COOL BREEZE summer 2009

C o o l

B r e e z e

AE Smith’s quarterly newsletter for staff and friends brisbane cairns perth sydney

darwin gold coast mackay melbourne tasmania townsville new zealand

Summer 2009: > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Continuing to raise the bar for a safe workplace AE Smith looks to the future Multi sport magic in Noosa Good things come in small packages Brisbane rowers boost local regatta Applause for AE Smith’s Mackay customers Team Melbourne rises to the challenge Delivering on green design excellence Soaking up the challenge Gooaalll!

AE Smith sponsors Green Cities 09 in Brisbane Creating warmth at Ronald McDonald House Monash Planting fun at Werribee Zoo Season’s Greetings

air conditioning

mechanical services environmental controls

energy & water services

Continuing to Raise the Bar for a Safe wo What is AS/NZS 4801?

AS/NZS 4801 is the Australian/New Zealand Standard specifying requirements for an Occupational Health & Safety management system.

Who is NCS International?

NCS International is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Association of Testing Authorities. NATA is the peak (and only government recognised) accreditation body for laboratory and testing centres in Australia.

NCS International provides independent recognition against national and international management system standards such as AS /NZS 4801.

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A continued focus on safety at AE Smith has ensured 11 of our 16 branches are still Lost Time Injury (LTI) free at the end of October 2008.

“It is pleasing to see that much of the drive and pro activity is coming from within the branches”, says National Safety Manager, Danny O’Reilly.

Following the positive outcomes of the October 2008 Safety 1st Task Force meeting that was held in Brisbane – which included reviewing the past 12 months of second party safety audits that received high praise – the AE Smith Executive Team decided to raise the bar on safety standards.

In the quest for continual improvement, AE Smith engaged NCS International to conduct a full AS/NZS 4801 certification audit.

rkplace “This direction will allow us to fine tune our current systems which will convert to more relevant processes and an enhanced safety and wellbeing environment”, comments Danny.

The target date to achieve certification is 31 Dec 2008, and the NCS International audit team is well under way having conducted the ‘preliminary audit and document review’ at the Brisbane office on 24-25 November with the main certification audits being scheduled for the week 8-12 December at the Melbourne, Mackay, Townsville and Brisbane branch locations.

AE Smith’s Cairns team celebrating 500 days LTI free in Nov 2008 at the Cairns Esplanade Main pic (Back row, R to L): Craig Rogers, Justin Healey, Brenton Zetthinati, Alan Leeder, Ti Ward, Ben Mathiesen, Chris BalIentine.

(Front row, R to L) Andy Ashcroft, Cam Skinner, Col Cameron, Lindsay Pemberton, Jason Mills.

Summer 2009 3

AE Smith Looks to the Future How will the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) work?

Firms will compete in the market to purchase the permits they require. For some it will be cheaper to reduce emissions than to buy permits

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> > > > >

Large emitters need to acquire a carbon pollution permit for every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions Number of permits is limited (i.e. the ‘Cap’) Permits have a value carbon becomes a cost of production Emissions need to be monitored and audited Surrender permits at the end of the compliance year Permits can be traded

Source: 2008, Australian Government, Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Overview.

Did you know the price of electricity will increase dramatically with the introduction of CPRS? At $20 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) estimate that electricity prices are likely to increase by around 14% in the residential sector and 15% in the commercial sector.

Source: 2008, ASBEC, Building a Low Carbon Economy with Energy Efficient Buildings, p.3.

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New energy service business focuses on sustainability AE Smith has launched an exciting new energy services business that’s aimed at addressing the growing concern about the environmental impact of energy consumed in commercial and industrial facilities.

Emerald Sustainable Performance (EmeraldESP) is the next step in the 110 year evolution of AE Smith. Our engineering skill, practical knowhow and position as an established leader in the Australian and New Zealand air conditioning and mechanical services industry ensures we are ideally placed to partner those wanting to improve sustainable practice in a meaningful way.

EmeraldESP’s creation is in response to the growing concern about improving the environmental performance of buildings along with the foreseen demand to ensure buildings are as efficient as possible and “energy smart”, especially given the significant increases in the cost of energy and the pending legislation around carbon emissions with the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

Led by General Manager Doug Binns, AE Smith customers can now turn to EmeraldESP to find ways to turn their commitment to being efficient with energy and water management of their property assets into reality.

With a variety of tools, EmeraldESP will work with building owners to identify and implement sustainable practices to improve a building’s overall energy efficiencies.

“We recognise there is a strong desire within many organisations to take positive actions to reduce their environmental impact, especially around energy consumption and carbon emissions. There is also a lot of confusion about how to achieve the desired results in a commercially viable way, especially given the current economic and business climate”, comments Doug Binns.

“We see an opportunity to show building owners, property professionals and facility managers how to unlock the sustainable potential of buildings and generate positive commercial outcomes”, he adds.

EmeraldESP will draw on the combined expertise of Doug Binns, Cameron Buck (National Sales Manager), Michael Kiraly (previously General Manager of Facility 1st and now EmeraldESP Project Manager), and David Odd (Energy Engineer). Together, they’ve already developed a strong suite of tools and frameworks that can be applied to a variety of buildings with methods for decreasing energy and water consumption as well as improving efficiencies to reduce environmental impact – and cut costs.

Doug Binns, GM Emerald Sustainable Performance Emerald Sustainable Performance (EmeraldESP) shows building owners and property professionals how to improve the efficiency of their building assets.

EmeraldESP now makes sustainable practice and property performance possible with a toolkit that leads to superior environmental asset performance that has direct cost benefits and business advantages.

“We’re keen to highlight to customers how EmeraldESP can help reduce costs and other business benefits – important in the current business environment.”

For more information on how EmeraldESP can help your customers, contact Doug Binns on 0488 698 160.

Summer 2009 5

Multi Sport Magic in Noosa Triathlon, the ultimate multi sport, made its Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games.

The Olympic Distance triathlon is a 1500m swim, 40km bike, and 10km run.

Pic above: Leigh Graham leaves the water.

Main pic: Peter Sawyer crosses the finish line in style.

Pic far right: Martin Ross pedals hard.

November each year, Noosa in Queensland fills with thousands of fit people and fantastic sporting equipment, all vying for the top honour in one event - the Noosa Triathlon on the Sunshine Coast.

The Noosa Triathlon is one of the biggest triathlon events in Australia and attracts over 8500 competitors. In 2008 this included 11 brave souls from the AE Smith’s Brisbane team.

The Noosa Triathlon course includes a 1500m swim in a sheltered canal, a 40km cycle in an undulating road course through the area surrounding Noosa on the Sunshine Coast and a 10km run through Noosa Sound leading back to Noosa Queensland.

Three AE Smith teams competed in the three person team event where each member completes the swim, bike or run leg of the triathlon separately.

Martin Ross and Bin Higgins took things a step further and entered the Noosa Triathlon as individuals completing the 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run all by themselves!

Special mention to Paul McTigue for Best AE Smith Individual Time Trial at 1:10:21 for 40km bike. In comparison, Emma Snowsill, Australian Olympic triathlon champion, finished 1st female and completed the bike leg in 1:05:13.

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s

AE Smith Team 1 > Travis Spiteri > Billy Wiseman > Shane Donoher

2:43:32 0:30:48 1:20:18 0:52:25

Finish (14th place in category) Swim Bike Run

AE Smith Team 2 > Nic Mortensen > Gary Salkowski > Mark Jacobson

2:36:31 0:27:24 1:19:46 0:49:21

Finish (10th place in category) Swim Bike Run

AE Smith Team 3 > Leigh Graham > Paul McTigue > Peter Sawyer

2:22:31 0:30:02 1:10:21 0:42:07

Finish (5th place in category) Swim Bike Run

Martin Ross > Swim > Bike > Run

2:42:05 Finish (93rd place in category) 0:34:38 1:18:10 0:49:46

Ben Higgins > Swim > Bike > Run

2:46:00 Finish (148th place in category) 0:28:44 1:22:53 0:54:22

Did you know the Ironman Triathlon is an annual triathlon race, made famous by its gruelling length, race conditions, and sports television coverage.

Held every year in Hawaii, the race encompasses three endurance events: a 3.86 km ocean swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a marathon 42.2 km.

The current ironman course record was set in 1996 by Luc Van Lierde (Belgium), whose winning time was 8 hrs 4 mins 8 sec.

Summer 2009 7

Good Things Come in Small Packages On behalf of AE Smith’s Gold Coast team, Jeff Robinson, GM (far right) and Gary Faint, Service Manager (far left) present Graeme Smithers from Conrad Jupiters with the Customer Satisfaction Study Grand Prize.

AE Smith regularly commissions an independent market research organisation to conduct an on-going study to track the satisfaction level of existing AE Smith Service customers.

As a token of our appreciation, all participating customers receive two free adult movie tickets to say ‘Thank You’ for sharing with us their valuable time and helping us learn how we can improve our customer service.

In addition, one lucky participating customer also receives the Grand Prize - a Deluxe Gourmet Hamper stocked full with a supreme selection of provisions.

Past Grand Prize winners include Smith’s Snackfood in Brisbane, Buttercup Bakeries in Perth and Pacific Pharmaceuticals in New Zealand.

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One of AE Smith’s smallest branches is delivering big results when it comes to customer service With consistently positive results in Customer Satisfaction Surveys, AE Smith Service on the Gold Coast is measuring up as one of the company’s giants in creating customer loyalty.

“While we might be one of the smallest AE Smith teams, we still service big name customers”, comments General Manager, Jeff Robinson.

Conrad Jupiters Casino is amongst the range of customers at the Gold Coast branch, who have been impressed with the way AE Smith’s team have developed a professional and proactive working relationship.

Another Gold Coast icon, Billabong, have also noticed how the AE Smith team care about their clients, rating maintenance work highly.

“Our team are really passionate about not just doing the job well but providing great service to help our customers keep on top of their maintenance”, adds Jeff.

“It just shows how customer service is about an attitude – not the size of the team”, says AE Smith Marketing Manager, Raymond Lee. “Congratulations to the Gold Coast team. They should be proud of the results they achieved in the latest Customer Service Study”, he adds.

For more information about the Customer Satisfaction Study please contact Raymond Lee on 03 9271 1999.

Gold Coast team, Service with a smile (L to R): Jan Siepen (Customer Service Manager), Sam Phillips (Customer Service Coordinator) and John Gray (Service Supervisor).

You know what they say; “sometimes a move is as good as a holiday!”

AE Smith’s Gold Coast team have recently moved into new offices at 12/8 Fortitude Crescent in Burleigh on the Gold Coast (pic top).

Summer 2009 9

Brisbane Rowers Boost Local Regatta Men 8X Rowing Team (pic above L to R): Harry King (Cox from Nudgee College), Nick Mortensen, Travis Spiteri, Denis O’Mahony, Ben Higgins (Boat Captain), Tim Flanigan, Gary Salkowski, John Crowell (front), Simon Brown.

Not being ones to knock back a challenge, the staff from AE Smith Brisbane participated in the local “Barralong Corporate Regatta” in late October 2008 with more than a little bit of enthusiasm.

The ladies and gents from Brisbane Construction and Brisbane Service teams registered a ‘Ladies 4X (quad)’ and a ‘Men 8X’ in what turned out to be fantastic day on the West End reach of the Brisbane river for all of the competitors and their assembled supporters.

The Regatta program was preceded by six weeks of very competitive training where the AE Smith crews were on the river for 5:00 am starts on week days and a little later for their Sunday rows.

Unfortunately, AE Smith’s crews can’t lay claim to any medals on the day but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying. All have vowed to ‘give it another crack’ again in 2009, and who knows, the London Olympics is not that far away.

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Soaking Up the Challenge Off the central Queensland coast between Rockhampton and Gladstone lies Curtis Island.

Innovative training methods have become the signature style of AE Smith’s Brisbane office.

Megan Ward (above), seen here finishing the ‘King of the Mountain’ hill climb, is the first AE Smith female employee to complete the gruelling challenge.

A remote setting and unusual physical challenges set the tone for team building and creative problem solving...

Try pulling a 4WD laden with six people across the beach by rope!

See more pics on AE Smith’s Facebook site.

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Boot camps, not board rooms, inspire team work Developing new interpersonal skills, learning problem solving techniques or working on communication might usually be something assigned to a board room seminar, but at AE Smith professional development takes you to a very different setting.

The AE Smith team in Brisbane enjoys finding new and unique ways to learn and improve. It’s an approach that sees the engineering team involved in regular off site training sessions – with a twist.

They’ve pioneered the “Curtis Island Challenge” – a remote boot camp that’s been so successful it’s now in its third year. Each November, the Queensland AE Smith team travel to Curtis Island off the Central Queensland coast for a “Survivor” style weekend that combines physical challenges, unique problem solving tasks and a remote setting to harness team work, creativity and communication skills.

In rowing, teamwork is number one. St Joseph’s Nudgee College host a corporate team building event for people to row together as a team. And rowing is teamwork’s best teacher.

The Barralong Corporate Regatta is a fun rowing event for groups, businesses or individuals who want to get involved and enjoy themselves. Participants don’t have to be a rower or ever to have rowed before!

The Regatta is the major fundraising event for Nudgee Rowing Parents Support Group. The funds raised go towards the purchase and maintenance of new equipment and boats and allows Nudgee Rowing to continue to coach and develop their students in a sport that benefits their health and fitness in a team environment.

Ladies 4X Rowing Team (pic above L to R): Beth Anderson, Brooke Mapp, Lisa Davis, Karen Kratzmann (Boat Captain), Heidi Becker.

Special Thank You to Danny O’Reilly for championing the event within AE Smith Brisbane.

Nudgee Rowing provided the boats, equipment and facilities for the AE Smith Ladies and Men’s teams. They also provided coaches to teach the teams how to row in preparation for the big race day!

This year’s theme on Curtis Island was focused on safety: “There was still a significant improvement our team could make in safety and we were keen to challenge our thoughts on safety and look at how we can improve our decision making”, comments AE Smith Brisbane’s Special Projects Manager, Martin Ross.

Summer 2009 11

1 & 2. Sommer & Staff Con.

Applause for AE Smith’s Mackay Custome 3. RCG

AE Smith Mackay helps create winning partnerships AE Smith Mackay has been celebrating the success of its customers after winners were announced at the recent Master Builders Awards (MBA).

As one of the largest and oldest associations in Australia, the annual MBA Housing and Construction Awards (QLD) have become coveted industry accolades recognising excellence, workmanship and innovation.

Master Builders is Queensland's largest building industry membership organisation representing over 10,000 members including builders, subcontractors, manufacturers, industry consultants and students.

The Mackay team of AE Smith were associated with 9 of the 10 winners in the Commercial section – supplying air conditioning and mechanical services to winners in categories ranging from Health and Education Facilities, Industrial Buildings, Tourism, Hospitality, Sporting and Retail commercial projects.

For more information visit www.masterbuilders.asn.au

The AE Smith Mackay team has been providing mechanical services and air conditioning to Mackay and the North Queensland region for over 60 years – so it is proud to help its customers create a winning formula.

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Additionally, AE Smith was involved in the Project of the Year Major Award, won by Sommer & Staff Constructions.

Main pic (L to R): Aaron Woods (apprentice electrician), Shane Pulman (AC technician), Tracey Dawn Borg (sheetmetal worker), Mark Spreadbrough (Leading Hand).

4. Fergus Builders

ers 5. Carmichael Builders

“Collaborating with other builders and developers is always very rewarding, so to see it also result in industry accolades is a great bonus”, comments Mike Mulherin, General Manager of AE Smith Mackay.

2008 Master Builders “Project of the Year” Award Winner & AE Smith Mackay customer: 1. Sommer & Staff Constructions

6. Carmichael Builders

2008 Master Builders “Construction” Award Winners & AE Smith Mackay customers: 2. Industrial Buildings - $3m to $12m: Sommer & Staff Constructions 3. Residential Building (high-rise over 3 stories) - $12m to $60m: RCQ 4. Education Facilities - up to $3m: Fergus Builders 5. Sporting Facilities - $3m to $12m: Carmichael Builders 6. Retail Facilities - up to $3m: Carmichael Builders 7. Retail Facilities - $3mto $12m: Carmichael Builders 8. Tourism and Hospitality Facilities - up to $6m: Woollam Constructions 9. Commercial Buildings (office accommodation) - $3m to $12m: Fergus Builders 10. Health Facilities - up to $3m: Fergus Builders

8. Woollam Constructions

Summer 2009 13

Team Melbourne Rises to the Challenge The Eureka Tower Charity Challenge is a unique fundraising event whereby corporate teams walk or run up the stairs of the world’s tallest residential tower and raise money for disadvantaged young people both at home and abroad through the charity groups: Whitelion and Interplast Australia and New Zealand.

Special Thank You to Peter McCarthy (GM Service Melbourne) and Peter Staedler (GM Construction Melbourne) for championing and sponsoring AE Smith’s participation.

Special Thank You also to everyone who helped AE Smith raise money for Whitelion and Interplast charities.

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A team of 20 from AE Smith Melbourne stepped up one sunny October afternoon to raise money and take line honours in the 2008 Eureka Tower Charity Challenge – an annual event that calls on corporate teams to scale the iconic building’s 89 floors and 1,958 steps.

As the tallest residential building in the world, the Eureka Tower poses an interesting endurance test – and AE Smith’s team and individuals went the distance.

Stuart Gibson, AE Smith Senior Engineer, broke the course record finishing all 89 floors of Eureka Tower in an amazing 9 minutes and 10 seconds! (That’s a leg busting, heart burning 6.2 sec per floor!)

AE Smith fielded two teams in the Charity Challenge with one team finishing 3rd place overall and the other in 21st position. Just as importantly, AE Smith’s fundraising efforts also reached great heights – coming in fifth place in the list of Top 10 Fundraising Teams, contributing nearly $2,500 in donations for Whitelion and Interplast charities.

Team Melbourne Rises to the Challenge The Eureka Tower Charity Challenge is a unique fundraising event whereby corporate teams walk or run up the stairs of the world’s tallest residential tower and raise money for disadvantaged young people both at home and abroad through the charity groups: Whitelion and Interplast Australia and New Zealand.

Special Thank You to Peter McCarthy (GM Service Melbourne) and Peter Staedler (GM Construction Melbourne) for championing and sponsoring AE Smith’s participation.

Special Thank You also to everyone who helped AE Smith raise money for Whitelion and Interplast charities.

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A team of 20 from AE Smith Melbourne stepped up one sunny October afternoon to raise money and take line honours in the 2008 Eureka Tower Charity Challenge – an annual event that calls on corporate teams to scale the iconic building’s 89 floors and 1,958 steps.

“It was such a great team building event to take on a fitness challenge of this magnitude, and help disadvantaged young people at the same time”, says team captain and AE Smith Marketing Manager Raymond Lee, who also runs a Team Fitness Program for AE Smith Melbourne employees.

As the tallest residential building in the world, the Eureka Tower poses an interesting endurance test – and AE Smith’s team and individuals went the distance.

“The team is fired up and we’re already talking about next year and how we can do better – perhaps even first place team honours in both the event and fundraising efforts”, he adds.

Stuart Gibson, AE Smith Senior Engineer, broke the course record finishing all 89 floors of Eureka Tower in an amazing 9 minutes and 10 seconds! (That’s a leg busting, heart burning 6.2 sec per floor!)

In addition to now knowing each of the 1958 steps of the Eureka Tower intimately, AE Smith has a special and ongoing relationship with the Eureka Tower. During the Melbourne icon’s construction, AE Smith designed and installed all of Eureka Tower’s air conditioning systems and mechanical services. Today, AE Smith proudly provides preventative maintenance and service to the same systems we installed ensuring the environmental comfort of residents and guests alike.

AE Smith fielded two teams in the Charity Challenge with one team finishing 3rd place overall and the other in 21st position. Just as importantly, AE Smith’s fundraising efforts also reached great heights – coming in fifth place in the list of Top 10 Fundraising Teams, contributing nearly $2,500 in donations for Whitelion and Interplast charities.

Main pic (R to L): Raymond Lee, Stuart Gibson, Rory Long, Sam Waters, James Kinsella, Peter Ferguson Jr, Dallas Cooper (kneeling), Chris Wardle, Matt Paine (kneeling), Ivan Cukanic, Steve Kozsik, Peter Ferguson, David Mason, Ross Duggan, Brad Disher, Antoni Pisa, Susan Campbell, Steve Turner. Missing in action: George Zombos & Leonard Alvarezhernandez.

See more pics on AE Smith’s Facebook site.

For more information contact Raymond Lee on 03 9271 1999 or visit www.eurekatowerchallenge.com.au

Summer 2009 15

Delivering on Green Design Excellence 400 George Street, Brisbane is a 34 storey, 43,529sqm A-Grade commercial office building positioned on the corner of George and Turbot Streets in Brisbane’s CBD. It comprises a tower of three rises totalling 41,119sqm NLA, a mid rise recreational terrace, low rise food and service retail and basement car parking.

The objective behind 400 George was to create a thoughtfully designed, environmentally sustainable office environment with comprehensive supporting amenities - a vertical village.

To that end, tower floors utilise column-free floor plates that promote connectivity, creativity and productivity. A 3.1m floor to ceiling zone maximises daylight penetration and exposes panoramic views.

The podium and ground floor house a food court, restaurant and coffee shop with provision for a gymnasium and crèche.

Occupants can cycle to work, rack their bike in one of 290 secure racks and utilise extensive shower and change facilities. All forms of public transport, shopping malls and green spaces are a short walk away.

Source: www.gbca.org.au

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e

Efficient air conditioning system helps achieve 5 Star Green Star rating AE Smith is collaborating with Thiess and George Floth (Mechanical Consultant) to create one of the country’s most innovative Green Star buildings for their client, Leighton Properties and Grosvenor.

400 George Street – hailed as a new generation office tower in Brisbane’s CBD – has recently been awarded the coveted 5 Star Green Star Office Design (v2) rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

Scheduled for completion in late 2009, AE Smith have assisted George Floth with the detail design, construction and installation of the heating and cooling services for the project that’s helped the building achieve new benchmarks in “green design”.

The 5 Star accreditation awarded by the GBCA was attributed to several innovative sustainable design features, including an air conditioning system that will alone save 700,000 litres of water and 100,000kg of carbon dioxide each year through recycling and by efficient use of equipment.

1 & 2. Sommer & Staff Con.

Applause for AE Smith’s Mackay Custome

“The project team’s approach to sustainability on such a large scale building has really showcased the best of our industry”, comments AE Smith’s Brisbane Engineering Manager, Mark Jacobson.

3. RCG

AE Smith Mackay helps create winning partnerships AE Smith Mackay has been celebrating the success of its customers after winners were announced at the recent Master Builders Awards (MBA).

As one of the largest and oldest associations in Australia, the annual MBA Housing and Construction Awards (QLD) have become coveted industry accolades recognising excellence, workmanship and innovation.

Master Builders is Queensland's largest building industry membership organisation representing over 10,000 members including builders, subcontractors, manufacturers, industry consultants and students.

The Mackay team of AE Smith were associated with 9 of the 10 winners in the Commercial section – supplying air conditioning and mechanical services to winners in categories ranging from Health and Education Facilities, Industrial Buildings, Tourism, Hospitality, Sporting and Retail commercial projects.

For more information visit www.masterbuilders.asn.au

The AE Smith Mackay team has been providing mechanical services and air conditioning to Mackay and the North Queensland region for over 60 years – so it is proud to help its customers create a winning formula.

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Additionally, AE Smith was involved in the Project of the Year Major Award, won by Sommer & Staff Constructions.

“We’ve enjoyed helping our customer achieve this 5 Star Green Star milestone and working on a sustainable building design that’s sure to be used as a best practice example in the future. This project shows that you can achieve an energy efficient building by correctly selecting equipment to operate at its peak efficiency”, he adds.

Research commissioned by property developers Grosvenor and Leighton Properties shows that this building’s sustainable design will not only reduce its carbon footprint but directly contribute to the bottom line of tenant’s businesses.

As much as a 15% boost to productivity through an environmentally friendly workplace has been claimed in the research – credited to 400 George St’s unique design that will offer 150% more fresh air than typical office buildings.

The Green Star - Office Design v2 rating tool evaluates the environmental potential of the design of commercial offices (base buildings), for both new and refurbished projects.

5 Star Green Star Certified Rating signifies 'Australian Excellence'.

Source: www.gbca.org.au

For more information about 400 George Street speak to Mark Jacobson on 07 3332 0333.

Summer 2009 17

Soaking Up the Challenge Off the central Queensland coast between Rockhampton and Gladstone lies Curtis Island.

Innovative training methods have become the signature style of AE Smith’s Brisbane office.

Megan Ward (above), seen here finishing the ‘King of the Mountain’ hill climb, is the first AE Smith female employee to complete the gruelling challenge.

A remote setting and unusual physical challenges set the tone for team building and creative problem solving...

Try pulling a 4WD laden with six people across the beach by rope!

See more pics on AE Smith’s Facebook site.

18 Cool Breeze by AE Smith

Boot camps, not board rooms, inspire team work Developing new interpersonal skills, learning problem solving techniques or working on communication might usually be something assigned to a board room seminar, but at AE Smith professional development takes you to a very different setting.

The AE Smith team in Brisbane enjoys finding new and unique ways to learn and improve. It’s an approach that sees the engineering team involved in regular off site training sessions – with a twist.

They’ve pioneered the “Curtis Island Challenge” – a remote boot camp that’s been so successful it’s now in its third year. Each November, the Queensland AE Smith team travel to Curtis Island off the Central Queensland coast for a “Survivor” style weekend that combines physical challenges, unique problem solving tasks and a remote setting to harness team work, creativity and communication skills.

This year’s theme on Curtis Island was focused on safety: “There was still a significant improvement our team could make in safety and we were keen to challenge our thoughts on safety and look at how we can improve our decision making”, comments AE Smith Brisbane’s Special Projects Manager, Martin Ross.

But the boot camp experience also brings a whole range of issues into sharp focus.

“When we take the team out of their comfort zones, each individual realises their own talents and sees the talents of the group around them – a very important ingredient to success in our everyday work environments”, comments Martin.

“It’s also about having the opportunity to communicate on subjects you never get the chance to talk about”, he adds.

While each year, the Curtis Island Challenge is relished by participants as a mixture of fun, hard physical work and a significant personal achievement – it does translate to the work place, with better business results and high morale noticeable outcomes.

“If you keep looking at things the same way, you’ll keep coming up with the same solutions – and our Curtis Island Challenge provides great inspiration to our team when it comes to embarking on new projects, working with our customers and other team members.”

PT instructor, Mark “Chopper” Burges (above right) supervised all physical activity on Curtis Island, while physiotherapist, Michael Burke (above left) kept AE Smith participants fighting fit and ready to face each challenge.

Summer 2009 19

GOOAALLL! Despite beating Lincolne Scott 4-1 in a practice match only days before, AE Smith was unlucky to progress to the next round drawing all three matches against Grant Thornton, Ernst & Young, and National Australia Bank on the big day.

See more pics on AE Smith’s Facebook site.

The Corporate Games is a community-based event set up to encourage companies to support employees’ pursuit of a more active, healthier lifestyle. For more information visit www.corporategames.net.au

AE Smith competes at Australian Corporate Games AE Smith engineers, draftsmen and IT experts from Melbourne put their team work to the test at the recent Australian Corporate Games.

Together with more than 11,227 participants from 350 organisations from around the country, AE Smith stepped out of board rooms and work sites and on to sporting venues at the 16th annual event that was held in Melbourne on 21-23 November.

Stuart Gibson (also a star at the recent Eureka Challenge) took first place honours for AE Smith in the 10 km run.

Meanwhile, 15 AE Smith employees fielded a soccer team, playing in three drawn games – a sterling effort in unseasonal stormy weather that made scoring goals difficult.

The Games not only focused on winning, but rather the strong team spirit developed amongst the competing teams and individuals.

“The highlight of the Games was watching the team’s performance improve with each game”, comments Soccer Team Captain, Ivan Cukanic from AE Smith Melbourne.

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“As the day went on the team played better, growing in confidence and with a greater team understanding. At that rate if we had of made it to the final, our performance would have been that of a professional side.”

The team also committed to regular training sessions in the lead up to the Corporate Games to build skills and team work: “The training sessions were a way to have a bit of fun after a day of work, encourage us to work together and have a more active lifestyle”, adds Ivan.

Stuart Gibson finished 1st place in the 10km run around Albert Park Lake in 33 mins 41 sec. An amazing time considering the torrential rain and howling winds all 230 runners had to battle in order to reach the finish line.

Stuart beat second place and last year’s winner by more than 4.5 mins.

If you’re interested in being involved in the 2009 Corporate Games, contact Ivan Cukanic at ivancukanic@aesmith.com.au.

AE Smith Team Melbourne Soccer Squad: (Front row, L to R) Ivan Cukanic, James Kinsella, Imran Khan, Izudin Skopljak, Gary O'Sullivan, Kamil Szwed, Peter Kinsella.

(Back row, L to R) Esmir Skopljak, Rory Long, Denver Lewis, Nial Keane, Brendan Dempsey, James Collins, Leonard Alvarezhernandez, Alan Chamberlain.

Special Thank You to Reece for sponsoring the AE Smith soccer team by decking them out in AE Smith Team Melbourne uniforms.

Summer 2009 21

AE Smith Sponsors Green Cities 09 in Bris What is a Green Building?

A green building is one that incorporates design, construction and operational practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of development on the environment and occupants with strategies for addressing:

> > > > >

Energy efficiency Greenhouse gas emission abatement Water conservation Waste avoidance, reuse & recycling Pollution prevention noise, water, air, soil & light (cont. p.23)

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Green Cities is Australia’s pre-eminent annual conference and expo focusing on sustainability for the built environment. It is jointly hosted between Australia’s leading property industry associations, the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia - both of which AE Smith is a member organisation.

The Green Cities conference traditionally attracts influential leaders of the property industry and government from within Australia and overseas, including: > > > > >

Representatives from local, state and federal government Property owners and managers Investors Developers Consultants, including architects, engineers, designers, quantity surveyors and planners > Corporate real estate professionals.

Now in its third year, Green Cities is expected to attract 1,500 delegates in 2009 – a growth of 60% from its inception in 2007. In 2008 the conference attracted over 1,200 delegates from Australia, Asia and South Africa.

sbane For the first time, Green Cities will be hosted outside of Sydney. The new Brisbane venue presents easy access for Queensland based AE Smith teams and clients based in and around Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay and Townsville.

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AE Smith sponsored the Business Centre & Internet Café at Green Cities 08 in Sydney and was award “Most Popular Booth” for our efforts (pic above right).

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In 2009 AE Smith will again sponsor Green Cities and looks forward to an even bigger and better Green Building event. See you there!

Property in Australia was worth more than $6 trillion in June 2008 representing two thirds of the nation’s total assets.

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Enhanced biodiversity Reduced natural resource consumption Productive & healthier environments Flexible & adaptable spaces

Commercial office and residential building occupants account for around 23% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: GBCA, The Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings 2008, p.4&24.

Summer 2009 23

Creating Warmth at Ronald McDonald Ho More than just a partnership

AE Smith helps celebrate milestone of heart-warming charity

Every year thousands of families are faced with the trauma of coping with a seriously ill child. Overnight, the family is thrown into turmoil, with work and home commitments put on hold as the over-riding need is to be close to their sick child.

AE Smith joined House guests, volunteers, community leaders and other corporate supporters in November to celebrate the 15 year Crystal Anniversary of Ronald McDonald House Monash in Melbourne.

By providing a ‘home away from home’, Ronald McDonald House at Monash Medical Centre helps families of seriously ill children to find the strength to face another day. Situated adjacent to the hospital in Clayton the House eliminates all travel time and allows families to be close to their sick child.

Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Monash has been providing respite care for families with seriously ill children since 1993 – assisting hundreds of families whose children are receiving life saving treatment at nearby Monash Medical Centre.

Over 200 guests joined the festivities, commemorating the good will, donations and contributions that have made the extraordinary work of Ronald McDonald House possible.

AE Smith is amongst many corporate supporters of RMH Monash, providing pro bono air conditioning service and maintenance for the past several years. The special relationship means the House no longer receives bills for air conditioning service and maintenance, saving up to $10,000 every year.

General Manager of AE Smith Service Melbourne, Peter McCarthy, believes the free services offered to Ronald McDonald House is a way of fostering the organisation’s strong family values.

24 Cool Breeze by AE Smith

use Monash “We hope in some small way our support increases their capacity to care for sick kids and their families and makes their stay a little more comfortable”, comments Peter.

“It is the contributions from the community and our corporate partners that really are the heartbeat of our House”, says CEO of RMH Monash, Jennifer North OAM at the 15 year anniversary event.

AE Smith Melbourne joins their Perth, Townsville and Auckland colleagues who have also engaged in providing free air conditioning service and maintenance support to Ronald McDonald House in their respective cities.

RMH Monash relies heavily on support from the community. This Christmas, when you’re thinking about which charity you would like to help, please keep them and the families they support in mind.

To make a donation this Christmas please call Ronald McDonald House Monash directly on 03 9562 6223. Donations of more than $2 are tax deductible and can be made via cheque, money order or credit card.

“We are so appreciative of our partnership with AE Smith: the support with maintenance and service with our heating and hot water requirement are exemplary. Peter Cook has always been professional and responsive to our needs and also Michael Cook who carried out our latest maintenance check, always a pleasure to have in the House.

“Thank you again for your support to our House and our Families, when families can come back from the hospital to the security of their warm room and the comfort of the House – this is what makes the difference of being the Home Away from Home.”

Jennifer North OAM Executive Officer RMH Monash

Summer 2009 25

Planting Fun at Werribee Zoo Who is Greenfleet?

Greenfleet is the first not-forprofit forestry offset organisation to become an Approved Abatement Provider under the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative.

What does being an Approved Abatement Provider mean?

An Approved Abatement Provider has been through a rigorous application process that takes into account all aspects of the organisation’s operations. For a Forest Sink Abatement Provider like Greenfleet, this means that all aspects of their forests’ planting, carbon measurement, monitoring, maintenance, permanence and ownership is scrutinised by an independent verifier before being approved by the Department of Climate Change.

Source: www.greenfleet.com.au

26 Cool Breeze by AE Smith

The majority of Greenfleet’s trees are planted by professional contractors. Every now and then they organise planting days which allows supporters like AE Smith to get involved first hand Over two days in September 2008, several volunteers from AE Smith including AE Smith CEO, Andrew Permezel and his daughter Sophie (pic left) joined Greenfleet staff and other eager tree planters from Pacific Brands, City Scooter Couriers and Europcar to plant trees at the Werribee River floodplain within the grounds of the Werribee Open Range Zoo, in Melbourne.

About 900 trees were planted around the Zoo’s property. Despite sore muscles and the taste of dirt in their mouths, AE Smith and other Greenfleet supporters enjoyed a productive day outdoors meeting new people and giving their own special support to the environment.

As each planting day ended, AE Smith volunteers were treated to a special Safari Tour around Werribbee Zoo, during which they got to see some of the animals the revegetation program is helping.

10,000 Trees by 2010 AE Smith took another step towards reaching its goal of planting 10,000 trees by 2010 in November by purchasing another Greenfleet future offset to sequester greenhouse gases.

Greenfleet will plant 3,049 biodiverse native trees that will offset an estimated 817 tonnes of greenhouse gas emitted in the next 12 months by the AE Smith commercial vehicle fleet.

In addition to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from AE Smith vehicles, restoring native forests by planting native trees helps improve water quality, reduce soil degradation and provide essential habitat for native species.

Other AE Smith volunteers that planted trees with Greenfleet include Peter Galtry, Frank Pak, Tina Luke (top), Ella Ozberk (above) & Raymond Lee.

Summer 2009 27

Season’s Greetings Did you know the New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar.

January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 BC, when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.

To everyone at AE Smith Thank you for your hard work and team effort that makes AE Smith a great place to work and the success it is today.

With each new year comes a fresh opportunity for change and renewal. Keep an eye out early in 2009 for signs of a new AE Smith logo and strategic direction coming to life.

From my family to yours, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.

Andrew Permezel, CEO Cool Breeze is a newsletter published by AE Smith & Son Pty Ltd ABN 54 004 274 793 for its staff and customers. Subscription is free and available directly from AE Smith.

AE Smith 21-29 Miles Street Mulgrave VIC 3170, Australia

Š2008 AE Smith & Son Pty Ltd. Important Notice: The information contained in this newsletter is given in good faith.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither AE Smith, ts employees or contractors accept any liability for loss or damage arising as a result of any person acting on information contained in this newsletter. This newsletter should not be used or relied on as a substitute for detailed professional consultation with AE Smith.

t. +61 3 9271 1999 f. +61 3 9271 1994 coolbreeze@aesmith.com.au www.aesmith.com.au & printed on 100% recycled paper