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
• Luca Palmarella
- Supervisor
PROJECT UPDATES
The first half of 2025 has been busy across all our projects, and there is much to be positive about, with some notable key milestones achieved:
• Bennetts’ Lane: The finish and quality of the curved precast facade and window wall system on this project is very impressive, which is expected to be enhanced under external feature lighting in the second half of the year. The tower crane and hoist removal is imminent, to enable penetration infills and completion of window installation. Fit out works are well underway, with the team gearing up for energisation, commissioning and defecting to commence, with works on track for completion later this year.
• Assemble MRK: The team has managed to successfully build this large scale campus style project under challenging site constraints. The façade is complete to all five buildings, with the final tower crane dismantle, hoist and scaffold removal imminent. Fitout to the communal areas has commenced, with energisation, commissioning and defecting to apartments well underway. The team has commenced the landscaping works across the precinct, and is on track for completion later this year.
• St. Clare: This unique retirement living project is looking incredible which is a credit to the team, with the external mansard roofing, brickwork and windows to all four apartment buildings nearing completion, and external scaffold removal underway. External works to the Heritage buildings and communal spaces are almost complete, with fitout to these areas progressing well. Team has commenced energisation, commissioning and defecting to apartments, and has advanced with the extensive landscaping works. Project is on track for completion late this year.
• Fortis Richmond Square: The structure is progressing well, and we’re looking forward to seeing the well branded Jump Forms and Hacer tower cranes climb with the structure in the next quarter. Formwork removal and services installation is underway within the basement. Excited to see the feature brickwork facade to the podium, and window wall installation to apartments commence in the second half of this year.
• Hudson Hub: The team out west is doing a great job, with the structure now complete, and installation of curtain wall façade, and cladding to the external shroud underway. Fitout has commenced to the lower floors, and project is on track for completion late this year.
• Balmain Street: Despite the hustle and bustle challenges in Cremorne, the structure is progressing at a rapid pace, with structure top out expected in the next quarter, including the arrival and installation of curtain wall façade panels.
• Assemble VSB: The site establishment is complete, and the project looks great, with all three tower cranes now erected. The basement was completed on schedule, and the structure works across all four buildings are progressing well, with the commencement of window wall installation to Buildings 1 & 2 expected in the next quarter.
• HOME Albert Park: The team has done a great job managing the interface between the demolition and new basement works, which is nearing completion. The first tower crane has been erected, and the substructure works commenced.
• Clarendon Street: Perhaps the quickest three level basement ever constructed, the first tower crane has now been erected, and substructure works commenced.
In the last quarter, the new business team has secured Dorcas Street Project, and 437 St. Kilda Project, with demolition works underway on both projects, and piling works expected to commence in the second half of this year.
Other projects that have been secured and forecast to commence onsite in the second half of this year include Assemble SGRP, and Jam Factory – Stage 2
We’re pleased that all our current projects are being built on or ahead of schedule, which is being well received by our clients, and recognised in the industryKeep up the Good Work!
The new business and estimating team continue to work tirelessly to secure new and exciting projects, 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
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 - 6 August
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
Thank you, Jay Kennedy-Harris, for sharing your insights on the meaning of Reconciliation. Read Jay’s interview on the following page.
Interview with Jay Kennedy-Harris Senior Project Coordinator at Richmond Square
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
Family tradition - fishing and turtling in Yarrabah
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 equaliser. 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 have 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 & 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!
