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Community, News, Our Values, Residential

Building a ‘House of Respite’ for Families Affected by Autism and Cerebral Palsy

December 13, 2019 Sarah 2 Comments

Living Without Limits Foundation (LWL) is an incredibly worthy charity with in-depth knowledge of some of the toughest challenges faced by South Australian families. For those parents or primary caregivers looking after children affected by Autism or Cerebral Palsy, it’s “hard yards – for life,” according to the not-for-profit, which was established in 2012.

For the majority of these families, there is simply no respite. They have little to no break from their 24/7 around-the-clock caring role and limited time (or money) for a holiday. Sarah Constructions wanted to help change that.

Building the ‘House of Respite’ team

Steve Maras, Co-Founder and Vice Chair of LWL, is also President of the Property Council. He said, “We found through our journey that the money people spend on therapy for their children often means there’s little left for anything else, let alone a holiday.

“It’s so important for families to have a break and re-connect, especially with their other children, and this is exactly what we wanted to offer them in the form of a ‘House of Respite’.”

As Vice President of the Property Council, Chief Executive Officer Adrian Esplin became aware of the opportunity to offer the company’s services in support of the good cause. “It was an easy decision to make,” he said. “At Sarah Constructions, we live and work by our values, one of which is to put people first. Not only did getting involved in the House of Respite mean we could help South Australian families in need, but it also gave us an opportunity to give our graduates valuable hands-on construction experience working for a valuable cause.”

With Adrian Esplin on board, it was time to assemble the team that was going to bring the ‘House of Respite’ to fruition. Operations Manager, Terry Tsapaliaris, followed by Construction Manager Salem Tredrea, who manages the Graduate Program at Sarah Constructions, saw the project as the ideal opportunity for graduate involvement. Michael Kilmartin, Design Manager at Sarah, said, “It’s been a great opportunity for our graduates, not only to give back but also to be involved in a front-line, hands-on, construction project. They have all thrived throughout the process. It’s given them greater autonomy and exposure to the entire build process.”

Donations of time, expertise and goodwill

From May of this year, Michael Kilmartin has been heavily involved. The House of Respite will be professionally serviced, managed and maintained by Novita, one of the State’s leading providers of disability services; they provided the project brief.

“Novita provided us with a brief around what they thought would be the ideal result. I then went through Sarah’s detailed design review process, as I would for any client. The graduates got involved in the procurement process, engaging the trades and negotiating what could be donated,” he said.

“Some materials had to be bought but a lot of the trades’ time and all of Sarah’s time was donated.”

Nick Palmato is one of the graduates involved in the project. He said, “It feels great to be able to give back to the community and support such a fantastic and worthy cause – not only through the donation of Sarah’s time but also by leveraging the strong relationships we have within the construction industry to ensure we can add as much value to this project as possible, ensuring Living Without Limits gets the best result.

“Since our initial visit, Sarah has taken on the role of driving the conceptual design process, acquiring development approvals, actively seeking out further support and donations from the industry and coordination of the building process through to handover.” The house, which is being built on a block of land in Goolwa, is set to open in December in time for the Christmas break.

To ensure the house provides a safe, relaxing space for children with physical access needs, specific and detailed plans were developed. Chydem Ayik, an integral part of the Sarah team, was tasked with the responsibility of developing the house plans, in consultation with LWL. “Extensive documentation that included drawings of every component, detail and selection was developed in order to meet the significant compliance requirements for the house. This allowed the graduates on the job to have a very clear understanding of the compliance requirements for the build.”

Investing in the community and in Sarah’s people

By supporting LWL and its service users, Sarah Constructions is also developing community-minded, solutions-focused construction professionals of the future with invaluable, hands-on experience.

Graduate Nick Palmato explained that, by being given responsibility to drive the project and make it their own, the graduates have been able to learn valuable lessons. Graduates have learned first hand the importance of the design phase, cost management and procurement, through to onsite collaboration with subcontractors and consultants to identify and implement creative solutions to the challenges they have faced. “This process has driven my own professional development,” he said, “and prepared me well for the next step in my career.”

For LWL and the hundreds of South Australian families that will benefit from the House of Respite every year, the support of Sarah Constructions and all of the involved trades has been gratefully received. “If it wasn’t for the support of Sarah, and all the superb trades and suppliers, this project would still be sitting on the drawing board,” said Steve Maras.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the support of Sarah. They have been truly magnificent and it’s been a pleasure to work with their passionate and dedicated team to get this all-important project off the ground.”

To find out more about the House of Respite, follow Living Without Limits Foundation on Facebook.

We would like to expressly thank the following wonderful contributors to this project: Revolution Roofing/ Nexteel, International Ceramics, Maka Plasterboard, Supaloc, Proform, Glow Heating and Cooling, Chris Henderson Electrical, LA Concrete, Drew Rudd Engineering, Bluescope, Next Gen Flooring, Advanced All Energy, SA Commercial Blinds, Hindmarsh Plumbing, Filips Roller Doors, Bianco Reinforcing, Aluco, USG Boral, ADX, PGH Bricks and Pavers, Spence Doors, Fletcher Insulation, G and G Tiling, Astec Paints, Harvey Norman Commercial, Adelaide Marble Specialists, Direct Mix, Chris Hart Earthworks, Roofmax, Dulux, Katnich Dodd, Priority Earthworks, South Coast Excavations, Ranieri Bricklaying and Developer Direct Online.

Sarah Contributors:

Sarah Graduates (Nick Palmato, Elvio Sinopoli, Paul Schultz, Matt Grimwade, Tyson Rogers, Luke Barbon, Paul Constantine)
Salem Tredrea/Terry Tsapaliaris (Project Management)
Steve Blackmore (Site supervision/Management)
Ian McKnight (Site supervision/ Management)
Bill Stevenson (Site Assistance – Services)
Dave Hiley (Site supervision/ civil works management)
Dena Van Zyl (Safety/QHSE)
Emily Lawson (Safety/QHSE)
Chydem Ayik (Design and Project Development)
Michael Kilmartin (Design and Project Development)

Education, News

UniSA Grants Program: Supporting The Future Of Construction

August 15, 2019 Sarah Leave a comment

By Jon Anderson

During my time at University, work placement was not included as a course component, so it wasn’t until I entered the workforce that I was able to gain practical site experience. For today’s students, the UniSA Grants Program provides a hands-on opportunity to work with Sarah Constructions and gain practical experience, working in construction as a unit of their studies.

Over the 12 week program, we involve students on a number of different commercial construction projects, providing exposure to multiple departments and experiences; giving them a head-start in their career by getting them out of the classroom and into real-life job scenarios. For the students that have potential and are a good cultural fit, the grants program can extend into longer term career progression for them, through transition into our Graduate program. A pathway that we are very proud to offer at Sarah, to help foster and develop the next generation of construction professionals.

Applying For The UniSA Grants Program

When you apply for a job later in life, it’s common that you have a network of people who know you and you’re work history. Through previous work experience, you have developed referees and people who can provide a more complete overview of who you are and what you can offer. Where as students are brand new to the industry and don’t have that network, so our collaboration with UniSA helps make sure we get a complete picture of who they are, when they’re applying for the grant positions.

We achieve this additional insight that might traditionally come from an applicants referees, by including a UniSA representative on our interview panel. The UniSA faculty staff knows the student candidates, can act as their referee and provide a greater depth of knowledge on the students potential. This collaboration provides beneficial insight, as often interviews don’t give us a complete understanding of a person. Having someone who can vouch for them and tell us what they’re like away from the interview environment, help us make informed choices, and we’ve made strong selections as a result.

Benefits Of Participating In The UniSA Grants Program

All students eligible for the grant have to complete 12 weeks of work experience as part of their degree. One of the real benefits of our program is that we support our students by making sure they’re paid for the time they spend with us. This also demonstrates to the students that we value their time and input. They’re not just someone doing work experience – we are genuinely invested in their contribution and we value the opportunity to work with them, as much as they do us.

While they’re at Sarah, we make sure participating students get a broad range of experience. They’ll be guided through the tender process, learn first-hand from our expert design team, and spend time on a variety of different sites, working on a range of different projects. Building is a very tangible process, and we like to deliver solid practical experience that will provide genuine benefits to the students in their final year of study. I know from first-hand experience that there’s only so much you can learn through study. Hands-on experience makes for a much stronger graduate, which not only benefits the individuals, but also the industry as a whole.

Paul Schultz was one of our successful grant recipients in 2018, and who is still with Sarah, participating in our Graduate Program. A great piece of feedback I had from him was around the assignment of his mentor, Evan Kellaris, with whom he ‘felt like he won the jackpot’. After his 12-weeks with us he said he had a much better understanding of the industry and because of that, he was able to better grasp the principles he is studying at university.

“Even though the Senior Managers at Sarah are incredibly busy, they always take the time to answer my questions and give me the help I need. Within industry, sub contractors for example, love working for Sarah and I think this comes down to the values and Sarah culture. Everyone helps everyone, it is absolutely a collaborative team environment. At Sarah it’s about building positive relationships and this approach trickles down from the very top. The experience has been amazing and I would 100% recommend it.” Paul Schultz

Career Progression After UniSA Grants Program

When we bring someone onboard with this program, we’re not just thinking about the next 12-weeks. We’re looking to invest in someone and to build a long-term relationship. So, if a student shows the right attitude, there’s a real opportunity for longer term career progression, which benefits everyone involved. It’s great for the student because they have a job lined up before they’ve even finished their degree, and we see ourselves getting the best the market has to offer.

Since we started the program, we’ve seen most of our students take those extra steps. More often than not the paid grant program has turned into a cadetship, which has then turned into a full-time position with us in our graduate program.

I think the success of the UniSA grants program really shows how much we can all benefit by investing our time and energy into the next generation. The students, and therefore our industry as a whole, will all be that much stronger, for the time and commitment we put into our students of today.

Information on eligibility for the program and application requirements can be found on UniSA’s scholarship page for the Division of Information Technology, Engineering, and the Environment.

Education

Education Construction: Delivering On the Cultural Philosophy of Pembroke Middle School

July 29, 2019 Sarah Leave a comment

– With Paul Marino, Senior Project Manager

The delivery of the Pembroke Middle School Redevelopment was achieved through a truly collaborative design and construction approach. This education construction project involved a dynamic and engaging redevelopment; architecturally, it pushes the envelope, with its geometric styling and 15 metre high concrete ‘shard’ feature facade.

As Managing Contractors on a project with such unique architectural features, Sarah Constructions implemented a progressive and innovative approach to construction, with thorough and detailed pre-construction reviews. “I believe it’s Sarah’s core value of a solutions focused approach and our positive problem solving strategies that helped bring this vision to life” said Paul Marino, Senior Project Manager.

Grieve Gillett Andersen (GGA) successfully infused Pembroke School’s learning and cultural outcomes into the architectural design, with the school’s philosophy reflected in both the functional layout and the bespoke details of the project.

“Through an incredibly collaborative process from the outset, and with the integration of highly skilled and motivated subcontractors, we succeeded in constructing a building that delivers on the schools progressive vision. In terms of the construction process, this was one of the most innovative projects I have worked on,” said Marino.

Visualising Cultural Aspirations

In 2017, GGA developed a whole-of-school Masterplan to visualise a long-term strategic direction for Pembroke School. When the opportunity arose to purchase the adjacent Shipsters Road property, the Middle School Redevelopment brief was considered within the context of the School Masterplan and overall vision for the school.

Dimitty Andersen, the project architect, said that, “As the project brief developed, it became clear that the organisation and architectural expression of the project would need to take up the challenge of the contemporary integrated learning aspirations.”

These culture and learning aspirations were based around a dynamic learning community, which encourages in its students: self-management, curiosity, intellectual rigour, enjoyment, innovation and the exploration of each individual’s potential.

“Consequently, the design team embraced the opportunity to design a facility that celebrated design innovation,” said Andersen. “We worked to create flexible and interconnected indoor and outdoor areas for learning across three levels of the building.” The stimulating colours and out of the ordinary finishes were designed to support students’ individuality, creativity, innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit.

“The architectural shapes of the Middle School building are irregular and most items within the building itself are non-standard,” said Andersen. “So when it came to drawing and detailing the building for construction, it had a high degree of complexity. Even with gravity defying concrete, webs of steel and triangulated windows, the Sarah team managed to deliver the construction detailing we hoped for and worked collaboratively with the school and GGA to manage costs, time and quality execution.”

Bringing The Vision To Life

The Pembroke Middle School Redevelopment’s location on an unusual triangulated piece of land inspired some interesting architectural theming, which required high level, collaborative planning to construct within the physical site parameters.

“At Sarah it’s part of our job to make dreams or visions a reality, in the most time and cost-efficient way, and to also deliver the best outcome for the end user,” said Marino. “This requires understanding what the client and/or architect is trying to achieve and then making sure this can happen within a constructibility and affordability context.”

In this instance, the Sarah team provided expert constructibility advice in relation to how and why to build things in a certain way, providing cost efficiencies based on the team’s technical knowledge and experience to streamline the transition from design to construction.

Sarah also involved specialist subcontractors to add value to the design and ensure all features and requirements were met, as efficiently as possible while achieving the required high level of detail and quality. An example of this was the complex joinery package throughout the atrium and learning spaces. A difficult part of the central atrium was the balustrade design. The Sarah team needed to problem solve how to integrate the balustraded into the concrete slab to meet structural integrity and safety, and at the same time, meet the brief in terms of aesthetics and visual impact.

“At the end of the day, we make it happen. We’re problem-solvers; it’s what we do,” said Marino.

“It was important to the client that the design helped support their educational values and foster a positive learning environment. So our job was to ensure that the design intent was achievable. We spent a lot of time during the tender phase suggesting alternative products and construction solutions, which delivered a range of cost savings upfront. This meant the client was able to achieve things they weren’t expecting to.”

One of the most striking construction elements of the Pembroke Middle School Redevelopment is the concrete shard, which provides earthquake restraint to the majority of the building as well as an architectural feature to the façade. Standing at 15m high with vertical raking angled walls, it was a challenging element of the structure to complete.

A collaborative approach with the architect, consultants and subcontractors during the design phase ensured construction of the shard, to the required detail and quality standards, was achieved. As the shard was a unique element to any project within South Australia, subcontractors were selected based on their skill with optimum vigilance. Sarah worked closely with Liftform and LA Concrete, going to great lengths to cut and perfectly position the sections of formwork, with high precision and accuracy, to achieve an exceptional finish. A detailed sampling and quality assurance plan was implemented which enabled us to set a bench mark on the required finished product. This care and attention to detail lead GGA to leave much more of the concrete shard exposed internally, in appreciation of the raw material and skill in creating the structure.

Attention to detail, refined methodologies and a positive attitude ensured the successful delivery of this landmark feature, which will attract interest from both the school community and the general public.

A major aspect of the theme of connectedness can be seen in the wide pedestrian bridge installed over Shipsters Road, which provides safe pedestrian access for staff and students at First Floor level between the new Middle school and the existing campus.

The prefabricated bridge design and construction required a hands on approach, from 3D design and structural modelling, to costing, building logistics and expert fabrication. This is an exceptional example of teamwork delivering results, as it was the collective input from GGA, CPR Engineers, Specialised Solutions and the Sarah team that enabled us to bring this together.

A Landmark And Legacy

A very challenging project, it was also incredibly rewarding. “This project stands out, as it was one that pushed everyone involved to think outside the square” (including the Year 6 students!) said Marino.

“Being able to execute quality solutions in response to such interesting challenges has made the Pembroke Middle School Redevelopment particularly rewarding for me. I’m not alone in thinking this; our subcontractors were extremely inspired to be involved with such unique construction. I take pride in the fact that I was able to bring this talented team together and deliver a great result for the school.”

This project provides a tangible celebration of the school’s education agenda for the Pembroke Middle School cohort. It successfully displays that Pembroke School is progressive, vibrant and innovative, and allowed Sarah to demonstrate their collaborative, forward-thinking approach to construction management.

Recreation

Construction And Architecture Deliver Excellence at Campbelltown Memorial Oval

June 20, 2019 Sarah Leave a comment

The relationship between construction and architecture is intertwined, yet requires give and take, to bring a client’s vision to life. The architect draws the vision. The builder then constructs the physical version of the vision, on time and within budget.

Along the way, there are often “buildability” issues, where the design as it’s documented isn’t feasible in reality. Or the materials and methods required to construct the design, fall outside of the client’s budget.

This is part and parcel of the construction process; it’s rare to have a project where there are no design changes. That’s why at Sarah Constructions, we actively encourage early collaboration with architects on a job. Together, we can approach these issues on the front foot.

Our approach is to pool our expertise and collaborate to come up with the best possible solutions for our client’s.

Teamwork makes the dream work

For us, the architect is part of the project team. We welcome them on site and look forward to working together. A harmonious joint partnership culminates in a better end result for the client, every time.

The same goes for subcontractors and consultants too. We believe that when you’re part of the project, you’re part of the team. Your expertise is valued and welcomed. The Campbelltown Memorial Oval Sports Hub project was the perfect example of this.

A joint venture between Campbelltown Council and the Australian Government, the Campbelltown Memorial Oval was transformed into a modern sporting and community hub. Designed by Hames Sharley, the Memorial Oval Sports Hub was built by Sarah Constructions and our subcontractors.

From the outset, the approach on site was one of genuine teamwork and joint responsibility.

Hames Sharley and Sarah Construction worked well together due to our shared professional and collaborative spirit, we both promote the idea that we’re all on the same team and able to just get on with the project.

The key to collaboration is communication

A critical part of any relationship is communication. The Sarah team used the Aconex system to manage documents and communications. This proved to be highly effective in tracking the history of decision making and cost management. Being centrally located, the system was transparent and inclusive.

Anthony Rigon, Project Administrator at Sarah Constructions, said that open and regular communication is really important to a smooth running project. “We always try to create a ‘how can I help you’ approach to working with others on site. At the end of the day, we want to produce a fantastic outcome for the client. That’s easier to achieve if we all work together.”

“If everybody feels responsible for the project, they make it a priority. The client comes first, always.”

Bringing solutions not problems

Of course, this doesn’t mean the project was all plain sailing. Construction management is all about problem solving; there are always issues to resolve. But when those issues inevitably arise on site, the Sarah team adopts a solution first focus.

To manage any buildability issues, the Sarah team approached the architect with a plan in mind. Instead of just discussing problems, Sarah addressed the issues with potential solutions instead. There was always an attempt to resolve the issue, matched with a willingness to work together to ensure that the build balanced with the architect’s opinion.

There was always a harmonious balance between respecting the design intent and making sure it could work in terms of constructability.

Collaboration creates better client outcomes

The Memorial Oval Sports Hub is a safe, accessible and highly functioning destination, providing quality sporting and recreational facilities for local sports clubs and the wider community. It’s also an example of how the community can come together to create something of incredible value for everyone.

The Sarah team’s collaborative approach extended beyond the project team and consultants to the end user sports clubs, who were given site access during the build, to ensure end requirements for community use were met.

Sarah Constructions, Hames Sharley, Campbelltown Council and the community have created something special, that will live on and add value to the lives of its users for years to come. It’s a powerful example of the excellence that can be achieved when construction and architecture align. Where there’s a willingness to work together, there’s a way to deliver extraordinary construction outcomes and lasting legacies.

Belinda-Wood-and-Mickey-Kumatpi-Marrutya-O’Brien-at-the-sarah-RAP-launch

News

A Step Towards Reconciliation: Sarah’s RAP Journey

May 30, 2019 Sarah Leave a comment

With Belinda Wood, Marketing & Office Manager

National Reconciliation Week is noted as a time to reflect on achievements so far and to acknowledge the things which must still be done to achieve reconciliation. At Sarah Constructions, we are very proud of the journey we have undertaken to help support reconciliation.

In January of this year, Sarah officially launched our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which is a program that provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement. At the launch, our CEO, Adrian Esplin summarised the value of this program to Sarah.

“There are many important layers to true reconciliation, and I feel extremely privileged to be leading Sarah as we embed this into our company culture. The RAP framework provides the direction for Sarah’s reconciliation journey. 2019 is our year to ‘Reflect’. In subsequent years, we will continue to expand our knowledge and understanding, helping us to take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.” Adrian Esplin, CEO.

My RAP Journey At Sarah

When we started investigating the RAP process, I was appointed as a member of the Sarah RAP Committee and had a very limited understanding on what the process would involve – I thought it was more of a government educational program. Initially, I assumed the focus would be on how our business could work with and support Indigenous lead companies, which is an important aspect of the process, however it’s only one small part of what has turned out to be a much more meaningful, bigger picture journey.

My comprehension and appreciation for the value of the program quickly changed. The outcomes for this program are wide and far reaching, with impact that will ripple across all Australians. There is no way these outcomes can be achieved through a simple ‘application and checklist process’, it truly requires an educational journey. This journey will, and already is, impacting the foundation of how we do business at Sarah and, how each of us as employees, understand and respect our indigenous Australians. Working together to achieve these outcomes is no small feat, assisted by the RAP Framework which consists of 4 stages, allowing for that process to be experienced step by step.

Cultural Awareness Training

One of the steps in Sarah’s RAP journey, was to coordinate a series of cultural awareness training, facilitated by Jack Kanya Kudnuitya Buckskin. “Jack is a proud Kaurna and Narungga man who has dedicated his life to learning and passing on his knowledge and language of the Adelaide Plains to future generations of Kaurna people.” Jack delivers cultural awareness sessions as part of his work with the Tauondi Aboriginal College.

As a young student, I received very little education outside basic generic knowledge of our Aboriginal Australians. After the Sarah Cultural Training I learnt more than I imagined and was pleasantly surprised. The family tree responsibilities were incredibly interesting and highlighted the strength of an extended family unit- it gave new light to the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. I find myself now hungry for more information and detail on Aboriginal Culture which can only benefit Sarah Constructions and our employees, given my role in the RAP Committee.

After the sessions, we asked participants to provide feedback on their experience and I was both proud and humbled to hear how impactful it was. It has absolutely reinforced not only how important but also how necessary it is for businesses to participate in the RAP process.

Feedback From Participants

“I really didn’t know much about aboriginal culture before the training. I found it to be a big ‘eye opener’ and has left me with a much deeper respect for Aboriginal people.”

Claire Dunstall, Tender Submission Administrator.

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“It was fantastic to have a session that was purely about knowledge sharing and learning about the Aboriginal Culture without the focus on political or negative aspects of history. I felt this approach cut-through and made for a very open discussion where everyone enjoyed learning and was very engaged.

It was very refreshing, and I have gained more appreciation and understanding – which leads to more respect – from this one session than I have from anything I have attended/seen in the past. This format made you feel like you were invited in to appreciate the culture, rather than just being an outsider trying to understand it.

It is hard to fully respect a culture without having proper understanding, and this training is a big step towards forming that understanding.”

Kirby Thomson, Submissions & Marketing Coordinator

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“I believe that this training raised my awareness and gave me an understanding of what it means to be an Aboriginal Australian by outlining their thoughts on; family, relationships, culture, training, their sense of humour, the challenges and common misconceptions that they as a culture face.”

Paul Schultz, Construction Graduate

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Next Steps

I have become very passionate about Sarah’s RAP journey because for me, it’s rewarding to be able to guide Sarah Constructions to empower their employees and their families with the knowledge and respect of the Aboriginals Culture and lands.

A core attribute to our business, as a construction company, is that we have ‘hands on’ connectivity with the land. Understanding the cultural importance of these lands is imperative to allow us to be aware and respectful in this interaction.

We are proudly working through our REFLECT goals; to date we have achieved 75% or our target outcomes. This has been achieved by our dedicated RAP Committee whom have worked through as a team and with commitment.

What started as something we felt we needed to do out of corporate responsibility, has quickly transformed into something we want to do – we are truly embracing this journey as our understanding and appreciation for the Aboriginal culture grows. We are looking forward to moving through the phases of the ‘RAP Framework’ to advance reconciliation and are proud to be taking these steps forward, especially during National Reconciliation Week – Grounded in Truth, Walk Together with Courage.

Our Values

Collaboration To Grow Our People & Deliver Better Construction Outcomes

March 7, 2019 Sarah Leave a comment

With Steve Blackmore, Senior Site Manager

Potential employees and clients frequently want to know, what’s the culture like at Sarah Constructions? “Honestly, when I first joined,” says Steve Blackmore, Senior Site Manager at Sarah Constructions “I thought it would be the same as at any other construction firm — where there is talk about a culture that didn’t always match the daily reality.” At Sarah, he insists, it’s different.

Our people pride themselves on working together collaboratively; with our colleagues, clients and contractors. It should come as no surprise that we believe collaboration drives success is one of our core business values. But what is surprising, says Steve, is how deeply that value runs throughout the whole company culture.

“It’s much more team orientated here than at other construction companies. There’s lots of support and everyone works together; there’s never too much of a burden on one person’s shoulders.”

Collaborating Internally To Nurture Staff And Develop Skills

Most companies promote the idea that they have an “open door” policy. But at Sarah, management delivers on this promise. And it starts at the top. Adrian Esplin, Chief Executive Officer, is a driving force behind the open, collaborative approach that permeates throughout Sarah Constructions.

“When you have an infectious leader like Adrian, it filters down,” explains Steve. “I feel totally comfortable to talk to management about anything here. That’s different to other places I’ve worked. No matter what your title, everyone at Sarah is treated as an equal. We all matter. And everyone is willing to share their knowledge to help others.”

This knowledge sharing is a core component of Sarah’s collaborative approach. Staff members, subcontractors, consultants and clients are all encouraged to share their expertise, so that there’s greater success for everyone. However, it’s not just about creating an environment that’s conducive to sharing. For those with less experience, it’s also important they feel able to ask when they don’t know the answer. “At Sarah, there are no stupid questions”, says Steve.

“If someone doesn’t know something, they ask someone else. It’s about the team putting their heads together to come up with a solution.” In fact, at Sarah, learning is part of daily life. With a workforce of over 150 people, with an average age of 38, this focus on collaboration has created a thriving company culture of continuous professional development, career growth and opportunity.

“There’s been massive growth at Sarah since I started,” says Steve, “but the culture is strong because we’re hiring the right people. Then we invest in our people, so they’re taught the way we do things. The ones that are willing to learn thrive in this environment.”

Collaboration On Site To Deliver The Best Outcomes For Clients

Steve was a senior member of the team of 11 that worked on the Sarah Constructions $52 million Carmelite project. Of course, such a high profile job with 210 on-site workers presented various complex challenges. Through a focused team effort, the high quality project was completed ahead of schedule. It stands out to Steve as a perfect example of we believe collaboration drives success — in action.

“Carmelite was a daunting job for many. As the most experienced person on the team, I spent a lot of my time mentoring others. So in effect, instead of just one person on the project with my knowledge and experience, there were many.

“It was a long project with a lot of collaboration internally and externally, plus considerable input and problem-solving with the architects. What was really satisfying for me was seeing the younger members of the team grow and develop throughout the program. By the end of the job these guys were confidently running their own site meetings.”

It’s not only Sarah employees and clients that benefit from this collaborative approach. Everybody involved in a project gets the chance to learn and improve as a result. For example, subcontractors on the Carmelite project were upskilled by working through the detailed problem-solving approach with Sarah.

Personal Reflection On Collaboration

For Steve, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword. It’s something tangible that improves his work environment and facilitates his career success.

“I couldn’t do this job without collaboration. Sharing knowledge and experience is more rewarding for me now than the construction process alone. It’s about recognising and celebrating the team effort, and watching the younger generation develop into fantastically talented, skilled professionals.”

At the end of the day, collaboration is a business necessity, not a nice-to-have. It’s not just about making everyone feel good and growing their skillsets, it’s about open communication in order to get the job done.

“Unless you have open communications with all players on the job, you can’t build,” states Steve. “You’re always going to get road blocks, so you need to work through them constructively as a team to find solutions so you can keep building. If you don’t resolve issues and avoid work stoppages, everyone loses money and nobody wins. Collaboration really is the smartest approach for everyone.”

At Sarah, collaboration means open communication and teamwork to deliver the best construction outcomes. We share our knowledge and experience, nurturing talent to improve our people — our most precious resource.