Who at Hutchies Toowoomba saved the life of a competitor’s executive chairman’s son? the answer in of pages of our Hutchies’ Tbar Talk newsletter.
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I, above all else feel, grateful for all the good things we have going for us at Hutchies in Toowoomba and feel incredibly lucky to be part of this team. Thanks again to each and every one of you for all of your effort, keep up the good work and hope you enjoy the read.
From Leesy
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Welcome to our Spring Edition of Tbar Talk. The last quarter has been as action packed as the one before, with plenty still happening at Hutchies Toowoomba. We saw out the ‘21 / ’22 financial year with a great afternoon of food, drinks, a modular yard tour, a bit of an update on the business, following a particularly engaged foreman’s meeting. We have also seen our team continue to grow over the last few months, with some great new people joining the team and a couple of old faces returning. To the new starters, welcome, it is great having you here and to the likes of Pete and Charlesy it is great having you back, you have both had an immediate impact on the team and are adding a lot of value right across the park. See inside for the latest org chart for the updates to the team. We have also seen a significant amount of work written recently and the completion of a few as well. One of the key projects we have secured recently is the $29M Baillie Henderson Day Surgery in Toowoomba. This project is the start of a significant amount of work scheduled to be undertaken on the site and is currently Toowoomba’s largest project (outside of the modular yard). It will be a perfect anchor job in town for a number of our team and is due to be completed the start of ’24. Congratulations also to the entire South West Hospitals team on the successful completion of an extremely challenging package of works. Well done. Despite the well documented challenges in the industry around supply chain and resource availability, I am impressed with how well we have handled this as a team. It’s clearly not been business as usual and has required extra effort from every single one of our team to deal with the volatility that’s been in the market recently. Despite this, we have continued to deliver good quality projects in impressive timeframes. It is of course down to the quality, commitment and effort of our team that has made this possible, whilst so many of our colleagues have strug gled in the same environment. Along with our long term history, track record and strong balance sheet, it is above all else our people who are the secret sauce at Hutchies. Never has there been a clearer example of this then over the past 12 months or so. Thank you for your commitment, accountability, effort, hard work and most of all for acting like a team throughout the challenges. Continue to look after each other and there is no limit to what we will achieve. My sense is that the worst of the market challenges are likely behind us and there is some light at the end of the tunnel. However, I have certainly been wrong on this in the past. We are extremely fortunate to find ourselves in a position where we are again totally fully booked and still nego tiating a number of good project oppor tunities for early ’23. It is looking likely that we will write a few more jobs before Xmas and to have all of ’23 totally full before the fat man in the red suit visits us in December.
TBAR TALK A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR HUTCHIES’ TOOWOOMBA STAFF SPRING 2022
Master Builders Downs and Western Awards
Celebrations
From left to right, Hayley (Rooster’s partner), Rooster, Washo, Michelle (Washo’s partner), Benny, and Shani (Benny’s partner) joined the celebration Grand opening of The Terraces
Graduation
The Bigger Big Rig, bespoke structural steel tower, won the Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 Million category. The Bigger Big Rig is a great addition to Maranoa Regional Council’s thriving tourism and will integrate into the existing Big Rig interactive tours and tourism program.
From left to right, Andy (Hutchies’ Apprentice Coordinator), Benny and Leesy during the celebration in the office
The Wagner Corporation Regional Trade Distribution Centre is strategically placed immediately adjacent to the International Airport to accelerate the time frames in getting produce from the Darling Downs and surrounds to their respective international partners around the Globe
Congrats to Ben McNalty on completing his Certificate III in Carpentry. Hutchies’ Apprentice Coordinator Andy Becconsall dropped in to award Benny as trade qualified.
Each year, Master Builders Queensland recognise members at the forefront of building innovation and quality craftsmanship, promoting and showcasing excellence in Queensland’s housing and construction industry. This year, the outstanding performance of our team was recognised with two awards. The Wagner Corporation Regional Trade Distribution Centre, a large state-of-the-art storage facility and transport hub located at the Wellcamp Airport, was the winner of the Industrial Building over $5 Million category.
The Bigger Big Rig includes a ‘Tree Top Walkway’ that counterlevers a thrilling 12m over the Bungil Creek and also features a large viewing platform that is 43m above the ground, perfect for soaking up the vistas of the Western Downs
Benevolent Living aged care invited our team to the official Grand Opening and inaugural exhibition of the new building, The Terraces.
PC EOFY party Clay target shooting had to be postponed due to the weather, but it didn’t stop us sharing some drinks and laughs. The day started with a Foremans’ meeting follow by a team performance update from Sean. We all received customised hi-vis vest in time for the State of Origins Grand Final. We closed the day with drinks and nibbles at Proof. Our team managed to overcome many challenges last financial year, so this was really a time for a celebration. Well done All!
From left to right: Lachie, Leesy, Jess, Scottish, Gav, Coxy, Bruce, Chez, Ish, Jack, Megan, Tommy, Tarla and Riley Lees (from Just Crete’n) at the awards’s night at Rumours International Coxy received both awards in the representation of all teams involved in these projects
From left to right: Nick, Lachie, Nolsy, Jake, Tonk and Wayno catching up Leesy providing a performance update to the team in the office
From left to right: Coxy, JC, Adam, Washo and Benny enjoying fresh air Tonk and Griff posing for the camera Wayno and Washo having a laugh
Upcoming birthdays September 6 Alec Zajacek 7 Ben Sutton 11 Terry Plummer 19 Tori Marx 22 Amy Rafter 27 Steve Wyatt 1 Josh Lee 8 Jack Laine 9 Jack Carter 12 Brandon Tonkin 13 Tarla Judd 16 Rohan Cox 17 Brett Washington 27 Jeremy Spehr 3 Griffin Vicary 3 Kirsten Shore 9 Lachlan Bloomfield 10 Geoff Kampf 23 Damian Mills 23 Megan McGuinness October November Our Cost Planner Chandy dragged Jack Gardner, son of Gary Gardner (FKG’s executive chairman), out of his crashed car moments before it burst into flames in 2015. PC Ladies Arvo The ladies from our team enjoyed a relaxing and fun arvo at their annual lunch followed by drinks. It was also the perfect opportunity for having Beck’s baby shower and giving her the Hutchies hamper for her baby. Gary and Corrine enjoying the break From left to right: Ish, Doggy. Kirsten and Jess enjoying some drinksThe TWB team waiting for the food at Proof From left to right: Ish, Kirsten, Beck, Megan, Jess, Jodes, Gracey, Tarla and Corrine at The Plate Beck’s Baby Shower Jess and Tarla at Fitzy’s
Danny Charlesworth
PC Welcome to Hutchies! A warm welcome to all our new starters and welcome back to Danny Charlesworth. We are very excited to have all of you joining our team. • Danny Charlesworth - Pre-Construction Manager • Mick Fleming - Building Services Manager • Darren Armsden - Pre-Con Plan/Programming • Alec Noble - Project Manager • Charlie Hasted - Contracts Administrator • Alex MacIvor - Contracts Administrator • Lauren Kalinowski - HSEQ Administrator • Corey Phipps - Structural/Blocklaying Foreman • Alec Zajacek - Roving Foreman • Dean Millman - Site Foreman • Nick O’Riley - Structural Foreman • Jeremy Spehr - Structural Foreman • Hayden Phipps -Junior Structural Foreman • Josh Dietz - Site Manager • Ricky Weinand - Roving Foreman • Tori Marx - Junior Contracts Administrator
Some of the projects Charlesy has been involved in are Stanthorpe Wine College, Encore Restaurant, and QGC Warehouse.
“He was the 2IC of Hutchies Toowoomba for about 14 years and is a tremendous pick-up for our business. His track record and capability are second to none in the Toowoomba Construction sector.
Danny (a.k.a. Charlesy) started his career in the Heavy Engineering Fabrication Industry and completed numerous projects for Mining Infrastructure. His mechanical engineering background has proven to be very Charlesyvaluable.progressed to a management role for a large engineering fabrication business, prior to moving to the construction industry. He has been working in commercial construction for Hutchinson Builders since 2003 and during this time has been responsible for costing, procuring and managing construction projects up to $80 Million in value. The projects range across numerous sectors including Civil, Com mercial, Modular, Hydraulic, Mining, Industrial and Residential.
Danny will be backfilling Gav in the Pre-Construction space, with Gav heading up our Modular business, which we see as a massive growth opportunity”, Sean said.
Millsy and John laying the first blocks From left to right: Hayden, Tyler, Nick and Corey working on site Toowoomba Base Hospital Both Emergency Department Extension and the Covid Ward projects enter into a strategy where the construction program is to be accelerated moving forward to see the project over the line and completed ahead of schedule. The site has had a significant transformation with the modules being landed recently.
From left to right: Tim, Andy (site labourer), Peter, Jake, Damo and Millsy during an onsite meeting Bunnings Kempsey
“It is amazing what a little sunshine can do, we are now miles away from the days of playing in the mud. Bunnings Kempsey is getting an internal slab. Everyone is putting in a top effort to get this project completed so Bunnings can move in before Christmas”, Amy said.
Project updates Mylne St. units
Leesy laying bricks at the start of the stair core of the TWB Hospital- Covid ward
Amy and Wayno with Aleemax concrete consultant Elvis Fantov
To date, the project site establishment and demolition of the existing commercial tenancy building has been completed. Retaining walls have been erected and site ground works are complete to subgrade level. Pad footings have been installed and ground floor columns erected.
From left to right: Darren and JC taking QBCC Commissioner Ms. Anissa Levy, her assistant Mr. Gary Saunders, and the Licensing Officer Ms. Katrina Ennor, for a walk around the site
The project is progressing well with roofing now installed to the PE Hall and two of the four General Learning Areas. Concurrently the internal framing and linings to these buildings are underway. Under croft blockwork and columns are in place to the undercroft of the remaining two buildings with suspended slabs be poured in the coming weeks.Johnand Bowe proudly posing for the camera on site
Downlands College P-4
It is full steam ahead at Wilsonton shopping Centre with the in-ground fuel tanks installed for the proposed 7/11 and all inground services currently under way onsite. The Hutchinson Builders block layers have made great progress with the external retaining walls and tilt panels casting has started onsite this week.
PC Ocean Verge Apartments In a complex build to get out of the ground, the team at Ocean Verge can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. To date the project has delt with high strength rock, shotcrete, rock anchors and an extremely large cut. “Thanks to the site team of John Clo hessy and Paul Bowe. The guys have got ¾ of the SOG completed. This project is a credit to the Toowoomba Hutchies endurance and persistence to achieve an outcome”, Josh, said.
Josh D. and Greeny driving the diggers on site Wilsonton Shopping Centre Stage 2
Serious cut, high strength rock, service diversions, blockwork, formwork, rock anchors, shotcrete, SOG all simultaneously on a site where literally the base ment footprint is the entire site
This week will see the completion of the structural steel to the main roof area as well as stair 1 & 2 awnings’ roofs’. The roof is scheduled to commence at the end of this week and will be completed by mid-next week allowing the building to be semi weather proof and works to get cracking on level 3. Subcontractors are actively working through the services rough-in to level 1 & 2 with full rough-in to be completed by the 7/09, allowing wall and ceiling sheeting to commence on the 8/09 and be completed by mid-next week. Services rough-in has commenced within the gym & PE area and are scheduled to be completed early next week.
Drone photo of the construction site
Benevolent Living With Stage 1 finished, the Benevolent Living site team of Washo and Benny have ripped straight into the 2nd stage. Stage 2 is progressing well with the demolition out of the way and the bulk excavation and inground services progressing in heavy duty rock. The guys have managed this while also answering to operational issues raised by staff in the existing facility. This job displays great evidence of Toowoomba Hutchies to fully service the client even when outside of contract scope.
From left to right: Clients Max Brammer and Dirk Yates with Gary durig the last site inspection
Good Samaritan College
Strathpine Childcare Centre Beckcon team completing the inground footings with Hanson Concrete and Pump Action Concrete Pumping
Washo and Benny supervising the excavation
All under slab services have been completed on site with the ground slab being expected to be poured soon Benevolent stage 2 basement dig underway going well
The design documentation is complete and all authority approvals are in hand other than TMR crossover and verge works permit. We have been granted access to site for material unloading, concrete pumping and cranage through St. Pauls College grounds to the east. The site is not accessible from the street until the crossover and verge works are completed, as the existing crossover gradient is prohibitive for heavy vehicle access. In August, the in ground drainage and footings have been completed.
Glenvale/Greenwattle Childcare
Glenvale Childcare and Medical Centre both have slabs completed. The frames and trusses are underway on the Childcare Centre. This is a large footprint of roughly 900m2. The medical centre Structural Steel is being installed ready for the timber frames and truss es at the end of the month.
Riley Lees and his team from Just Crete’n finishing the slab off Southwest Hospital and Health Services
Corey, Morgs and Jack will be missing their time in the wild western Queensland area as this project is nearing completion Westhaven - Roma treatment plant
“Our plumbers have done an outstanding job on this project, significantly upgrading the hydraulic systems at 11 outback Queensland hospitals to improve the water quality for the vulnerable patience. The project is nearing completion with all commissioning and flushing of the Legionella treatment plants on SP1 & SP2 sites finished. Testing on all sites has now been completed and 9 of the 11 sites testing Legionella free. We have our fingers crossed that the last 2 results come back all clear this well”, Amy said.
PC NSW Temporary Housing This projects is currently ahead of contract program with 412 modules delivered. The scope is expected to increase with Hutchies being asked to provide a solution for common amenities, additional DDA modules and a health clinic to 11 of the sites. Project value is expected to increase to $110Mil.
The Hutchies table was all smiles at the Toowoomba LifeFlight Gala dinner Davo, Chandy, Greg S. and Josh D. at the Chari Tee Golf Day Leesy presenting our sponsorship at the Darling Dingoes Luncheon at The Oaks last week. Blocka taking a selfie with Glenn McGrath
Toowoomba LifeFlight Gala
Continuing our long-lasting relationship with RACQ LifeFlight, our team took part in this fundraising event which broke a new record with more than $470,000. Hutchies Toowoomba assisted RACQ LifeFlight with extensions to the Toowoomba base office facilities, which was completed in 2019 with the construction of a new helicopter hangar along with commercial office space and short-term residential accommodation for pilots and staff.
Blush Ball Hutchies
Community Engagement
We support the the Darling Dingoes, Toowoomba T20 cricket team who compete in the Brisbane Premier League, because we share their values of first mentality, contagious competitiveness, respect, and resilience. This year, members of our team participated in the Chari-Tee Golf Day at the The Toowoomba City Golf Club. As the main sponsor, we were also the Naming Rights Sponsor for the Dar ling Dingoes luncheon. Former Australian cricketer, Glenn McGrath, was the guest speaker.
Darling Dingoes
Toowoomba has supported Blush Cancer Care since its inception in 2015. Some may remember when the guys wore hi-vis pink tulle tutus and raised $11,465 for this cause. Once again, we volunteered to be the naming sponsor of the 2022 Blush Ball, and donated a class 1 Type C construction cubby house, ‘Hamptons by Hutchies’, built by Millsy and painted by Jensen Painting, for the live auction. Nick and Brooke Linnan were part of the event organisation Commit Peter and Lisa Lee with Charlesy at the Hutchies table
Father’s day BBQ at Benevolent age care
Special abilities Assistant at Good Samaritan site We welcomed Kaileb, an SLS participant, as an Assistant at our Good Samaritan site. “After getting his white card, Hutchies gave him a weekly work experience opportunity at the Good Samaritan worksite. Kaileb has learned so many valuable skills and gained confidence thanks to the supportive and inclusive team at Hutchies. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind to him.” Sarah Love, Kaileb’s carer said. Sarah, Kaileb and Gary on site Gary showing how to use the drill to Kaileb
Endeavour visit Guided by Jim Livingstone, Endeavour Foundation’s employees assemble the structural floor joists utilised by Hutchies in the construction of module sub-flooring structures. These joists carry the weight of everything inside a room, including walls, furniture, appliances and even people and are a critical part of the building.
Tom Moore, Benevolent Living Director, and Washo Residents of the senior living village on the day
Residents of Benevolent Living enjoyed a Father’s Day BBQ sponsored by Hutchies Toowoomba and cooked by members of our team. “Brett and Michelle did a great job yesterday for the residents at Benevolent”, one of the resident said.
Endeavour’s employees assembling the structural floor joists Blocka, Jim (From Jim Livingstone), Chez, Mark (Endeavour Support and Opera tions Manager) and Gav during the visit to Endeavour facilities in Toowoomba
Tonk’s Farewell Farewells are hard. Especially when it’s a mate who we have shared so much with. Brandon (aka Tonks) is leaving us after almost 10 years of service to Hutchies. He began with Hutchies in late 2013 when he relocated from Inverell (NSW) to Toowoomba to complete a Bachelor of Engineering Science, majoring in Infrastructure Management at USQ. During his time, Tonks has grown from a Contract Administrator to a confident Project Manager. He has worked on numerous projects across a range of industries including commercial, health, resources and education. Tonk’s exposure to different industries has been the foundation of great professional development and experience. He is passionate about sports inside and outside of work, where he has further developed teamwork, leadership, organisation and communication skills in different environments. We will miss you, mate. We hope you have a wonderful time while traveling around Australia with Tayla. Come down to The Rock (upstairs) on September 23rd for drinks and nibblies and help wish old mate farewell.
PC World Architecture Festival Award WAF is one of the most prestigious events dedicated to celebrating and sharing architectural excellence, where the boldest, most beautiful, and most innovative projects from around the world are judged by a panel of experts. Designed by BKA architecture and renovated by Hutchies Toowoomba, Mudgee Art Gallery has been selected as a finalist in the Completed Buildings - Culture Cate gory this year. The winners will be announced in Portugal later this year.
As part of our relationship building, our Design Management team invited a bunch of Architects, Engineers, and Certifiers consultants who had worked with us very successfully on several projects, for a clay target shooting afternoon. The objective of the event was to further this relationship by sharing some time together to get to know them all a little better, and as a detail of appreciation for their efforts in making these projects successful. Nolsy, Kirsten, Bruce and Peter hosted Josh Walker and Jessica Edge from Steve Watson & Partner (Building certifiers), Ben Kearney, William Page and Matthew Flynn from Kearney Architects, and Grant Parker, Mark Borgelt and John Pikramenos from Kehoe Myers Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd.
PCVeterans’ video Here in Toowoomba, we are fortunate to have a dozen of Hutchies veterans as part of our team. Have you wondered how many projects they have been part of? We wanted to recognise the considerable technical, leadership, and life experiences they bring to our team on daily basis with this video. Thanks to all our veterans who beard with us while producing this video. Champions! It has been a privilege to spend this time with each one of you, listening to your stories and the great outcomes you have achieved when working with Hutchies. We hope you all enjoy watching it as much as we enjoy making it. “Every hour, minute and moment is an opportunity to cultivate a thriving work culture. This has been my number one take away whilst creating content with Hutchinson Builders over the last few weeks. To witness first hand the water tight, family first culture that an organisation of over 1500 employees has been able to instill; keeps me up at night in all the best ways. To anyone on here that manages a team, stop making excuses for slip ups in your work culture and take responsibility” Ben Yong, Director at WÜLFE, said. Go to https://hutchinsonbuilders.wistia.com/medias/9tz59fmb5d to watch the video. Link also provided in the body of the email.
Leesy in the office Blocka at 7SD Kampfy and Lachie in the office Nick at St. Vincent’s Hospital Design Management/Consultant’s day
PC Thanks to all our contributors! We couldn’t do it without you GOT AN IDEA? If you would like to contribute to the next edition of Hutchies’ Tbar Talk, take a photo of the activity our team is taking part in and send it by email to Jessica.Ramos@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au by COB December 15th. Chandy in the officeDoggy at Bunnings North Blocka at Downlands Washo in the office Reg at Toowoomba Base Hospital construction siteCorey at Toowoomba City Library
