Issue 28 - October 2017
SOCiety What’s happening around the OC
Message from Rory Hello While Tasos takes leave to recharge his batteries, it’s my turn to be Acting OCM for Sydney.
Spotlight on Our new Service Line Leaders
While it’s business as usual, spying Christmas decorations in the shops is a stark reminder that we’re getting to the pointy end of the year with a few more things to cover off before we have our break. In particular, November is a very important month for our global organisation alignment project, with everyone given the opportunity to have a say on our job titles. For a quick recap, we are moving to a Principal and Associate designation. That means from February 2018, the terms Principal and Associate will take on new meaning – designating leaders and owners of our business. Currently, we use the term Principal to describe a role or position title, so this needs to change to avoid confusion. We’ll also have a look at other job titles to see if they can be changed to be more contemporary or market relevant. This is where you step in. The Australian Leadership Team (ALT) is interested in your feedback on titles including:
•
Replacement options for current Principal and Associate based titles
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Thoughts on other titles that could be modernised
Until 10 November we will be gathering ideas in the following ways: •
an online discussion forum
•
office briefings
•
focus groups
If you would like to have your say, head to the portal on iConnect and join the discussion forum. You can also email the project team at titles@ghd.com with your feedback or questions. In the second half of November a staff survey will also be sent out. It would be great to get as much feedback from the SOC as possible, so start giving some thought to the direction you think we should be going with our job titles and make sure your voice is heard. Rory
Key dates: • • • • • • • • •
Wednesday 1 November - JP Morgan Corporate Challenge Wednesday 1 November - Movember kicks off Friday 3 November - Australian Super session, Piccadilly Friday 10 November - Staff update hosted by PM & D Tuesday 14 November - YP vs Management debate Thursday 23 November - YP Christmas Party Friday 24 November - Client Service Award nominations due Saturday 25 November - Social Club event at Luna Park Thursday 14 December - SOC Christmas Party
Andre Smit (centre) on site at the Gasworks near Redfern
Lynn Sorrell at St Pancras Railway Station, London
The SOC has produced not one, but two new Service Line Leaders thanks to the outstanding talent we have in the Sydney offices. Lynn Sorrell, Market Leader for Western Sydney, and Andre Smit, contaminated land specialist, will now join the ranks of Australia’s Service Line Leaders who are all experts in their field and tasked with advancing our technical services. Lynn Sorrell SLL for Urban Planning and Land Development for Australia, APAC and Europe/Middle East. With 30 years’ experience in the planning and urban development sector, Lynn brings broad multidisciplinary understanding of cities and the way they function. “My vision is that GHD will further position itself as a leader in the development of sustainable urban environments,” she says. “At a time of rapid urbanisation we must strive to create places that enhance people’s lives, encourage prosperity and ensure a legacy that our clients and GHD can be proud of.” Lynn’s experience covers complex urban projects in Australia, NZ and South Africa. She has worked on the Sydney Light Rail and is an active member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia. Andre Smit SLL for Contamination Assessment and Remediation (CAR) in Australia, APAC and Europe/Middle East Andre takes over the SLL role at a time when PFAS contamination is attracting community concern and media scrutiny. “Emerging contaminants are driving significant industry growth and research. There are many opportunities to expand delivery of our services, for both new and old client bases. Innovation and research are key for our service line, as well as collaboration with the extensive knowledge base we have in North America,” Andre says. Andre has 16 years’ experience spanning Australia, the UK and South Africa. He is an EPA accredited contaminated land site auditor in NSW, ACT and NT, and was one of the first practitioners in GHD to obtain professional certification under the new CEnvP specialist scheme. Andre regularly contributes to industry through association executive committees, technical presentations, and guidance documents.
Parramatta party New look launch
Julie Jones and May Ngui
It was great to officially celebrate the new look Parramatta office this month with clients and guests getting together to admire the great work done by our interior design team. Darug woman Julie Jones performed the Welcome to Country and presented May with the office plaque.
Quiz Masters Mental Health Week
Dana Ippolito, Jacqui Hallchurch and Andrew Porter
We used Mental Health Week in October to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing, and tackle the stigma that can prevent people seeking help. Two teams battled it out in a quiz which questioned popular myths and misconceptions.
YP networking event The Loop creates buzz
Gen Z inspred by STEM GO Foundation
Guests networking at the Verandah Restaurant & Wine Bar (MCs Celine El-Khouri and Nick Ioannides)
Ben Anderson (right corner) next to Adam Goodes
Another fabulous turn out for the second YP networking event, The Loop. Keynote speaker was Jeremy Dooley (Reach Foundation), who spoke about the importance of creating a genuine personal brand. Clients said they loved the opportunity to make industry connections while picking up professional tips from speakers. Next Loop event is early 2018 and is all about job satisfaction and motivation.
Christmas costume Prizes for best masks
We hosted STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) sessions at Piccadilly last month, with our people volunteering their time to share their expertise with the next generation. Our partnership with GO Foundation saw 18 Indigenous high school students do some fun (and educational) activities to raise awareness of our industry. The GO Foundation’s Adam Goodes also joined the group.
Photo comp winner Zac on track
We have prizes for the best masks at our Masquerade themed Christmas Party this year so get creative. Invitations have now been sent so make sure you RSVP. When: 14 December Where: Doltone House – Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont Time:
6:30 pm -10:30 pm
Dress: Cocktail
Controversy reigns again with Greg Kotze having to remove himself from judging this month due to ‘family conflicts’. One thing that’s not in doubt is this cracker taken by Zac Kotze when he was at the Mt Isa mines.
Abseil for youth “Quite scary but safe”
Paul on the top of 1 Market Street in the CBD
Design winners FutureNet
Robert Prast, third from left, with his winning team
Paul de Mar abseiled a 33 storey building to raise money for youth in crisis. Congratulations to Robert Prast, Civil Engineer in our Parramatta office, whose team won the FutureNet Business Leaders design competition ‘Abseil for Youth’ is the annual fundraising event undertaken by the Sir organised by industry association Consult Australia. David Martin Foundation which helps 16 to 24 year olds with drug and alcohol addictions and teaches them how to turn their lives around. Robert worked with young professionals from other consulting organisations to transform Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge from a major Paul joined a team of other business people to raise more than $50,000. transport link into a public space and destination for visitors. Paul raised a not-too-shabby $7000 which included a boost from SOC’s GHD in the Community. “We were excited by the opportunity to contribute to discussion on the future of Sydney. We enjoyed structured training in a broad range of skills “Once you’ve relinquished your adrenaline fuelled iron grip on the guardrail from body language and public speaking to contract law and accounting and gone over the edge securely attached to the rope, it is an amazing and I am now applying this to my work at GHD,” said Robert. experience,” said Paul. While admitting it was quite scary but safe, Paul recommends it to anyone looking for a fun fundraising challenge. The event is held every year.
EWB uni challenge
Corporate games Sydney’s sporty side Sydney Uni students presenting to GHD
Thanks to Eric Bugeja and Anita Steele (pictured right) for giving up their time to judge the EWB Challenge at Sydney University. The EWB challenge is for top first year students who have to create a prototype idea while learning about design, teamwork and communication. This year’s challenge focussed on sustainable development projects to benefit Vanuatu communities. Our judges picked two winning teams who then came to Piccadilly and presented their ideas at a lunch session. Want to get involved? Contact your SOC reps Dana Ippolito and Maritsa Andre Smit (centre) receives silver in the Mens 5km run. Below, our netball team
Global worming Many people enjoy getting out into their gardens, but for those who don’t have one, have you thought about heading down to a community garden? It is a great way to meet people, and there are close to 100 scattered across the Sydney area alone.
Our people competed in a range of sports at the 25th annual NSW Corporate Games at Homebush Olympic centre including netball, running and golf. Finals glory eluded our netballers (teams had to win all pool games to advance) but the grins above are testament to the fun had on the day and there are plans to do it all again next year. There was a bit more success in the solo events, with Andre Smit, Alister Mclean and Sonia Adams earning placings in their respective events.
Did you know that half of all household waste is organic and ideal for your garden? Worm farms are a great way to reduce your organic waste and your carbon footprint. When organic waste decomposes in landfill, it produces greenhouse gases. Landfill gas is made up of approximately 54% methane (which is 24 times more damaging than CO2) and 40% carbon dioxide. Worm castings are nutrient-rich and excellent fertiliser for gardens and potted plants. For those of you short on space, you might consider a Bokashi Bin or something similar. Some councils offer a rebate when you buy a worm farm or compost bin. There is even a EnsoPet bin so you can compost your pet’s waste! Happy gardening!
People achievements
New babies
Service milestones
ney John Ewing and Court tober Oc 10 on welcomed Finn
lcome en we Prave d n ber a ki eptem y Kar arly S e n Mand i an Kaya
Tarun
Malv iya a nd P Aavir on 28 allavi welc omed Septe mber
15 years service
Douglas Smith
15 years service
Mike Kavanagh
10 years service
Andrew Kohlrusch
10 years service
John Marfleet
10 years service
Harry Papadimitriou
10 years service
Jackie Borg
5 years service
From left: John, Douglas, Libby, Mike, Andrew and Peter
We made it to the finals in this year’s Dragons Abreast Festival! Although pipped at the post, it was a good result for the return of the season.
Ian Burrows Reem Finkelde Water Systems Planning Stakeholder
Ramin Razaghi Building Services
Abison Abraham Project Management
Ricky Bligh Water Systems Planning
20 years service
Libby Parsons
d
New faces
Hayden Buters Rail
Peter Eccleston
Kate Swift Marketing
Nilia Khoshnevis NWRL
Joe Lukas Geotechnical
Margaret Savage Project Management
Firman Siahaan Geotechnical
Chris Drury Contamination & Enviro. management
GHD fielded two strong teams at the recent EWB Games Football Competition. Our teams finished 2nd and 3rd overall in the competition and helped raise funds for EWB
Farewell to.... •
Adam Chan, Maritime and Coastal
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Bosco Poon, Geotechnical Services
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Chris Johnson, Digital Infrastructure
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James Lean, Contamination and Environmental Management
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Baz Mohebbati, SLR
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Meghan Wray, Stakeholder Management
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Mansee Sachdeva, Traffic and Transport Planning
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Garry Taylor, SLR
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Kristine Lim, Water Infrastructure
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Sam Wheatley, Project Management and Delivery
Social clubbers used their skills and wit to escape from the sealed room. Above left at Parramatta and right in Sydney.