FROM THE CEO’S DESK FROM THE CEO’S DESK
Hey Team!
Exciting developments are unfolding as we move through the year rapidly. I wanted to update everyone on a few of these things while acknowledging the efforts of one and all in our pursuit of “Exceeding expectations ” While not always easy, we do have multiple wins each and every day Banking our learns from our experiences, we continue to grow as individuals and as a team ensures we continue on this path
Tequa 50
2025 is the year that Tequa turns 50 To start the ball rolling, we have launched our 50th-anniversary logo for our uniforms and general use over the year ahead. This milestone is significant, and I look forward to seeing everyone proudly wearing this while acknowledging that as a team, we are all key to us reaching this milestone, building on the hundred of year of experience within our teams continually passed from one to another. Did you know that only 3-4% of Australian companies make it to 50 years of training & history like Tequa (Smolenaars Plumbing)? The “Company Wide Celebration Party” is only part of celebrating this momentous occasion Stay tuned for further details as they arrive
SGS Small Group Sessions
Our September/October small group sessions are kicking off, and it’s all about “Our future as a business, succession, & opportunities (your future)”, while boosting collaboration, sharing knowledge and ideas Dan, Adam, and I look forward to seeing you all.
LDP Leadership Development Program
Our Leadership Development Program (LDP) is going strong, helping us build our skills and get ready for whatever comes next This group of participants has been digging deep with the monthly topics to learn about themselves and how they can be impactful and grow as individuals This year's cohort completes in November, which is always a day that’s a privilege to attend and be a part of, bringing the number of LDP participants to 60% of our team over 3 years since its inception This is only the start and one part of our commitment to invest in our people in continued technical and personal growth.
Jingle and Mingle
Mark your calendars! Invitations for our Jingle & Mingle (Xmas) event will go out in September, for November. It’s always a blast to get together, celebrate, and enjoy some festive cheer.
Thank you again for your hard work and dedication. Let us continue to make the rest of the year as successful as the first half.
PROJECTS PROJECTS
As we wrap up another successful couple of months, I am thrilled to share some of the fantastic progress we’ve made and the milestones we've achieved. Your dedication and hard work continue to drive our success, and I want to take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments.
ONGOING
The civil team have been working away delivering on some great projects over the last couple of month BESS Morwell successfully completed, this project challenged the team, they didn't give up and rose above the issues we faced to deliver on a great end result. Trent and Cam have been stuck inside the Fulham Prison for the last month installing comms, they paired up with Alex and Ethan and as a team have worked really well on completing these works. Testing complete! Huge special shout out to the ROS team and the leadership of Bobbo in collaboration with, Steve, Celina, Scotty B and Mick the ROS project tested first round which is an absolutely great achievement from everyone involved! And as always our Trenchless team have been delivering on a large number of Downer projects, Scott working on securing some leads on multiple other works to help support the team and work with some new clients
NEW
We have also been focusing on training and upskilling our team with some internal short courses being created and worked on in the background. Not to forget out new truck drivers with both Rhys and Bailey passing their HR and Johno his HC licence. We are 2 sessions into this year's LDP session with some really great learns coming from this course, the team have been taking everything in and learning lots! We also welcome Dean to the team who has joined us in the Tgon Trenchless team! The team will get together on the 6th S r round of Trivia - may the best team win! E ether and are striving to raise the bar every step o small each initiatives helps improve and build o outcomes.
Thank you for your hard work, commitment, and passion. It’s an honor to lead such an exceptional team. Let’s keep up the fantastic work!
Chloe Milligan
Department Manager
PROJECTS PROJECTS
NEW
Construction has recently been successful in obtaining two additional projects to the list with a new service station in Leongatha for Riverina Constructions and the LRH Flynn high dependency unit Extension for Farnham Developments. Like always, we have a large amount of potential work in the mix and we are working alongside clients to lock some future works in.
ONGOING
The team has been very busy tackling ongoing projects such as Warragul Specialist School, YPARC Traralgon, Yarram AV, Mirridong disability care, Moe plaza Refurbishment, Rothbury place Renovations, CGHS Renovations, and the Drouin Primary School modernisation
TEAM UPDATE
The construction team welcomes Mitchell Sharman and Nathan Bomba into its team Mitch has come across to Construction from Traralgon S&M for a sea change and Nathan has just started his new apprenticeship journey. The team have been busy, tackling some challenging yet crucial topics to help promote growth. A major part of this has been the SSK approach: Stop, Start, and Keep to ensure transparency thrives and feedback is received thoroughly. We’ve turned these discussions into an opportunity for real growth, both as a team and individually. By embracing solution-based thinking with our 1-2-1 system, we’ve encouraged everyone to be open and honest with their feedback The result an instant uptake on sharing behaviors and solutions, sparking fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to excellence The 2024 Construction Footy tipping is now complete! With Brock Rowson coming in the winner with a solid 3 point margin of 134 Brock was closely followed by Hilly involved.
nk you for your hard work, mitment, and passion. It’s an to lead such an exceptional Let’s keep up the fantastic work!
David Hill
Department Manager
PROJECTS PROJECTS
NEW
We are about to kick off a few new projects with Honeywell at the Fulham CC, we will be replacing the 2 x potable water tank roof structures and sheeting, replacing 80 toilet cisterns and installation of 80 new TMV’s through out different areas of the site.
ONGOING
We started on the repair’s/replacements of the TMV’s at the Sale, Maffra and Heyfield hospitals with CGHS, every Friday they are knocking these over
TEAM UPDATE
We had our midyear catchup in July down at the Butter Factory and everyone enjoyed the night. Kyan took home the biggest score for the night!
Daniel Bird
Department Manager
PROJECTS PROJECTS
This month has seen the S&M team make a significant and positive shift in sharing the workload. Our qualified team members have started stepping up, taking on the responsibilities of directly responding to client requests and quotes. They’ve also embraced the role of mentors, taking the apprentices under their wing.
Thanks to the Clifton Strengths training, they’ve tailored their teaching methods to fit each apprentice’s individual learning style, ensuring that everyone learns in the way that suits them best.
We’ve been looking towards the future, considering both client and staff needs as we work to fill our ambitious 2030. This forwardthinking approach will ensure that we’re not just meeting today’s demands but also positioning ourselves to thrive in the years ahead On top of that, we’ve put considerable effort into the insurance market, targeting key players to boost our market share. A standout in this drive has been Malia Wheal, who has proven herself as a key player in fostering a friendly and cohesive workplace. Her positive, can-do attitude makes her approachable to everyone on the team. Malia is not only dedicated to seeing each task through to completion, but she’s also passionate about ensuring the right stomers satisfied.
It’s been a month of growth, collaboration, and future-focused planning, setting the stage for continued success.
Aidan Huizer
Department Manager
THE SUPER SIX THE SUPER SIX LIQUID WASTE UPDATE LIQUID WASTE
PROJECTS PROJECTS
NEW
Liquid Waste Family Update
Last month, we were thrilled to expand our Liquid Waste family with the addition of Contaminated Soil, PFAS, and Asbestos transportation services. This month, we're celebrating even more exciting news!
Christine has become a grandmother for the second time! Congratulations to her and her family. On top of that, her son Jayden is excelling on the footy field, kicking goals and making her proud Family Milestones
ONGOING
Matt has not only settled into his role with Liquid Waste but has also made significant contributions to the Civil department. He’s also awesome at looking after the Liquid Waste truck, ensuring it’s always in top condition.
Appreciation for the "Super 6" Departments - A big shout out to all our departments for always considering Liquid Waste when it comes to jobs The best leads are those that come from within our internal teams, and your support is invaluable.
SPECIAL OFFER
Don’t forget we offer a family discount for septic cleans! It’s a great deal, so make sure to take advantage of it. Thank you all for your hard work and commitment to our growing Liquid Waste family Let’s keep the momentum going!
Bernadette Dillon Department Manager
What’s happening around our offices!
The past couple of months have been focused on positive & impactful collaboration
We’reconstantlyexploringnewwaystoexceedexpectationswithour customerservice.Workingonidentifyingareasforimprovementwithinthe adminteamcreatesopportunitiesforustoraisethebarandelevateour skillstobecomethebestsupportnetworkpossibleforyouguys! TheTraralgonteamhasbeencollaboratingcloselywithBernadette,who hasbroughtafreshperspectiveandvibrantenergytoouroffice.She’s assistedtoenhanceouroverallapproachtosomeelementsofourwork, whichweareloving!
It’salreadyhalfwaythroughtheLeadershipDevelopmentProgram(LDP), andit’sbeengreattowitnessthegrowthandevolutionoftheparticipants sofarWe’relookingforwardtoimplementingsomeofthesenewfound skillsintoourday-to-daylife.
AnexcitingadditiontoourteamhasbeenEllise,aremoteadminwho’sbeen helpingwithEzzyBills,ourbillprocessingsoftwareHerassistancehas offeredsomemuch-neededreliefandisprovingtobeafantastictemporary additiontotheTequafamily
We recently had a special visitor in the office (Pictured above) Henry, Georgia’s little bubba, dropped by, and it was heartwarming to see how well they’re doing. It’s these little moments that remind us of the tightknit community we’ve built here.
If there’s anything you need us to help with, please reach out. We’re here to support you in the best way we can!
Rachel Rickard Office Manager
AFL Season Update AFL Season Update
AFL Season Update
As we head into the final rounds of the AFL 2024 season, we at Tequa are excited to celebrate what has been a great year so far! Our secured seats at both the MCG and Marvel Stadium have provided our staff and their families with unforgettable experiences, cheering on their favorite teams and creating lasting memories. Don’t miss out on the excitement and the chance to be part of the AFL action next season with your loved ones! Go Team Tequa!
CONGRATULATIONS
Bryce Donnelley -
Congratulations to Bryce who has officially taken on the assistant Manager role in Traralgon Service & Maintenance
Dale Lander -
Congratulations to Dale who has now completed his apprenticeship and has commenced as a tradesman during the month of August.
STAFF MILESTONES
Daniel Bird - 15 years of service
15 years of dedicated service, hard work, and unwavering commitment. Congratulations to Birdy, whose journey with us has been filled with numerous accomplishments We are incredibly grateful for your loyalty, expertise, and energy that you bring to the team & we ’ re proud to have you as part of the Tequa family Here’s to celebrating your past successes and looking forward to many more years of growth, innovation, and shared achievements together!
NEW STAFF MEMBERS
Ellise Austin - Welcome to the Ops Support team! (casual & remote)
Dean Mackintosh - Welcome to the Civil team!
Jaryd Philpott! Jaryd Philpott! Introducing...
Jaryd is a dedicated third-year apprentice with our Sale Service & Maintenance team. He’s been honing his skills and gaining valuable experience on the job. Recently, Jaryd took his talents to the next level by proudly representing Tequa at the World Skills Competition We're excited to see Jaryd continue to grow and achieve great things in his career!
Where do you come from?
I was born in Melbourne, and my family and I moved to Bairnsdale when I was 12 and I have been there since then!
What is your job role and how long have you been with Tequa?
I am in my third year of a Plumbing apprenticeship with Sales Service & Maintenance team
What are your passions/hobbies?
I enjoy getting outdoors like going camping or 4WDing. I also enjoy playing the guitar, which I taught myself when I was younger.
What is your favourite movie and or actor/ress?
My favorite movie is the Wolf of Wall street, and my favorite actor would have to be Kevin Hart
What team/individual do you follow in sport?
What team/individual do you follow in sport?
In footy I follow Richmond. I also support the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.
Favourite holiday destination?
I have only been once but I would say Bali
Interesting titbit about you that would surprise people?
I have never broken a bone!
Do you have any pets, if so, what are they?
No pets at the moment :)
CULTURAL AWARDS CULTURAL AWARDS
COURAGE TO ACT -
Fraser Austin
Fraser is always the first to raise his hand to assist with anything he can He has also taken the lead on big projects and handles anything that is thrown at him with professionalism
PASSIONATE ABOUT PEOPLE -
Rachel Rickard
Always showing empathy towards others. She strives to bring the out best of everyone in her team. Rachel always provides positive feedback and guidance. No matter what the issue Rach will always provide ways to tackle tricky situations.
RAISE THE BAR -
Alex Barker
Alex has taken on his new crew leader role and has been exceeding in every aspect of it Alex has created process' that make it easier for him to document and communicate what has happen throughout the completion of the job, ensuring all is documented Alex has a very positive attitude and does everything he can to help others out.
UPCOMING DATES UPCOMING DATES
Civil Trivia night
September 6, 2024
Traralgon Maintenance Camping
September 7, 2024
RUOK Day
September 12, 2024
AFL Grand Final Friday
September 27, 2024
Daylight Saving Starts
October 6, 2024 (clocks go forward 1 hour)
Halloween
October 31, 2024
Melbourne Cup Day
November 5, 2024
Tequa Jingle Mingle
November 24, 2024
Christmas Day
December 25, 2024
Boxing Day
December 26, 2024
Tequa 50th Celebration
March 21st 2025
Howtostayconnectedand askRUOK?anyday
Startbyasking,‘areyouOK?’
Digabitdeeper:
“What’sbeenhappening?”
“Haveyoubeenfeelingthis wayforawhile?”
“I’mreadytolistenif youwanttotalk ”
Butyourgut saysthey’renot: ruok.org.au
“It’sjustthatyoudon’tseemto beyourusualselflately.”
“I’malwayshereifyou wanttochat.”
“Istheresomeoneelseyou’d rathertalkto?”
Encourageactionandoffersupport
“HowcanIhelp?”
“Haveyouthoughtaboutseeingyourdoctor?”
“Whatwouldhelptakethepressureoff?”
Maketimetocheckin
“Let’schatagainnextweek.”
Where did they come from?
BlueScope Lysaght is a prominent Australian company with deep roots in the country's industrial history. The business began its journey in 1918 when John Lysaght (Australia) Pty Ltd was incorporated Initially, the company focused on steel sheet rolling and galvanising, establishing its first plant in Newcastle, New South Wales, in 1921.
Over the decades, Lysaght expanded its operations, contributing significantly to Australia’s industrial development, particularly during World War II, when it manufactured the Owen gun, a submachine gun that was highly valued by Australian soldiers
What are they doing now?
Today, BlueScope Lysaght operates under the BlueScope umbrella, with a presence across Australia, including Gippsland. The company specialises in manufacturing and supplying high-quality steel building products. Their product range includes roofing and walling solutions, structural decking, and steel framing systems These products are crucial for construction and civil engineering projects, making them a trusted supplier for businesses like ours in the plumbing and civil sector.
Why are they one of our trusted suppliers?
For our operations across Gippsland, we utilise their Colorbond steel roofing, which is renowned for its durability and aesthetic appeal, essential for various construction and infrastructure projects. Their commitment to innovation and quality makes them a reliable partner in providing the materials needed to ensure the longevity and success of our projects Moreover, our ongoing co-branded collaboration with Lysaght for shirt branding is a testament to the strong relationship we have built. This partnership not only strengthens our team’s unity but also showcases our shared commitment to quality and excellence.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Keep up-to-date with the latest news and updates on industry matters
Recent developments within the plumbing industry in Victoria have seen the Master Plumbers' Association Victoria (MPMSAA) focus heavily on sustainability initiatives and green building practices.
There has been a push towards reducing the environmental impact of plumbing services, particularly in response to state government incentives aimed at promoting water conservation and energy efficiency in new developments. The association is also actively engaged in addressing workforce challenges, particularly in attracting and retaining skilled plumbers in a competitive job market.
Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Victoria: The CCF Victoria has been at the forefront of discussions on the 2024-25 Federal Budget, which promises significant investment in infrastructure projects across the state. The budget includes over $4.6 billion allocated to 69 new projects, with a substantial focus on housing-enabling infrastructure. This is seen as a crucial step in addressing the current housing supply crisis in Victoria The CCF has emphasized the importance of balancing infrastructure investments with the need to expand the skilled workforce, especially given the ongoing challenges of skills shortages and material scarcities in the construction industry.
The CCF has also been vocal about the need for civil infrastructure to be prioritized in state-wide housing strategies, urging the government to integrate these elements more effectively to meet ambitious housing targets Additionally, the federation is closely monitoring the market and industry capacity, noting significant headwinds but also opportunities for growth in the sector.
Considerations for
EXCAVATION& TRENCHSAFETY
Excavation depthof1.5mor more-SWMSto beinplace.
Usebenching, batteringand/or trenchshieldsto preventedge collapse.
Emergency procedurefor engulfmentin place.Neverwork inunprotected excavation.
Barricading,hand railandfall prevention/rescue equipment inplace.
Why did the plumber become a detective?
Because he wanted to solve all the leaks!
Some
random
facts to keep you sharp!
'Strengths' is the longest word with only one vowel
The deepest hole ever drilled by man is the Kola Superdeep Borehole (40,226 feet).
Spread across their entire lifetime, the average person spends about one full year sitting on the toilet
Riddle time!
What can jump higher than a building?
S TEQUA TIMES
