Lauren McAllister & Simon Bank - Business Minds

Civil Design Engineer JOHN OKRASA

CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO LAND DYNAMICS

We speak with John Okrasa known to all as Jok, from Land Dynamics.

Hi Jok. Thank you so much for speaking with FOCUS. Firstly we wanted to congratulate you on your 40 years this month of dedicated service to local business Land Dynamics. What an achievement. I know your commitment and wealth of knowledge is held in very high esteem by your colleagues and the community. Tell us a little about yourself and your role within the business.

It all started when I was on a holiday down on the south coast, it was 1982, I was looking at the Saturday paper and found a position vacant for a Civil Designer in Port Macquarie. So I gave the newspaper snippet to my wife Pam, we forgot about it, until 4 days back from the holiday!

We stumbled back across the ad, rang, made an appointment, had the interview and I pretty much started the following week! Prior to that I was with a private company of Engineers and Surveyors in Sydney for 11 years and 6 months with Baulkham Hills Council.

So for the past 40 years my role has been Civil Design Engineer. I work within a team of experts including Planners, Surveyors, Engineers, Project Management and a Landscape Architect as well as our terrific office support team. It’s practically five businesses in one, so never a dull moment especially with multiple projects on the go all over the coast.

One of the most beneficial experiences was in 1985-86. I’d just completed the design on two jobs - St Albans Estate and Waterview Heights Estate (Kew Rd, just outside of Laurieton). I was lucky enough to work with the road contractor for six months on the site. This experience was invaluable to me and how I considered my future designs for the various infrastructure (sewer, water mains, stormwater and road structures).

I understand you have worked with one of the directors of the company for 34 years. Tell us about the contribution past and present owners of the business have had on the ongoing success of the company?

I have had the good fortune of working with Graham Burns over a period of some 34 years. Graham has vast experience within the east coast of Australia and abroad with managing land development projects both as a consultant and from the developer side.

Of course each business owner has their own style, what I note most is both our Directors; Graham and Michael Summers are really future focused with the way we work, utilising technology in the industry and dealing with evolving client needs. In my time with Land Dynamics I have been involved in the Engineering of at least 50 subdivisions varying in sizes to 100 Lots plus.

Jok, can you tell us a little about the origin of the company. I know its roots travel all the way back to 1918.

There have been a number of leaders at the helm of the business over the years – all who have made a wonderful contribution to the Port Macquarie – Hastings area. Whilst the trading name may have changed, there are connections as far back as the Surveyor Robert (Bob) Dulhunty. It is understood that Bob initially worked for the Lands Department and subsequently setup the surveying business some time after his return from World War 1. There are records of surveys undertaken by

Bob dating back as far as 1913.

The business over this vast period of time has been involved in the development of a large part of Port Macquarie including areas such as Transit Hill, Bellevue Hill, Shelley Beach Estate, Lighthouse Beach Estate, Clifton and North Shore.

Given your years of service, you must have seen vast technological advancements in the industry. Can you outline some of these changes since your commencement with the company.

I have come from producing hand drawn drafting designs on large drafting tables to computer aided design (CAD) at a computer desk with multiple computer screens.

And then you have your calculators. We used to use Chambers Seven-Figure Log Tables and wind up handheld calculators together with drafting instruments such as drafting pens, compass, railway curves, Planimeters (these measure areas), slide rules. (The younger staff are fascinated by all this!) That full hand drawn work is what I miss. What can be produced on computer today though looks magnificent.

What is on the horizon for the business going forward?

I have been threatening to retire for some years but they say I am not allowed! Graham and Michael have built up a great team. But we are always looking for more Engineers and Designers to deal with the expansion of Port Macquarie and surrounding areas.

We work hard but we have a good time. We celebrate all the team birthdays, have a weekly shout out for anyone that has gone above and beyond, then there are our team functions - they are not to be missed! Let’s just say we get a bit loud! We are totally harmless but the laughter is endless. From water skiing on Stoney Creek aqua park, Australia v’s The World cricket at McInerny Park, Lawn Bowls at Port City and Westport, scenic flights over Port, river cruises and hanging out in the boom net

Seeing the lay of with the music going, the land and how we’ve had a lot of fun your designs work and get togethers over the translate out in the years. field during What advice do you infrastructure have for the up and construction is great. comers: Then I go back and look I believe experience at when the houses in the field; not just the start going on. office is the key. Seeing the lay of the land and how your designs work and translate out in the field during infrastructure construction is great. Then I go back and look at when the houses start going on. It’s really satisfying. People’s hopes and dreams and memories are made from those houses. If you have a thirst for learning, an interest in design, can operate a computer and have an extremely high attention to detail give us a call, drop us your resume, come and have a chat with us. Maybe then they’ll let me hang up my boots!

Thanks Jok. Interview: Sarah Baker.

Planning • Civil Engineering • Surveying • Project Management • Landscape Architecture

77 Lord Street, Port Macquarie NSW, 2444 E reception@ldynamics.com.au Ph 02 6583 2677

www.ldynamics.com.au

CAMPUS

CONVERSATIONS

with KATE WOOD-FOYE

FROM CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY

As the Associate Head of School (Research & Graduate Studies) for the School of Allied Health & Exercise Sport sciences, Dr Ian Skinner is a passionate Physiotherapy lecturer and researcher. He inspires his students to make a positive impact in their regional communities though collaborative practice and real world research.

Initially trained in Western Australia, Ian’s work in private practice and chronic pain clinics in NSW enables him to share these valuable experiences with his students. Completing his PhD at Neuroscience Research Australia looking at the cognitive effects on people with chronic back pain, Ian now works with his students to enable people to live and work to their full capacity in a vibrant regional community.

Ian what started your journey and passion in Allied Health and Physiotherapy?

Like most of the health and exercise science students at Charles Sturt, my passion for allied health was born from a strong desire to help others. Being able to help a grandparent lift and hug their grandchild or help a bride walk down an aisle who didn’t think they would be able to is a privilege.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (and Honours Program) is offered on campus at Port Macquarie - can you tell us a little about the course and what makes it unique?

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy course is offered alongside the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science on the Port Macquarie Campus. All three courses are in the same school which allows for collaboration and inter-professional teaching and learning activities. Allied health clinicians do not work in isolation in the community nor then should they train in isolation. Students train with students from other health disciplines to ensure they can work not just with other physiotherapy colleagues but other health disciplines.

Another unique part of the program is the varied and diverse clinical placement opportunities that are offered to students. As a regional university there are specific regional placements programs offered to students to ensure students have the necessary clinical and personal skills alongside the appropriate exposure to work in regional areas.

Anyone who has been at university will tell you that the people who teach you will have the strongest impact on you as a student. We are privileged that the staff within the Physiotherapy course and indeed the Occupational Therapy and Exercise Science courses have a mix of rich clinical experience and diverse research interests. Most importantly though they are people that you can approach and have a chat to and that want you to thrive in your selected career.

Graduates of the Physiotherapy program are working in many diverse and interesting roles all over the country. What kind of careers can graduates go on to enjoy and how they can make a difference?

There are many different varied areas such as neurological physiotherapy (helping people after a stroke), paediatric physiotherapy (children and infants), mental health, gender health, cardio respiratory (often in hospital settings), cancer and chronic pain. Physiotherapy is fundamentally a profession involved in helping people enjoy the things they love. That means we are involved in most areas of society. There is a good chance there is an area that will interest you. It is not all about sports teams that’s for sure.

You are a passionate researcher who strives to find solutions and build knowledge to help patients and the broader community, using this passion to inspire your students. Why is this so important to you and how do you hope to make an impact?

Quite simply we want to make sure that we are doing research that will make a real difference in regional communities. Regional areas have been overlooked for too long when it comes to addressing regional community issues with real world solutions. We are keen to ensure that people across the regions are given the same opportunities to live a rewarding life as those in metropolitan areas. That means being a part of the community and working with those in the community.

Some of the exciting projects that we are currently working on are looking at how to best prepare students for regional clinical placements, evaluating regional pain groups for disadvantaged populations and how to reduce the burden of people with musculoskeletal conditions on hospital admission in regional areas.

study.csu.edu.au/courses/allied-healthpharmacy/bachelor-physiotherapy Thakns Ian.

G.J. Gardner

HOMES

P O R T M A C Q U A R I E

Drewe together with wife Holly (and a family of 7 kids!) are the proud owners and operators of your local G.J. Gardner Homes Port Macquarie

Drewe’s career began in construction, taking him all over the globe for a range of projects, including high-end ski fields in the US to major projects in coastal cities and inland towns across Australia. After that, they decided they wanted to raise their kids in Holly’s home town and establish themselves as local home builders in Port Macquarie. Through this, Drewe has brought his specialised construction skills to deliver great homes for residents of Port Macquarie.

Hi Drewe and Holly, it’s been a whole year since you opened up GJ Gardner Port Macquarie, tell us what has the first year been like for you all?

Our first year of business has been a good mix of exciting achievements and difficult challenges.

A few really standout achievements for us were the opening of our first display home and the fitout and opening of our design studio.

These were two goals we were very passionate about achieving in our first year of business.

It was important for us to be able to provide a standout service for our clients and set the standard from the start.

Our successes have not come without challenges – having our office flooded a year ago certainly was a hurdle we did not factor into our first year of trading, through to the ongoing material shortages we faced. We worked hard to relocate and reestablish our new office / design studio and strengthen our supply chains to avoid the lengthy delays faced in the industry for supply of vital building products. We have a great team who together with our quality trades have mitigated all the challenges thrown at us.

Finding such an amazing team of people to work with has been a huge part of managing these challenges and creating success.

Can you introduce us to your team at GJ Gardner Homes?

Our team is made up of: The Franchisees, Drewe and Holly Timewell. Drewe has taken on many, if not all, roles since the business started. Having 37 years of building and project management experience he has filled the gaps in almost every role as we

With effortless worked on building our connections team in the early days. throughout the Holly is Office Manager home, the Samsara and Accounts Manager. seamlessly flows Steph (Boese) is our between indoor and New Homes Consultant, outdoor living spaces working out of the making the most of display home in Sovereign resort style living. Hill Display Village. Steph started out working in Administration but when a New Homes Consultant position became available Steph was one of the first to apply for the position. We knew Steph would be the perfect person for the job and has proven us right very early on in her role. Mark (McAslan) has previously worked for GJ Gardner in New Zealand and, since moving to

Australia with his family, has joined our team as Construction Supervisor.

Ngahree (Cutler) has recently joined our team as Construction Administrator / Receptionist (and Drewe’s saving grace). She has brought with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Michaela (Killick) joined our team as a Display Home Host, allowing us to provide the public with access to see through our display home 7 days a week.

Your brand new display home has been open for a few months, can you take us through the home and tell us a bit about the key features and build itself?

The completion and opening of our display home in December last year has definitely been a highlight for us. With effortless connections throughout the home, the Samsara seamlessly flows between indoor and outdoor living spaces making the most of resort style living.

We wanted to focus on building something we felt was suited to the local area, adding our own touches. A big part of our vision

We wanted to focus on building something we felt was was building a HOME suited to the local area, rather than a house. adding our own We wanted to create touches. A big part of something people walk our vision was into and instantly get a building a HOME feel for home. rather than a house. Living coastal, with one of the best climates, it was important to create outdoor spaces that felt just as homely as the indoors. A central courtyard allows light and breezes to enter the home, providing a relaxed and comfortable environment while a covered alfresco extends the open plan living space outdoors for year-round entertaining. A spacious master suite is privately positioned to the front of home, complete with elegant ensuite and walk-in robe, while the kids’ zone to the rear has generous sized bedrooms, a family bathroom and an activity room or study. The separate lounge room provides a quiet space to relax and unwind while maintaining a strong connection to the main living areas and central courtyard. The build came together exactly as we envisioned, with the hard work of all the trades that worked on the build, and our suppliers providing us with top quality materials, was a team effort that paid off perfectly.

What is GJ’s point of difference?

At GJ Gardner Homes Port Macquarie we pride ourselves on delivering a quality home to all our clients. Getting to know our clients and understanding what is important to them in a home, and working closely with them throughout the whole process, from the moment they walk in our doors through to handing them the keys to their new home.

Building these relationships is just as important to us as building their homes.

We want every client to feel the joy of building.

What’s the best way to contact you?

We invite anyone who is looking to build or thinking about it to come and take a look through our display home at 4 York St, Sovereign Hills Display Village or our Design Studio at 6/4 Bay St, Bay Park Plaza, Port Macquarie. Come and meet the team, have a coffee and a chat. Phone 02 6533 1055 Email portmacquarie@gjgardner.com.au Web gjgardner.com.au/home-builders/newsouth-wales/port-macquarie

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