With Q2 done and dusted, it’s clear we’ve had another incredibly productive few months. Across our nine live projects and several others in the pre-construction and tendering phase, the momentum hasn’t slowed.
I’m pleased to share that our new business team has successfully secured Dorcas Street, and 437 St. Kilda Road Projects with demolition works already underway on both. Piling works are scheduled to commence in the second half of the year, marking another exciting milestone ahead.
As many of you know, Q2 is also the time we conduct our annual reviews. It’s always a privilege to reflect on the achievements and growth of our people - and to read the feedback that highlights just how much progress is being made across all areas of the business.
We also take this opportunity to assess what areas of focus we need to have in the learning and development space, ensuring we continue to invest in the growth of our teams.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the following employees on their recent promotions:
Please also note, our upcoming Head Office move will occur on Monday 25 August.
Please be mindful and supportive of the efforts involved by those managing the design, build and logistics of this transition - your cooperation will go a long way in making it as smooth as possible.
• Rohan Hooper
- Senior Construction Manager
• Nick Tolios
- Project Director
• Shaun Florence
- Project Director
• Raffi Bornyan
- Project Manager
• Hayden Calway
- Project Manager
• Alex Kutaysov
- Contracts Manager (Project Based)
• Jordan Kamenjarin
- Junior Project Manager
• Nick Papaleo
- Junior Project Manager
• Darren Swaris
- Junior Project Manager
• Lewis Donoghue
- Junior Project Manager
• Michael McKinna
- Senior Project Coordinator
• Jay Kennedy-Harris
- Senior Project Coordinator
• Will McNab
- Contract Administrator
• Dermie Simmons
- Senior Project Coordinator
• Brad Johnson
- Contract Administrator
• Gene Thorbecke
- Senior Design Manager
• Karen McInerney
- Assistant Post Construction Manager
• Matt Love
- Talent Acquisition Manager
PROJECT UPDATES
We have had a great start to the year across our projects, with some notable key milestones achieved:
• Bennetts’ Lane structure has topped out, with window installation closely following the stripping of the structure;
• Assemble MRK has topped out it’s last of five buildings, including completion of an onsite prototype apartment, with the team gearing up for energisation and defecting to commence;
• St. Clare the Mansard Roofing works has commenced, with the external brickwork and windows to all building nearing completion, and completion of the onsite prototype;
• Assemble VSB the first Tower Crane has been erected, and substructure works commenced;
• Richmond Square both tower cranes are erected on, with the slab on ground complete across the entire site, and the west tower core progressed above ground floor!
• Balmain Street in Cremorne substructure is complete, with the structure now rising above ground floor;
• HOME Albert Park, and Clarendon Street the perimeter retention piles and capping beams are complete on both projects, with bulk excavation well underway;
• Hudson Hub out west, our project structure is progressing at a rapid pace, with top out expected in the next quarter.
The presentation of our projects and branding is being recognised, and the progress of our onsite works while prioritising safety and quality is being well received by our Clients – Keep up the Good Work!
The new business and estimating team are working tirelessly to secure new and exciting projects, ranging across new and existing sectors. Look forward to providing news on awarded projects next quarter.
Young Builder of the Year (Andrew MacDonald)
Master Builder of the Year (Finalist)
Excellence in Highrise Apartment Buildings – HOME Docklands
Excellence in Mediumrise Apartment Buildings – Assemble BSB
Excellence in Construction of Industrial Buildings – Stockland
Excellence in Lowrise Apartment Buildings – COMO Terraces
Excellence in Mediumrise Apartment Buildings – Local Kensington
Wyvern Private hospital in the MB NSW Awards
Altona
Reconciliation
We celebrated National Reconciliation Week (NRW) from 27 May to 3 June.
Cultural Protocols
We have launched our Indigenous Cultural Protocols
Cultural protocols are customs, values, and guidelines that provides a framework for behaviours and interactions of a specific cultural group.
These cultural protocols are intended to increase awareness, recognition, and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rich cultures. It is also intended to help create an inclusive workplace that is culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
NAIDOC Week
We celebrated NAIDOC week between 6-9 July marking its 50 year milestone. To learn more about NAIDOC and this year’s theme and artwork please follow this link here
Carbon Accounting
Developing a data collection and reporting toolkit with Smartsheet
» Designed to standardise sustainability data collection across all projects
» Will support compliance with Mandatory Climate Disclosures and delivery of Green Star-certified projects
Green Star
Piloting the Green Star Project Toolkit across two projects:
» Home Albert Park & CBUS
437 St Kilda Road
Coming Up
» GreenStar Information Session - 30 July
Jay Kennedy-Harris Senior Project Coordinator at Richmond Square
Thank you for sharing what NAIDOC and Reconciliation means to you.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your indigenous background?
I’m a Gunggandji and Trawalaway man. My bloodline on my mothers side (Trawalaway) are from Tasmania and my fathers side (Gunggandji) are from Yarrabah just south of Cairns, Queensland. I’m very fortunate to come from a family with a strong connection to culture and heritage. Still practicing the art, song, dance, and storytelling of past generations. Dad was a dancer, artist and activist. Mum is also an artist and educator. This is how they ultimately met in Melbourne in the early 90’s. Both Mum and Dad spent their lives sharing and teaching our culture to people of all backgrounds, and it’s incredible the impact they’ve each had throughout Melbourne alone.
It’s difficult to summarise their work and background in a few words so I’ll share some photos that I think speak for them.
Reflections on Reconciliation
What does reconciliation mean to you personally?
Reconciliation to me is acceptance. Acceptance to listen and learn more about Indigenous culture; the stories/dreamtimes of our tribes, the traditions we still practice as well as their purpose. Acceptance also of the olive branch from non-indigenous Australians who are curious enough to ask questions from a place of empathy.
I think we all find it difficult to navigate what reconciliation should look like. There are scars that exist from the past that many want to move on from with urgency and for others they still hurt a lot today. Like most fractured relationships they just take time. It may not feel resolved today but if we continue to accept each other and take lessons from the past we can enjoy watching our children be the beneficiaries and new custodians of our commitment.
Dad - Edgar Harris Jnr
What are the positive changes in the way reconciliation is approached have you seen in the workplace or broader community?
I’ve been a part of some incredible communities, organisations and workplaces in the way reconciliation is approached. I personally have lived a very fortunate life as a beneficiary of the efforts of my parents’ generation.
It’s hard to speak for the broader community but what I love about the construction industry is that it is the great equalizer. You only know what you know, and you only earn the respect of those around you as the person you are. Construction is made up of people who have earnt their place and because of that there is inherently a great sense of equality.
Hacer is a company I’m proud to work for because they grant young people the opportunity to live and breathe this amazing industry.
This years reconciliation week our HSR on site (Shaun O’Toole) at Fortis was genuinely pumped to the Indigenous flags flying on the cranes. We then ordered this years NAIDOC week hoodies from the CFMEU together and I think that lived experience says as much about reconciliation in the workplace as any opinion piece I could write.
What is something you wish changed as part of reconciliation?
I wish people were thanked more and invited to share their curiosity. I look at the people I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with and notice they carry a sense of guilt but haven’t done anything wrong.
I know those people have had a great impact on my life and that same generosity and empathy is offered to so many others. It’s ok to ask for more, but at some stage good people deserve to be thanked.
To that point I’d like to express my gratitude to Hacer and the teams I’ve worked with. Hacer does everything a business can to be apart of the solution but ultimately, it’s the people within the business that make the difference. So, to those people, thank you!
Mum - Heather Kennedy
Me - Jay Kennedy Harris
Giving Back, Getting Active, and Looking Ahead
On the 15th of May, 12 of our employees generously volunteered their evening at the Fareshare kitchens in Abbotsford to help prepare meals for people doing it tough. This marked our 6th year supporting Fareshare - an incredible effort and testament to our ongoing commitment to community.
Thanks to the collective efforts across sites and offices, we also raised over $9,000 for the 2025 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal through morning teas and site BBQs. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed!
Winter Walks Are Back!
Lace up and join us on Monday 18 August at 6:30am at The Tan for a brisk morning walk to kick-start your week.
If you’d like to be added to the walking group, please contact Claire.
What’s Coming Up in the Second Half of the Year?
We’ve got a full calendar of health and wellbeing activities, including:
• Melbourne Marathon
• Around the Bay in a Day
• 2XU Run for Beyond Blue (Mental Health Awareness)
• Mental Health First Aid & Refresher Training
• R U OK? Day
• Christmas Salvation Army Appeal
Our next Health and Wellbeing Committee Meeting will be held late August. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please forward them to: heatlhandwellbeing@hacer.com.au - we’d love to hear from you!
Winter Walks
WHEN: 18TH AUG 11TH SEP (RUOKDAY) 6TH OCT AT 6:30AM
WHERE: GATE D, THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Reward and Recognition
Karen McInerney
Assistant Post Construction Manager
Karen has been a tremendous support to the Post Construction team and greater business this year. During a period marked by unforeseen absences, she stepped up to maintain clear and consistent communication with our clients and tenantsbuilding strong, trusted relationships during what is often one of the most challenging phases in a project’s lifecycle.
She continues to provide valuable support to the team, and her understanding of construction processes, responsibilities, and how buildings come together has grown significantly due to her self-determination and willingness to learn well beyond the scope of her role.
10 Year Anniversary
Andie Leggett
Post Construction Manager
MVP Q2
10 Year Anniversary Frank Traviato Supervisor
10 Year Anniversary Michael Stavrou Labourer
Social Club
At our most recent event, 25 members of the Social Club gathered at The Orrong for a night of drinks, a meal, and to watch the highly anticipated Carlton vs Sydney blockbuster. To keep the energy high, five $100 Visa gift cards were up for grabs, with friendly wagers placed on various game outcomes.
One of the highlights of the night was watching Justin Cleaves lose out on a $100 prize in dramatic fashion - thanks to a last-minute junk time goal by Sam Walsh with just seven seconds left on the clock!
Coming Up Noisy Ritual Wine Tasting
Our next event is a wine tasting and meal at Noisy Ritual in Brunswick on July 25th from 6pm.
We are keen to open the night up to both existing social club members and anyone looking to join so please contact either Matt Love, Harry Tresize or Tim Petts if you are keen to get along!
