Bunnings Trade Magazine May 2025

HI-TECH LOCK UP

Cutting-edge security systems to help your clients beat crime

NAIL TAX TIME

Get organised by updating your equipment with some sweet end-of-financial-year offers, as well as expert business insights 16-PAGE EOFY GUIDE

A CUT ABOVE

Tradies reveal the EOFY combo kits worth a look

Editor Erin McWhirter

Art director Katie Smith

Chief subeditor Leigh Livingstone

Editorial and styling assistant Anna Zielinkski

Account partner

Henry Kalaf-Tyrrell

Campaign manager

Ellisa Kimura

National advertising manager

Vanessa Hanlan

Advertising enquiries info@hammermedia.com.au

General magazine enquiries

trademag@bunnings.com.au (03) 8831 9777

Managing director Nick Smith

General manager: operations and partnerships Teagan Barr

Head of content: health, home & lifestyle

Gemma Sutherland

Published by Medium Rare Content

Agency Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 879 921, Level 1, 83 Bowman Street, Pyrmont, NSW, 2009, Australia for Bunnings Warehouse, ABN 26 008 672 179, Botannica 3 – Level 2 East Tower, 570 Swan St, Burnley, VIC, 3121, Australia. ©2025. All rights reserved. For any queries or feedback, please call the magazine team on (03) 8831 9777 or forward to the attention of Bunnings Magazine Team, Botannica 3 – Level 2 East Tower, 570 Swan St, Burnley, VIC, 3121, Australia.

When using power tools, always wear the recommended safety gear. Editorial content is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for legal or professional advice. Products featured in the magazine are on offer while stocks last. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Colours may vary slightly from images shown due to the printing process. Prices shown are Bunnings prices at the time of publication and some prices may vary in regional areas. Pricing is to be used as a guide only. Bunnings Trade magazine runs third-party advertisements. Bunnings does not endorse, evaluate or take responsibility for the products or claims in these advertisements. This publication is not for sale.

Product is available to buy online only at bunnings.com.au and is sold by Bunnings Marketplace. Not all items are available in all states and territories. Delivery charges may apply.

TRADIE TALK

Your need-to-know industry info and latest highlights.

Beat the overwhelm and ensure new financial year success.

The ATO answers burning claim questions and more ahead of June 30.

Tax advice from the experts on record keeping.

Clothing brand Green Hip is changing the workwear game.

Upgrade your gear before the end of the financial year.

Discover what’s new in store at our revamped and improved Tool Shops.

Award-winning electrician Faiza Nazar gives insights on how to be invaluable onsite.

Siblings Jack and Tilly share their family’s battle against motor neurone disease and how we can help find a cure.

51 BUILDING TOGETHER

How Bunnings Trade works with the assisted living sector.

52 CHECK OUT MY RIG

Sparky Jesse Azzopardi takes us through his van set-up.

55 DOOR SOLUTIONS

Get up to speed with new developments on doors.

56 TRADIE PROFILE

Find the best security set-up for the job.

Think outside the box and impress your clients with a new cladding perspective.

A builder in the know weighs in on the ideal materials for solid retaining walls.

How advances in insulation are benefitting everyone.

Former rugby league star Bryan Fletcher reflects on his time as a qualified plumber.

HACKS HUB

60 YOU’RE THE VOICE – USE IT

TIACS co-founders prepare for another year of supporting tradies alongside Bunnings.

62 THE CRACK UP

Headscratchers and funnies.

64 MEET THE REAL BOSSES

They’re the ones in charge.

66 YOU HAD ONE JOB! What could go wrong?

G’DAY, WELCOME!

We’re all after a smooth, dream run to the finish line of the financial year. Does it always happen? No. But we’re giving it a red hot go. How good would it be to have helpful tax information – straight from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and experts in the field – all in one place to keep you on track? Our handy 16-page EOFY special (pages 12-27) is just that: practical, no bull guidance and support on what can be one of the most stressful times in the calendar.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson is back giving us the lowdown on frequently asked questions (page 16), as well as lending his valuable knowledge and insight across the entire section.

Carpenter Kieren Chapman, a veteran of the industry, shares the challenges he’s overcome in running a successful business (page 12). He also gives one of our Makita combo kits a test run while eyeing it (and other products) off as potential purchases to claim before June 30. Meanwhile, builder Stuart Quine and one of his apprentices take DeWALT and Bosch products for a burl (page 22), looking at the huge deals offered by our top brands in this EOFY tool blitz.

Turn to page 26 to read about our new Tool Shop set-ups. They have the tick of approval from tradies who gave us their input into what they wanted: more power tools! How does double the range sound?

A sparky weighs in on clever ways of approaching home security with your clients (as well as the rise of electric vehicle installation) from page 36, while the TIACS boys stop by for a candid chat on mental health and how their partnership with us continues to grow each year (page 60).

And be sure to throw your support behind helping raise awareness for motor neurone disease with our charity partner FightMND. Siblings Tilly and Jack Simpson share their story and that of their late father, Steve (page 33).

The Bunnings magazine team

Bunnings respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and Elders of this Country and recognises their values, beliefs and continuing connection to land, waters, cultures and communities. May the stories, knowledge and wisdom shared on this land unite us as one people in the true spirit of Reconciliation for today, tomorrow and for our future generations.

Check out these Bunnings Trade events happening around the country.

MAY

THURSDAY MAY 8

Bunnings Trade Expo (Sydney, NSW)

Sydney Showground (12pm-8pm)

FRIDAY MAY 16

Flannel Friday Barbecue (7am-9am)*

THURSDAY MAY 22

Bunnings Trade Expo (Adelaide, SA) Adelaide Showgrounds (12pm-7pm)

JUNE

THURSDAY JUNE 5

Bunnings Trade Expo (Perth, WA) Claremont Showgrounds (12pm-7pm)

THURSDAY JUNE 19

Bunnings Trade Expo (Melbourne, Vic) Melbourne Showgrounds (12pm-8pm)

FRIDAY JUNE 27

End-of-Financial-Year Barbecue (7am-9am)*

JULY

THURSDAY JULY 31

Bunnings Trade Expo (Gold Coast, Qld) Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (12pm-7pm)

SEPTEMBER

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4

Bunnings Trade Expo (Canberra, ACT) Exhibition Park (12pm-7pm)

OCTOBER

THURSDAY OCTOBER 2

Bunnings Trade Expo (Hobart, Tas) Princes Wharf No1 (12pm-7pm)

SUPER SANDER

Suited to larger surfaces, Bosch’s 18V Professional Brushless Random Orbital Sander (Skin Only) – part of the 10-piece combo kit (see page 25) – has a large pad to take the hard work out of sanding. “Because the battery isn’t sitting right next to your hand [where it does on other brands], it feels much better,” apprentice chippy Cooper Boyle says. “When you’re using it for a long time, that’s important.”

TRADIE TALK

BRINGING THE GOODS

“Bosch feels comfortable in the hand, and the tools are balanced and easy to hold – others can be weirdly weighted,” Cooper, who reviews the combo kit alongside boss Stuart Quine, says. “With its great warranty, I reckon the Bosch kit is really good value.” Turntopage22formoreEOFYtool recommendationsinourspecial.

NEWS & UPDATES

AEG KIT DEAL

AEG’s combo kit is packed with top tools to get the job done.

We’re ramping up the deals this EOFY – and you can reap the benefits with AEG’s 18V 10 Piece Limited Edition Combo Kit ($1,999^, I/N: 0800215), featuring a hammer drill, impact driver, angle grinder, reciprocating saw, blower and so much more. Purchase the AEG combo kit in store or online before June 30, and you can also choose two of 30 bonus tools via online redemption#, including select batteries and a radio, while stocks last. Turn to page 22 for more fantastic combo kits and bonus offers.

#TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY, VISIT AEGPOWERTOOLS.COM.AU/PROMOTIONS FOR MORE DETAILS. OFFER VALID UNTIL JUNE 30, 2025. ONLINE REDEMPTION MUST BE SUBMITTED AND CLAIMED BY JULY 14, 2025. BONUS OPTIONS WHILE STOCK LASTS. KIT INCLUSIONS MAY VARY, SEE BUNNINGS TRADE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

FLEX IT POWER

Did you know PowerPass members can access trade pricing on industrial strength adhesive Sikaflex? Easy to apply, Sikaflex 11 FC Purform is a fast curing, pure polyurethane and flexible sealant known for its elasticity, UV stability and tear resistance properties to enforce a durable bond or permanent weatherproof joint.

BATTERY TRADE IN

You always need top-notch batteries, especially when you’re ripping through them on a jobsite daily. So we’ll help you upgrade by trading in your old 18V battery to get $50 off either a Makita, DeWALT, AEG or Bosch battery twin pack up until June 30*. Charge into the Trade Desk or the Tool Shop register to make the switch.

BUILD YOUR POINTS

SCAN HERE to discover more about how to earn CPD points and, as a PowerPass member, receive 10 per cent off all online courses.

Need to grow your Continuing Professional Development points?

No surprises, running a business can be tough. There’s the never-ending juggle of securing work, employing and managing staff, and paying the bills – all while keeping your skills updated.

Accruing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to stay compliant can be a constant battle for some of us. Yes, attending seminars, workshops and conferences takes you away from work, but it does help with building the points up. It can be tricky, though, to find the time.

The good news is there’s a way you can tackle short training courses when and where it suits you. Pointsbuild provides online training and professional development for Australia’s built environment industry. Courses include everything from training on codes and standards, to mental health education awareness, managing rural, regional and remote workers, and training on energy efficiency, sustainability and new technologies. There are also business administration courses on cash flow and contract management, effective employee management and best practice for hiring foreign workers – and PowerPass members can save 10 per cent on all online courses.

Here are four ways Pointsbuild can help grow your business with professional development courses...

1. BUILDING CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE TO HELP YOU LAND MORE JOBS

“Increasingly, customers want confidence and reassurance that their builder is up-to-date,” Pointsbuild Managing Director Michael Tomlinson says. “They want to know you weren’t just trained once 35 years ago, but that your current knowledge is up-to-date with the latest codes and standards, and the latest building practices.”

2. STAYING AHEAD OF COMPETITORS WITH INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

“As a general rule, both anecdotally and formally, Australia produces really high quality construction industry trades and professionals,” Michael says. “Our plumbers, electricians, roof tilers, builders, site supervisors and architects are some of the best in the world. The challenge has been less about the pathways for them to become qualified and licensed, it’s more about how they maintain their knowledge base and stay up-to-date. Learning in this way is compliance made easy.”

3. SPENDING LESS TIME LEARNING AND MORE TIME ON YOUR BUSINESS

“We’re not requiring tradies to down tools and travel to a trade show or a classroom. These are online self-paced short courses,” Michael says of the more than 180 Pointsbuild courses available through the website. “Each usually takes about an hour, with some only half an hour. This gives tradies the ability to improve their technical, commercial and legal know-how, as well as giving them tips on running a successful small business.”

4. CONNECTING

WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO HELP EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS

“The courses are created by industry professionals, and tradies have the ability to contact the experts for ongoing help and advice,” Michael says. “People are now more open to seeking out answers, asking for advice and trying to differentiate themselves by staying up-to-date.”

For more info, visit trade.bunnings.com.au/ trade-services/pointsbuild or call 1300 892 829.

HIRING

AN APPRENTICE

Chris Fortune, National Operations and System Manager – HIA Apprentices, shares why an apprentice on the books is good for your business.

After completing their training, an apprentice can become a valuable contributor to your operation, offering you the chance to shape a skilled team member to meet your specific needs However, it’s important to ensure your business is ready for the responsibilities that come with hiring an apprentice into the fold

You can hire an apprentice directly or through an Apprenticeship Group Training Organisation (GTO), such as HIA Apprentices Many businesses opt for a GTO, as it provides a complete outsourced solution, making it easier to manage the recruitment, wages, administration, entitlements, and ongoing training and mentoring of the apprentice

HIA Apprentices offers a seamless service, acting as the apprentice’s legal employer throughout the apprenticeship while placing them with your business. This allows you to focus on your core operations, while we take care of the complexities of employment

SO, WHAT DOES HIA TAKE CARE OF?

Interviewing and assessing potential apprentices

Presenting you with a selection of ideal applicants

Settling trade apprentices into your business as early as possible

Managing your apprentice’s ongoing performance, formal training and development

Relocating your apprentice through our extensive member network if, for any reason, the work falls away

The right apprentice will add value to your business because they will know, direct from the source, how to apply the skills, tools and knowledge they learn to support your business and their career

For more information on how HIA can support your business’s apprenticeship journey or if you’re looking to take on an apprenticeship, visit hia.com.au or call 1300 650 620.

OUR EXPO IS BACK

The Bunnings Trade Expo brings suppliers and tradies together to talk about the latest industry trends, biggest new tool releases and more.

Thousands have poured through the Bunnings Trade Expo doors throughout the years, nabbing special offers and one-on-one time with up to 100 suppliers and experts in some cities. We’re back in force this year, in eight locations around the country, with free food, plenty of parking and activities for the kids. As one happy camper said, “Bunnings Trade Expo is like tradie’s heaven!”

The Expo is an opportunity for tradies from all walks of life to get together and learn about what’s happening in their industry from those in the know. The brands you recognise and love will all be under one roof, giving you the first look at exciting things they’re releasing onto the market.

“[It had] great food, entertainment for all and some pretty good deals,” Damien Hursey of Doonk’s Repairs and Maintenance told us of last year’s Hobart Expo.

Be among the first to hear about innovations and trends in your industry, with a wealth of suppliers showcasing their wares and providing expert advice.

You can also take advantage of one-day-only bulk buys and exclusive deals and redemption offers – available only at the Bunnings Trade Expo – to help you save big bucks on the latest products you need to build your business.

“I had a great time at the Bunnings Trade Expo,” Melbourne builder John Smith of John Smith Constructions says of last year’s extravaganza. “Awesome deals and I can’t wait to come back.”

Look the biz next time you’re on the jobsite by scoring yourself some Bunnings Trade premium quality branded merchandise when you spend a certain amount with suppliers throughout the day. Selected items are also available to buy outright.

Whatever your interest and level of expertise – builder, tradie, renovator or owner-builder – our expert Bunnings Trade team will be available right there at the Expo for you to pick their brains and provide help identifying individualised solutions to get your next project done right.

WHAT THE TRADIES SAY

Don’t just take our word for it, here’s some things overheard at our Expo in recent years.

“If you want to grab a bargain, it’s a good day to do it.”

“Lots of fun!”

“It’s a day out, plenty of stuff to do and activities for the kids.”

“I didn’t realise you [Bunnings] provide a lot of the stuff I saw [at the Expo].”

“We had very informative interactions and saw some new brands we weren’t familiar with.”

SCAN HERE to find out more or register for your local Bunnings Trade Expo.

“We had a fantastic feed and did some shopping without guilt,” Need a Bruce home maintenance owner Bruce Sims says. “The people running things were amazing and we felt very looked after and spoiled.”

Try before you buy and get a proper feel for your next big tool purchase thanks to in-depth product demonstrations and expert tips from some of the industry’s leading suppliers.

And, for all our PowerPass members, you can skip the queues and pay for your products in the app – no fuss. Scan the QR code above for details of when your local Expo is on.

EXPLORE THE LADDER AND PPE RANGE

GETTING IT RIGHT

Keeping his business in top shape as June 30 approaches, while also taking advantage of EOFY deals, is something builder Kieren Chapman does regularly – and you can, too.

BY SCOTT ELLIS

With the end of the financial year just around the corner, tradies all across Australia are facing a dilemma.

On one hand, they’ll have their accountant telling them to take advantage of every possible claim available, to restock their supplies and to make sure the business is on track. While on the other hand, they just want to stay job-focused and keep the money coming in.

It’s a situation carpenter and builder Kieren Chapman (pictured) knows well and, after 25 years in business, he has a conclusion: Listen to your accountant.

“Tax time is the perfect opportunity to go over your profit and loss statements to figure out what you didn’t do good enough, and what you diddo well, but you could do more of,” the Director of East Coast Joinery and Carpentry in the NSW Illawarra region says.

“It all comes down to a time thing because you’ve got to be out there making money to be able to do those things… but you also have to find admin time!”

Doing things at the right time, Kieren says, is one of the most important lessons he’s learned since he started out as an apprentice cabinet maker at 16. He later became a chippy and got his builder’s licence.

And when you’re relying mainly on word-of-mouth to get new business, he’s made sure “finding time” is one of the three foundational rules he follows.

“It’s about time management, people skills and being good at what you do, really,” Kieren says.

“That’s pretty basic, but if you don’t have those three things, you’re not going to make a go of it.”

Kieren shares his main areas of focus around tax time and how these things can help his business (and yours) grow and thrive all year round.

SPEND AND SAVE: TAX TIME BUYS

Tools, cars, workwear – all of these purchases for work should be looked at now.

“Any accountant will tell you that if you have expenses coming out of your company account,

it reduces what you’re paying in tax,” he says, adding: “So it’s a no-brainer. It might not be every year that you can go out and buy a new vehicle – I know I can’t! – but if you can, now is definitely the time to do it.”

Plus, with all the combo kit deals around this time of year, it’s the perfect time to upgrade your tools.

“You can write the money off on your tax and you’re also covering all bases with the kit – instead of buying a one-off tool, you get the lot. Any tradie knows it’s one of those things where you can have a trailer full of tools, and you go to a job and think, ‘Oh, I’ll just need this’, but you end up needing five other things. A combo kit takes care of you.”

TIME MANAGEMENT: BE DILIGENT

“If I don’t accept a job, somebody else will, so managing my time is really important,” Kieren says.

“You don’t want to be looking at a job, booking it in and then making people wait a long time. It’s about keeping people happy, so you finish the job in the time you’ve allocated and quoted.”

“And besides,” he adds, “if you book yourself in to do something at a certain time on a certain day and aren’t there, people start getting annoyed.”

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY: PEOPLE SKILLS ARE ESSENTIAL

Working on people skills is another lesson Kieren has had to master. “A little bit of communication goes a long way,” he says.

“If you can call and say: ‘Look, I’m stuck in traffic’ or you’re picking something up, then [the client’s] stress levels deteriorate. You don’t get into carpentry to deal with people, but if you’re going to own a business, that’s just part of it. For some that’s natural, it’s who they are, but others might have to learn that and it really is important. If you don’t have good customer relations, then you don’t have a good business. It’s as simple as that.”

BE RELIABLE: WORD OF MOUTH MATTERS

“Do it once, do it right and look after people,” Kieren says. “That doesn’t mean not making money, but as long as you’re not flogging people on costs and you do a good job, word will get around. It’s a big place where I work in the Illawarra, but it’s also a small place and people talk. So if you don’t do a good job and you don’t do the right thing by people, then you’re not going to last. Get it right and if something goes wrong, fix it – that’s all there is to it.”

It’s about time management, people skills and being good at what you do, really. That’s pretty basic, but if you don’t have those three things, you’re not going to make a go of it.

KIEREN CHAPMAN, EAST COAST CARPENTRY AND JOINERY OWNER

BE FLEXIBLE: MOVE WITH THE TIMES

Kieren says there have been many changes in the industry since he began, especially in the tool world.

“When I first started as a chippy, there were a lot of three-and-a-half nails being hammered in, now it’s all about nail guns,” he says. “Impact drivers, drop saws, track saws... we just didn’t have them back then. There’s always something better and more efficient coming along now, and that makes things a lot easier for us.”

STAY READY: BE A ONE-STOP SHOP

Kieren is a regular at Bunnings, where he and his crew are always “grabbing stuff off the shelves” or taking advantage of the trade-specific departments, including the Frame and Truss service.

“We know what we’re looking for and we know that we can get it [at Bunnings],” he says.

Which is important now that he, his apprentice, other tradesmen and his accounts manager pride themselves on being a one-stop-shop for clients who need pretty much any job done.

But some things never change, Kieren says, and if you get the basics right – and make sure tax time is when you check everything is still on track – life becomes much easier.

“I’ve been in this business for a long time, and I enjoy what I do,” Kieren says. “I’ve got good guys who work with me, we have a laugh and we do good work, which we’re proud of.”

EOFY BEST BUYS

THE COMBO KIT

MAKITA 18V 3X5.0AH BRUSHLESS 10 PIECE COMBO KIT, $1,999*, I/N: 0775876

“I’ve used Makita for a long time because they’re good tools,” Kieren says. “You get what you pay for with tools. Makita might be a bit more expensive, but it’s because they’ve got the quality. Plus, they are harder wearing; our tools get flogged and they cop the beating!” he says, adding: “We use everything – from jigsaws to hammer drills and the recipro – all the time ”

THE FRAMER

MAKITA 18V BRUSHLESS 90MM FRAMING NAILER, $859*, I/N: 0718720

“People are going to love the rapid-fire options,” Kieren says of Makita’s latest framer to hit the market. “Paslode, Makita and HiKOKI are all very similar in their framers, but this Makita one doesn’t have a gas cylinder that you need to think about. Having a battery-operated, rapid-fire nail gun is a great selling point.”

KIEREN’S TAKE ON PREFABRICATED FRAME AND TRUSS

Reduces labour output and costs. “It all comes down to time and money,” Kieren says. “Having them built offsite, you can have a house frame stood in a week.”

Deliveries are timed and aligned to your build schedule.

Superior quality control. “I built a granny flat using the Bunnings Frame and Truss service recently and didn’t have a single problem,” he says. “The last thing you want is problems on a job.”

Goes up quickly. “Every hour that we’re not making progress means we’re not making money, and prefabricated frame and truss really speeds things up.”

SCAN HERE for more info on how the Bunnings

you.

THE SANDER

MAKITA 18V RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER (SKIN ONLY), $249*, I/N: 6290239

When working on the tools all day, ergonomics are important – and this sander has been designed with operator comfort in mind. Its three speed settings (7000, 9500 and 11,000 OPM) and large 2.8mm random orbit action mean faster material removal on the job and a swirl-free finish. With the dust box providing efficient through-the-pad dust collection, you won’t be eating dust – making for a cleaner work environment for all.

WHEN USING POWER TOOLS, ALWAYS WEAR THE RECOMMENDED SAFETY GEAR. *PRICING IS VALID FROM MAY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2025 AND IS INCLUSIVE OF GST. SOME PRODUCTS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. SEE IN STORE FOR PRODUCT AVAILABILITY. KIT INCLUSIONS MAY VARY, SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

Frame and Truss team can help

TAX TALK

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson answers burning questions ahead of June 30.

BY JANE PARBURY

Q: Rob, for starters, how do I know if I need to lodge a tax return?

A: Basically, if you’re running a business, you’ll need to lodge a return. For individuals, a number of factors apply and you may be required to lodge even if your total income is below the current tax-free threshold of $18,200. Have a look at the Do I Need To Lodge tool on the ATO website to help navigate this question, or ask a tax professional for advice.

Q: Which business deductions can I claim?

A: You can deduct most expenses for running your business, including motor vehicle expenses, travel expenses, workers’ wages and super contributions, as well as more incidental items like drop sheets, oil, computer consumables and insurances. But the expenses you claim must be directly related to your business, and if you use a vehicle or something like a laptop for both business and personal use, you can only claim the work usage proportion. You’ll need to keep records to prove your claim.

Q: Am I considered a sole trader or someone who earns personal services income? And is personal services income reported differently?

A: Good question. Personal services income (PSI) is income produced mainly (more than 50 per cent) from your skills or efforts as an individual. The PSI rules can affect things like the deductions you can claim, so it’s important to know if they apply to you. You can receive PSI in almost any industry, trade

ROB THOMSON

ARE YOU AN APPRENTICE OVER 18? YOU’RE ENTITLED TO THE

or profession, and the PSI rules can actually apply to sole traders, partnerships, companies or trusts. If you’ve worked out that your income is PSI and you’re operating as a sole trader, you report any PSI you’ve received in your individual tax return. You can do this online through myTax or via a registered tax agent. Find out more about PSI and how to correctly record and report it at ato.gov.au/psi.

Q: If I do an online course, can I claim the fee?

A: Yes, if the self-education expenses directly relate to your employment as a tradesperson or apprentice and, at the time you incur the expense, it either maintains or improves the skills and knowledge you need for your current duties, or results in (or is likely to result in) an increase in your income from your current employment. You can also claim a deduction for the cost of seminars, conferences and training courses that relate to your work as a tradie or apprentice.

Q: I’ve added a bull bar and a spotlight to my work truck for camping trips – can I claim them in my return?

A: It depends. You can only claim a deduction for items to the extent that they are used for business or income earning activities. If the bull bar and spotlight are being used for personal reasons only, such as camping for leisure, then you can’t claim a deduction for them.

Q: My partner moved in. Do I have to tell the ATO?

A: If you live with your partner on a genuine domestic basis, in a relationship as a couple, they will be your spouse for tax purposes, so it’s important to include your spouse details in your tax return to ensure you are taxed correctly. Your partner should also update their personal contact details with the ATO.

Q: My dog acts as site security. Can I claim anything related to him or his care?

A: Only if your work duties require you to use a guard dog; it’s a requirement of your employment that you provide your own guard dog; and you have trained the dog to be a guard dog from a young age. The claim must only be for the dog’s use at work, not while treated like your pet or your family’s pet.

Q: How do I correct a mistake on my tax return?

A: However you have lodged your return – whether online, through a registered tax agent or on paper – you can request an amendment using ATO online services, accessed through myGov. Just wait until the ATO has finished processing your original tax return before you put in for an amendment.

Q: I’m still studying, but working part-time. Should I be paid super?

A: If you’re over 18 and an employee (no matter how much you’re paid), you’re entitled to the super guarantee – which is currently 11.5 per cent of your earnings, rising to 12 per cent from July 1, 2025. If you’re under 18, you’re entitled to super if you work more than 30 hours a week.

Q: I’m a qualified chippy with ABN, engaged as an independent contractor and paid by the hour. Should the company I work for pay my super?

A: If you’ve been engaged under a verbal or written contract mainly for your personal labour and skills, and you’re doing the work yourself (not farming it out to someone else), you could well be eligible for super payments. This isn’t the case if you’re contracted as a company (even as a sole trader), and you’ve been hired to complete a specific task. It can be confusing, so check the ATO website for more information, or consult a tax professional.

ON THE RECORD

Good record keeping is essential to the smooth running of your business. Our experts share their tax tips to help keep you on track with your admin.

EXPERT PANEL

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will often require records to back up what you’ve claimed on your income tax return, whether it’s your declared income or the deductions you’ve made. But who’s got time for endless paperwork when you’re running a business? Make life easier with our experts’ handy hints.

STAY ON TOP OF RECORD KEEPING

Build healthy reporting habits now, says ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson. “Good record keeping makes things easier at tax time,” he says. “Accurate and complete records help you keep track of your income and stock levels, know what expenses you’ve incurred, know your cash

flow position, help with your business decisions and planning, and prepare for your business activity statements and tax returns.”

HOLD ON TO YOUR RECEIPTS

Keep receipts for everything work related.

“If you plan to claim deductions for work-related expenses at tax time, you must keep good records throughout the year to substantiate those claims,” Rob warns. You need receipts or invoices (which can be digital) demonstrating the amount, date of purchase, nature of the goods or services, supplier, and the date the receipt or invoice was produced.

“One of the big mistakes I see people make is not hanging onto their receipts because they

OUR EXPERTS’ ADVICE FOR GOOD RECORD KEEPING

Capture receipts and reconcile accounts regularly. This allows you to generate real-time reports for your business, helping you make informed decisions about your firm’s future

Set funds aside for GST, PAYG, super and tax to ensure you can meet your tax obligations

Store invoices, receipts and important documents digitally

Track every transaction, even for the smaller expenses

Automate your bookkeeping with accounting software

Reconcile bank transactions with your accounts regularly to maintain financial clarity

Identify and manage bad debts quickly – online systems let you issue invoices and track payments in real time, helping you chase outstanding debts efficiently

Keep your financial records for at least five years

think they can just use their bank or credit card statement,” Rob says, adding: “In most cases, a bank statement (on its own) is not sufficient evidence to support a work-related expense claim.”

USE ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE

Embrace using accounting software, such as Xero, and a receipt capture app, like Dext or Hubdoc, suggests Michele Grisdale, founder of Rainforest Bookkeeping and member of the Xero Partner Advisory Council.

“These tools allow you and your team to capture receipts on the go and email documents directly to the app, ensuring transactions are reconciled quickly and giving you an accurate picture of your business performance,” she says. “Plus, it saves you time

and stress by eliminating the need to backtrack and search for these documents. An added bonus of going digital? It also keeps paper clutter out of your vehicle and removes the need for long-term physical storage of purchase information.”

And remember, you can store and organise your eReceipts from Bunnings purchases in one convenient place within the PowerPass app – such a time-saver when the end of the financial year rolls around.

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL FUNDS SEPARATE

Using an online accounting system makes keeping personal and work spending separated a lot simpler.

“Once your bank feeds are active, you can easily track where your funds are going and accurately code transactions to the correct general ledger accounts,” Michele says. “Many small business owners just starting out forget that not all business funds are personal income.”

AUTOMATE YOUR ADMIN

Automating your business recording requirements could help take the sting out of essential paperwork.

“For sole operators and small businesses, the best approach is to maintain digital records using an app or cloud software that automates as much of the process as possible,” says Kim Owen-Jones, General Manager SME Direct for MYOB. “For example, link your bank transactions, capture receipts using your phone, and categorise expenses in real time.”

If you have multiple jobs, adds Kim, organisation becomes even more crucial. “You need to clearly separate income streams and associated expenses,” she says. “Business management tools allow you to create jobs, categories or tags, making it easy to track deductions and earnings per role.”

USE A LOGBOOK APP FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Logging the business use portion of a vehicle that is driven for both work and home use is a must.

“A logbook app, for instance, eliminates the need for manual entries, providing an automated and accurate record of business-related vehicle use,” Kim says. “This simplifies tax reporting and helps businesses claim the right deductions without the hassle of sifting through paper logs. Similarly, digital receipts make expense management more seamless, ensuring every transaction is captured, categorised and stored securely for financial reporting and auditing.”

WORK MODE

Finally! Women’s workwear that fits the body. Caulker Camila Bernal shares the clothing she loves that’s made for safety and practicality, as well as how she prepares for tax time.

BY ERIN MCWHIRTER

The season is turning and that means getting up in the dark becomes a battle.

After nine years as a caulker, Colombian-born, Melbourne-based Camila Bernal knows the drill well. Recognised for her hard work and exceptional caulking prowess, the woman behind business Camila the Caulker shares her keys to success, as well as why becoming a brand ambassador for Green Hip* – the first dedicated women’s workwear brand launched in Australia, with products designed to help women feel physically and emotionally safe onsite – is empowering ladies (and keeping them warm) around the country.

Q: How would you describe your overall workwear style?

A: I like to keep things comfy and practical so I can get my work done without feeling restricted. I still want to feel good in what I wear though. Durable fabrics are a must since my job can be tough on clothes, but I also like adding a bit of my own style so I feel confident onsite.

Camila’s Tool Pick

KINCROME SAFETY FOLDING SCRAPER, I/N: 5760288

“This tool is honestly a lifesaver for cleaning surfaces before I silicone. What I love most is it’s super safe to use. It’s also small, practical and an absolute essential in my bag.”

Green Hip All Women Overalls in Blue, I/N: 0708911*

Q: What are your creature comforts when it comes to working in winter?

A: Layers, layers and more layers! A good beanie is essential to keep warm, and I always wear long sleeves and trousers – unlike the Australian guys I see who somehow survive in shorts? My go-to in winter is my Green Hip overalls because they’re warm, but still easy to move in and so cool.

Q: Why is Green Hip something you would wear regularly onsite?

A: It makes me feel comfortable and confident. Their gear is made for women so it actually fits well, which makes a huge difference. When you’re one of the only women on a job, it’s nice to wear something that feels like you while still being practical for work. I love being able to support a brand that truly backs women in trades.

Q: You have been a caulker for nearly a decade after a career in graphic design. What do you enjoy about the profession?

A: I love being part of the final stage of a project. Clients often say my work is like the ‘cherry on top of the cake’, and I totally agree. There’s something so satisfying about making everything look polished and complete. I also enjoy colour-matching silicone to different surfaces, it’s like a little art project every day. It’s not just about sealing gaps; it’s the final touch that makes everything look polished and complete.

What started as just a job soon turned into a career. Being in such a male-dominated industry hasn’t always been easy, but I love what I do and I hope to inspire more women to step into the trades with confidence.

Q: What are your other hopes for women in construction and other trades over the next few years?

A: I’d love to see more women getting into trades and feeling confident in their skills. There’s so much room for us in this industry. I think mixed-gender teams often work better because we bring different strengths to the table. I’d also love to see more mentorship programs and opportunities for women to thrive in the trades. Women bring fresh ideas and different ways of problem-solving. The more diversity there is in an industry, the stronger it gets. Supporting women in trades also helps break old stereotypes and shows that we belong here just as much as anyone else.

Q: Lastly, it’s almost the end of the financial year. What do you do to get your business in order?

A: As the financial year wraps up, I take time to check in on how my business is going and plan for the year ahead. It’s the perfect moment to reflect on what’s working, what can be improved and set new goals. And, let’s be real, getting

everything sorted for tax time is a full-time job in itself! But one of the best parts is taking advantage of the EOFY sales to stock up on the tools I need. It’s the perfect excuse to upgrade my gear and grab some great deals.

Green Hip Short Sleeve HiVis Shirt in Orange/Blue, I/N: 0708856*; Green Hip Skinny Flex Pants in Khaki, I/N: 0708960*

Green Hip Long Sleeve HiVis Reflective Shirt in Orange, I/N: 0708473*; Green Hip Reflective Cargo Pants in Navy Blue, I/N: 0708482*

Green Hip Long Sleeve Shirt in Navy Blue, I/N: 0708776*; Green Hip Give Cargo Pants in Khaki, I/N: 0709191*

Check out our other ranges of men’s and women’s winter lines online or in store now, including DeWALT and Craftright workwear# .

KITS TOOL UPGRADE

The end of the financial year is the perfect time to refresh your work gear, and bag some redemptions and bonuses in the process.

BY SCOTT ELLIS

How good is it to upgrade your tools just before tax time? The sweet feeling of a new tool in your hands is made even sweeter when you know you’ve nabbed it at great value or with an EOFY redemption.

It’s something Stuart Quine (pictured inset left with his apprentice Cooper Boyle), who’s been in the game for more than 26 years, thinks about as June 30 approaches.

“If you haven’t already done it, catch up with your accountant soon for a little pre-end-of-year financial meeting,” the Director of QBC Constructions says.

“There’s always something you can fix up before June comes to a close and if that means it gets you a whole stack of new tools, then it’s happy days!”

As a builder of high-end homes in the South Coast region of NSW, Stuart knows what a big difference having the right tools can make.

“They go hand in hand – a quality tradesman with quality tools gets the best outcome,” he says.

Tool brands have evolved in their variety and offerings over the years, but Stuart, whose first set as an apprentice was DeWALT, points at their new 15-piece kit as a great place to start.

“With the new kits, you’re done and dusted in one hit,” he says. “You’ve got pretty much everything you need to run a carpentry or small trade business.”

Meanwhile, fourth-year apprentice carpenter Cooper says the Bosch 10-piece combo kit has the power, usability and a tempting price point.

“Their tools are ergonomical, they have a great warranty and what’s included in the kit covers a lot of ground,” he says.

We bailed the boys up on one of their building sites in Kiama Downs to get their takes on some of the tools available in the DeWALT and Bosch combo kits.

WHEN USING POWER TOOLS, ALWAYS WEAR THE RECOMMENDED SAFETY GEAR. *PRICING IS VALID FROM MAY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2025 AND IS INCLUSIVE OF GST. SOME PRODUCTS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. SEE IN STORE FOR PRODUCT AVAILABILITY. KIT INCLUSIONS MAY VARY, SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

STUART’S VERDICT ON...

DEWALT 18V XR 15 PIECE COMBO KIT, $2,999*, I/N: 0775971

HAMMER DRILL

DEWALT 18V XR PREMIUM 3 SPEED BRUSHLESS HAMMER DRILL DRIVER (SKIN ONLY)

With all-metal transmission, anti-rotation technology and three hammer speeds, this is a compact, but powerful addition to the DeWALT range.

“Compact drills are a lot smaller than they used to be, so it’s versatile if you need to use it in small spaces or above your head,” Stuart says. “But it’s still got plenty of power. I drilled into steel with this, no problems, and it was great in timber, too.”

IMPACT DRIVER

DEWALT 18V XR LI-ION BRUSHLESS PREMIUM 3 SPEED IMPACT DRIVER (SKIN ONLY)

Delivering 282Nm of torque in a 123mm body, this is perfect for a wide range of applications and industries.

“I love this tool,” Stuart says. “It’s lightweight and compact, which is great because we carry it around a lot, so you don’t want it to be bulky, but there’s still power. I drove 100mm batten screws into timber over and over with this and it wasn’t fazed.”

MULTI TOOL

DEWALT 18V XR LI-ION CORDLESS BRUSHLESS MULTI TOOL WITH SPEED SELECTOR (SKIN ONLY)

Tool-free blade changes, dual triggers for comfortable operation in either hand, a two-position side handle and a universal accessory adaptor make this one of the most versatile multi tools on the market.

“Oh, this is a really groovy tool!” Stuart says. “We use these for a lot of different applications now so having a range of different heads really is important, and this one has such a wide range. I find the sanding pad in particular is handy for intricate work.”

ANGLE GRINDER

DEWALT 54V FLEXVOLT XR LI-ION CORDLESS BRUSHLESS 125MM (5”) ANGLE GRINDER (SKIN ONLY)

This grinder is hard to beat with its 54V motor and electronic brake and clutch for quick response.

“It’s the perfect size for all onsite tasks and the weight balance on this one is just so good,” Stuart says. “I was grinding flat steel with it and it ate it for breakfast, no dramas. It’s got heaps of grunt.”

RECIPROCATING SAW

DEWALT 54V FLEXVOLT XR LI-ION CORDLESS BRUSHLESS RECIPROCATING SAW (SKIN ONLY)

Featuring the same power as its corded cousin, a maximum cut capacity of 300mm (in wood) and tool-free blade changes, this reciprocating saw is (sorry!) cutting edge.

“It has a really nice weight, feels good in the hand and has a good power-to-weight ratio, which sometimes can be a little bit of a trick for these tools. It’s also the things like being able to click in a blade with one hand that really make a difference.”

CIRCULAR SAW (PICTURED LEFT)

DEWALT 54V FLEXVOLT XR LI-ION CORDLESS BRUSHLESS 184MM (7”) CIRCULAR SAW

(SKIN ONLY)

Everything about this, from a rafter hook to electronic brake, an illuminated cut line and improved dust extraction will make this tool a chippy’s favourite

“I’ve used DeWALT for more than 20 years and I reckon this is probably the best cordless saw out there,” Stuart says “A few of my boys already have one It’s a hard-working tool with a nice feel to it, plus the dust extraction and the lighting system is spot-on ”

THE APPRENTICE’S TAKE PLANER

DEWALT 18V XR LI-ION CORDLESS BRUSHLESS PLANER (SKIN ONLY)

With a powerful brushless motor, this high-performance, well-balanced planer boasts a long run time.

“This planer is definitely better than the one I had been using,” Cooper says. “The motor on my old one would get bogged down if you went deeper than 2mm. This has more power, making work a lot easier!” *PRICING IS VALID FROM MAY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2025 AND IS INCLUSIVE OF GST. SOME PRODUCTS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. SEE IN STORE FOR PRODUCT AVAILABILITY. KIT INCLUSIONS MAY VARY, SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

WHAT’S THE REDEMPTION OFFER?

If you purchase this kit online before June 30, 2025, you can redeem three of 25+ bonus tool options, including select batteries and chargers. If you purchase DeWALT’s 10-piece kit, you can redeem two of 25+ bonus tool options, including select batteries and chargers. Both offers are redeemable via the DeWALT website guaranteedtough.com.au T&Cs apply. Visit website for details.

ROLL IT OUT

TOUGHBUILT STACKTECH 3 PIECE COMBO, I/N: 0578549

COOPER’S VERDICT ON…

BOSCH 18V PROFESSIONAL 10 PIECE

3X5.0AH KIT, $1,999*, I/N: 0781989

BLOWER

BOSCH 18V BLOWER (SKIN ONLY)

The blower is versatile and powerful, reaching air speeds of up to 270km/h for quick clean-up, clearing drill holes and many other applications.

“Most blowers are pretty similar, but this one is a bit quieter and, like a lot of the Bosch tools, it feels good in the hand. Both of those are super important if you use it a lot – and we use blowers all of the time, even for things like blowing air into your boots when it’s a hot day or away from work for helping to start the fire when you’re camping!”

IMPACT DRIVER

BOSCH 18V BRUSHLESS

IMPACT DRIVER/WRENCH (SKIN ONLY)

Featuring a variable speed trigger and Bosch’s improved two-in-one tool holder, this tool will become a go-to for many tradies.

“You can put a socket on this as well as the normal hex impact bit and I’ve never seen that before!” Cooper says. “That means you can quickly swap between the usual impact tools to a half-inch socket, which just makes it so much more usable.”

“We use storage like this all of the time onsite, but we usually have to leave them out the front of where we are working because some are hard to carry through the site. This is great, as you can wheel it straight in, or take off the compartment you need and carry it with you to keep all your tools together.”

ANGLE GRINDER

BOSCH 18V BRUSHLESS 125MM GWS 18V-7

ANGLE GRINDER (SKIN ONLY)

Light and slim, but still powerful, and with multiple safety features, this is perfect for a site where varied surfaces need cutting or grinding.

“I really like this one,” Cooper says. “It’s got nice controls and ergonomics. Once again, it feels really nice in the hand and we had no dramas using it. We had a grinding disc on it and it just kept going; it did a great job very quickly.”

RECIPROCATING SAW

BOSCH 18V BRUSHLESS RECIPROCATING SAW (SKIN ONLY)

An everyday saw with power equivalent to a 1100W corded saw in a light, ergonomically-styled body

“I prefer light tools because when you’re using them all day long you feel it if they’re heavy,” Cooper says.

“This recipro still has the grunt, but it somehow feels lighter and easier to use for the day-to-day jobs.”

RADIO

BOSCH 18V BLUETOOTH JOBSITE RADIO GPB

18V 2 C (SKIN ONLY)

Battery or mains powered, this Bluetooth/FM/AUX is light, strong and serves as a USB charging station.

“The site radio we’ve got is huge and it’s a struggle to lug around, but this is smaller so you can move it easily. It’s also got USB ports to recharge your phone if you need to – that’s pretty handy!”

THE BOSS’S TAKE

CIRCULAR SAW

BOSCH 18V 165MM CIRCULAR SAW (SKIN ONLY)

A great all-rounder, this compact saw features a powerful brushless motor, is long-lasting off one battery and works with all Bosch vacuums.

“I hadn’t used the Bosch circular saw a lot, but this cut through timber just fine,” Stuart says. “It’s got a great illuminating light, which is handy, and the dust extraction worked really well. Bosch has stepped up their game a lot with this one!”

WHAT’S THE REDEMPTION OFFER?

If you purchase this kit before June 30, 2025, you can walk away with a Bosch 18V Professional 1500W 254mm Dual Bevel Mitre Saw. T&Cs apply. Visit trade.bunnings.com.au for details.

WHAT’S NEW, YOU ASK?

Tools from leading commercial brands have been expanded in the new Tool Shop format.

TOOL SHOP OVERHAUL

As the end of the financial year approaches, head to our overhauled in-store Tool Shop for huge deals and extended ranges across leading brands.

BY SCOTT ELLIS

If there’s one thing tradies agree on, it’s that you need the right tool to get the job done effectively. So when it came time to revamp our in-house Tool Shop, we decided to ask the experts – you! – exactly what you wanted to see.

“We walked tradies from all different trades through our Tool Shop and asked them what they were looking for and what they wanted,” Bunnings National Power Tool Buyer, Daniel Gibney, says.

“By far the biggest feedback was they wanted a bigger range of power tools across all the leading brands. We decided to rework those areas and tailor the spaces to give them the best that we can offer.”

That has led to a complete redesign of the Tool Shop areas in some stores and thousands of new offerings across multiple ranges, all designed to enhance Bunnings as a true one-stop shop for tradies.

“We have extended ranges across leading power tool brands that resonate most with our trade customers,” Daniel says. “We’ve also introduced extended ranges across hand tools and tool accessories to ensure we are best meeting our customer needs. These include extensions to existing brands in hand tools like Stabila, but also the introduction of new brands including SOLA and Tracer (a leading brand in innovative marking solutions).”

IS IT STILL EASY TO NAVIGATE YOUR WAY AROUND THE TOOL SHOP AREA?

To fit more of the tools customers want, the Tool Shop has taken an almost Tetris-like juggle to make them fit.

“We thought really deeply about how to best use our space to give our customers the best range,”

Daniel says.

A more logical approach to the layout has also been designed with trade customers in mind, with power tools in the middle bays and accessories – with over 1000 new items – on either side in some stores.

“Not everyone shops for power tools every day, a lot of people want accessories and hand tools

because they are consumables,” Daniel explains. “So they’re going to be on their own either to the left or the right.”

NEW BATTERY BAR

Another major change Bunnings Trade customers asked for is the addition of an improved Battery Bar.

“We know that tradies go through their batteries faster than anyone else, so we wanted to provide a destination where you can see the whole range right in front of you,” Daniel says.

The idea, he adds, is to get tradies powered up and back onsite as quickly as possible.

“We’re now running a trade-in offer* where, if you bring in an old battery from any trade brand, you can get $50 off a twin pack of batteries from Makita, DeWALT, Bosch or AEG – helping tradies stay powered up while also recycling batteries.”

REAP THE REWARDS: TAX TIME DEALS

Even better, Daniel says, the Tool Shop changes and the benefits that come with it will be happening in the run-up to the most important period of any tradie’s calendar: tax time.

The ease of purchase and the fact everything can be bought through a PowerPass account – which gives tradies further value – makes buying new tools a lot easier.

“Add to that you get all your purchases and

*VISIT TRADE.BUNNINGS.COM.AU FOR FULL T&CS

WHEN USING POWER TOOLS, ALWAYS WEAR THE RECOMMENDED SAFETY GEAR. SOME PRODUCTS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. SEE IN STORE FOR PRODUCT AVAILABILITY.

invoice transactions summed up for you [in the PowerPass app] and it really is 100 per cent a no-brainer for convenience,” Daniel says.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW TOOL SHOP... AND MORE!

Free delivery of tool purchases over $99*

SOLA spirit levels and Tracer markers added

Doubled the space of Makita’s 18V range

Doubled the space of DeWALT’s cordless range + FLEXVOLT added Stabila spirit level range doubled Trade specialists in store 134 TRADE (134 872) available to PowerPass members. Speak directly to the team for end-to-end support with stock enquiries, quotes and all things trade Claim purchases at tax time We’ll match or better equivalent competitor offers*

NEW AND ESSENTIAL TOOLS

Grab these products before EOFY, and you’ll be laughing.

MAKITA 18Vx2 165MM BRUSHLESS PLUNGE CUT SAW KIT, I/N: 0632542

With a 1.4m track, two 5.0Ah batteries, dual port rapid charger and case, this is perfect for accurate and smooth cutting across a range of materials.

DEWALT 18V GRABO SUCTION LIFTER, I/N: 0692851

The go-to for grabbing and lifting construction materials, featuring a high-load capacity, powerful suction and built-in pressure sensor.

STABILA 1800MM 96-2 SPIRIT LEVEL, I/N: 0858746

An ultra-rigid aluminium profile and reinforcing ribs for stability make this 1800mm level one of the most accurate.

TRACER DEEP PENCIL MARKER WITH LEADSET, I/N: 0673715

Suitable for ceramics, plastic, wood, metal and more, this all-purpose construction pencil is great for marking depths up to 145mm.

MY TIPS FOR APPRENTICES

One year on from winning the Bunnings Trade Women in Apprenticeships Award, fourth-year electrical apprentice Faiza Nazar shares what she’s learned during her training.

BY JULIE LEE

When Faiza Nazar moved from Pakistan to Australia, she felt overwhelmed by the choice of many possible career paths that previously hadn’t been open to her. She initially wanted to try every trade on offer, but settled on electrical as the right option for her. Now in the fourth year of her apprenticeship, working at Downer Utilities in Victoria, Faiza says the main lessons she has taken on board have been about safety, teamwork and having the confidence to back yourself.

IF YOU WORK SAFE, YOU GO HOME SAFE

“From the start, I knew my work was dangerous,” Faiza says. “With electricity, one mistake can kill you in seconds, not minutes. We’re all aware of that and we respect it. We look out for each other. If there’s something unsafe happening, we all stop work.”

TEAM PLAYERS ARE PUNCTUAL

“Punctuality is important. On most of our sites we have a pre-start meeting right at 7am, where we talk through the plan for the day and the risks. It’s very important to attend that. If you want to be successful in your career, you need to be a team player. Being on time can show the rest of your team that you belong.”

YOU NEED TO SPECIALISE

BACK YOURSELF AND BE OPEN TO LEARNING, ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE

FAIZA NAZAR SAYS

“I want to try everything. I’m doing an electrical apprenticeship, but at the same time I want to do carpentry, I want to do painting and I want to learn to drive trucks! When I started this apprenticeship though, I realised that I needed to be dedicated to the work I have chosen and I can’t do everything else at the same time. My colleagues see my dedication and appreciate it.”

HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR ABILITIES

“I’m the only woman on my current site of 50 to 60 people. I need to have the confidence in myself so that I can show everyone I’m not different from them. I can do everything they’re doing; I have the same knowledge, the same ability and the same power to do everything they do.”

YOU’RE ALWAYS LEARNING

“It happens to me all the time; someone will pass me and say, ‘This is good work’ or they tell me that there’s another way of doing it. I’m learning all the time. As an apprentice I need a lot of guidance, so I just accept everything they’re telling me.”

FEMALES IN TRADE STATS

5.2%

Women make up 5.2 per cent of electrical apprentices in Australia (Queensland has the highest number with 6.1 per cent)* 4% of the electrical workforce in Australia is comprised of women*

115%

Female apprenticeship uptake has increased by 115 per cent since 2019*

SCAN HERE for information on how Apprenticeship Support Australia can provide advice and guidance to apprentices and their employers.

A stackable textured board, built to last

Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture

Sharp v-groove joins with embedded render texture

Introducing the latest extension of our popular Stria™ Cladding range.

Strong and robust

A solid, 14mm thick stackable board with a subtle embedded render texture giving a heightened robust feel

Easy and cost-effective

Simple installation. Concealed fix with no face fixing or patching required.

Engineered to endure

Durable and low maintenance

Hardie™ fibre cement is fire and rot resistant, and resistant to damage from moisture and termites.

Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture is now available via Special Orders Desk

FIGHT MND

There are around 2700 Australians currently fighting motor neurone disease, which is a degenerative neurological condition. Siblings Tilly and Jack Simpson share the story of their late father, Steve, who battled MND.

BY JULIE LEE

When fitter and turner Steve Simpson began showing signs of motor neurone disease (MND), his family was devastated, but not surprised. Familial MND – a genetic strain of the neurological disease – runs in the Simpson family.

For Steve’s children, Jack and Tilly, remembering their late father and sharing how MND impacts their family is important,which is why they support FightMND, a charity founded in 2014 with the purpose of finding effective treatments and a cure.

Bunnings is a major partner of FightMND and, as in previous years, we will continue support by selling Big Freeze beanies and buckets nationally, as well as holding a nationwide fundraising BBQ on May 17 – adding to more than $4.9 million already raised.

Jack and Tilly share memories of their dad here, in hope of raising awareness and funds for FightMND.

Q: Tell us about your dad. What’s one of your favourite memories of him?

Tilly: He loved building and fixing things. When we were kids, he used to construct all kinds of fun things

– he built Jack this amazing cubby house in a tree that was probably five or six metres high.

Q: When did you notice something was wrong?

Tilly: He first started showing signs of MND in 2015. That’s when he got the genetic test done and found out he carried the gene. His progression was slow to begin with – the form of MND in our family comes with concurrent frontotemporal dementia. At first he struggled with short-term memory loss; when he was building things, he’d forget where he put his tools. Then there were the social aspects where he’d say things that were a bit out of place.

Jack: He was first told, ‘You have six good months’ and obviously that put a downer on his outlook, but he did a lot to fight it, like keeping busy and exercising.

Q: What was the progression of the disease?

Tilly: We ended up losing him to pneumonia in 2023, which was a blessing and a curse. He never had to go through that really slow, painful, drawn-out passing. But it was sad because it hadn’t progressed

and he still had potentially a lot of life left. I’m so grateful we got almost 10 years of squeezing every little bit out of every minute that we had with him.

Q: Familial MND means a 50 per cent chance of you having the gene. Have you been checked?

Jack: No, we haven’t. I don’t think life would be as fulfilling if I knew that there was that end to it. If we do have the gene, there’s a 98 per cent chance we will get motor neurone disease. It’s almost a certainty.

Q: Jack, you and your wife, Caitlin, had a baby using IVF. Was that a hard decision?

Jack: It was a hard decision. The idea of doing it was to reduce the risk for my son, while not finding out my chances of having the gene.

Tilly: By going through that process of IVF [and genetic testing], you reduce the chances of MND in your child from 25 per cent to one per cent, or less, which is about what it is in the general population.

Q: What do you wish people knew about MND?

Tilly: I wish people knew – particularly with familial motor neurone disease – just how devastating it is on the whole family. We’ve lost our grandfather to this. We’ve lost both our aunties and our dad, and we will lose 50 per cent of our cousins as well. Your family gets destroyed. It’s an inescapable thing we live with.

Q: How important is FightMND?

Tilly: It’s good to know we’re not fighting this alone. Everyone is really pushing to find a cure and to give us hope that if our time comes we might have options for treating, or at least managing the condition.

SCAN HERE to find out more about FightMND and its fundraising events. You can support FightMND by purchasing a Big Freeze beanie or a bucket at Bunnings nationally.

TILLY AND JACK SIMPSON (PICTURED LEFT WITH JACK’S SON, RUDY) AND THEIR DAD, STEVE, WHO DIED IN 2023

ON THE TOOLS IDEAS SOLUTIONS

The latest information on new-release products, reviews and topical trend forecasts.

SIZE UP LENS OPTIONS

When installing a CCTV system, a lens between 2.8mm and 3.6mm is recommended.

Ricky Kosmopoulos, owner of Victoria-based company Prokop Electrical Services, says the size gives the optimal viewing capacity – it’s wide, but also provides good image clarity.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Did you know your client’s insurance provider might reduce their premiums if they have a home security system installed? It’s another added benefit of having a CCTV system, Ricky says. Turnformoresecuritytips.

SMART SECURITY

Crime is a constant, so what is the best security set-up for your client and how should you approach these discussions with them? An expert shares the things to keep in mind.

BY SCOTT ELLIS

Every day around Australia, private homes, jobsites and businesses are hit by thieves. Household valuables, tools, site supplies – pretty much anything not bolted down – can be targeted, and it seems to be getting worse.

But there’s a straightforward answer to help keep you and your clients safe: technology.

From something as ubiquitous and simple as a sensor light, to the hi-tech world of facial recognition doorways, there’s a range of possibilities to prevent your business and clients from becoming a statistic.

Even better, knowing the products and how to install them is a business opportunity, says Victoria-based electrician and security tech expert Ricky Kosmopoulos (pictured inset) of Prokop Electrical Services.

BRUSH UP ON THE FACTS

“If you listen to the radio or watch the news you’ll know crime is up,” Ricky says. “Your clients will also realise that, but often they don’t know which steps they should be taking and that’s where you can help. I arrive armed with stats when I visit a client.”

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show more than 160,000 victims of robbery via Unlawful Entry (break-in) per year, with the numbers rising in most states – and some areas have specific issues that can benefit from tailored security solutions.

If a laneway is getting hit by graffiti or rubbish dumpers, for example, a sensor light can be enough to deter them. If it’s break-ins, then something more could be needed.

“People often aren’t aware of a problem in their area until it’s too late,” Ricky says, while cautioning: “You’re not there to scare anyone, but knowing what they should be on the lookout for in their area can affect what solutions they may need.”

WITH MORE THAN 160,000 VICTIMS OF ROBBERY VIA UNLAWFUL ENTRY PER YEAR, GOOD SECURITY IS PARAMOUNT

OR ONLINE

WHAT TYPES OF CAMERAS AND LIGHTS SHOULD I RECOMMEND?

For a lot of clients, the first thing they’ll ask for is CCTV Given how effective the cameras are and how simple they are to use, that’s a logical choice, but is that really enough?

A static camera with motion sensor at a home or business entrance will give instant updates via a mobile phone app on anyone arriving, but it’ll be far more effective with lights Does it need an alarm as well? What about an intercom to question the visitor? And what about smartlocks?

“This is where your knowledge comes in again,” Ricky says “Ask what sort of budget your client has and what features they want, then do a walkthrough of the site and look for any vulnerable areas. Good cameras can be installed for less than a thousand dollars A full array can be $10,000 or more, and sometimes it’s a combination of cameras, lights, alarms and more traditional security options Your job is to help them decide what they need.”

KNOW YOUR PRODUCT

“It is 100 per cent in your best interests to know what technology is available and how it works,” Ricky says. “That way if someone contacts you with a query, you can immediately suggest solutions.”

Plus, once you’ve done that site inspection, you’ll spot where the various options can go.

“A motion-sensor light, for example, can make a camera far more effective,” Ricky points out. “An alarm will let anyone know they’ve been detected and an intercom means real-time conversations can sort out if someone is there to make a delivery (which can be safely done via a smart remote-access door lock) or if the police need to be notified.”

The question of what security someone needs is open-ended, Ricky says, so the best way forward might be to ask what they were planning to spend and then you’ll know what to suggest.

“Again, it’s not about upselling,” he says. “It’s about educating clients on what’s best for them. They’ll appreciate it and you’ll get more work.”

DISCOVER OUR RANGE OF SECURITY PRODUCTS IN STORE

WHERE TO BEGIN?

Even without a detailed brief on what your client wants, there are some logical starting points to suggest to them. Here are four...

Ring White Stick Up Cam Battery, I/N: 0533569

BASIC SET-UP Stick Up Camera

The Ring Stick Up Cam is a fantastic example of an entry-level camera that is simple to install and use. A single battery charge should last up to three months, while sensitivity levels and exclusion zones can be set, sending the notification of anyone detected to a smartphone. There is also a speaker to interact with the visitor (unwanted or otherwise). Even the basic subscription package keeps the footage for later viewing at an offsite location, so what the camera sees is always available.

ALSO CHECK OUT...

Swann Xtreem4K Wireless Security Camera, I/N: 0562011

SwannBuddy4K Wireless Video Doorbell, I/N: 0562008

INTERMEDIATE STEP UP

Doorbell camera/intercom

The SwannBuddy4K Wireless Video Doorbell can be connected either via existing doorbell wiring or wire-free, offering 180-degree viewing in 4K ultra HD with talk-back capabilities via intercom. Detecting heat, motion, vehicles and more, this provides instant notification of anyone approaching the front door – even in darkness – with video stored in the device and offsite. Paired with remote-access locks, this tech option will change the front door security of any home.

ALSO CHECK OUT...

Eufy Smart Touch Lock With Wifi, I/N: 0247101

Gainsborough Liberty Smart Entrance Lock, I/N: 0526040

STATE OF THE ART Fingerprint recognition locks

The Gainsborough Liberty Smart Entrance Lock is a sleek home or office battery-powered security option with a back-up USB power source providing the ultimate peace of mind. Forgetting keys is a thing of the past because, although it still has a physical lock, it also features an advanced fingerprint sensor and keypad, as well as the ability to lock and unlock using just your voice by connecting to Alexa or Google through Orion’s Grid Connect Wireless Hub (sold separately).

ALSO CHECK OUT...

Eufy Security Video Smart Lock, I/N: 0385502

Swann MaxRanger4K Solar Wireless Security System 4 Pack, I/N: 0562006

TOP OF THE LINE Essential coverage

The Swann MaxRanger4K Security System is 100 per cent solar powered, so it’s always charged – even in a power failure – and it features a wi-fi base that is up to 20 times stronger than others. This also means that the cameras can be mounted in more suitable and discreet locations: on walls, doorways, in the garden, in sheds – wherever they are needed. The system also includes lights, sirens, an intercom and more, and all of it can be accessed and controlled via a simple app.

ALSO CHECK OUT...

EufyCam 3 4-Camera Kit With HomeBase 3, I/N: 0429564

SOME PRODUCTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. THE EV RANGE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTHERN TERRITORY BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. SEE IN STORE FOR PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

CHARGING AHEAD

Futureproof your customers by helping them be part of the EV revolution (before they even know they have to be).

With cars moving away from traditional engines, most new home builds are now including electric vehicle provisions.

Whether that’s a charging point ready to use, one with a battery added, or just a junction with the wiring behind it in case someone goes petrol-free in the future, putting the power in place is no longer a luxury add-on, it’s standard.

If it’s not on a new build you’re wiring, Ricky says it’s well worth bringing up the subject with your client when you’re on a job.

GET IN EARLY

“An EV charge point is becoming commonplace on all new builds, but if you don’t see it on the electrical plan, point out to the builder or directly to the owner that now is the time to include it,” Ricky says.

“Wiring it in at the start is a lot easier than doing it later. It’s a bit of a no-brainer because it’s going to cost double later on, so point out it’s a long-term saving to do it early.”

RETROFITTING

Adding a charge point to an existing structure can definitely be done, he says, with retrofitting EV points an increasingly common job for many sparkies.

New products are constantly arriving to service this area, Ricky says, so the key is to talk to the client about what they need.

“If you’ve got a 32 amp single phase set-up – DeWALT and Tesla both offer these for homes –charging a car for six hours, you might get someone 400km of travel, whereas 10 amps in the same time might only get 100km… but that might be enough.”

KNOW YOUR EV ACCESSORIES

Be informed about the products in the market so you can confidently share your knowledge with clients.

DETA 11kW 3 Phase 16A Grid Connect

Smart EV Charger, I/N: 0663315

COOL FEATURE: The touchscreen

Arlec IP55 7kW 32A Single Phase

Type 2 Connector EV Charger

With 5m Cable, I/N: 0663301

COOL FEATURE: Durable and slim plastic enclosure design

Tesla 7.3m Type 2 Wall Connector EV Charger, I/N: 0670324

COOL FEATURE: Versatile indoor/outdoor design

DeWALT IP65 3.6kW 15A Portable EV Charger

With 7m Cable, I/N: 0663367

COOL FEATURE: Metal wall plate for wall-mount option

DETA Enclosure For EV Chargers, I/N: 0663379

COOL FEATURE: Inbuilt number lock

CREATIVE CLADDING

A surge in cladding innovation has seen the versatile material increasingly utilised for indoor projects. One builder shares how to think outside the box and get the most from the previously exterior-only solution.

BY JOHN BURFITT

For Hunter Valley builder Leo Bailey (pictured opposite, inset), of LW Bailey Builder, working on a new client’s renovation forever changed his perspective about how cladding could be used.

The project in a beachside Newcastle suburb had him working with HardieTM Groove Lining on both walls of an exterior extension, as well inside for the kitchen and bathroom.

After just a few days of installing the cladding, Leo admits he was so impressed with the smooth finishes and stylish aesthetic that he took photos home to show to his partner.

“I was surprised with how good it came up and when I showed my partner the photos, we agreed we had to do the same in our own ensuite we were about to start work on,” the tradie, who has been on the tools for more than 30 years, says.

Leo would eventually use HardieTM ObliqueTM Cladding on the exteriors of a living room extension in his house and, just like the client, he opted for HardieTM Groove Lining for his ensuite bathroom.

“Cladding has evolved from what we once knew and these days there are so many ways you can work with it. Tying it in with contemporary design styles can also be effective. Since that bathroom project only two years ago, I’ve used cladding for many exterior and interior jobs, and have more coming up,” Leo says.

The builder shares his insights into the lessons he learned using cladding on exterior walls, as well as in kitchen and bathroom projects.

EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE

HardieTM Groove Lining – a fibre cement flat sheet with a tongue and groove appearance – has vertical

V-shaped grooves carved into its face, and this is the cladding the Newcastle client selected. Leo and his partner, however, chose HardieTM ObliqueTM Cladding, which is the only HardieTM exterior cladding with a slanted groove edge, delivering dramatic highlights and shadows that shift throughout the day.

“Both can be used most effectively for interiors as well as exteriors; it really comes down to the personal choice,” he says.

CONTRASTING STYLES

With the rest of the house in brick, HardieTM ObliqueTM Cladding was chosen for Leo’s home extension as it made for a bold exterior contrast. “We knew we were never going to match the brick, so going for something in a different shape and texture with the cladding really lent itself to a contrast we knew would have a great impact,” he says.

Attaching the HardieTM ObliqueTM Cladding to the exterior walls added an attractive textured finish to Leo’s house. “It’s not super smooth, but what I really like is it allows the texture to shine through,” he says. “When you have all the boards’ joins lined up, it goes together so neatly and makes an impact.”

PAINT CLADDING ANY COLOUR

Leo says both the HardieTM ObliqueTM Cladding and HardieTM Groove Lining can be painted any colour that suits the existing colour scheme or contrasts with it. “The great thing about painting cladding is you can match the colour to the rest of the house or you can go for something completely different that adds some interest. And once you have put on a coat of paint, it settles it into place.”

HARDIETM GROOVE LINING IS HARD-WEARING, PERFECT FOR HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS LIKE IN THE KITCHEN

HARDIETM OBLIQUETM CLADDING IN MONUMENT LIT UP AT NIGHT

THE ANGLED EDGES OF HARDIETM OBLIQUETM CLADDING ADD BOLD CONTRAST TO EXTERIORS

USING CLADDING IN A BATHROOM PROVIDES TEXTURE

INSULATION BENEFITS

The small gap between the cladding and the framework that holds it in place can, Leo says, add significant thermal benefit to the house. “That little gap is a good thing, as it allows the air to move and that allows the house to breathe –and that is good for insulation.”

KITCHEN

The V-shaped HardieTM Groove cladding added a textural element among the surfaces of smooth cupboards and benchtops in Leo’s client’s kitchen. “They liked the look of grooved cladding so much on the exteriors, they also chose it for their kitchen and later in the bathroom,” Leo says.

CREATES AN INDOOR FOCAL POINT

“The grooves and the texture of the cladding created a striking focal point in the kitchen, and when the client saw it, they knew it was the right choice,” Leo says. The stylish panels on the walls smartly complement the rest of the kitchen’s features and resist warping and swelling.

UPDATE THE LOOK WITH NEW PAINT

If there’s a change of mind with the original colour chosen, or maybe a few years down the track a freshen up is in order, then a change of colour can do the job. “The panels are easy to paint, so the client knows they can just grab a new can of paint from Bunnings and the effect will look completely new,” Leo says.

MOISTURE RESISTANT

Kitchens are notorious for being hard-wearing, high-moisture areas. “The cladding is moistureresistant and durable, so it can take the knocks of regular day-to-day wear and still look great,” Leo says. The surface only requires a simple wipe-down to maintain its appearance. “It certainly copes better than MDF or plasterboard, in my opinion.”

QUICK TO INSTALL

Ease of installation is one of the reasons Leo says he likes working with HardieTM Groove Lining, paying close attention to lining up the panels, the grooves and the concealed nails to get the best outcome.

Cladding is moisture-resistant and durable, so it can take the knocks of regular day-to-day wear and still look great.

LEO BAILEY, LW BAILEY BUILDER OWNER

“I find I get into a rhythm with it and once it’s done, I am always surprised at how fast it all went.”

BATHROOM

HardieTM Groove Lining has a craftsmanship look that creates a distinct interior style, but is so durable it’s ideal for the high traffic areas of bathrooms – which is why the client opted for the cladding in their bathroom, as did Leo and his partner in their ensuite. “Using cladding can completely change the character of bathrooms as we know them,” Leo says. “HardieTM Groove Lining allows another element into the design that makes an aesthetic statement with the tongue and groove style – it looks great and is super practical,” he says.

HardieTM fibre cement is engineered to endure. It is fire resistant, rot resistant and resistant to damage from moisture and termites.

“It’s a strong material and not only easy to work with, but also easy to live with,” Leo says.

RETAINING & DRAINING

The right retaining wall materials and drainage solutions could mean the difference between happy or disgruntled clients. As we head into the wetter months, an expert weighs in.

BY JOHN BURFITT

Retaining walls are a crucial landscape structure to stabilise sloped areas, prevent soil erosion and create functional outdoor spaces. Effective –and long-lasting – retaining walls require careful planning, especially in terms of material choice and structural integrity, as well as position and drainage.

We asked Sunshine Coast builder Paul Smith of the Queensland Landscape and Drainage Group for his best insights into how to build right when working on a retaining wall project, and which materials are best for the job at hand.

“Know what options and alternatives are out there so when you understand what the client’s wants and needs are, you know how you can get the best outcome for everyone,” he says.

TIMBER SLEEPERS ARE THE TRADITIONAL GO-TO FOR TIGHT BUDGETS

TIMBER SLEEPERS

There are many reasons this material remains popular: its natural aesthetic and functionality.

“[Timber sleepers] are an affordable choice, and that makes them an attractive option when a project needs to be kept to a tight budget,” Paul says.

WORKS WELL WHEN... “I usually choose timber when it’s a small retaining job,” Paul says, adding the wall should be no higher than 500mm.

BEST AREAS TO USE IT: A rule Paul follows with timber is to think small. “This might be a gentle slope, which only requires a low level of retention and where the pressure of the soil behind is moderate,” he says.

THE PROS: “Timber sleepers are durable, lightweight, easy to use and pretty cost-effective,” Paul says. Often, a timber retaining wall may only require one worker and can be installed in a day, and as a renewable resource, timber is a sustainable choice. “Many clients like the natural look, so timber is aesthetically pleasing.”

THE WATCH-OUTS: Changes in the material over time needs to be considered when using timber. “It can twist, warp, shrink, split and, unless it’s been treated properly, can attract termites,” Paul says.

Longevity could also pose a problem, and certain timbers may need regular treatment, staining or

sealing to preserve their appearance and strength. “You may get 30 good years out of timber sleepers, but you also may only get five years, as being exposed to the elements can shorten the lifespan.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Aesthetically pleasing

• Easy and cost-effective

• Not usually suitable for retaining walls over 500mm

• May require replacing sooner than expected

CONCRETE SLEEPERS

“Reliable sums up concrete sleepers,” Paul says, claiming they’ve become almost as popular for residential retaining jobs as they have on commercial projects. “Their strength means that once they’re in, they’ll do the job for a long time.”

WORKS WELL WHEN... “I’ve used concrete sleepers in low-rise jobs to create terraced gardens and in projects as high as a three-metre wall,” Paul says. While concrete is heavier than timber, they still offer versatility, he adds. “There are many ways concrete can be used when retaining.”

INCREASINGLY POPULAR CONCRETE SLEEPERS (BELOW AND INSET) ARE VERSATILE AND LONG-LASTING

LET US DO IT FOR YOU

Need a quote on a bulk delivery, along with any soft scaping finishing items? Our Landscape Specialists around the country are ready to organise what you need – anything from quotes to delivery of products. Call 134 TRADE (134 872) to speak directly to our team or scan the code to find out more.

BEST AREAS TO USE IT: If holding back a significant amount of high soil pressure is paramount, like on sloped terrains or a terraced garden, then concrete is ideal. “There is a variety of concrete choices with different textures and colours that also make them appealing,” he says.

THE PROS: Expect a long life with concrete sleepers. “They will be there for decades, and you’ll get a much better warranty from the suppliers,” Paul says. You can also stack them to height. “Of course, it comes down to the engineering specifications, but what can be achieved is impressive.”

THE WATCH-OUTS: Concrete requires more manpower and a slower installation if access for construction equipment is an issue. “It also takes more work to get all the joins to line up so it’s neat,” Paul says. The look can be ‘too industrial’ for some clients, and the cost can be double that of timber.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Concrete stands the test of time

• It can hold back large volumes of soil

• Requires more equipment and time to install

• More expensive due to material and labour

COMPOSITE SLEEPERS

Composite sleepers are a mix of recycled plastic and wood materials bonded with a resin to create a durable material often referred to as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP). “There are more versions of this on the market, and the quality is good,” Paul says.

WORKS WELL WHEN... you use it “just about anywhere,” Paul says. “I believe we’re about to see them being used much more on retaining jobs.” Lighter than concrete and stronger than timber, composites offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing for easy installation.

WHEN USING POWER TOOLS, ALWAYS WEAR THE RECOMMENDED SAFETY GEAR. SOME PRODUCTS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL BUNNINGS STORES, BUT MAY BE ORDERED ONLINE OR AT THE SPECIAL ORDERS DESK. SEE IN STORE FOR PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

COMPOSITE SLEEPERS ARE THE ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICE

BEST AREAS TO USE IT: With strength and durability, they are suitable in a range of applications across civil, residential and commercial projects. “The lightweight versions – some around 5kg – are still strong, but can easily be carried across a site and then stacked to a reasonable height,” Paul says.

THE PROS: Unlike other materials, one worker can usually stack the lightweight composite sleepers into a strong retaining wall, and they will not rot, weather or warp and can be painted. As they are made from recycled materials, they’re an eco-friendly choice, and composite posts are often available.

THE WATCH-OUTS: As they are newer products on the market, using composite may require convincing for clients to understand the benefits. “I find them far easier and more cost effective to use, and when built to specifications, do the job superbly,” Paul says.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Lightweight, durable and effective

• Made from eco-friendly recycled materials

• Requires less labour and equipment, but are a similar price to concrete

• Not as well-known in the market

MASONRY BLOCKS

As a traditional method, masonry blocks remain a popular choice due to their durability and pleasing aesthetic. “Blocks always do a good job,” Paul says.

WORKS WELL WHEN... used in almost any configuration. “They fit easily and can create a variety of shapes,” Paul says. “Blocks can be stacked to make a solid retaining wall, and some people like a terraced effect. With masonry blocks, there’s a lot of choice.”

BEST AREAS TO USE IT: “Take your pick – blocks are good for both smaller and higher retaining walls,” Paul says. Being sturdy, blocks can effectively hold back large volumes of soil.

THE PROS: Your client’s retaining wall can be straight, angled or curved, while still offering a strong structure. “Blocks offer good structural integrity in withholding the soil,” Paul says.

DRAINAGE FIRST

Paul warns there’s an essential rule about drainage solutions that is relevant for any form of retaining wall and must be explained to a client before work commences.

“Drainage needs to be discussed first, before looking at materials,” he says, adding that water needs a pathway to drain away. “Drainage can ultimately make or break the retaining wall – no matter what material you end up going with.”

Proper drainage is also crucial to prevent possible structural failure.

Effective solutions can include geotextile matting, an Agi pipe, a perforated pipe, a channel and grate, as well as gravel backfill for improved drainage and capillary-like systems which spread any back-up moisture throughout the garden.

EFFECTIVE DRAINAGE, LIKE A CHANNEL AND GRATE, IS IMPERATIVE FOR RETAINING WALLS

THE WATCH-OUTS: Masonry block retaining walls can take longer to lay than those constructed from sleepers. Like bricklaying, blocks require a tradesperson with specific skills to create the layers of the walls, which can be time-consuming. “With a higher wall, that’s when you need to go through the engineering process and be governed by the directions of the engineer,” Paul says.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Design flexibility

• Affordable and aesthetically pleasing

• Structural integrity

• Construction can be time-consuming

STURDY MASONRY BLOCKS REQUIRE SKILLED INSTALLATION

SPECIALTY TOOLS FOR SPECIALTY TRADES

A CHANCE TO UPSKILL

The insulation industry is undergoing a big shift to professionalise installation. Certified Insulation Installer, a certification awarded by the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), endorses that tradies have the knowledge and skills to deliver safe and effective insulation installation.

INDUSTRY OVERHAUL

Changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 require that insulation meets a certain standard as part of any new builds reaching the updated 7-Star energy efficiency requirement – the first major star rating upgrade since 2011. Turnformoreinformationon recentinsulationadvancements.

TRADE TIPS

EXPERTISE INSPIRATION

Expert knowledge and insights from industry specialists.

INSULATION INNOVATION

As demand for insulation rises in winter, advancements offer energy-efficient options for customers and tradies alike.

BY ANGELA TUFVESSON

It’s that time of year when drafty floors and walls start to bite and homeowners look to insulation to close the gaps. The benefits of this are twofold: more comfortable temperatures inside the home and lower energy bills – which remain front of mind as the cost-of-living crisis drags on.

Greater customer demand, and changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 that include more stringent insulation requirements, have opened the door to a new innovative range of energy-efficient single-layer ceiling insulation products. Even better, they’re easy to fit and, like other products in the Earthwool range, they are soft and easy to handle.

Keen to be across insulation for your clients this winter? The manufacturer of Earthwool Insulation and installer Brisbane Insulation weigh in on innovations...

EXTRA HIGH R VALUES

After long making waves in colder countries, insulation products with very high R values are popping up in Australia Knauf Insulation’s Earthwool R8 0 ceiling insulation batt is the highest R value product available nationally through Bunnings Trade – and a new extra-thick, single-layer, over-wide design adds to its impressive performance “It’s unique that it lofts over the timbers,” Knauf Insulation’s Technical Product Manager, Guy Manthel, says “It cuts off thermal bridging and increases real performance ”

SHORTER INSTALL TIMES

Not only does the Earthwool R8.0 ceiling insulation batt have better thermal performance, it’s also quicker to install – by as much as 40 per cent compared to two-layer set-ups, Guy says. Director Devin Hall, from installer business Brisbane Insulation, adds that products like these are a “game-changer” for tradies.

“You don’t have to install two products, so the installation cost is a lot less, but the customer gets the same thermal performance as if there were two,” he explains.

LESS ITCH AND NO NASTIES

Insulation installation is often associated with dusty and itchy work But Earthwool from Knauf Insulation uses a plant-based binder in manufacture – called ECOSE® technology – where no formaldehyde or chemicals are added, resulting in a naturally brown coloured soft-to-handle insulation “We’ve got just over 100 staff across the country who are using these products – they’ve proven to be low-itch, low-dust and don’t get in your eyes,” Devin says

FLOORS AND WALLS ARE TOP OF MIND

Insulation is about more than just ceilings, with a growing number of homeowners looking to insulate the whole building envelope. Especially in winter, insulating floors and walls are a top priority. “In homes without concrete slabs, people feel the draft through the floors and also the walls,” Devin says.

MORE OPTIONS FOR RETROFITTING

Demand is also rising among homeowners, and business owners, keen to retrofit insulation into existing buildings. “There’s some foil-faced roofing products that are really good for metal sheds, as well as some handy roll products, which are versatile for a range of uses,” Guy says. “It’s a really significant opportunity – there’s a lot of businesses out there facilitating retrofits and increasing their revenue.”

INCREASED FOCUS ON ACOUSTICS

With an increase in people working from home and flight paths over cities, there is a significant focus on reducing noise inside of homes Homeowners are looking to upgrade insulation in their walls to reduce unwanted noise transfer from outside, as well as internally between rooms

DEMAND FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE

The NCC 2022 changes have lifted insulation requirements for all new buildings and major renovations In good news for tradies, Devin says homeowners are increasingly looking for even better performing insulation. “When people have existing homes that either don’t have insulation or they want to upgrade, they don’t look at the minimum requirements – they look a few levels above that. We’ve had a lot more enquiries for products that are far above the minimum,” he says.

DID YOU KNOW?

A fully insulated home can reduce the cost of heating and cooling by around 40-50 per cent* compared to an uninsulated home

Most Australian homes built before 2010 are poorly insulated with an average star rating of just 2.8¥

The insulation services industry is worth an estimated $745 million^ in Australia, according to 2024 statistics from IBISWorld

An estimated 4,400# building insulation installers are working across Australia

DESIGNED TO REDUCE THERMAL BRIDGING FOR NCC COMPLIANCE

thermal and energy

Earthwool® R7.0 & R8.0 ceiling batts deliver the ultimate thermal performance and energy savings for maximum comfort.

40% faster installation compared to current double-layer methods

Super-soft insulation that’s comfortable & easy to handle

40% faster installation to current create 7-star homes that meet the latest

Helps create 7-star homes that meet the latest NCC guidelines

Low carbon insulation made with 100% Red List Free materials

This winter experience products that do more, experience Insulation without compromise from Earthwool insulation. Go to www.earthwool.com.au

AN ARRAY OF ASSISTED LIVING PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE

BUILDING TOGETHER

Navigating assisted living work becomes easier when builders, senior care providers and Bunnings Trade work in tandem.

Bathroom safety

Mobility aids

Daily living aids

Accessible door hardware

Accessible sanitary and tapware

Furniture

Ramps

Assistive technology

BY JULIE LEE

The aged care sector can be a reliable income stream for builders; there’s a constant need for qualified tradies to produce new units and install compliant products for assisted living. But working in this area does come with some challenges, perhaps the biggest being keeping up with the ever-evolving list of accessibility products that also need to meet Australian standards.

It’s an ongoing problem that builders, elderly care facilities and Bunnings Trade have been trying to solve together. “Bunnings Trade is critical for the healthcare industry because there is just so much demand to have these buildings maintained and kept in good order,” Drago Kozuh, Maintenance Manager at Victorian aged care provider MecwaCare, says.

Bunnings Business Development Manager James Peterson says the co-ordinated effort is helping to make the obstacles more surmountable.

“The builder, Bunnings Trade and MecwaCare, for example, are working together,” he says. “Builders are able to buy the product at a low-cost price and they’re getting it quickly. MecwaCare is then getting it installed on time at the right price and Bunnings Trade is supporting all of that.”

Want to know more? Here are just some of the ways Bunnings Trade is working with the sector...

CONSTANTLY UPDATING THE RANGES

Maintenance of Aged Care facilities goes beyond the built environment with the need for specialised furniture, fixtures and equipment. Bunnings Trade can support this by supplying both typical and specialist building materials, as well as a wide range of Assisted Living products to fit out the space.

“We cover almost everything,” James says. “There’s taps, grab rails, basins, wall coverings, and even wheelchairs, walking sticks and walkers.”

There are also items needed for bathroom and bedroom safety. “The range needs to be high quality, and compliant, and up to scratch with innovations.”

CREATING A ONE-STOP SHOP

MecwaCare manages 1500 beds across Victoria, and that means lots of repairs and equipment.

“We don’t always have as many hours in the day as we’d like to, so we’ll reach out to [our Account Manager],” Drago says. “She’ll co-ordinate the stock and have it delivered to site so the maintenance officer can focus on what he needs to do.”

ENSURING PERSONALISED SERVICE

Account Managers take the stress out of the daily tasks, but the type of support you need depends on the scale of the job and complexity of your business. Bunnings Trade can provide specialist support to build out a product selection, pricing and tendering through the Assisted Living team, who also work with your Account Manager to deliver the right solution.

There are also Account Managers specifically for helping builders working for aged care companies.

“The Account Manager takes orders, makes sure the stock is there and manages the delivery to site,” James says.

Drago adds that knowing he has support from Bunnings Trade helps to ease the mental load.

“Having a Bunnings Trade Account Manager has relieved me of a lot of stress,” he says.

SCAN HERE to see the latest products and services available through Bunnings Trade’s Assisted Living range, and contact us at assistedliving@bunnings.com.au

CHECK OUT MY RIG

On the road, sparky Jesse Azzopardi has everything he needs right there in his work van – and that’s just the way he likes it!

Jesse Azzopardi has worked in electrical trades for six years, getting his ticket two years ago. The 25-year-old sparky, from Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs, originally studied nutrition at university, but he packed that in after 12 months to pursue a different career and pivoted to the electrical trades.

“I have always been technically minded, I built a few PCs back in the day, so the electrical trade was the way to go,” Jesse, who completed two years of his apprenticeship under the expert guidance of AIF Electrical Director Andrew Fisher, says. “I have friends and family who are electricians, and I like it because it’s one of the more technical trades. You’re the first on site and the last one to leave – it’s a good way of connecting with almost every trade.”

On the daily, you’ll find Jesse still working with Andrew on commercial and residential properties out of AIF Electrical’s kitted out Toyota HiAce van.

“We got two new HiAces about a year ago, and I was lucky enough to get one of those,” Jesse says.

“We went for the optional rear barn door opening over the liftgate because it better suits our needs.”

After experiencing working out of both a van and a ute, what would Jesse go for if he had a choice?

“Vans, 100 per cent,” he says. “You can carry more stuff in them. They’re more secure and you can do a better fit-out with the shelving and drawers.

“We only need to open one rear door to get to items quickly. We can also open the doors in a tighter space and reverse up to things a lot closer than if we had a liftgate. For example, we can park near a bollard and still open both doors.”

Filling up the van can squeeze the wallet, but that’s a given, says Jesse. “Fuel consumption [in the 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel] is around 12 to 15 litres per 100km, which is a bit thirstier than normal, but we are carrying a lot of weight. We fill these vans with everything we need – about 800kg in tools, equipment and electrical components – so we have it on hand when we pull up to a job.”

Here, Jesse takes us through his van set-up.

“The shelves and inside the drawers are just a timber finish, but everything outside of the drawers is carpeted to stop materials rattling and sliding around.”

“We carry a lot of weight in our vans, plus all the shelving inside is timber, then there is the roof rack, extension ladders and tools... it all adds up.”

“The weight mainly comes from all the cables we cart around. A drum of cable is about 30kg and we usually carry eight of those.”

“I clock up about 30,000km a year in the van. It’s your office basically, so it’s good to have everything well organised.”

“We got the shelving installed by Van Fitouts Melbourne in Dandenong. They have a heap of options, so we could design it to suit our needs. Their fit-out is so tight; it’s perfect. The tolerances are great, too. You can’t even slip a piece of paper between the gaps, it’s such a good fit.”

“Behind the passenger side sliding door is the drawer with all of our DeWALT power tools, batteries and chargers, angle grinders, hammer drills, impacts, cable clips, soldering irons and leaf blowers – we use this to blow dust off the apprentices after they’ve been crawling through a ceiling or under a house.”

“Behind the driver’s side sliding door is all our stock: switchboard gear, power points, switches and lights. Basically, that whole side of the van is just for the stock because we can get out of the driver’s door, open it up, and it’s the first door we’re at. We need to get into it easily.”

“We have a series of large drawers or organisers underneath the flat surface area which takes up most of the space in the back of the van. We need [the top space] to bring equipment to a job or take old equipment away from a job, such as ovens and other kitchen appliances.”

NO

TIME, NO WORRIES!

DOOR SOLUTIONS

It’s time to open up to new entryway technologies hitting the market. We chat to experts for the latest developments in all things doors.

BY SCOTT ELLIS

CONSTRUCTION LOCKS ARE THE FUTURE

Site security is a top priority for ourselves and our clients, but long gone are the days of multiple keys or multiple barrel changes – now it’s all about the Lockwood Construction Lock. Fitted into the existing (or even temporary) door hardware, these will lock down a site, but still allow builders and all other trades to have access through a common key.

“We have just launched our new Mode Smart Collection with Bunnings, which is a game-changer,” John Ryde, Gainsborough Hardware Product Manager – Residential, says.

Josh Ray, Cavalier Homes Site Supervisor, swears by it as the only way to ensure lock-up security, but also to help avoid headaches for the tradies trying to get to work.

“It’s a great time- and money-saver,” he says of the lock, which is available through Bunnings Trade.

Then, when it’s time for the client to take control, that’s where the real magic happens. “At handover, when you put the client’s key in, it triggers the tumblers inside the lock and from that point on our construction key can’t be used anymore,” Josh explains.

HI-TECH SECURITY SOLUTIONS

Technological advancements are starting to move us away from the traditional tumbler lock system with some nifty, hi-tech security solutions hitting the market that will keep your clients happy and secure.

“With Mode you will be able to open your doors with everything from a fingerprint to an entry card, PIN code or remotely from our app. You can even connect with third-party software, like Amazon Alexa (through your Amazon Echo Dot), so you can unlock the door using just your voice.”

Add in a smart electronic deadbolt, which can be used alongside more statement-piece hardware, like a pull-handle, and the choices are perfect for modern aesthetics and needs. “It’s very cool, it’s very futuristic and a flexible system,” John says.

The Gainsborough Freestyle WiFi Smart Lock Trilock continues the sleek aesthetic with concealed PIN code keypad, but can also be operated by phone.

COMPLETE COLOUR SUITES

Hardware is going to come down to the personal style of your client. However, there is an art to choosing the right pieces, Lemaar Founder William Spyrou says.

“Take hinges, for example,” he says. “The door size (including weight) decides the size, type and

Let Bunnings Trade do the hard work for you. With more than 170 Account Managers on the road across all major capital cities and regions in Australia, we can partner with your business to provide one-on-one support – from quotes to product sourcing, as well as delivery and project management. Call 134 TRADE (134 872) to speak with our waiting team of experts.

Gainsborough Mode

Smart Entrance Lock in Graphite, I/N: 0800471*

quantity you’ll need. Three hinges per leaf generally suits a home residence door. Then there’s the ancillary hardware, like a sliding flush passage, privacy sets, door stops and handles.”

All of which have to match not just the entry and room doors, but those on dummy sets (such as linen cupboards and storage areas).

And perhaps most importantly, to continue that cohesive look through the house, what kind of finish you or your client wants.

“These can include satin stainless steel, satin chrome, black, chrome plate, brushed brass, or gun metal grey and white,” William says.

“It’s a lot to consider, but Lemaar offers a complete suite of colour selection options.”

Gainsborough Freestyle WiFi Smart Lock Trilock in Matte Black, I/N: 0588036

SCAN HERE to explore the complete range of door solutions available through Bunnings Trade.

TRADIE PROFILE

Before Bryan Fletcher became a rugby league star, popular TV host and radio personality, he plied his trade on the tools as a qualified plumber.

BY GAVIN DENNETT

NAME // BRYAN FLETCHER

TRADE // PLUMBER

LOCATION // SYDNEY, NSW

IN ACTION FOR THE ROOSTERS IN 2001

Despite being a promising player at school, a career as a professional sportsman was never guaranteed for former rugby league star Bryan Fletcher. He first embarked on a plumbing apprenticeship and spent several years working as a tradie during a time when top players juggled vocations away from the sport.

By the time he debuted in first grade for the Roosters, the rugby league landscape had changed considerably and the game had turned professional, meaning Bryan gave away the tools.

After a decorated rugby league career, including Premiership success at the Roosters, captaining the Rabbitohs, playing in England for Wigan, and representing NSW and Australia on the field, today he enjoys a successful television and radio career on Foxtel’s FOX LEAGUE and SEN radio, respectively – but he still looks back fondly on his time as a tradie.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your pathway into plumbing before footy?

A: Back in those days [at school], a lot of my mates became tradesmen. School wasn’t for me, so Mum said that if I wanted to leave in Year 10, I had to get a trade. I had completed work experience as a plumber and I enjoyed it, so I became an apprentice for the Master Plumbers Association doing mainly residential stuff and maintenance in the first year. Then, in the second year, I was doing construction, and in the third year it was mechanical services.

Q: So you were working as a qualified plumber long before your professional rugby league career took off?

A: I was a tradesman by the time I was 19, even though I was quite immature. After four years, I applied for a job with Jones & Jones Plumbers, who I don’t think are around anymore. I got a pretty good head-start on some others who went through to Year 12. Not many of my mates went through to Year 12. But I had no design of playing professional rugby league at the time, I was just playing with my mates. Then Super League hit the scene in 1995, which changed everything.

Q: You were graded at the Roosters in 1995 – does that mean you were playing reserve serve grade and working at the same time?

A: I was graded in 1995, when I was 20 Halfway way through the year, Super League arrived, but I wasn’t playing first grade, so I was semi-professional and still l plumbing In the afternoon, I’d go train with the Chooks. Everyone basically had jobs and there were a lot of tradesmen.

Q: How was it having to go to training after a long day of working on the tools?

A: I remember around 1995, while playing reserve grade, when 10 or 12 of the team were doing trades, meditating first came into training and we’d all just fall asleep. We would have a hard day on the tools, then come in to do heavy breathing and within two minutes everyone was snoring [laughs].

Q: By 1997, when you debuted in first grade, is that when you gave plumbing away?

A: By the end of 1996, it was pretty much all professional because we were training during the day. But I was still doing [subcontract plumbing] work.

Q: It’s like the game has gone full circle with players now actively encouraged to study or get themselves a trade...

A: A lot of players go to TAFE, but not many would be full-time in the trade. I was lucky I got it all done before my career started as a footballer.

Q: Do you still use your tradie skills?

A: I fix Mum’s taps and stuff like that, but the rules have all changed. It was always copper with welding, but now it’s all plastic, so it has changed dramatically from when I was on the tools. But I enjoy cleaning and clearing blocked drains. It is quite satisfying when you get the electric eel out or water jets and you’re clearing the drains!

5 MINUTES WITH FLETCH

We get the former plumber and now FOX SPORTS TV and radio commentator’s takes on a few important things…

I enjoy doing radio because… it’s a bit longer and I can take conversations down some weird avenues.

If I wasn’t on TheLateShowWith MattyJohns with Nathan Hindmarsh (pictured above)… I’d probably be in the cleaning game because I did that for five or six years before FOX SPORTS.

Nathan is… a good farm boy, so he has the physical stuff covered. He’s a ‘Westie’ and he probably has a other skills in there.

I could never… work in an office – that would do my head in.

The Roosters in 2025… might do it tough. You can’t lose that many good players and expect to challenge for the Premiership. I still think they can maybe sneak into the top eight, but they will need some luck on their side.

My tip for the Premiership this year is… Melbourne. I’ve never been more certain of it in my life.

BRYAN FLETCHER

BRYAN FLETCHER WITH FOX LEAGUE CO-HOSTS LARA PITT AND MICHAEL ENNIS

THE YEAR OF GROWTH

“As business owners we’ve matured; our decision-making has evolved,” says Dan Allen, co-founder with Ed Ross of mental health counselling support service TIACS “It’s a big operation We have employees, responsibilities, financial obligations, stakeholders and the community, and it’s snowballing into extra things now, like partnering with Bunnings, which is exciting ”

HACKS HUB

LIFESTYLE BANTER

Life tips and some light relief after a long day.

LEADING THE WAY

“We are both open to change and accepting we don’t know everything – we will make mistakes,” Ed admits of managing a team “We knew nothing when we started a business and figured it out on the fly We just knew we wanted to put people first and be fair – which is something we’re pretty true to ” Turn to learn more aboutTIACS andour valuablepartnership

You can reach TIACS 8am-10pm (AEST) Monday to Friday by texting or calling 0488 846 988. Don’t know what to say? Simply text ‘Hi’ and the counsellor will take it from there.

YOU’RE THE VOICE – USE IT

As the Bunnings partnership with TIACS moves into its second year of supporting people with fighting the head noise, we catch up with the counselling service’s co-founders, Ed Ross and Dan Allen.

BY JULIE LEE

Ed Ross and Dan Allen co-founded TradeMutt – an eye-catching workwear brand designed to start conversations about mental health – in 2018. Then, in 2019, the pair launched TIACS, a free counselling service supporting tradies, truckies, farmers, blue-collar workers and those who care about them, Australia-wide.

It was in 2024 that the businesses hit a new level when Ed and Dan partnered with Bunnings Trade on a national fundraising brekkie called Funky Shirt Friday and a limited edition TradeMutt work shirt.

“TIACS is in the best position it’s ever been in,” Dan says, who was inspired to launch TradeMutt and later TIACS after the loss of his mate to suicide. “We’re pumped to blow year two of our partnership out of the water so we can continue to provide the service all blue-collar Australians need and deserve.”

We bring these two former chippies-turnedentrepreneurs together for a laugh and to find out what’s on the agenda for the second innings of the Bunnings Trade and TIACS partnership.

Q: What has been your funniest moment in business together?

Dan: Recording a parody version of John Farnham’s You’retheVoiceand calling it You’veGotaVoice was pretty funny. We went to a building site to record the music video with a group of tradies and had a bloke playing bagpipes up on the scaffolding. We did it to put a different spin on helping people open up and find their voice. It’s probably one of the most embarrassing things we’ve ever done.

Ed: It was our one and only foray into singing and dancing and music videos, all in the name of mental health.

Q: What’s the most proud you’ve been of each other?

Ed: Dan’s TED Talk is my pick. It was a bloody hard thing for him to get up and do, and it was something I couldn’t assist him with – it was a full solo mission. It’s a pretty vulnerable situation to find yourself in and he nailed it.

Dan: Ed grabs the bull by the horns. It’s been a theme throughout our business partnership that he’s willing to take on whatever the next mountain is to climb. Oh, and I was proud of him for completing his apprenticeship... even though I’m pretty sure our boss signed him off to get Ed out of his hair [laughs].

Q: What kinds of bosses are you?

Dan: We’re the bosses who don’t describe ourselves as bosses. The ‘B’ word is not a word we ever use. Ed: We’re both pretty open to change and accepting that we don’t know everything and that we will make

mistakes, but we’re continually willing to learn and improve. We’re also big on being inclusive. That team mentality is important.

Dan: We lead with our actions. We’re not asking anyone to do more than what we do. We’re being open and vulnerable in those periods where we’re struggling and feeling stress and pressure.

Q: How important is it for you to be across both TIACS and TradeMutt?

Ed: We never want it to come across like we are just ticking a box. The reason we’re doing both is because we control the outcome to make sure that the money is going where it needs to go – into making a big difference in society and the blue-collar community.

ED & DAN’S

TOP THREE TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS

We want to build that trust and rapport with people who need it the most so that when they’re struggling, they feel connected with TIACS enough to take that next step of reaching out to our trained counsellors.

ED ROSS, TIACS CO-FOUNDER

Q: Had you had much experience within this space before launching TIACS?

Ed: The big thing for both of us was when Dan’s mate passed away we knew nothing about this topic, and what really shocked us was just how big a problem it really was, but nobody really knew whatit was. What depression was. What anxiety was. It was like, ‘What is this thing?’ Since then, we’ve been on a crash course in mental health education – surrounding ourselves with people who have lost loved ones, people who are trying to help. Lots of books, podcasts and lots of different professionals. You start to gain an understanding of your own emotional intelligence and what stuff makes you tick, but you also realise how many people are struggling with something and don’t even realise that it’s something they are struggling with.

Q: What more can people expect from the Bunnings and TIACS partnership?

Ed: For year two, we’re looking at ways to increase our level of interaction with the Bunnings community so people can continue to connect with who we are and what we do. We want to build that trust and

The mates have these tried-and-tested techniques for challenging times.

WHAT HELPS DAN…

1. A brisk walk always helps to clear my head

2. A 10-minute guided meditation with breathing exercises is simple, but effective. The Calm app has been beneficial

3. Practise the techniques I chat about with my psychologist – catching myself when I’m overthinking or catastrophising, labelling those thoughts and letting them pass through

WHAT HELPS ED… 1. Gym session with the wife

Phone call with a mate

Psychologist session

rapport with people who need it the most so that when they’re struggling, they feel connected with TIACS enough to take that next step of reaching out to our trained counsellors.

Dan: For us, it’s about creating connection with the blue-collar community so they know that there’s someone there when they need it the most. This partnership helps with that.

As the Bunnings and TIACS partnership moves into its second year, Bunnings Trade and TIACS continue to be committed to starting conversations and providing mental health counselling for the trade community.

Life’s too short to take it seriously. Get these funnies into ya.

THE UP DEADLINE?

WHAT DEADLINE?

If you think you’ve had a job that dragged on forever, think again. The world record for the oldest active construction project is held by a church in Barcelona, Spain that was started 143 years ago!

Delayed by two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War and an arson attack in 1936, building on architect Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Família began in 1882 and is expected to be finished in 2026.

18

huge spindle-shaped towers make up the building

13,000 people can be held inside La Sagrada Família

170 METRES GET SMART ON SMOKO

is the height of the central tower, as designer Antoni Gaudí believed nothing man-made should be taller than anything in nature. For this reason, it is one metre shorter than Barcelona’s Mountjuïc hill. Gaudí was entombed in the underground level after being hit and killed by a tram in 1926, aged 73.

Take ‘le quiz’ of tools below and see if you can figure out the English name, then add languages to your list of qualifications.

1. TOURNEVIS (hint: it turns)

2. SCIE CIRCULAIRE (hint: it spins sharply)

3. MARTILLO (hint: it bangs)

4. FURAR (hint: it makes a hole)

5. NAGELPISTOLE (hint: it shoots nails)

6. SCHLAGSCHRAUBER (hint: it loosens big bolts)

7. WINKELSCHLEIFER (hint: it cuts through metal)

“HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT’S COMING…”

EARLY STAGES OF WORK ON THE SAGRADA FAMÍLIA CRYPT IN 1883

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

10 THINGS THAT ARE SURE TO RUIN A TRADIE’S DAY…

Five things have been changed in the image on the right. Can you find them all? 1 8 9 5 2 6 4 7 10 3

When it’s 10 minutes to smoko and the client calls for a “quick” chat

Ducking down to Bunnings for a pick-up and running into your retired first boss

Taking half an hour to explain a job that would have taken five minutes to do

Hearing the dreaded words: “You are tenth in line to speak with customer service” when calling your bank

Arriving at work just as the snack van takes the last available car space

When the boss says the client is dropping by for “a quick update”

Watching the last 10mm socket fall into the tub of an overloaded ute

“What do you mean you let the dog play in the slurry tub?”

Realising nobody rinsed the rollers before they left last night

Calling yourself when you lose your phone... and hearing the muffled ring behind plaster

SPOTTED ONSITE

The painter of a new build asleep on a pile of skirting boards. “Regardless of who was there, he continued snoring and did not wake up,” said our snapper, who wishes to remain anonymous...

If I fits in it, I sits in it

// NAME Poppy (aka ‘Pops’), blue cattle

// HUMAN ASSISTANT Anthony (Brisbane, Qld)

// TIME ONSITE With A Bel Carpentry for seven years – since first meeting Anthony.

// FAVOURITE RESPONSIBILITIES You could call me the friendly security at our worksites. I am a ‘people Poppy’ and I love checking people in when they come to a job, whether they’re working or just visiting.

// MY HUMAN ASSISTANT WOULD SAY I AM... always looking over his work and showing him how it’s done. Otherwise, I’m most likely having a nap.

// MY MOST IMPRESSIVE TRAIT IS... I’m bilingual. While dog is my native language, I do speak fluent human, too, and can have full conversations.

// NAME Ralph, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

I’m always having

a ball at work

// NAME Beau (aka Mr Bojangles/Jangie), miniature Pomeranian

// HUMAN ASSISTANTS David, Jacqui and Benny (Wagga Wagga, NSW)

// TIME ONSITE Nine years with Torbay Homes.

// FAVOURITE RESPONSIBILITIES Sleeping in, overseeing the preparation of meals and keeping the kitchen floor clean – that’s my speciality.

// THE CHALLENGING PART OF MY DAY IS... avoiding being squashed by two-year-old Benny.

// MY HUMAN ASSISTANTS WOULD SAY I AM... living the dream and wouldn’t last a day on the mean streets.

Safety first. Also handy when the boss is on

// HUMAN ASSISTANT Ben (Manly Vale, NSW)

// TIME ONSITE Permanent part-time for nine years with Finished In Colour Painting.

// FAVOURITE RESPONSIBILITIES Keeping the jobsite free from food scraps after smoko.

// MY HUMAN ASSISTANT WOULD SAY

I AM a massive sook that craves human

MEET THE REAL BOSSES

Sure, you might think you’re running the show, but we all know who the real CEOs of the home and jobsite are...

// MY MOST IMPRESSIVE TRAIT IS my ability to sleep for 20 hours a day.

// ONSITE I AM KNOWN FOR... fending off birds and marking my territory.

// THE FOOD THAT GETS ME OUT OF BED IS... any kind of roast, but lamb is my kryptonite!

attention, and I sulk when I don’t get it. He’s not wrong. I love every human I come into contact with and greet them with a huge smile, but I most enjoy laying all over my human family so they have no choice but to rub my belly.

// MY MOST IMPRESSIVE TRAIT IS... being able to catch my tail when I chase it, all while keeping a sharp eye out for dropped food.

Hi-vis it is – safety first!

// NAME Bo, cattle cross

// HUMAN ASSISTANTS Jonathon and Karen (Sunshine Coast, Qld)

// TIME ONSITE Four years with Animal Containment Solutions.

// FAVOURITE RESPONSIBILITIES

Locating and guarding lunchboxes, muddy puddles and shady spots for naps.

// WHEN WE HIT THE ROAD I LIKE TO... bark with excitement out the side of the ute.

// MY HUMAN ASSISTANTS WOULD SAY I AM... faithful, smart and gentle. Of course, I get employee of the year – every year.

// MY MOST IMPRESSIVE TRAIT IS... always finding a shady spot to nap on the job. I am also a lover, not a fighter, and I get on with every dog I meet. Oh, I also inhale food like it’s oxygen.

// ONSITE I AM KNOWN FOR... never letting my human assistant out of my sight.

// THE FOOD THAT GETS ME OUT OF BED IS literally anything edible. But KFC chicken strips are probably the greatest thing humans have ever created.

We can help get bulky purchases home, whether building a deck or a pergola, tidying up the garden, taking a few loads to the tip, picking up a new fridge/washer/couch or moving house.

Book online or in-store:

For the latest prices and booking information, see websites below.

1 Tonne (1000kg) carrying capacity

Hire by the hour, day, week or longer – just Load & Go

Hire for one day or longer - first 100km free per day

Terms & Conditions apply.

For more information, scan or visit: bunnings.com.au/services/in-store/get-it-home or handyrentals.com.au

YOU HAD JOB!

When you’re called to a site and what you find leaves you scratching your head...

“Drains well!”

// JOEL WILLIAM, BRISBANE, QLD

“After months of building around conduit – you know, the one we had been told was for power to the front gates – the landscaper went to move it and found it was a piece of scrap stuck in the ground, going nowhere and connected to nothing!”

// OWNER-BUILDER, MELBOURNE, VIC

“Someone has had a forking good time here…”

// ANONYMOUS, WERRIBEE, VIC

Seen some headscratchers on a jobsite? Email pictures to us, along with a caption of what the problem is, via trademag@bunnings.com.au

When conduit isn’t conduit