critical thinking and interpersonal skills — soft skills — it can help.”
Ms Tralau encouraged more women to consider working in her field as there is a growing need to improve building standards, especially with new legislation in NSW designed to lift the quality of all buildings.
She said there will be an increased need for people to do compliance checking, and believes it’s a field women will thrive in, as often there is a need to work with both owners and builders who have very different ways of communicating.
“Women often have higher emotional intelligence, and we can be better at reading the room.
“There are issues everywhere. Our climate zones are different and we need to account for that with different materials,” Ms Tralau said.
She said it can be a rewarding career, especially knowing you are making a difference to the long term health of someone’s home.
“I am proud of being able to say I’m part of the Master Builders’ Consulting group.”
Women are carving out niche careers in the construction industry, and leading the way through their different skill sets as the industry evolves.
MARY ARAVANOPOULOS
As someone who always wants to do the right thing, Mary Aravanopoulos is leading the way in building compliance in NSW.
“I’ve always led with integrity,” the CEO and founder of Complia Build said, explaining that through her 35-year career in construction she has looked to ensure window projects are executed correctly the first time.
More than that, Ms Aravanopoulos believes that improved compliance could reduce critical shortages in materials and labour in the long run.
“We spend $700 million a year in NSW fixing building defects. Imagine if we did it right the first time — all that material and labour used to correct the defective work could be used to build a new job. That could really help tackle our shortage of labour and material,” she said.
Her work in compliance (she is a Master Builders building consultant) comes after a long career in aluminium window manufacturing and installation, where her previous company introduced new products to the industry in Australia.
“The industry was changing at that time,” she said. “Building designs became more complex. The windows that were on the market weren’t keeping up. We were at the forefront of the transition to commercial windows,” she explained.
Ms Aravanopoulos put her ongoing success in the male-dominated construction industry down to the fact she was always hungry to learn and had the right people supporting her.
“I had an incredible mentor in the late Gary Attwood of AGWA,” she said. “It didn’t matter what I did — every step I took in the industry was backed by him. He was instrumental.”
She explained that while she had an early start in the industry (her family owned a hardware store that
she worked in), she believes more women should consider a career in construction, as their skills are incredibly valuable.
“Women have a different attitude,” Ms Aravanopoulos said, explaining that roles in compliance, in particular, are often suited to women.
“I think women have incredible skills of analysing and understanding what’s in front of them. I think it’s a good role for women.
“Women often want to do the right thing. We lead with our hearts.”
She pointed to a project done in Melbourne last year where the workforce was an equal ratio of men to women to see if a more even gender split could impact the success of a project.
“They ended up finishing the job ahead of schedule and budget,” she said. “It was more successful than a typical (male-dominated) build.”
With new legislation recently introduced in NSW, Ms Aravanopoulos said now was a good time for women to enter the compliance industry, as it evolves with new legislation..
She recalled previously being ostracised on a work site when she pointed out that other work had not been done to standard, and was non-compliant.
“It was horrible, but I would do it again,” she said, adding that she hopes new reforms will help prevent similar situations in the future and encourage more people to work in compliance.
She explained that the new laws mean that there are now powers for an “anywhere, anytime audit by Fair Trading” and would ensure more work was done to a better standard, as tradespeople who ignored subpar work could now be liable.
“At Master Builders we understand (the changes),” she said. “But we’ve got to (work together) to educate everyone.”
Celeste Maddocks
SLOWLY DOES IT
Make the best of the slow cooking season with these delish dishes.
This winter I embraced my slow cooker. It was a juxtaposition for me because I’ve always loved spending Sunday afternoons in the kitchen cooking elaborate feasts, so slow cooking seemed a bit too easy, almost like I was cheating in some way. But it has been a game changer.
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Who knew cooking a mouth-watering, hearty and nutritious meal could be so simple! It’s like dinner just cooks itself — throw in the ingredients, walk away and return four to eight hours later for a ready prepared meal. Now I’m obsessed and the slow cooker has a permanent space on the bench top.
But it’s not just about the simplicity, food done in the slow cooker is good for you. The ingredients are cooked on a low heat, so more nutrients are retained. Meat cooked with the bone still in means amino acids release from the bone, which may be good for your gut — gelatine and collagen can support your ligaments and tendons, and proline can aid healthy hair, skin and nails.
Many people assume slow cookers are only for stews, casseroles and soups, but think again. From roast lamb and lasagne to mulled wine and cakes, there’s a plethora of interesting and tempting dishes you can create in this wonder machine.
Here are three irresistible slow cooker recipes to add to your repertoire.
Slow cooker eggplant parmigiana
The tender eggplant will melt in your mouth in this hearty vegetarian parmigiana.
Ingredients
2 (about 280g each) small eggplants
2 tsp salt
60ml (1 ⁄4 cup) Massel Vegetable Liquid Stock
400g bottle Napoletana pasta sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
40g (2⁄3 cup) panko breadcrumbs
40g (1/2 cup) finely grated parmesan
250g piece mozzarella, cut into eight 5mm thick slices
Fresh basil leaves, to serve
Method
1 Slice the eggplant in half lengthways. Use a small sharp knife to score the flesh crossways, about 1.5cm apart. Sprinkle the cut sides with salt. Set aside for 20 minutes. Rinse off salt and gently squeeze dry.
2 Combine the stock and 185ml (3/4 cup) pasta sauce in a jug. Pour into a 5L (20 cup) slow cooker and evenly spread over the base. Arrange the eggplant halves, cut-side up, on top of the sauce. Spread the remaining pasta sauce onto each eggplant. Cover and cook on High for 2 1/2 hours.
3 Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Add the panko. Cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Add the parmesan and toss to combine.
4 Arrange 2 slices mozzarella onto each eggplant. Fold a clean tea towel in half and place over the slow cooker. Cover and cook on High for 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.
5 Use a large, flat spoon to carefully transfer the eggplant to serving plates. Drizzle sauce around eggplant and spoon panko mixture on top. Scatter over basil leaves to serve.
Recipe notes
Tip: Look for a slow cooker with a removable sear bowl so you can brown ingredients on your stovetop before transferring to the cooker.
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Slow cooker satay chicken
Who can resist a creamy satay chicken dish on a cold evening?
Ingredients
8 (about 1.5kg) chicken thigh cutlets, trimmed
3 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
130g (1/2 cup) smooth peanut butter
270ml Coles Coconut Cream
2 tbsp kecap manis
1 small red onion, finely chopped
Fresh mint leaves, to serve
Fresh coriander leaves, to serve
Steamed rice, to serve
Method
1 Season 4 chicken cutlets and place, skin-side down, in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Cook for 5 minutes or until golden. Turn over and cook for a further 3 minutes. Transfer to a slow cooker. Repeat with the remaining chicken cutlets.
2 Drain rendered fat from the pan, reserving 2 teaspoons. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the ginger and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Stir in
the peanut butter, coconut cream, kecap manis and 125ml (1/2 cup) water. Pour mixture over the chicken.
3 Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours or until the chicken is very tender. Sprinkle with the red onion, mint and coriander and serve with rice.
Slow cooker hummingbird cake
A rich, fluffy cake made in the slow cooker? You bet. This showstopper only takes 15 minutes to prepare and the slow cooker does the rest.
Ingredients
300g (2 cups) plain flour
200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
45g (1 ⁄2 cup) desiccated coconut
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
3 eggs, lightly whisked
180ml (3/4 cup) light extra virgin olive oil
440g can crushed pineapple
260g (1 cup) mashed banana (about 3 bananas)
105g (3/4 cup) pecans, toasted, chopped, plus extra, to serve
1L (4 cups) warm water
Store-bought caramel sauce or dulce de leche, to drizzle
Cream cheese icing
250g pkt cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature
70g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
300g (2 cups) icing sugar mixture
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Method
1 Grease a round 20cm (base measurement) cake pan. Line base with baking paper. Whisk flour, sugar, coconut, baking powder, cinnamon, bicarb and a pinch of salt in a bowl until combined. Make a well in centre.
2 Add egg, oil, pineapple and banana to the well. Stir to combine. Stir in the pecans. Pour into prepared pan. Smooth surface. Place a wire trivet or rack in a 5L slow cooker. Add enough water to slow cooker to cover base, leaving top of rack exposed. Place pan on rack. Cover and cook on Low for 3 1/2 hours or until a skewer inserted in centre of cake comes out clean. Remove from cooker and cool completely in pan.
3 For the icing, use an electric beater to beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in the icing sugar until well combined.
4 Use a large serrated knife to cut cake in half horizontally. Spread with a third of the icing. Top with remaining cake. Spread remaining icing all over cake. Drizzle with caramel. Scatter with the extra pecans.
OCT-DEC EVENTS
EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING AWARDS
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7pm
WHERE: The Star, Sydney
WHAT: The Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Housing Awards stands as the pinnacle of recognition for residential building achievements in the state. This esteemed event honors excellence, innovation, and quality within the NSW building and construction industry. The Excellence in Housing Awards serve as a platform to showcase the finest residential constructions, drawing participants from various sectors including project home builders, contract builders, apartment constructors, and builders specialising in additions, alterations, and renovations. It brings together a diverse cross-section of the residential building sector, highlighting the best and most noteworthy contributions to the industry.
OCT 19
SEPT 28
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EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION AWARDS
DATE: Saturday, October 19 at 7pm
WHERE: The Star, Sydney
WHAT: The Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Construction Awards holds a prominent status within the industry as the premier annual event for the commercial, industrial, and civil engineering sectors. These prestigious awards serve as a platform to celebrate remarkable accomplishments by companies and individuals within the building and construction industry in NSW. For nearly three decades, numerous outstanding commercial builders in NSW have been acknowledged and honoured for their exceptional construction excellence, cementing their reputation as industry leaders.
Also held on the Construction Awards Gala Night are the Safety Awards and the Apprentice of the Year Awards.
SAVE THE DATE — Sydney Build 2025
DATE: May 7 & May 8
WHERE: ICC Sydney
WHAT: Sydney Build is Australia’s largest construction and design show features more than 25,000attendees, more than 550 speakers across 15 stages, more than 600 exhibitors, networking parties, Government Hub, Architect’s Hub, live music, entertainment, DJs, celebrity guests and more.
INSTA SISTAS
@ladytradiej
J West
from North Curl Curl, Sydney
Building on NSW Coast.
Qualified lic. Carpenter, Estimator, Set Builder, Picture Hanging Service
@sparkyvos
Tamarah Vos
Public figure
Director @tts_electrics
@gee.electrical.tas
Chris & Steph Gee 0417 614 285 Carrick, TAS
With over 20 years experience in the electrical industry, Chris and Steph have you covered.
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@handypeopleco
Handy People Co.
Female owned & operated
Top 100 Women in Construction 2023
Full time with @trademutt
Brisbane Electrician always
@becs_builds
Bec Bourne
Just a girl in this big world trying to share my love for building with anyone who will listen.
EWIT Trailblazer of the year Nominee 2024
@landscaping_chick
Bec
Qualified landscaper
A VOICE FOR WOMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Women in the construction industry are helping build a better world — and yet, it’s an industry staffed primarily by men still. It’s essential to give these women a voice and a platform, which is where Florence comes in.
Florence is the place for women in construction to be heard, source industry information and share their stories to inspire the next generation.
The magazine focuses on the real stories of real women in construction, so it seemed only natural to name it after Florence Taylor, who was Australia’s first qualified female architect and the first woman to train as an engineer.
To learn more about FLORENCE go to: florenceaustralia.com.au @florencemagazine.mba @magazineflorence
