Meet Mo – He Loves His Job

February 28, 2020

In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia by Great Place to Work, RCC has interviewed 10 employees who love their job. RCC is honoured to have such passionate employees who jumped at the opportunity to share what they do, and why they love it.

 

Meet Mohommed Dunia. Mo’s journey with RCC began just over 2 years ago when he joined us as a cadet.

As a Construction Management student, Mo undertook a Cadetship with RCC to access paid employment and gain practical industry experience early in his degree. Mo Says that the rotational program structure across various roles in the business allowed him to better understand his strengths and interests before deciding on his chosen career path.

“Doing the RCC cadetship meant I had the opportunity to rotate between engineering, design, estimating and planning and contract administration. I initially wanted to be a Site Engineer but after working as a Contract Administrator on our Quartet project in Lane Cove, I knew that’s what I loved.

I have had other roles in the industry, and I like that RCC view cadets differently. They really care about and invest in you.”

Mo told us that for a university student starting his degree, the opportunity to gain broad industry exposure in such an immersive way helped him acquire the diverse skills needed to pursue a long-term career in construction, which is just one reason he loves his job.

It made us proud to hear that our varied program structure allows the future leaders of our business to make informed career decisions and ensures they are well rounded in whatever particular role they choose to pursue.

“The exposure I gained in my cadetship means I now have an understanding of estimating and engineering and I bring this knowledge to my role as a Contract Administrator on every project. For you to be successful in any one position, whether it’s CA, Site Engineer or Estimator you need to understand the other roles and their function and outcomes.
Doing the cadetship gave me the confidence to do things without second guessing myself.”

Within two and a half years, Mo progressed from a Cadet to a confident and capable Contract Administrator. Now working on the iconic Walsh Bay Arts Precinct project on Sydney Harbour, Mo brings an infectious enthusiasm to the job – something he says is a reflection of how supportive his team is of him and his goals as a young professional in the industry;

“I love RCC because at the end of the day, we’re all working together. Once you get the work done you can enjoy the successes with your team.
I have a lot of mentors here and I know if I need anything, I can always call on them.”

With his sights set on eventually progressing to a Project Manager role, Mo says he feels confident that RCC can provide him with the right support and development opportunities to achieve his long-term goals. But for Mo, it’s the added bonus of RCC’s family values that make this journey special.

“We’re excited to see each other at work because of the real sense of family here. I’ve been here for 2.5 years and I’m very comfortable.”

 

MORE ABOUT OUR CADET PROGRAM

The RCC Cadet Program provides first-hand experience across various aspects of our business through a structured 2-year, rotational program. Cadets rotate between four areas of the business to gain exposure across a variety of roles and ensure they build the skills necessary to progress upon graduation.
The program is designed to provide employment and on-the-job experience to students as well as support their studies so when they graduate, they can make an informed decision about their career path and step into a fulltime role in their chosen area.

 

MORE ABOUT WALSH BAY ARTS PRECINCT

As Managing Contractor on the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct project, RCC is responsible for the design and construction of this redeveloped public arts and cultural hub on Sydney’s waterfront, whilst preserving the industrial heritage of the existing structures.

Stages 1, 2 & 3 are currently underway and involve the delivery of:

  • Demolition and upgrade of existing arts facilities on Wharf 4 & 5 for the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Philharmonia, Gondwana and Song Company;
  • Adaptive reuse and upgrade of facilities and performance spaces on Pier 2 and 3 for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Bell Shakespeare and Australian Theatre for Young People
  • New commercial retail spaces throughout the precinct
INTERESTING PROJECT STATS
  • 10-15km of electrical cabling in Theatre 1 alone
  • 800 tonnes of structural steelwork has been installed on Wharf 4/5 with 700 tonnes of steel yet to be installed for Pier 2/3
  • Just under 290,000 site hours have been worked so far (that’s nearly 33 years)
  • A site boat is utilised for under-wharf inspections, rather than land machinery

 

 

Retirement Living to Reach New Heights in Waitara

January 29, 2020

The Kokoda Residences has been given the green light, marking an early milestone in the delivery of this modern multi-storey seniors living tower in Waitara, on Sydney’s North Shore.

The Kokoda Residences signifies a new trend in the aged care and retirement sector, aimed at providing residents with the benefits of community-style living and easy access to important services and transport with close proximity to central city areas.

“We’re confident that the project delivery team will ensure a quality building that will complement the Vasey portfolio. This development will truly allow us to return a vibrant senior’s community to Waitara.”

Kate Gunton – Chairman, Vasey Communities

Kokoda Residences will set a new benchmark for retirement living, offering a vertical community hub complete with 117 independent living units over 12 storeys. Kokoda’s multi-storey tower design will offer residents the option of one, two or three bedroom apartments located in close proximity to the restaurants, cafes, arts and cultural attractions in the surrounding suburbs.

We are honoured to have been selected as the Managing Contractor to partner with Vasey Communities, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in the development of secure, independent residential accommodation for members of the community in need, particularly those with a defence connection.

“We have a proud history of providing retirement living communities across Sydney and this project is a key plank in our village modernisation program.”

Kate Gunton – Chairman, Vasey Communities

With Australia’s population of 85 years and over expected to increase from 1.8% to 8% over the next 3 years, RCC appreciates the significant contribution that the Kokoda Residences will make to meeting the future demand for aged care and independent living communities.

RCC is committed to supporting the ageing populations in the communities we live and work in, and we look forward to applying our 30+ years aged care and retirement living experience to delivering what will certainly be a superior retirement living accommodation facility, and a cornerstone in Vasey Communities’ growing collection of retirement communities across Sydney.

“Both Vasey and RCC have a rich history built around integrity and care. These shared values and our specialist Retirement Living experience, will allow us to collaborate with the stakeholder team to provide a market leading facility and a home for future residents.”

– Rod Burger, General Manager of the Aged Care & Retirement Living Division RCC

 

More about the Kokoda Residences

The Kokoda Residences project consists of a new multi-storey tower offering 117 Independent Living Units over 12 levels of habitable community space with direct access to allied health, mixed retail and commercial services, multi-purpose recreation, meeting rooms and 2 storey basement parking.

The Kokoda Residences is part of the Vasey Communities’ growing portfolio of seniors living accommodation across Sydney and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

View more of RCC’s retirement living projects here.

Read more about Vasey Communities’ growing aged care living portfolio here.

 

 

An Exhausting and Rewarding 100km for Lifeline

RCC couldn’t be prouder of members of our Newcastle team who pushed themselves to the limit for a worthy cause – the Newy100 team completed 100km in 18 hours to raise awareness and a staggering $50,000 in funds for Lifeline Direct!

Alan McCully and Adrian Connell, both from our Newcastle office, were part of a crew of 15 local Hunter athletes who took on the Newy100 – This monumental 100km by foot event was organised to raise awareness and much needed funds for the suicide prevention and crisis support service, Lifeline Direct. The funds will go to the Lifeline Direct Newcastle and Central Coast branch who have been providing the local community with free access to counselling, crisis and bereavement support services for years.

“On behalf of Lifeline in Newcastle and the Hunter we were honoured to have the Newy100 team choose Lifeline as their charity partner. The fundraising team is very lean and work extremely hard to raise funds to sustain the centre so we are extremely grateful for the monies raised which will support our local centre in Islington.

I was very fortunate to be present over the 18-hour event and witness the camaraderie and determination of the Newy100. And the final 10km, what a wonderful sight; the community support and connection synonymous with what Lifeline represents.”

Julie Wicks – Regional General Manager, Lifeline Direct

For the weeks leading up to the event, RCC’s extended family and the wider Newcastle community showed an enormous display of support that certainly helped the team surpass their initial $10,000 goal. Alan, RCC Project Engineer and brave Newy100 finisher, said the incredible generosity just goes to show how much the issue of mental health and support services like Lifeline resonates within the local community – and particularly the construction industry.

“Mental health affects so many families, particularly those working in our industry. Organisations such as Lifeline are so important for our community – they literally save lives. The reason I wanted to get involved was not just the personal challenge but because the money raised stays within the local Newcastle community.”

“To say we are grateful and humbled is an understatement.”

Alan McCully – RCC Project Engineer

The team also invited the local community to join them for the final 10km, 5km or 2km of the mammoth 100km event, which generated another huge display of support, despite the rain.

Congratulations to the Newy100 team for your huge achievement; RCC is certainly proud to have two of their own showing such a selfless commitment to the community!

More About Lifeline Direct

Lifeline Direct is the local delivery arm for Life Australia and is an amalgamation of local offices that share administrative and other support services. The Newcastle and Hunter regions are particularly underfunded, so any donation large or small is very much appreciated.

Click here to show your support for the Newy100 and to donate to Lifeline Direct Newcastle/Hunter.

Read more about Lifeline Direct’s services.

 

 

 

Meet Neil – He Loves His Job

In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia by Great Place to Work, RCC has interviewed 10 employees who love their job. RCC is honoured to have such passionate employees who jumped at the opportunity to share what they do, and why they love it.

 

Meet Neil Coubrough. This year marks Neil’s 20th anniversary at RCC. With two decades at RCC and a career in construction under his belt, Neil’s seen the enormous growth and evolution the industry has experienced since well before 2000.

But despite an evolving industry, Neil says the culture and camaraderie at RCC has remained steady, and combined with the security his job offers him and his family, Neil says there’s very little reason why he wouldn’t love coming to work each day.

“I think the reason why I love working at RCC has a lot to do with the people and the culture. To me it’s not about the money, it’s about working with a team and a culture that you can genuinely relate to.”

At the turn of the century, when Neil’s RCC journey began, the company was undertaking its first multistage development at the Liberty Grove Residential Complex, ahead of the huge influx of visitors for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Over the next two decades, markets would fluctuate and RCC would take on more projects across various locations and sectors. But despite a growing team taking on larger and more complex projects, Neil says RCC values have remained consistent.

“We’re all one team and we’re all trying to work to the same goal. There’s been a lot of industry change over the last 20 years, but the RCC name and the quality of everyone working here has remained the same. You come to work with your friends. Everyone wants to be here and I think that’s great for the team and the project.”

After starting out as a Sub Foreman and progressing to Site Supervisor, Neil now works within our dedicated Aged Care and Retirement Living division and is currently delivering the landmark M by Montefiore project. Throughout his career, Neil has gained experience across the various aspects of a Site Supervisor role, from structures, to facades and finishes. Now specialising in finishes, Neil’s especially thankful for the way RCC has shown consistent support for his strengths over the years.

“With RCC you have the opportunity to go from being a foreman to a project manager, to a construction manager, if you want to. For me, my path is doing what I do best, and that’s working with people on site and making it all happen on the ground. This is where I’m happy.”

Neil says his approach to managing large teams is simple;

“I think I earn people’s respect because I do what I say. If you say you’re going to get an area ready or do a certain job, you do it. Being true to your word and working safe are important RCC values for us and our clients.”

As one of the project’s go-to men, Neil’s job is all about delivering certainty to his team and the client, Montefiore. Whilst Neil says he loves his job for many reasons, he said that the certainty and security RCC has given him over the years has made the biggest impact on him and his family.

“Feeling safe and being secure is a big thing for me and RCC has always given me that.”

Neil was nominated by his colleagues for the infectious positivity and hard-working attitude he’s brought to RCC for the last 20 years.

Neil’s experience speaks volumes about RCC’s unwavering culture and camaraderie despite the growth and evolution of the industry. By valuing our teams, and specifically their unique strengths and development, a sense of security means people like Neil can become valued, long-serving employees.

 

MORE ABOUT ‘M’ BY MONTEFIORE

Neil is currently a Site Supervisor on the $106m ‘M by Montefiore’ project.

The development consists of 79 luxury Independent Living Units in Sydney’s Randwick. Each apartment features high-end design and quality finishes, setting a new benchmark for quality retirement living.

 

MORE ABOUT OUR 10TH BEST PLACE TO WORK STATUS

The Great Place to Work assessment is a feedback-based study obtained from a confidential survey of our 700+ employees. It involves an independent audit across areas like hiring and integration, health and wellness, as well as workplace culture. In celebration of being awarded the 10th Best Place to Work in Australia, RCC is interviewing 10 employees about why they love their job.

 

Learn more about Great Place To Work Australia and their 50 Best Places To Work Study.