DRILL

TH

E

Special Edition

THE DRILL July 20172

Dearest Diona Team,

In 1980 we started with a backhoe and

a dream. The Diona business has been

strong and steady since the beginning.

With a committed team, our dedication

and patience meant we waited for the right

opportunities, but when they came up we

always grabbed them with both hands. We

have always valued our people and invested

in their progression and this has continually

supported the business.

There is no doubt we have weathered our

share of storms over the last 37 years, but

that is what has also tempered our metal and

continues to build our long lasting legacy.

In 2015 we again knew the right

opportunities were in front of our business

and we put a clear 2020 strategy in place to

grab it with both hands, we knew we were

onto a good thing. What I didn’t anticipate

originally was the opportunity with Calibre,

but fate had created an opportunity for a

shared destiny and the time seemed right.

We had the best team in our history and

the Calibre partnership provided the right

opportunities for all of you.

Right now you have all just demonstrated

what you are capable of which makes me so

proud, and a tad envious. The last two years

provided an environment to excel and a clock

to keep us on track.

You have all surpassed my expectations, but

never my belief in this team and I have never

been prouder of the company we started

before most of you were born.

Calibre are more fortunate than they

realise to have this unbelievable team

and I feel humbled to be a part of this

incredibly tenacious and committed group

of individuals. Diona entered the Calibre

group as a relatively unknown quantity. My

observation is that it is now the cornerstone

and that the Diona culture is stronger than

ever…… and contagious.

We all love to back a winner and I’ve never

seen such a sure thing as Diona is right now.

I also know it will continue to make Calibre a

very successful business.

We have a very proud history and right

now we need to congratulate ourselves

on what has been the performance of a

lifetime. I am incredibly thankful to you

all for your blood, sweat and tears and

I hope you are as proud as I am to be a

part of Diona.

Yours faithfully,

John O’Connor

Well done Diona!

Contents The winners• $1,000 Best editorial demonstrating

teamwork and collaboration or

innovation at Diona Saviz Gharavi, Design Manager Calibre

• $250 Best non-project article Ben Wall

• $250 Best written article Adrian Giannotti

• $250 Best photo displaying Diona’s

technical ability Brian McCormack

• $150 Runner-up photo displaying

Diona’s technical ability Joshua Maltese

• $250 Best photo Joshua Maltese

• $150 Runner-up photo Ivan O’Connor

David’s Message 3

Financial Results 5

Welcome to Diona 10

Project Updates 11-26

Employee Spotlight – Barry Crossey 15

Employee Spotlight – Jason Field 21

Team Building 26

Employee Spotlight – Tasfia Shikdar 27

New kids on the block 30

New Aussies on the Rock 30

Community 31-33

Tenacity Award 34

FORMworker 35

Compliments 36

Safety 38-39

IT@Diona 40

Asphalt 42

Meet the HSEQ Team 44

Lifesaver Rules 46

Soccer report 47

Environment 48

Leadership programs 50

Employee Spotlight – Rajesh Shukla 53

Around the traps, in snaps 54

Contributions to The DrillWe are always keen to see your stories and photos.

Send to communications@diona.com.au or to our Dropbox (ask for a link).

For more information contact:

Retha Wessels on 02 8867 8008 or e-mail at Retha.wessels@diona.com.au

Photo Tip: check that your camera

is set to the highest resolution. Avoid

downsizing photos when sending

(or let us know that a larger copy is

available).

THE DRILL July 2017 3

Reached the Crannog

In 2015, we set our strategy for the next five years which we hoped we would realise by 2020. Those goals included doubling in size, developing our geographic spread and driving our competitive advantage around our culture and people. Those goals have led us to the most successful year of Diona’s history and I am proud of the tenacious culture of our people that has led us to this accomplishment.As many of you are aware, the Calibre buy-in has drawn to a close this month and I am really

pleased to share positive news surrounding that. The inclusion of Calibre in the Diona family

is a stepping stone in our 2020 vision and is a platform for not only our growth, but for the

Calibre Group as well. This presents a wide range of further opportunities for us and Calibre

employees to develop, diversify and collaborate on new and exciting projects.

This also means there are synergies to differentiate us from the rest of the market. We now have

more services to offer our existing customers and unique ways for us to engage new clients.

Ultimately, this is a fantastic time for the Diona business and I believe our people will continue

to showcase our strengths and enable Calibre to learn and grow with us.

The most successful year in our historyWhat does the most successful year in our history look like? It’s growth of 50% in the last 12

months whilst maintaining our margin. It’s the 25% improvement of our safety performance

in the last 18 months and mostly, it is our tenacious culture that drives our performance. This

performance has added significant value to the Calibre Group and we should be proud of our

contribution to the wider organisation.

We have pulled together as a team to meet the many and varied challenges in delivering what we

committed to. With this dedication, our clients continue to award further projects to us based on

the trust they have in our team. This is a constant reminder of the talented team of future leaders

and subcontracting partners who are ready to take our business through to the next stage of its

journey.

What does next financial year look like?Our 2020 vision will be recognised two years earlier with a forecast revenue of $250m. This is a

fantastic outlook for the year ahead as this means our team has gone from strength to strength

in not only achieving, but going above and beyond the previous targets set.

As of 30 June 2017, we have the best order book in our history to date totalling $220m.

Excitingly, the coming year will see us double our work across Victoria and South Australia.

We will also continue to see significant growth across the New South Wales and Queensland

markets and mobilise our first resource into the New Zealand market!

David O’Connor – Executive General Manager

THE DRILL July 20174

This year will also see us initiate the Diona & Calibre technology division offering to the market

which will strengthen our core business with innovative solutions for our existing and new

clients.

The future and 2022We will continue to invest in our people as we believe you are the differentiator in what

makes the Diona business so successful. The ambitions of our promising talent and brilliant

subcontractors haven’t gone unnoticed and we will continue to ensure our business grows fast

enough to support our teams in their aspirations for growth.

Establishing our presence in every major city throughout Australia and New Zealand is one of

our primary goals and we believe that our synergies with the wider Calibre Group including

future technology offerings to clients, will allow for us to grow across these markets.

In addition, we are targeting revenue exceeding $500m and we envisage future partnerships

with Tier 1 contractors to deliver major infrastructure throughout the region will play a key part

in this vision. This will be a fantastic opportunity for all of us to continue to grow and learn as

the industry continues to evolve.

Each of you is a critical part of our success to date and our future strategy and goals. To celebrate

our achievement, we will be throwing a Crannog party in each state as part of our year end

celebrations. More details to come on this over the coming months but it will be a celebration not

to miss!

Moving forward, a member of the Senior Management Team will do a deep-dive each month

on a key element of our 2022 strategy and on how you can help make our vision come to life.

The future looks bright for us and I hope you are proud of your efforts. We have certainly

achieved something special. I believe that this is only the beginning of what is going to be a

fantastic growth period for us and one we can all be a part of.

On behalf of Ginger and the O’Connor family, thank you for your hard work and dedication. We

have now shown what we are capable of, and that makes the future all the more exciting!

Yours faithfully

David O’Connor

Executive General Manager

THE DRILL July 2017 5THE DRILL July 2017 5

We reached a summit, now we celebrate and shape our future

The good people of Diona have delivered

unprecedented results for FY16/17. We have

bettered all required targets through our

strategic focus and tenacity. Our ‘low hanging

fruit’ or developing client partnerships tactic

has helped us achieve our goals this year.

We also have remained fixed on business

development and winning more tenders to

support our targets. Last year, we beat our

tender target of $200m achieving $236m of

contracts awarded in one year. This certainly

paid dividends in FY16/17 and paved the

way for an equally successful FY17/18.

We intend to reduce our reliance on New

South Wales and diversify into new regions

pursuing ‘higher hanging fruit’ or new client

partnerships in FY17/18.

Based on actual contracts awarded, our

revenue target of $250m for FY17/18 is now

realistic. Our order book, including existing

and repeat/panel contracts, now exceeds

$220m which is a new record for Diona.

The graph below illustrates tendering targets

for FY17/18 and already displays a good start

to the year.

Charlie Haire – Contracts Manager

This year will see the team work on some new

challenges to secure a better future for us all:

• Establish panel contracts +$10m in new

regions – Victoria, New Zealand, Western

Australia

• Secure one new JV partner and secure new

project $100m combined

• Design monthly eNewsletter to improve

communication of ideas and vision

• Develop and agree on market entry plans

for New Zealand and Western Australia

• 100% compliance for HSE lead indicators

on rolling six-month basis.

To continue our success into FY17/18, we

all need to implement the following simple

tasks:

• Maturity – Build trust with our clients to

always do the right thing without being

told to do so

• Vision – One clear, straightforward and

consistent message regarding our destiny

• Partnerships – Develop and train our

future leaders to build and enhance client

partnerships

• Human Resources – Improve onboarding,

recruitment and progression process

• Communication – Use social media to get

clear and simple messages to the entire

Diona team.

40

35 250

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0 0A-17 O-17M-17 N-17J-17 D-17J-17 J-18 A-18A-17 F-18 M-18S-17 M-18 J-18 FY 17/18

Turnover Contracts Awarded per month FY 17/18 Contracts Awarded FY 17/18

Target $250mTarget Contract Award

Actual Contract Award

Date (Month-Year)

THE DRILL July 20176

19+46+21+14 19+46+21+14

The current revenue forecast for July 2017 to

June 2018 is based on the following:

• Contracts awarded – $158m or 47%

(already underway plus forecast to June

2018)

• Repeat / Panel Contracts – $68m or 21%

(steady business from long-term partners)

• Under Negotiation – $44m or 13%

(almost awarded forecast to June 2018)

• Strategic Opportunities – $65m or 19%

(yet to be tendered forecast to June 2018).

The primary challenge for this year is to grow

and maintain our core people, subcontractors

and suppliers.

The graphs below illustrate the strong growth

projected for 2018:

Repeat Panels/ Contracts (21%)

Repeat Panels/ Contracts ($68m)

Existing Contracts (47%)

Existing Contracts ($158m)

Under Negotiation (13%)

Under Negotiation ($44m)

Strategic Tenders (19%)

Strategic Tenders ($65m)

Tender Target (%) FY 17/18

Tender Target (A$m) FY 17/18

Tender Targets vs Contracts Awarded / Under Negotiation FY 17/18

35

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0M-17 J-18S-17 M-18J-17 M-18N-17J-17 F-18O-17 J-18A-17 A-18D-17

Date (Month-Year)

Existing contracts

Repeat/Panel contracts

Under negotiation

Strategic tenders

Forecast

THE DRILL July 2017 7

Optimism for the next six months:• FY17/18 order book already 70% complete

with several excellent opportunities under

discussion

• Sydney Water – Kick off $31m

Woolloomooloo sewer separation project

• Ausgrid – Imminent award of Summer Hill

to Canterbury 33kV project. More tenders

to follow.

• Calibre – Working with Calibre and Sydney

Water on the ‘seed to tree’ strategy which

is Diona/Calibre to complete all design

and construct works from inception to

completion

• Yarra Valley Water – Continue to develop

a relationship and win some significant

contracts

• Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) –

Continue to win projects based on direct

negotiation and good KPI scores

• Mega projects in Sydney – Sydney Light

Rail and WestConnex continue to win

tenders

• Hunter Water – Have announced a budget

of around $200m for the next two years

• TransGrid – 330kV cable tender currently

out to market. Diona will partake in JV with

Sumitomo.

• NSW Office of Water – Tender for the Murray

River to Broken Hill of around $100m.

Challenges for the next six months:• Keeping the Diona family culture –

“look after your people, and they will look after you”

• Holding on to and attracting skilled

resources during an increasing skills

shortage

• Improve business opportunities outside

of New South Wales to seed other

geographical regions and plan for any

downturn

• Improve visibility of future pipeline of

work, tender strategy and strike rate

by introducing Client Relationship

Management (CRM) system for Diona.

• Maintain high KPI scores with Sydney

Water/QUU to ensure maximum allocation

of contracts

• Resource Victorian business to deliver APA

mains insertion contracts. We need people

in Victoria

• Expand business in South Australia and

Victoria adding new clients other than APA.

On the back of our success in FY16/17, we

can now build for the future with a clear plan

already developed to FY2022. We need to

share and articulate this vision with the wider

team to ensure continued success. This year

the Diona senior management team will keep

you all up to speed with the conversation

regarding our future.

As a team, we should continue to challenge

ourselves and strive for improvement

and progression. We have the energy and

momentum to take the Diona brand to

$500m per year by 2022.

Diona has been awarded the following key contracts:• Sydney Water: Woolloomooloo sewer

separation project (July 2017 – Dec 2018)

• WestConnex: 132kV and water relocations

– Alexandria (June 2017 – Feb 2018)

• Acciona: Various Water/Sewer/Electricity/

Stormwater (June 2017 – March 2018)

• APA: South Australia – Salisbury/Unley

trunk main projects (Nov 2016 – April 2017)

• APA: Queensland – Flagstone 35km

pipeline (June 2017 – Dec 2017)

• DownerMouchel: Undertaking lane at

Bilpin (June 2017 – Nov 2017)

• Holdmark: Meadowbank stormwater

relocation (May 2017 – March 2018)

• Sydney Water: Emerald Hills pipelines and

pump station (April 2017 – Dec 2017)

• APA – Victoria: Carlton, Richmond, Fitzroy,

West Melbourne (Feb 2017 – June 2018)

• Sydney Water: Design and construct bank

renewals for Powells Creek (Apr 2017 – Oct

2018).

States The chart below illustrates the current year to

date work by state:

NSW: Revenue has increased over the year

from 60% to 66% of annual turnover. We

are ideally aiming to reduce this to around

50% in FY17/18 by pursuing opportunities in

Victoria and New Zealand.

New South Wales is still buoyant for

infrastructure contractors and should

continue for the next five to ten years. The

challenge will be resourcing the projects we

win.

QLD: Revenue has decreased in Queensland

as a result of competition and sharing

resources to deliver projects in New South

Wales. We plan to increase turnover in

Queensland by 20% this financial year and

have a strong team in place to do so.

SA: We have continued to grow the business

in South Australia this year. We now need

to concentrate on recruiting new leaders to

tender and manage projects for prospective

new clients. The addition of a state manager

will support the expansion of new and

challenging partnerships.

ACT: We are still working on the ACT market

through collaboration with our partners at

Calibre.

VIC: Diona has started to deliver gas main

replacement projects for APA in Melbourne.

We are also now on the Yarra Valley Water

panel and actively tendering projects in

Victoria.

NZ: We are currently bidding a 110kV high

voltage cable project in Auckland. We intend

to research other opportunities and team up

with Calibre in New Zealand to establish a

specialist design and construct business.

1321+1+64+1NSW (66%)

VIC (0%)

ACT (0%) SA (13%)

QLD (21%)

THE DRILL July 20178

12+16+3+20+35 SectorsThe chart below illustrates the current year to

date work by sector:

Electricity: Privatisation of the networks

in New South Wales and Queensland has

resulted in a 5% decrease in electrical

projects. We have maintained our capability

by working with Ausgrid focusing on oil

containment and Acciona on electrical

relocations. The future looks bright with

excellent opportunities available with both

TransGrid and Ausgrid who are planning new

projects and starting to issue some sizable

tenders.

Water and Sewer: Now accounts for about

60% of our business with Sydney Water

remaining our most consistent client. We are

still struggling to attract crews, pipe layers

and various other resources to meet the

current demand in Sydney.

Gas: Business as usual with APA in both

South Australia and Queensland. Both are

increasing in turnover this financial year. We

are also exploring opportunities in Victoria

with Multinet Gas design and construction

panel.

Civil Works: Currently reduced to 13% of

turnover and well below our 20% target. We

have focused more on utility relocations in

the previous year as the work was available

and had a quick start. We are now seeing

some signs of improvement from Roads and

Maritime Services (RMS) in issuing tenders

to the market. Our target will remain 20%

for FY17/18 and needs to be supported by a

significant JV with a trusted roadbuilder.

Clients & ProjectsThe chart on page 9 lists our top 10 clients by

turnover year to date.

APA (Adelaide) – We have continued to

increase revenue and resources working

on mains replacement and trunk mains in

Adelaide. We are APA’s delivery partner of

choice.

APA (Brisbane) – We have also continued

to be APA’s delivery partner of choice in

Queensland. While we have not secured any

mains replacement work, we have continued

to win the majority of main trunk projects,

and not always at the lowest price.

Ausgrid – We are pleased with the award

of an additional 12 months’ work on the oil

containment program. We also have been

included on the Ausgrid substation panel

and are close to being awarded a large

transmission cable project from Summer Hill

to Canterbury.

Energex (Queensland crews) – Works on

Energex have slowed down dramatically in

the past year. Fortunately, we have managed

to find alternative jobs for our experienced

electrical crews.

RMS/DownerMouchel/VBAJV – The past

financial year saw the volume of tenders

available to price much lower than previous

years. It appears that larger, more significant

projects were given priority when it came to

budgets and expenditure. However, we are

confident in a marked improvement in FY17/18.

Lend Lease – We have established an

excellent working relationship at Sydney

University. We have also worked with Lend

Lease on NBN and the Gateway Upgrade

program in Brisbane. We are hopeful of

further works from Lend Lease and are

already tendering packages on the Northern

Road project NSW.

Logan Water Alliance (LWA) – Works have

remained steady with no significant tenders

in the pipeline.

QUU – Our panel contract has been extended

for another year until August 2018. We

continue to get projects issued through direct

negotiation based on satisfactorily meeting

KPI scores. We also have works secured for the

next six months and are confident of another

good year ahead with QUU.

Stockland – We have almost completed

works for Stockland at Marsden Park.

They have not advised us of any following

packages to price.

Sydney Water (Delivery Management) – We

are hoping for a 12-month extension to June

2019 on the current panel contract. Diona

continues to mature and scores consistently

high KPI scores to ensure we directly

negotiate the majority of our contracts.

We are also starting to work more closely

with Sydney Water at the early stages of

concept design and planning. We are in the

unique position of having a constructor in

Diona and designer in Calibre which should

give us a distinct advantage ahead of our

competitors.

Tier-one Utilities Relocation – We are one

of the largest subcontractors working for

Acciona on the Sydney Light Rail project.

We are also starting significant works for

CPB Contractors on WestConnex and Fulton

Hogan on the B-line project.

Sewer (20%)

Gas (16%)

Pump Station (3%)

Electrical (12%)

Civil (13%)

Water (37%) Communications (0%)

THE DRILL July 2017 9

Contracts under negotiation

Client Location Duration Description of Works

Acciona Sydney Light Rail 12 months Various – water, electricity and stormwater relocations

Ausgrid Canterbury, NSW 12 months Canterbury to Summer Hill – 33kV cable installation

Sydney Water Georges Hall, NSW 10 months Pump station – refurbishment

CPB Contractors WestConnex, Sydney 12 months Various – water, electricity and stormwater relocations

Lend Lease Brisbane, QLD 12 months NBN installation works

We have certainly raised the bar this year

regarding performance and filling our order

book.

Since the last edition of The Drill, we have

improved as a company in the following

areas:

• Leadership and client participation training

and programs for our emerging stars

• Recruitment and progression of senior

managers and specialist leads

• Completed our 2022 strategy with a clear

plan for the next five years

• Made Diona the employer of choice with

the ability to attract skilled, trusted people.

We have certainly not let Ginger down and

left a strong legacy of what can be achieved

if we put our minds to it. Our success will be

the catalyst for growth with Calibre over the

next three to five years.

“Coming together is a beginning;

keeping together is progress;

working together is success.”

Henry Ford

Top 10 clients by turnover year to dateVa

lue

of C

ontr

acts

(A$m

)

30

40

50

60

20

10

0APA StocklandLend

LeaseEnergex TransGridNRTJV

(North Rail)Ausgrid Sydney

WaterLogan Water

Alliance

RMS (Downer Mouchel)

OthersQUU

THE DRILL July 201710

Welcome to DionaWe would like to welcome the new additions to the Diona team. Each of you brings skills and attributes that Diona needs to continue our evolution, and meet our 2020 strategy goals. We hope that our association will be a long and successful one.

NAME STATE POSITION

Adedolapo Akinsanya NSW Site Engineer

Tanya Aldenhoven NSW Personal Assistant

Larissa Alofa QLD HSEQ Advisor

Jack Barrett QLD Project Engineer

David Begley QLD Labourer

Scott Burgess VIC Plumber

David Crowhurst NSW Senior Community Advisor

Ciaran Dagger NSW Project Engineer

Jose Da Silva QLD Project Engineer

Darren Davison NSW Superintendent

John Delaney VIC Labourer

Patrick Dunn SA Project Engineer

Ibrahim Eid NSW Project Engineer

Charles Esterhuysen QLD Project Engineer

Laif Etournaud NSW Labourer

Thomas Eustace NSW Digging Operator

Aleksejs Fedins VIC Project Engineer

Shauneen Ferrity NSW Procurement Officer

Noeleen Fitzmaurice NSW Plant Manager

Liam Friel QLD Labourer

Dirk Fuhrmann SA Construction Manager

Gavin Gormley NSW Project Engineer

Joe Harper VIC Labourer

Angela Henry NSW Finance Manager

Liam Heverin NSW Senior Project Engineer

Nick Holden QLD Operator

Dara Ivors QLD Labourer

Randall Jacinto NSW Undergraduate Engineer

Mark Johns NSW Supervisor

Harman Josan NSW Engineer

James Kambey NSW Project Engineer

Nafis Khan NSW Graduate Engineer

David Kingston NSW Carpenter

David Lawrance NSW HSEQ Advisor

NAME STATE POSITION

Stephen Maguire NSW Project Engineer

Raymond McCloy NSW HSEQ Advisor

David Northey NSW Labourer/Dogman

Zachary O’Brien NSW Apprentice Mechanic

Damian O’Callaghan NSW Estimator

Joey O’Connor NSW Project Engineer

Aidan O Mahony NSW Estimator

Samir Paudel NSW Site Engineer

Peter Penfold SA Site Supervisor

Daniel Philibs NSW Site Engineer

Michael Prior NSW Site Engineer

Timothy Relihan NSW Machine Operator

Ian Robbins NSW Senior Project Engineer

Mark Roberts NSW Labourer

Simon Robertson QLD Lead Hand /

Machine Operator

Conor Rogan VIC Plant Operator

Michael Ryan QLD Operator

Michael Saxton VIC Site Supervisor

Simon Smith SA Plumber

David Somers SA Senior Site Supervisor

John Stratigis NSW Project Engineer

Philip Stranger NSW Junior Engineer

Tom Watson QLD Labourer

Simon Weaver NSW Project Engineer

Joanne Webb NSW Administrative Assistant

Stephen Wooll NSW Project Manager

Janane Yogarajah NSW Project Engineer

Eleni Zachopolus SA Administrative Assistant

Welcome back to Diona

NAME STATE POSITION

Jason Carroll NSW Operator

Shaun Daniels QLD Project Engineer

Jason Field QLD Yard Supervisor

THE DRILL July 2017 11

Calibre’s buy-in to Diona has has created

a lot of exciting opportunities for the

two companies, both professionally and

socially. From a professional perspective, the

opportunity to work on projects together has

built on both companies’ capital and value in

the engineering space.

Additionally, from a social perspective, events

such as the inaugural Diona/Calibre soccer

match at the end of 2016 have brought the

two companies together through friendly

rivalry. In the match, Calibre’s sporting prowess

was celebrated with a convincing win.

All of this pales in comparison to Calibre’s first

contribution to The Drill newsletter. Diona has

invited us to provide some input into the recent

completion of the Leppington Sewer Lead-Ins

project. This project represents one of the first

successful Diona/Calibre collaborations within

the Water and Environment team. And boy, was

it a good one.

Project Manager, Liam Curran and Engineer,

Eoin Heaney teamed up with Design

Manager, Saviz Gharavi and Design Lead,

Frank Ravese for the design and construction

of eight lead-in sewer pipes, with main

features such as:

• Total sewer length of about 5.7km with

pipes as large as DN450

• A number of maintenance structures,

water-sealed maintenance holes, vent

shafts

• Crossing a major RMS road (i.e. Camden

Valley Way)

• Working in deep excavation up to 10m

deep

• Multiple trenchless sections by micro bore

completed with steel-sleeved pipe and

fully-pressurised grout support.

Sydney Water awarded this project to Diona

as part of their focus on the Western Sydney

Priority Growth Area. An already existing

concept design from Sydney Water was the

foundation for the detailed design process.

From this concept, there were two distinct

design improvements that Calibre provided,

resulting in a significant cost saving to the

two businesses. This saving was estimated

in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to

Sydney Water and Diona. Some of these

improvements included:

• A reduction in the number of vent shafts

noted in the concept. The introduction

of an innovative design of water-sealed

maintenance structures meant a number of

vent shafts were deemed unnecessary given

the conditions and pipe sizing implemented.

• A change in the encapsulation pipe

material and sizing; specifically high

stiffness glass reinforced polymer jacking

pipe (which were manufactured overseas)

redesigned to mild steel sleeving pipe

which could be sourced cheaper and faster.

Other improvements included:

• Resizing pipes and minor modifications to

pipe types

• Adjustments in microtunnelling lengths

and locations

• Changes in horizontal and vertical

alignment where necessary.

Like any project, there were challenges

encountered and overcome on both sides.

The main challenge was the language barrier

and an interpreter was initially engaged to

translate between the softly and quickly

spoken Irish and the well-mannered Calibre

personnel. Very early on both parties realised

that nodding and smiling at each other may

not be the best way to work through the

design issues.

Overall, the opportunity to work with Diona

on this project was a distinct privilege.

Projects such as this demonstrate how a

Diona and Calibre partnership is a force to be

reckoned with.

Collaboration on the Leppington Sewer Lead-InsSaviz Gharavi – Design Manager, Calibre

5.7km sewer with large DN450 pipes.

THE DRILL July 201712

In just over a year, and across three deep

gravity sewer projects, Diona will deliver

staggering numbers:

• More than 433 vertical metres of sewer

maintenance structures

• Combined 49 maintenance hole structures,

plus six ventshafts

• More than 4km of deep sewer pipework

installation of DN450, DN375, DN300 GRP

• 2.4km of microtunnelling and pipe-

installation

• 1.6km of open-cut trenching pipe

installation at an average depth of 7.5m

• Excavations ranging up to 16.5m deep

• Numerous manhole shaft bulk excavations

• 2.3m square in-situ manholes.

From Marsden Park Western Lead-In,

Marsden Park Northern Lead-In, to

Eastern Creek Sewer Extension, a team of

more than 50 personnel are involved in

successfully delivering these deep gravity

sewer projects.

Marsden Park Northern Lead-InDiona has completed two major gravity

sewer lines for Stockland’s Marsden Park

Elara Estate, connecting sewerage for more

than 2,000 residential homes, shopping

centres, schools and community facilities.

The Marsden Park Northern Lead-In

proposed a first for Diona, the construction

of three 2.3m square maintenance

structures, with depths up to 15.3m. These

manholes used a PERI shutter system, which

involved significant manhours. Diona and

Calibre redesigned an innovative, time-

saving and safer work environment solution,

the construction of DN1800 manholes. In full

swing, at any one time on this project, more

than 368t of plant and machinery were in

operation, with various microtunnelling and

pit-building crews simultaneously working.

• 67 tonne excavator (GPS guided)

• 50 tonne excavator

• 2 x 35 tonne excavators

• 23 tonne excavator

• 3 x 30 tonne dump trucks

• 40 tonne crane

• 14 tonne roller

• 14 tonne watercart

• 2 boring crews

• 3 pit building crews.

Eastern Creek Gravity Sewer ExtensionNow travelling towards the coast, the project

team – Barry McGee, Joshua Maltese and

Brian McGuiness, along with Eamon Cahill

and crew – are taking on high-risk deep

sewer work in Eastern Creek. The scope of

works consists of:

• Bulk shaft excavations up to 13.5m deep

close to adjacent structures

• 450m mircotunnelling

• 341m of open-cut trenching pipe

installation with depths up to 8.6m

• Construction of 11 x DN1200 manholes

• Various PCS and pipeline connections.

With excavations up to 13.5m deep, the

close proximity of RMS fence-line and major

industrial roadways, and a tight program,

Diona will seek all the skills and experience

carried from Marsden Park to successfully

deliver this project in a safe and timely

manner.

Risks and ChallengesManholes with vertical heights twice the

length of the fence-line offset called for

precise GPS-guided excavations for the 67t

Hitachi excavator. Similar to Marsden Park,

Diona Delivers Down Under Skyscrapers in the North, East & West

Photographed and written by Joshua Maltese

THE DRILL July 2017 13

manhole shaft excavations can now be

completed without the need of personnel

on the ground setting out requirements,

successfully producing high quality

designed deep shaft excavations, with

works completed in the most cost-efficient

and time-efficient means. Due to steep

excavations, Eastern Creek sewer possesses

many high risks, implementing further safety

procedures, exclusion zones, access locations

and work areas.

Progress• Six of the eight shafts have been excavated

• Boring progressing at 360m

• Trench pipe-laying at 100m

• Manhole construction.

Eastern Creek deep gravity sewer project is

on target and expected to be delivered on

time in early September 2017.

The Key - TeamworkThe successful delivery of these deep sewer

projects couldn’t have been achieved without

the work of Barry McGee, Joshua Maltese,

Brian McGuiness, Eamon Cahill, Derek

O’Connell, Adrian O’Connor, Patrick O’Connor,

Padraig Bowler, Dermot Finnegan, Gavin

O’Reilly, Robert Grant, James Hynes and

Owen Coleman.

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 201714

Diona secures first project for APA Group in VIC

Following successful cooperation with the APA Group in Queensland and South Australia, Diona was awarded our first APA Mains Replacement Project in Victoria. Relying on Diona’s extensive experience and

reputation in the utility and gas industry,

APA Group engaged Diona to deliver four

challenging gas main renewal stages across

Melbourne’s CBD.

The project stages – Carlton North Stage 1,

Richmond Stage 9, West Melbourne and

Fitzroy Stage 3 – exceed 40km of mains

replacement work.

Each stage was very challenging and

presented some old infrastructure in a

densely populated area. The areas included

old Victorian-style terrace houses and

heritage buildings with plenty of bitumen,

bluestone and concrete roads. Insufficient

and unreliable gas infrastructure information

created extra complexity.

There was also an extensive

amount of other services

in the areas and access to

existing infrastructure was

limited due to the vehicle

parking arrangements.

Diona readily accepted

the challenge with plenty

of enthusiasm. Our South

Australian management

crew put together a unique

project team consisting of

highly talented and motivated

operators from across the

company. The Victorian crew

(Jonathon Grey, Dean Wallace

and Joe Harper) were brought

in and the others were

employed locally and joined

the crew at a later stage.

Progress to dateThe first three months in

Victoria were not comfortable and required

an enormous effort from

everyone. Diona adjusted to

the industry and client’s needs

and expectations, which were

specific to Victoria. Despite

having a highly-experienced

crew, they had to be retrained

to completely revise their

approach to the work due to

the nature of the area and the

residents’ needs . The crew

significantly improved the

communication with residents

to get the community fully

engaged. A substantial amount

of extra hours were invested in

conquering the difficulties.

During a challenging period,

the proactiveness, enthusiasm

and loyalty of people at Diona

successfully defeated the

obstacles.

During the past two months, Diona Victoria

has received positive feedback from the

client. Jonathon Grey successfully led this

well-trained crew to deliver a high standard

of quality work. The team is operating very

efficiently and coherently and was fully

assessed on site by APA with a score of 90%

(there is always area for the improvement).

The crew will soon be split into two.

So far, more than 2km of mains renewal work

has been delivered, more than 300 customers

reconnected to the new HP main and well

over 500m2 of bitumen, bluestone and

concrete roads reinstated.

Diona has successfully established our

presence in Victoria and are actively looking

for new talents to join the business with

ample opportunities across the utility

industry.

This is only the beginning of a big and bright

future for Diona in Victoria.

Aleksejs Fedins – Project EngineerPhotos by Jonathon Grey – Site Supervisor

Gas Mains Insertion Crew carrying out some preparation works before the insertion works.

Work site in Carlton North, Victoria.

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 2017 15

What is your role at Diona?Project Manager.

Before working at Diona, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?I worked in Saudi Arabia for over a year, which was a very interesting

experience. Not to be repeated I must add!

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Diona whose job would you want?Tim Kelly I would say . . . having a PA and someone to be my eyes

and ears on the ground would make life a lot easier.

What are the three best words to describe Diona?Driven, passionate, friendly.

What do you find the most challenging at Diona?Same as any company, the clients.

What do you like most about Diona?Very few companies offer the same potential to grow and be in

control of your own future in a company as much as Diona. I like that!

What is your proudest moment at Diona?Being awarded such a high-profile project as Powells Creek was good.

How do you balance your career at Diona and family?With some difficulty. Long working hours with young children isn’t easy.

Where is your home town?Banbridge town, in the County Down.

Do you have a favourite quote?A lot of good ones but one of my favourites is:

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t

matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Favourite travel spot?We went to Niseko in Japan for a snow-boarding holiday last year

and I would definitely like to go back to Japan again soon. The

people and food were equally amazing.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?Colin Farrell might be a good fit.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?My Dad passed away 16 years ago, so if I could meet him again for

even a few hours it would be amazing!

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?My family, a toothbrush and a boat.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?“Take it or leave it.”

Motto or personal mantra?Go for it. No matter how it ends, it was an experience.

People would be surprised if they knew (about you).I played pool for Northern Ireland before moving to Australia.

Barry Crossey

Tell us a bit about your family.I have a beautiful wife and two amazing kids. My granny is 97 and

still going strong. I have 14 aunties and uncles, and more than 50

cousins – just your typical Irish family I suppose!

Top three life highlights?Birth of my son, marrying my wife and an around the world trip I did

a few years ago.

What advice would you give to recent new hires?The sky is the limit with Diona. We are growing.

What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?Stay on top of quality paperwork. Never get complacent.

What do you like to do in your spare time?Apart from spending time with my family, I am a pretty keen golfer

(unfortunately also pretty poor at it).

What is your hidden talent?It will remain hidden for a bit longer . . .

What music is on your phone?Bits and pieces of everything. The last album I downloaded was Hozier.

What is on your bucket list?Way too much to list them all here. Snowboarding in Colorado is up

the top though.

What is the last joke you recall?“My wife accused me of being immature – so I told her to get out of

my fort!”

Which cartoon character would you most like to live with?Dick Dastardly would be good craic I’d say.

You’re the happiest when?On the golf course. Oh I mean relaxing with my wife and kids.

THE DRILL July 201716

Successful sewer system for Stockland

Brian McGuinness – Project Manager

Diona has successfully completed another

top-quality sewer system for Stockland in

Marsden Park – the Northern Lead-In Sewer

project.

This project was challenging, with a great

team, Diona delivered 800m of open cut,

1,500m of microtunnelling and construction

of 28 manholes (1.2m diameter – 2.2m

square). The pipe ranged from DN 375 – DN

450 GRP.

Risks and Challenges The excavations were up to 16m deep

in areas so Diona invested in a 67 tonne

excavator fitted with a GPS system to

complete the works safely and efficiently.

With the help of Tasfia Shikdar, we completed

3D models of each shaft excavation for the

project. This allowed the operator to track

up to each shaft and excavate it without

requiring an engineer to set it out. This saved

on average one-and-a-half days per shaft

excavation.

Another challenge on the project was

constructing the 2.2m square manholes,

which were difficult and slow to construct

due to the required man-hours and

shuttering system. Diona, in consultation

with Calibre, redesigned the manholes on the

project. This resulted in a better product for

the client, time savings and a safer working

environment.

Congratulations to all involved but

specifically Barry McGee, Joshua Maltese,

Eamon Cahill, Derek O’Connell, Adrian

O’Connor, Patrick O’Connor, Dermot Finnegan

(Mr GPS), Padraig Bowler and Gavin O’Reilly.

Stockland also engaged Diona on the

following projects:

• Supply and install HV and LV cables for the

pump station. This project was delivered

on time within a tight program despite

adverse weather within the period.

• IOP works – construction of an interim

pump-out in an existing manhole. This

project, which recently started, is ahead

of schedule and the team expects to

complete it within four weeks.

Diona is hoping to build on the current

relationship with Stockland and deliver many

more projects.

Manhole construction.

End of microtunnel.

Excavator GPS system.

THE DRILL July 2017 17

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) awarded

Diona a motorway slope remediation project

– valued at $326,000 – to ensure that drivers

on the M4 Motorway remained safe during

the road infrastructure works.

The RMS slope stabilisation works were along

the existing rock cutting located next to the

westbound carriageway of the M4 Motorway

at Emu Plains.

During their risk analysis, RMS identified that

the rock cutting required remediation to

address potential safety risks such as rock falls.

In particular, they wanted to reduce the

possibility of medium to large rocks falling

to improve road user safety and preserve the

design life of the existing road infrastructure.

The proposed remediation for the works

included:

• Targeted scaling of loose rock boulders along

the upper section of the rock-cutting face

• Selective tree removal behind the crest of

the cut (for an anticipated distance of about

2m from the top of the cutting) for the

installation of steel cable rockfall netting

• Installation of high tensile steel rockfall

protection netting along approximately

220m of the rock-cutting face.

ScopeThe final scope included:

• Setting out

• Traffic management

• Site preparation

• Geotechnical inspection

• Vegetation and rock removal

• Supply of materials

• Installation of the rock-fall protection

netting system

• Urgent stabilisation work

• Site clean up

Risks and challengesThe initial challenge was access to the crest of

the embankment as the track identified in the

REF was not accessible for vehicles.

We identified an alternative route through the

old TransGrid easement and, with minimal

clearing and weir access adjustments, we

gained 4WD and small plant access to the crest.

Diona undertook as much work as possible

on the top of the slope during the day

and scheduled works that required access

from the road or involved lane closures

predominantly for nights.

The works were adjacent to the M4 and

the restricted working hours, due to

RMS ROL approvals, created their own

challenge, requiring significant planning and

coordination to complete the works efficiently.

The other significant challenge was working

at heights.

Initial clearing, drilling and preparation work

was completed in the safest possible way

ensuring workers were behind barriers away

from the exclusion zone or working in EWPs

wearing appropriate fall-restraint equipment.

The rockfall netting installation and clipping

were completed by the highly-trained rope

access technicians who are specialists in

working at heights.

Finally, parking and storage space was limited

due to the location of the works. Our solution

was for workers to park at a designated

compound at Governors Drive and carpool to

the meeting point.

We also arranged for deliveries to arrive when

materials were needed rather than to use a

large area for stockpiles.

Quality, Safety and EnvironmentalThe project was completed to the highest

standard, there were no injuries and no

environmental incidents.

All staff completed the DownerMouchel

online induction and the required training

and competencies.

Delivery and benefits to the client and the communityDespite a larger than anticipated netting and

scaling area, which considerably increased

the scope, Diona and Retaining Specialists

Pty Ltd completed the work sooner than

expected and without fuss.

DownerMouchel and Diona established a

good working relationship and the client was

very satisfied with the works.

There were also no community concerns to

report and the safety of the M4 road users

has improved considerably.

I would like to thank Project Manager Brett

Vanderlight, the Retaining Specialists crew,

and the Diona team and management who

helped make this project a success.

Retaining the rocks for road safetyJohn Stratigis – Project Engineer

Slopes prior to netting.

Drilling 2m deep.

Nightworks in drainage shute.

THE DRILL July 201718

WestConnex – 132kV Euston RdEnda Gannon – Senior Project Manager

WestConnex Project OverviewThe New M5 tunnel is Stage 2 of WestConnex, Australia’s largest

integrated transport and urban revitalisation project and is being

delivered by Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) on behalf of

the NSW Government. The New M5 will provide twin underground

motorway tunnels, 9km long, from Kingsgrove to a new St Peters

Interchange at the site of the old Alexandria landfill facility. The

St Peters Interchange will provide motorists with connections to

Alexandria and Mascot. It also includes connections to the future

Sydney Gateway, M4-M5 Link and the proposed Southern Connector.

CPB Contractors are Diona’s client for the 132kV Relocation project on

Euston Rd. They are delivering the design and construct element of

$4.3 billion New M5 motorway project in a joint venture with Dragados

and Samsung C&T. The relocation of Ausgrid’s 132kV transmission

on Euston Rd is the first of the utility projects on this section, and

as always being the first to work on a section has presented a few

challenges.

Diona Scope Diona’s project scope includes:

• Installation of 1.8km twin circuit 132kV transmission trench

• Supply and installation of concrete jointbays (precast and cast insitu)

• Installation of a 30m bore

• Installation of DN630 SCL watermain.

Challenges ExperiencedTeething problems are always going to be encountered when you

commence a new project for a new client, and to date this project has

proven no different. Well done to the onsite project team for dealing

with these problems in a fast and effective manner as they are raised

by our client. The hard work being completed now will pay dividends

in the long run and help streamline the commencement process for

future projects. We will certainly be aiming to secure further contracts

in the near future on this major infrastructure project.

Trench Route Overview

Final inspection of the conduits spacing and placement prior to FTB pour. Photo: Barry Finn

THE DRILL July 2017 19

Ivan O’Connor – Project Manager

Diona crews have worked in fee zones 5-13 of

the Sydney Light Rail project since December

2016.

Works on the controversial and high-profile

project have ranged across all disciplines and

the workflow is steady for the months ahead.

OverviewDiona crews have been patient in their

approach to works outside the Queen Victoria

Building where the conditions and existing

services, known and unknown, were testing.

Starting with one crew outside the Queen

Victoria Building in December, the Diona crew

quickly tackled the challenge of this project

and were very productive, installing pipe as

well as solving problems for the client.

The team highlighted a range of design

issues early on, which kept the workflow

continuous and future works ahead for more

Diona crews, helping to build momentum.

Garvan Walsh and the crew made good

progress in January and February to allow

other works to commence in the area

assisting the client to meet key dates.

Works spread down the zones from February

with Dermot Hillary and crew beginning the

stormwater section in Chinatown (Zone 11).

A challenging intersection at George Street

and Ultimo Road involved removing and

replacing an old stormwater pipe with

existing property connections. While it

proved difficult, the crew delivered to again

meet the dates for key switches for the client.

The next challenge was outside Central

Station in Zone 13 where, over three

weekends, the crews laid 60m of stormwater

pipe, built a stormwater pit and laid 150m of

Ausgrid conduit.

A track slab from the old Sydney tramlines

almost disrupted the progress but the crews,

led by Garvan Walsh, Stephen Lyons, Pat

Keating and Brian Forde, stuck to their task

and completed the works with time to spare.

Archaeologists were also close at hand

for some finds during the three 56-hour

weekends.

Progress and Upcoming WorksProgress has been good at times and poor or

non-existent at other times, having to keep

looking for works in your area has been part of

keeping the team in work on lump sum prices.

Special thanks to all involved, including

partners and families, who have sacrificed

weekend and night-time plans for this

project.

Seadar has also performed well on the works

with the manhole building and formwork.

Works will continue into the coming three to

six months with stormwater packages now

active in zones 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13.

Sewer works continue in zones 4 and 8 and we

will install Ausgrid conduits in zones 10-12.

Sydney Light Rail project

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 201720

Our ref: MT/AB:EF13/94

Your ref:

Contact: Matt Torr

20 April 2017

To Whom It May Concern

In 2016 Diona Pty Ltd were awarded the contract to design and construct a new sewage pump station for Lismore City Council. From the commencement of the project it was clear that Diona Pty Ltd was professional, organised and experienced.

We experienced excellent communication through all stages of the project, with the project delivery meeting our expectations. Despite some technical difficulties experienced through the project, the team from Diona Pty Ltd remained professional and focussed on the outcome. They worked with Council in the use of recycled crushed glass backfill, achieving a positive environmental outcome to complement the technical project delivery.

I would unreservedly recommend Diona Pty Ltd to carry out similar works in the future.

Yours faithfully

Matt TorrEngineering Operations Manager

2017 NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH

WINNER Diona, Lismore City Council & Calibre Consulting

Category 1 Project value up to $1 million

Caniaba Street Sewerage Pumping Station, Lismore

Diona, Lismore City Council and Calibre

collaboratively designed and constructed Caniaba

Street SPS which included an 8m deep precast wet

well, gravity sewer and rising mains, manholes,

and M&E installation. The project scope included

commissioning of the new SPS, prior to demolition

of the existing pump station.

The pivotal moment was a deluge of rain in early

June and subsequent flooding, which significantly

changed the original methodology. The resultant

slumping of the soft soil common in Northern NSW

(also known as “Pug”) into the excavation added

a new dynamic to the site, requiring substantial

modifications to temporary works arrangements.

The challenge now? How to continue down

a further 2.5m in saturated ‘pug’ while safely

conducting works in an unstable excavation.

Typically, Diona tenacity prevailed and the team found a workable solution. “Whilst working hard to deliver to the client’s

schedule, every step of the way the safety of our

people remained our first consideration. Through

careful planning and risk management, numerous

simultaneous high-risk activities including;

confined space, deep excavation, piling, significant

lifts, plant interaction, working at heights were

carried out safely despite the confines of this

severely restricted site,” said Diona Senior Project

Manager Chris Fenner.

The outcome? Zero reportable health and safety,

or environmental incidents.

Even with the difficulties encountered, we met

Council’s budget by generating savings from

the inventive use of recycled glass backfill. The

excellent working relationship was strengthened

through the team’s focus on successfully

completing the project.

From beer bottles to backfill

The winning team receives their award.

Paul Lyndon – National Manager, Safety

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 2017 21

What is your role at Diona? Yard Supervisor, Queensland

Before working at Diona, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had? Graphic design at an advertising agency in Brisbane.

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Diona whose job would you want? John Maher, he always gets the handy jobs.

What are the three best words to describe Diona? Loyal, Fair, Rewarding.

What do you find the most challenging at Diona? Never enough hours in the day.

What do you like most about Diona? Friendships in and out of work.

How do you balance your career at Diona and family? In the early days I made the most of Sundays. The weekends are

when I try and make up for lost time, life’s just busy in general.

Where is your home town? Redland Bay, Queensland.

Do you have a favourite quote? No favourites.

Favourite travel spot? Anywhere there’s water and a bit of sun.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? My wife always says I’m John Corbett.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?John Corbett, to see if she was right.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring? Tooheys New, good music and a hammock.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? Short story.

Motto or personal mantra? Take every day as it comes, live in the now.

People would be surprised if they knew (about you): I used to be skinny.

Tell us a bit about your family. Wife and three boys.

Jason Field

Top three life highlights? Birth of my boys.

What advice would you give to recent new hires? Head down, work hard, actions speak louder than words, you’ll get

as much out as you put in.

What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far? Do what I can to help, show initiative, always find ways to improve

the way I do things.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Relax and catch up with friends.

What is your hidden talent? Artistic

What music is on your phone? Most things Triple J.

What is on your bucket list? See a bit more of the world.

What is the last joke you recall? I can’t say.

Which cartoon character would you most like to live with? Not sure.

You’re the happiest when? I’m hanging out with friends and family.

THE DRILL July 201722

Sydney Water selected Diona to complete the

Canterbury Town Centre project. It is a design

and construct project that includes pump

station upgrade works and the installation of

water and sewer lines. This highly-technical

project needed a quality team to deliver it.

Diona teamed up with Calibre and selected

key personnel within the group’s site and

management teams.

Project summary Pressure main – DN400, 460m • The works were completed from the

pump station at Sugarhouse Road to the

intersection of Melford and Kilbride.

• With quite a few challenges, including

many sensitive buildings along the route,

we used a vibration monitor with every

excavation to ensure we did not exceed

levels or damage buildings.

• The majority of the main was installed in

the roadway from depths of 1-3m. One

section was installed in the rail corridor so

we liaised with Sydney Trains to ensure we

complied with the conditions of working

near their assets.

• The connection point for the rising main

was 13m deep at the middle of a busy

intersection and the existing shaft location

was located under overhead cables. We

came up with an innovative solution with

Calibre. Instead of excavating down 13m,

we used a large auger and constructed

a vortex shaft. This was a much safer and

efficient construction method.

Pump stationThe work consisted of:

• Bypassing the existing system – with flows

of more than 80l/s this was not an easy job

• Replacing the pumps and electrical systems

• Upgrading and installing new cranage

systems and access platforms

• Replacing the penstocks

• Installing and commissioning a generator

• Upgrading the pumps, valves, fittings and

electrical system.

This work has just commenced with the

trialling of the bypass system nearing

completion we will soon start the

refurbishment works.

Gravity main – DN300, 558m • The majority of this was installed using

mircotunneling methods.

• Nine deep excavations for manholes and

bore send/receive shafts. Shafts were up to

10m deep in sections. Due to the location

of the shafts in busy streets and near

services and roadways, we could not bench

the ground. Therefore, our excavations

had to be straight down. To complete this

safely and efficiently Diona, with the help

of specialist contractors, designed and

constructed extension arms for the 48t

and 25t excavators on site. These extension

arms were used to break rock and excavate

the final sections of the shafts, giving us an

extra 3-4m reach. This reduced the need to

install a small machine in the excavation

and allowed us to excavate the shafts

much quicker and safer.

• The extensions were a great tool for the

project and rumour has it that Declan Foley

wants the 48t extension arm to excavate

his pool at his new mansion. We are all

looking forward to the grand opening.

• The ground consisted of hard rock to soft

clay with heavy water ingress.

• The soil for the majority of the project was

contaminated, ranging from asbestos to

acid sulphate soil (ASS). We treated all the

ASS material on site and disposed to a

licensed facility.

• The water was also contaminated, and it

had to be carefully managed to remove the

high acidity and iron levels. We installed a

full dewatering system on site to deal with

the water and dispose of this to the Cooks

River.

• With extensive geotech completed across

the project, it was noted that one section

had very poor ground conditions. It was

confirmed that this section was a dyke

with material values of N = zero, otherwise

known as soup.

• Diona engaged Bothar Boring to complete

the dyke drill. The material was highly

saturated and we needed a boring

machine with a pressurised face. Bothar

Boring completed the work without any

issues, which was a major achievement for

all involved.

• We engaged Pezzimenti to complete all

other microtunnel works. They also had

some difficult challenges to overcome,

one of which was completing a 180m

mircotunnel under a heritage building, the

Sugar House Mill, which was constructed

between 1839 and 1841. Pezzimenti

complied with strict vibration monitoring

procedures. Again, the team delivered the

works without any defects or issues.

• Most of the gravity main is now completed.

The project has gone very well to date with

a high emphasis on safety, environment and

quality. This is thanks to a great team with a

positive attitude.

Canterbury Pump StationBy Brian McGuinness – Project Manager

Bothar boring completing Dyke bore drill.

Auger completing 13m deep drill for Vortex shaft.

THE DRILL July 2017 23

Specialised pipe lining contractor re-lining a section of pipe in a substation.

A form-worker setting up formwork in a pit, to reline the inside of the pit.

A section of pipe been replaced by a stainless steel pipe.

Brian McCormack – Project Manager

Works on Phase 1 of the Ausgrid Oil Containment at Auburn Substation in Sydney started in March, followed by a second crew starting jobs in the Newcastle/Hunter region later that month. Phase 1 involved modifying and refurbishing

the oil containment infrastructure in 18

substations in the Sydney Metro and

Newcastle Hunter regions. Following the

successful completion of this phase, there

was the potential to be awarded Phase 2 of

the works, an additional 26 substations across

the Sydney Metro, Central Coast, Newcastle

and Hunter regions.

Project Summary The works involved the rehabilitation of

oil containment pits, pipelines and tanks

at each substation to remove the risk of oil

contamination of the surrounding ground

and groundwater table.

Within each substation the scope involved pit

repairs, modifications to existing oil pits and

construction of new pits. Additional works

included modifications to the existing oil

containment tanks including tank pump out,

cleaning of tanks, tank repairs, vent install,

pit entry modifications, earthing clamps, step

irons install and signage install.

Diona contracted a specialised pipe relining

contractor, Insituform, to reline the existing

pipelines in the substation using a specialised

inverted lining system called Cured In Place

Pipe (CIPP). This method of pipe relining

meant that all pipelines were relined with a

high-strength epoxy resin without having to

remove them from the ground.

Risks and Challenges Working near Ausgrid sites or projects often

presents difficulties such as working in a

live switchyard, which increases the level of

complexity and difficulty tenfold. With live

overhead buzz bars near work crews and

excavation works close to underground HV

cables, workers could not be complacent. The

health and safety of every employee was the

number one priority on site.

Progress At the time of publication, the team is more

than 85% through Phase 1 of the project.

Ausgrid has awarded Phase 2 to Diona – a

further 26 sites – based largely on the

excellent work carried out by James Hynes

and the Sydney Metro crew and Wayne

Curtis/Steve McCormack and the Newcastle

Hunter region crew. Special thanks to the

team for the great effort during the past five

months. The next phase of works will push

the end date to August 2018.

Successful substation project leads to extra works

THE DRILL July 201724

Woolloomooloo has one of the last combined stormwater and wastewater systems in Sydney. The brick oval pipe known as an ‘Oviform’ built in the 1860s collects wastewater and stormwater and transports it to the Bondi Wastewater Treatment Plant. In Woolloomooloo, both the stormwater

and wastewater are collected in the same

pipe. During heavy rain, there is an increase

of water in the wastewater system. This

wastewater, during heavy rain events,

flows into Woolloomooloo Bay through

overflow points which are a major

concern for the community.

Woolloomooloo Bay is sensitive due to

the proximity of residential properties,

hospitality-focused businesses on the

Finger Wharf and The Andrew Charlton

Swimming Pool.

Parts of Woolloomooloo and

Darlinghurst experience unpleasant

odour during dry weather, which is partly

due to the combined wastewater system.

The project is in the City of Sydney Local

Government Area spreading across

densely populated areas of Darlinghurst,

Potts Point and Woolloomooloo. The

population is diverse and ranges from

homeless and needy to high-income

professionals.

There are a broad variety of customers and

people who will either be directly affected

or close to work associated with the project.

Buildings range from old sandstone houses to

medium and high-rise apartments, hospitals,

schools, museums, aged care and community

accommodation, places of worship and social

housing.

The cultural and entertainment precinct

encompasses businesses that include

accommodation, restaurants, schools,

medical services, professional services,

recording studios, public houses,

performance and entertainment venues.

There are regular major events that ignite the

area including the Mardi Gras and outdoor

events in the Domain.

According to council-listed information, there

is a high amount of tenanted properties in

the area. This factor will add complexities for

the project team to access and engage with

property owners and tenants of properties

affected by work.

The key impacts of the project on the

community include night work, noise and

vibration, traffic and parking, and access to

the property.

The ProjectThe project objectives are to:

• Modernise one of the last combined

stormwater and wastewater systems in

Sydney Water’s area of operations

• Improve public health by reducing overflows

to Woolloomooloo Bay during rain

• Improve the look of Woolloomooloo Bay by

stopping rubbish entering the stormwater

system and into the harbour surrounding

Woolloomooloo

• Reduce odour coming from street drains in

the Woolloomooloo area

• Meet the target of two overflow events

a year and comply with environmental

licence requirements for the Bondi

wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

Diona was engaged to construct and partially

design this complex and high-profile project.

The construction work will be conducted

over a two-year period and involves the

following work scope:

• Construction of almost 5km of new

wastewater and stormwater pipelines

adjacent to the existing combined

sewer pipe network

• Construction of approximately 100

new maintenance holes and 36

maintenance shafts

• Relocation of conflicting underground

utility services

• Connecting over 200 properties to the

new wastewater pipe network

• Sealing of the current interceptors that

form part of the current combined

system

• Upgrading wastewater vent shafts and

removal of some that we no longer

need.

The success of this project requires

partnership with the major stakeholders

including City of Sydney Council, TfNSW,

Roads and Maritimes Services, TMC,

Transurban and Sydney Trains. A well-

planned and coordinated communication

and delivery approach, proactive community

relations and stakeholder engagement

will also ensure success. Over 200 property

connections are required and we will need

access to work on private properties to

successfully connect to the new wastewater

system. As each private service and property

‘Taking the ‘Poo’ out of Woolloomooloo’Tommy Kelly – Senior Project Manager

THE DRILL July 2017 25

wastewater and stormwater connectivity

and discharge layout will be different, the

project team will need to work with property

owners to determine best solutions for each

property.

Scope of Work The project has been divided into four

work precincts based on the discrete sub

catchments:

• Precinct 1 - Darlinghurst Road,

Darlinghurst (including Brougham Lane

and Womerah Avenue Darlinghurst)

• Precinct 2 - Stream Street, Woolloomooloo

(including Sir John Young Crescent, Crown

Street)

• Precinct 3 - Riley Street, Woolloomooloo

(including Liverpool Street, Burton Street

and Francis Lane)

• Precinct 4 - Forbes Street, Darlinghurst.

Initial construction work will commence at

both Sir John Young Crescent and Womerah

Avenue.

The work involves:

• Constructing 5km of new wastewater and

stormwater pipes, predominantly in roads

and laneways adjacent to the existing

combined pipe

• Connecting about 220 properties to the

new wastewater pipe

• Installation of various new stormwater

pipe networks – the existing combined

‘oviform’ pipe will be retained and used for

stormwater when the separation has been

successfully completed

• Relocation of existing underground utility

services – we expect to relocate many

water mains as part of the proposed works

• Construction of approximately 100 new

maintenance holes, 36 maintenance

shafts – we expect that Sydney Water will

instruct the rehabilitation of existing sewer

structures and networks following detailed

inspections during the construction

• Removal and replacement of some existing

vent shafts

• Working mainly on roads and laneways at

numerous locations at any one time

• Night work at some sites due to traffic

restrictions

• Coordinating with other tasks in the area

• Installing four Gross Pollutant Traps (GPT)

or trash traps to reduce the number of

pollutants entering Woolloomooloo Bay

is expected to form part of Diona’s scope

following the finalisation of the design of

the underground structures

• Monitoring water quality before and

after separation by Sydney Water’s

environmental department.

Generally, at each precinct Diona will be

constructing following a set sequence:

• Arborist and other specialist inspections

• Extensive pre-construction property

condition surveys

• Locate all underground utility services as

well as existing property connection points

• Dig and lay the new wastewater pipe

• Dig and construct new maintenance holes

and or shafts as required

• Divert existing underground utility services

• Connect selected properties into the

separated wastewater system.

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 201726

Tanya Aldenhoven – Personal Assistant to Tim Kelly

In April, Diona’s New South Wales project

managers and engineers took part in a team-

building exercise at the Penrith Whitewater

Stadium, a venue used during the Sydney

Olympics.

The focus was on working together as a

team to overcome any obstacle put before

them and they met the challenge. It was a

great spectacle of mateship and teamwork as

each raft negotiated hazards including giant

boulders, unseen obstacles and the rapids

themselves.

It was physically and mentally challenging

with team members applying the knowledge

and skills gained while going down the rapids

to achieve a positive outcome – getting to

the finish line.

The crews on each boat were a credit to

Diona as they worked together to get to the

finish line safely and had loads of fun to boot.

Most importantly, as a team they ensured

that at some point everyone in the rafts

ended up in the drink!

Bring on the next round.

Making a splash at NSW team building day

The Diona team showing true grit.

Facing the rapids as a team.

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 2017 27

What is your role at Diona?Graduate Design Engineer

Before working at Diona, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?Waitressing at a wedding venue. I would witness plenty of

intoxicated people stumbling on themselves.

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Diona whose job would you want?No one, I like what I do and where I am going.

What are the three best words to describe Diona?Ambitious, Persistent, Rewarding

What do you find the most challenging at Diona?Designing for certain challenging projects.

What do you like most about Diona?The genuine care and kindness from other staff.

What is your proudest moment at Diona?Every moment I learn something new.

How do you balance your career at Diona and family?I try to have long meals with them if I can; otherwise I cancel some

plans to give them quality time.

Where is your home town?A few places around the world. I cannot call one place home since I

moved around a lot during my childhood.

Do you have a favourite quote?“Don’t just learn from your mistakes, learn from others mistakes too.”

Favourite travel spot?Oman, where I grew up.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?Natalie Portman

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?Bill Gates, so many questions.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?Music player, blanket and a few good books.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?Unwritten

Motto or personal mantra?Do my best, so I cannot blame myself for it later.

People would be surprised if they knew (about you):Most people are surprised to hear I was born in Sydney.

Tell us a bit about your familyParents and a brother. We lived in a few different countries during

my childhood and lived in Oman for most of that time until we

finally settled here again.

Tasfia Shikdar

Top three life highlights?Graduating university, started working in Diona, owning my own car.

What advice would you give to recent new hires?Make the job your own, as if the problems of the company are your

own problems to sort.

What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?Always be up for a challenge, build good relationships with staff and

never stop learning.

What do you like to do in your spare time?Hang out with friends, reading or swimming.

What is your hidden talent?I give good advice with thorough explanations.

What music is on your phone?Everything because of Spotify (no, they didn’t pay me).

What is on your bucket list?To open a homeless shelter.

What is the last joke you recall?“Orangehire would be called Manderinehire if the Chinese owned it.”

The joke hurt, but I still laughed.

Which cartoon character would you most like to lives with?One of the Powerpuff Girls.

You’re the happiest when?When I am surrounded by loved ones or snuggled alone with a

good book.

THE DRILL July 201728

For more information, please contact MKP Group:

Phil Day

0403 070 045

pday@mkpgroup.com.au

Jack Kiddell

0449 250 193

jkiddell@mkpgroup.com.au

Diona Novated Lease Information

What is a Novated Lease?

¡ Three-way agreement between Employer, Employee and Lessor

¡ Employee leases a vehicle from Lessor, and Employer agrees to pay the lease payments out of the employee’s pre and post tax salary

¡ Employee is responsible for residual value at lease end and has the option to re-lease or sell the vehicle and settle the residual value

Benefits of a Novated Lease

¡ Savings on GST on purchase price of vehicle and running costs

¡ Reduced taxable income – pay less income tax

¡ Can be “Fully Maintained” (include running costs)

¡ One fixed monthly fee to cover vehicle and running costs

Vehicle Guidelines – Fleet Partners

¡ New or Used

¡ “Sale & Leaseback” of currently owned vehicle

¡ Less than 8 years old at the end of the lease

¡ Less than 200,000km at the end of the lease

¡ Valued at more than $10,000.00 at the commencement of the lease

¡ Under 1 Tonne payload to receive concessional Fringe Benefits Tax

Fully Maintained Inclusions (Options)

¡ Fuel

¡ Comprehensive Insurance

¡ Accident Management

¡ Maintenance

¡ Tyres

¡ Roadside Assistance

¡ Registration

¡ Redundancy Insurance

Process

1 DIONADIONA offers novated lease to employees

2 EMPLOYEE Employee contacts MKP

3 MKPMKP takes the application and decides which option is best

OPTION

a LESSOR Lease only

OPTION

b FLEET PARTNERS Fully maintained

4 EMPLOYEEFleet partners contacts employee direct to finalise

THE DRILL July 2017 29

For more information, please contact MKP Group:

Phil Day

0403 070 045

pday@mkpgroup.com.au

Jack Kiddell

0449 250 193

jkiddell@mkpgroup.com.au

Diona Novated Lease Information

What is a Novated Lease?

¡ Three-way agreement between Employer, Employee and Lessor

¡ Employee leases a vehicle from Lessor, and Employer agrees to pay the lease payments out of the employee’s pre and post tax salary

¡ Employee is responsible for residual value at lease end and has the option to re-lease or sell the vehicle and settle the residual value

Benefits of a Novated Lease

¡ Savings on GST on purchase price of vehicle and running costs

¡ Reduced taxable income – pay less income tax

¡ Can be “Fully Maintained” (include running costs)

¡ One fixed monthly fee to cover vehicle and running costs

Vehicle Guidelines – Fleet Partners

¡ New or Used

¡ “Sale & Leaseback” of currently owned vehicle

¡ Less than 8 years old at the end of the lease

¡ Less than 200,000km at the end of the lease

¡ Valued at more than $10,000.00 at the commencement of the lease

¡ Under 1 Tonne payload to receive concessional Fringe Benefits Tax

Fully Maintained Inclusions (Options)

¡ Fuel

¡ Comprehensive Insurance

¡ Accident Management

¡ Maintenance

¡ Tyres

¡ Roadside Assistance

¡ Registration

¡ Redundancy Insurance

Process

1 DIONADIONA offers novated lease to employees

2 EMPLOYEE Employee contacts MKP

3 MKPMKP takes the application and decides which option is best

OPTION

a LESSOR Lease only

OPTION

b FLEET PARTNERS Fully maintained

4 EMPLOYEEFleet partners contacts employee direct to finalise

Diona will shut-down for the Christmas / New Year period.

Finish: Friday, 22 December 2017

Return: Monday, 8 January 2018

Some crews may not observe this shut-down period due to operational requirements.

A leave application is not required for the shut-down period. A limited number of applications

will be approved for leave taken before or after these dates and will be on a first-in basis.

If you wish to request additional leave, submit a Diona leave application form that has been

approved by your immediate supervisor and senior management.

Submitting an application does not mean it will be approved so please be mindful of this when

making any travel bookings.

Minimum notice required of intended leave:

Amount of leave Minimum notice

1 – 2 working days 1 week

3 – 10 working days 1 month

11 working days or more 3 months

If you have any queries about Christmas shut-down or applying for leave,

please contact payroll@diona.com.au

Employee referral schemeDiona is always looking for new

candidates to fill trade and salary

positions.

Current Diona employees are encouraged

to recommend suitable applicants who

would be a good fit with our culture.

If the referred candidate is successful and

commences employment with Diona, the

referring employee will be paid a $500

referral bonus (before tax).

If the selected applicant completes their

six-month probation, a second bonus

payment of $500 (before tax) will be paid

to the referring employee.

For further information, please e-mail

payroll@diona.com.au

Christmas Shut-down

THE DRILL July 201730

New kids on the blockNew kids on the block

Welcome to the world Alyssa Callaghan who was born on 4 March 2017. Her two-

year-old brother Riley was very pleased to

see her for the first time. Congratulations

to Damien and Jennean.

Australia is all the better for the following members of the Diona

family became Australian citizens:

Please meet Dimath Weerapperuma who

was born on 9 June 2017. Congratulations

to Teshan and Dulani and Dimath’s excited

siblings Risindu and Vindi.

Little Ronan Lynam was born on 22

February 2017 and weighed 3.88kg. He is

the first born to Damien and Denise.

Introducing Hudson Parker who was born

on 17 February 2017. Hudson is the first

child for Lincoln and Melinda.

Noel and Martina have welcomed their

first-born son Caolàn Mahon who was

born on 13 June 2017.

Aussies on the RockAussies on the RockNewNew

Paul Kilroy became a

citizen on 2 May 2017 in

Rockdale Town Hall.

Mark Connolly became

a citizen on 27 July

2017 in the Mosman

Art Gallery and

Community Centre.

THE DRILL July 2017 31

As dawn broke on 6 May 2017, groups of people from Australia and across the globe took part in the Darkness into Light walk to raise awareness and funds for the prevention of suicide and self-harm. Darkness into Light represents hope and

solidarity, and is symbolic of the work

of Batyr and Pieta House, organisations that

bring people from the darkness of despair

into the light of hope.

Diona, and our sister companies Pipeline

Training and Metro Traffic, were delighted to

be a major sponsor.

Many Diona employees volunteered, most

notably Brian Basquille and Colm Hanafin

who were very generous with their time

More than $100,000 raised for suicide prevention

helping set-up the event.

In 2013, 2,522 people in Australia died by

suicide. This is a number that Batyr is working

tirelessly to help reduce every day through

their good work. Darkness into Light is a

powerful community-led initiative and it’s

events like these that play such a pivotal role

in raising awareness and reducing the stigma

around mental health.

This year’s event was part of a global network

of simultaneous sunrise walks in more than

120 locations in nine countries, with more

than 200,000 people taking part.

At Sydney’s Bondi Beach the event

continues to go from strength to strength

every year and, with the help of corporate

sponsors, committee members, volunteers

and almost 1,900 entrants, it raised more

than $100,000 for Batyr and Pieta House.

This was almost double the amount raised

in the previous year. The money will go

towards preventing suicide and self-harm

and providing support services to those who

suffer with depression, anxiety, stress and

other mental health conditions in Ireland and

Australia.

If you need urgent support or are worried about someone, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Darkness into Light walk at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

Brian McCormack – Project Manager

THE DRILL July 201732

I’m 24 and come from Montpellier City in the

south of France, close to the Mediterranean

Sea. I enjoy sport, nature, movies, skiing and

spending time with friends and family. I travel

a lot and am passionate about discovering

new cultures. I’ve visited India, Senegal, USA

and Morocco.

Since early childhood, I have wanted to work

in construction. I wanted to be an architect

but decided to be a civil engineer because

I realised that it was more in line with my

future job expectations.

After high school, I obtained a two-year

university diploma in civil engineering.

During this course I had two training periods

working as a labourer and foreman.

With this diploma, I could have been a

site supervisor but decided to continue to

become a civil engineer.

After receiving my diploma and before

starting the engineering school, I lived and

worked for six months in London to improve

my English. I believe that this period abroad

gave to me more self-confidence and ways to

manage problems by myself.

I started at a civil engineering school in

September 2014 in an apprenticeship

(alternating periods at school and working).

I work for Guintoli, which specialises in

earth works. It’s a company of the NGE

Group (1,500 M€ annual revenue and 9,500

employees). During the past three years,

I have worked as a labourer, foreman, site

manager, site engineer and I have started to

discover a project engineer position.

During this time I have learnt and mastered a

number of building techniques. I have learnt

important organisational and communication

skills and consequently work more efficiently.

Furthermore, I enjoy being part of a

management team and the challenges that

occur within such a structure.

Being a member of the Diona family …I would like to thank Tadhg Stack who

gave me the opportunity to realise my

internship in Australia. Many thanks to Brian

McGuinness, Michael Loconte, Samir Paudel

and the team on site who taught me their

work techniques and have been kind to me

during my internship.

Also, thanks to all the Diona team who have

integrated me very warmly into the company.

I was looking forward to doing this internship

abroad because it was an opportunity to

work in a different country and discover

new cultures. It also allowed me to work in

the same field as my work and studies – civil

engineering.

I started my internship with three weeks

at Diona’s head office. It allowed me to

discover the company, the Diona team and

to assimilate into the company’s methods. By

the way, I miss doing site folders.

I then worked for three months on

the Canterbury Project. I discovered

microtunnelling works. This project was by

far the most interesting project compared to

other projects on which I’ve worked.

This internship has been a very important

experience for me and has been enriching

personally and professionally. From a

professional aspect, I felt the necessity to

meet other people and discover other work

methods. I also needed to be more self-

confident about my abilities to work in the

construction field. It was a real pleasure to

work in a company with strong values. Diona

will continue to be a success in the future.

Merci et à bientôt! Adrien

Diona’s French connectionAdrien Giannotti – International Intern

Adrien Giannotti and Tadhg Stack.

THE DRILL July 2017 33

Cindy James – National HSEQ Manager

As the sun breached the horizon on a brisk

but sunny morning on Saturday 29 April, a

hardy group of Diona athletes waded into

the waters behind Sea World on the first leg

of the Gold Coast Corporate Triathlon – a

400-metre swim.

While wading for 20 metres was necessary

before the swim commenced, the bracing

water temperature could not diminish their

enthusiasm. However, ‘technique’ quickly

disappeared as the choppy waters generated

by other swimmers necessitated the

adoption of a variety of styles. You don’t get

that swimming laps.

Out of the water and onto the 10-kilometre

bike leg. For the seasoned among us, it was

a swift transition. For the first timer, it was a

chance to relish the moment and take it all in.

For the confused, it was frustration at the

addition of extra seconds when he found he

was trying to enter the run leg with his bike

and was redirected to the diagonally opposite

end of the extensive bike transition area.

With equipment appropriate to the task we

blitzed the bike leg and this year, everyone

completed the requisite two laps of the 5km

course, unlike last year where it is believed

this was not the case!

Safe in the knowledge that we were now two-

thirds of the way through, the transition to the

four-kilometre run brought renewed pep to

our step … briefly. We ran out and around the

lighthouse, only to see a sign announcing we

were one kilometre down and had three to go.

I wasn’t the only one to think that a kilometre

in Queensland is longer than anywhere else in

the country. As my strides turned into a shuffle

and the kilometres ticked by, the enormity

of my personal achievement and a growing

sense of pride that I was participating with this

outstanding group of people, propelled me to

the finish line.

Not only did we look the part in great new

Diona triathlon gear, we all recorded good

times (some of us personal bests). We had

a lot of fun cheering and encouraging one

another, and then reflected passionately on

our transition times and how we can shave

off seconds here and there and do better next

year. The date for our rematch is 24 February

2018, so come and join the fun.

Fun, sweat and cheers at Gold Coast Tri

Diona’s Triathlon Team (L-R) Iain Thomas, Brian Judge, Tiernan O’Rourke,

Cindy James, Chris Arrington, Michael McCaffrey, Daniel Carkeet, Mark Kehoe.

Cindy James.

Where’s my bike?

Tenacity Hall of FameWell done to all recipients of the prestigious Diona Tenacity Award

Tenacity is what got us here . . . and so we will always take care of tenacity!

Nominate a colleague for our

NOVEMBER

Garvan Walsh

MARCH

Ray Hanrahan

FEBRUARY

Paul StewartDECEMBER

Tim Fitzpatrick

APRIL

Catriona Ledgewood

JANUARY

Nathan Vogelsang

MAY

Brian Judge

We all know someone in our team who:

• Gets the job done . . . safely!

• Is the first to put up their hand

• Is the last one to give up

• Shows a sense of urgency

• Cares a lot about the outcome

• Isn’t worried about the accolades

• Leads by example

• Won’t let the team fail

• We are glad they are in our team.

We want to recognise and reward these

tenacious people which is why we will

continue to run the Tenacity Award in 2017.

You can nominate a colleague who displays

a tenacious approach to their work and each

successful nominator will receive $250 and

nominee $500 in recognition of their ongoing

efforts. (Note: If several people nominate the

successful nominee, the prize will be split

between all the successful nominators.)

Send your nomination to:

tenacity@diona.com.au

and tell us why your nominee is tenacious.

David O’Connor

Executive General Manager

Tenacity Award

A few months ago we established a work

group to implement a system for site

workers to complete their reports without

using paper.

We wanted a system that would cut

reporting time by 80%, be user-friendly

on all portable devices and suit the needs

of Diona. Hence the development of

FORMworker.

We hired Teshan Prasan Weerapperuma

as Diona’s in-house software developer

and he has evolved FORMworker into the

system we now have.

For the past few months our teams on

site have used FORMworker, which is

gaining traction as the preferred option

for completing reports. There is no need

to scan the report and email it – all you do

is click ‘save’.

The results are phenomenal and every

day more people are using FORMworker

to complete their daily reporting. At

the moment there are 10 forms on

FORMworker:

• Workplace Inspection Report (WIR)

• Daily Site Diary

• Plant Inspections

• Immediate Notification

• Materials/Maintenance Requests

• Plant Request

• Task Observation (TO)

• Take 5 Checklist

• Toolbox Talk

• Stock Inspection.

We are expecting to increase the number

of available forms during the coming

months as more people use FORMworker

to complete their reporting. If you have

any suggestions to improve FORMworker,

please email us at:

formworker@diona.com.au

Excellent form for FORMworkerTanya Aldenhoven – Personal Assistant to Tim Kelly

Teshan Weerapperuma.

THE DRILL July 201736

Completion of Live Works

SSP34 Nudgee Rd / Queens Rd

Thanks for the effort last night, I don’t

think there was much more LLE could

have done and the result speaks for itself.

Well done!

Andre Breebaart

Senior Technical Officer

Queensland Urban Utilities

Courteous and informative

Thank you for the invitation to provide

feedback on the recent upgrade to the

water mains in Andrew Avenue, Tarragindi.

The staff were always courteous and

informative and tidied up very nicely at

the end of each day. The work to repair all

of our cut up driveways was excellent and

the grass is growing back nicely.

A beautiful, old Jacaranda tree was

removed on the corner of Andrew and

Bailey Avenues, as was another (younger)

street tree in front of 9 Andrew Avenue. I

am wondering if these are to be replaced?

If so, I hope the new trees are as mature as

possible so the will fill the void left by the

beautiful old tree. Thank you for sparing

the tree in front of our place!!!

Kind regards,

Shona Di Clemente

7 Andrew Avenue, Tarragindi

Happy to help

Courteous, professional and happy to

help. We were always kept informed if

any work would impact on our day, but I

couldn’t understand a word they said! –

I’m joking of course (I’m from the UK)

Andy

Alastair Street, Lota

Thank you

I live at Camden and have had a gang of

workers here for the past month or so

replacing our water pipes. I just wanted

to make sure that I let their bosses know

what a professional and courteous bunch

of men they were. If ever I had a question

in relation to any of the work carried

out the response was immediate and

the problem was fixed and if the worker

was unable to assist with my inquiry the

supervisor was there within minutes to

answer my query.

I spoke with a red headed Irishman (I

think he was Irish) and his supervisor on

a couple of occasions and found them

very polite and helpful. The work they did

was amazing and they left the front of our

properties immaculate with the laying

of turf and in many cases looking better

than they were before. I just wanted to say

thank you to Sydney Water for providing

our street with a gang of men who not

only excel at their job but also in their

customer service skills. Well done and

thank you.

Camden resident

Toasting Diona

Just a short note of thanks and

appreciation from all the boys for all

your efforts in organising our flights

and accommodation with the CCF Earth

Awards recently.

It was a most pleasant experience, with a

fitting reward of recognition for Diona.

Thank you note from impressed Lismore CC

Client PM (now recently retired) who gave

a short speech to the CCF audience at the

Awards evening to express his gratitude

towards Diona and their work ethic.

His closing statement included

“DIONA gets things done!”

Friendly workers providing help

at shopping centre

Today I was on my way to Birkenhead

Point to do my shopping with my

daughter and I just wanted to let you

know I was pleasantly surprised by the

friendliness of the workers digging up

the road. They were busy working and

one of them still had time to help me lift

the pram up over the gutter to get to the

footpath.

I didn’t remember the worker’s name, he

just gave me a business card with this

email address on it, please pass on my

thanks to them.

Appreciation Message

Hi Chris,

I would like to meet you in person on Friday, but

seeing that you were not in the office, so I wrote

this email to you.

I like to thank you so much for taking me into

Diona. During my time here, I have learned a lot

from working with everyone in the office. I have

also gained first-hand experience by visiting site

regularly with Dave. Dave is truly a great guy and

I am glad to be able to work with him. He has

taught me a lot about Diona operations and how

to manage a project efficiently.

Again, thank you for taking me into this

company. From the first day I stepped into this

office, I can feel that it is different and everyone

is motivated to get things done. No doubt Diona

is going to grow quickly in the future and secure

more clients with such a good team. I really

treasure my time here for being able to work

with you guys, and I hope I will be able to do so

again in the future. All the best and thank you!

Best Regards

Chu Oon, Diona Undergraduate

Great team of workers

Great team of workers. Polite, work at steady

pace, no issues while team was here. Well

organised and we were kept informed of

things.

Helen Bierton

Fairfield, QLD

ComplimentsCompliments

THE DRILL July 2017 37

Scorecard 110%This crew of workmen were pleasant, courteous, very helpful, and very informative. They were quiet, no yelling or swearing. Top Crew. I would give them 110%. You could not get a better work crew. Good job, well done.

John RoyAlastair Street Lota

Five star review On behalf of myself and my family, we would like to thank all the Diona boys that replaced the water

mains on our strip. In the 17 years we have lived here Diona have been the best contractors we have had in our street. They have been very courteous and addressed all our concerns. We highly recommend this friendly professional crew and wish them the best of luck! Five Stars!

Warren Cowan54 Alastair St, Lota

Excellent Customer-first ValuesThank you Diona for your efforts in notifying the residents at Curragundi Road, Jindalee about the planned water shut for Saturday.

It is a great example of how Diona demonstrates excellent customer-first values.Warren HendersonProject Manager, Operations & Service Delivery

Mains Upgrade – Marston Ave IndooroopillyI just wanted to tell you how impressed we were with your company and workers who replaced our mains water pipes over the past few months. They were very professional, courteous, helpful and kept us informed of what was happening at all times. A lot of the time they were here it was extremely hot but they kept working. Their lunch breaks were not long and everyone always seemed to be doing something. They provided a very stark contrast to many other gangs of workers who are often employed in public works. It restored our faith in some people’s work ethics! They made the project very easy to cope with for us local residents. As a company you were very organised so progress always seemed on track.I feel it is important for people to get positive feedback when they deserve it. Too often it is only negative.Congratulations to all concerned!

Resident, IndooroopillyPS. I know I speak for many other residents too who have commented to me on how impressed they were with the whole project and the workers involved.

Queensland Urban Utilities

Diona praised for water main replacement

Winning with water meters

QUU and Diona’s water main replacement project teams also worked with our Community Engagement Team during the planning phase to prepare a range of customer communications for the program, and were provided with a guide on QUU’s Community Engagement Policy and Practices. This meant everyone was aligned on how we engage customers during project work – ensuring a no surprises approach to managing community expectations.

Once work commenced, Diona impressed local residents in Lota. Their work crew, led by Foreman Roger Cooney, replaced a water main in a residential street and they were commended for being very professional and customer-focused.

After the project, customers provided glowing feedback, saying the crew were courteous and pleasant, and kept everyone in the street informed about what was happening. One customer said his only complaint was that he couldn’t understand a word they said! The majority of the crew have Irish accents and the resident was a British ex-pat who couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a dig. Well fair play to ye lads, you’re ‘a great bit of stuff’!

Daniel Muir, Senior Project Manager at QUU says this approach has not only greatly reduced the amount of enquiries and complaints from customers, but has also increased the level of positive feedback we’re receiving.

Prior to starting a water main replacement contract in Brisbane, Diona crews recently completed QUU’s CustomerCARE training program. As part of this course, they learnt about walking in our customers’ shoes and putting them at the centre of everything we do to deliver on Our Customer Promise – to listen, understand, and respond.

Just before Christmas, Andre Tubert arrived on-site to investigate a water meter repair request in Bulimba. He determined there were two options – a quick fix and a more extensive one. After discussing the situation with the customer, both agreed a more thorough repair would be the best solution.

When the customer arrived home, he was impressed to find the repair finished and that the area around the meter had been “cleaned up and restored beautifully”. He was very happy with the outcome and commended Andre on being courteous and professional, noting that it must have been hot working in the sun on such a warm day while excavating the meter by hand. Andre clearly demonstrated CustomerCARE in action by listening, understanding and responding to what our customer needed.

On another job in early January, a customer reported a missing meter box lid. Mark Tooley attended the following day and discovered there was also an ant’s nest in the meter box, which he carefully removed before replacing the missing lid and restoring the area.

The customer said Mark “did a lovely job” and was very thankful for the “quick resolution and quality work”. This is another great example of Network Operations’ focus on putting the customer first by taking initiative and being responsive.

Nathan Smith and Geoff Stephan from Network Operations, along with Rufaro Masawi in Customer Advocacy, also recently delighted an elderly customer who needed her meter raised. She was so happy with the service from the crew that she wanted to give them money to go and buy a beer, which they politely declined. She appreciated the personal service and updates from Rufaro, saying it was a pleasure dealing with QUU and that she was very impressed with the service received.

The Diona crew.

Andre and Mark.

Geoff and Nathan.

Rufaro.

A look at how we’re keeping Our Customer Promise to listen, understand and respond.CustomerCARE in actionBy Hannah Horak, Customer Experience Coordinator

BUILDING THE BLUE | 06

Thank you Excellent information and communication from staff concerning what, when and how water main work would be done.

The area where work was done was always returned and end of day, with safe access for footpath and driveway. Thank you so much for a great team effort. Please pass on my thanks to all concerned.17 Sydney Street, Fairfield, QLD

Extract from QUU’s CustomerCare UrbanPeople newsletter, February 2017.

THE DRILL July 201738

Our Queensland operations were the first to introduce the Diona

Take 5 booklet in November 2016. Existing client requirements in

Queensland, along with extensive consultation between the HSEQ

Advisor and crews, assisted in the active uptake of taking 5s from

our crews.

We completed 185 Take 5s in Queensland during November, and

that figure has grown to 455 in June.

The Take 5 risk assessment tool has helped to identify

undocumented hazards and allowed our project teams to put

in place controls to help prevent injury and re-occurrence of

undocumented risks. HSEQ personnel in Queensland regularly

review the Take 5s and each month the summarised findings are

reported back to the crews through toolbox talks. Findings from

the Take 5s assist the HSEQ department to review project hazard

registers and ensures that SWMS are kept current.

The initial stages of the Take 5 were about crews completing them,

whereas now the focus is on the quality of the risk assessment

process. It’s very pleasing to see the high standard of risk

assessments that our Queensland workers are completing.

It’s always hard to link improvement with the Take 5s but, since

they were introduced, I’m happy to advise we have had no

medically-treated injuries in Queensland. With the increased

risk assessments and crews stopping and performing a Take 5 to

reassess their work environment, it’s difficult to argue with these

figures. From an HSEQ view, the bigger picture is to improve our

safety culture, which in turn improves safety for everyone working

on Diona projects.

Incidents happen when we rush into tasks:

STOP THINK ACT

Safety success for Take 5Paul Stewart – HSEQ Advisor

THE DRILL July 2017 39

The importance of safety on work sites cannot be over-emphasised. Diona is already well ahead of our competitors with the high safety standard we set for our workers however, as always, we can do better. On Friday 23 June, Diona held its Supervisor’s

Quarterly Workshop, themed ‘Go/No Go’, at

the Atura Hotel in Blacktown. The ‘Go/No Go’

theme encourages all workers, from labourers

to project managers, to say ‘Stop! Take five

and think about what is going to happen’

when you see something that isn’t safe.

In the past, too many people have suffered

injuries on site which could have been

prevented if someone had spoken up.

In the past year, we have had seven hand

injuries – seven too many. Without our hands

we can’t work, we can’t help our mates and

loved ones and, more importantly, we can’t

hold our kids and fix things when they have

had a ‘boo boo’ at home.

Workshop focuses on safety

Every Diona worker is important to us, so

we need to look out for each other. If you

see something, speak up; you could save

someone’s life.

Rest assured that nothing unfortunate

will happen to you if you speak up, but

something unfortunate may happen on site

if you don’t.

Foremen and supervisors from across the

New South Wales metro area attended the

workshop, which was a great success. As with

all workshops Diona runs, if you miss one

please make yourself available for the next

event as these workshops are very important.

Lastly, please take care on site and speak up if you notice anything that isn’t safe.

Tanya Aldenhoven – Personal Assistant to Tim Kelly

Take care on site and speak up if you notice anything

that isn’t safe.

Sydney workshop attendees.

Beards of HopeHello to my fantastic supporters. The beard is coming along nicely! It is getting

thicker and thicker by the day – almost as thick as me . . .

Help and donate to Beards of Hope and not only will you feel good that you have

helped a great charity, but you will know that you are helping grieving parents

and families.

Another benefit is that you can declare your donation on your next tax return. Feel

good and get the tax benefit – fantastic!

Come along and see how handsome I am and click on the link below. Take a look

at the website and see what great work they do.

https://beardsofhope2017.gofundraise.com.au/page/LincolnParker

Again thank you for all your support, financial and emotional.

Lincoln Parker, IT Officer

IT@DIONALincoln Parker – IT Officer

What’s happening in IT@DionaThe IT support team is now part of Calibre’s Shared Services team.

What does this mean for Diona employees?

• Nothing will change with the day-to-day support we currently

provide.

• Calls should still be logged to ITSupport@diona.com.au

• Lincoln and Taron will be based at Rouse Hill.

• Calibre and Diona will consolidate the existing four types of IT

infrastructure to improve resolve times and maintenance.

Diona has a few projects starting in the next 6-18 months:

• We will migrate to Office 365 to leverage the buying power of

Calibre. This will also provide some employee benefits for MS

software.

• Landline phone systems may change.

• Standardising IT equipment – we will leverage Calibre’s purchasing

power to receive better prices.

Why is Lincoln growing a beard again?

• Lincoln is again participating in the annual Beards of Hope

fundraiser. It is a charity that is close to his and Melinda’s heart

after the loss of their son Declan Noah in 2014.

• Last year he raised more than $4,000 and is looking to raise even

more this year.

• If you want to help this great cause please visit: https://beardsofhope2017.gofundraise.com.au/page/LincolnParker

IT Tips and handy hints1. Scam Time

We are coming up to tax time, which can also be ‘scam season’.

Please be very wary of any emails from the Australian Tax Office

(ATO), banking institutions or suspect work emails.

New tricks scammers are using:

• Mobile texts to scam people

• Fake emails from the General Manager (the email address at first

glance looks real).

If you receive a suspicious email please report it to IT (don’t forward

the message, take screen shots). Please check out these useful sites:

https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news

https://www.ato.gov.au/general/online-services/in-detail/online-security/how-to-verify-or-report-a-scam/

DO NOT email any personal information such as banking details,

your address or date of birth.

2. Diona Useful sites:

https://au.nearmap.com/

https://diona.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/DionaCivil/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diona-pty-ltd

If you have an IT question please contact

ITSupport@diona.com.au

Lincoln and his wife Melinda welcomed little

Hudson David Parker to the world in February.

How do I get the most out of The Craic?How do I get the most out of The Craic?The Craic is a simple

way of saving money for

you and your family members

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the perfect item to buy and have access to

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How does Cashback work?Some retailers offer a Cashback facility

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Need help?Chat 24/7 to The Craic online support or contact Suzi Dimech at

Suzi.Dimech@diona.com.au or Kathy Dennis at Kathy.dennis@diona.com.au

Head to www.thecraic.com.au today to get discounts from all of these great retailers and many more!Head to www.thecraic.com.au today to get discounts from all of these great retailers and many more!

THE DRILL July 201742

We drive on it every day without so much as

a thought to what it is. We see it on runways,

basketball courts, school playgrounds,

carparks and railway station platforms. To

most people it is something that is taken

for granted and is only noticed when a

hole appears and an inconvenience when

roadworks delay traffic. What is it? Asphalt

of course. But what exactly is this black stuff

that is so common that it goes unnoticed by

almost everyone?

At Diona we use it on a daily basis. Whether

it is a civil project where we are resurfacing

a major road or a reinstatement to a utilities

trench, asphalt is one of the most commonly-

used products in civil engineering.

Asphaltic concrete is the correct name for the

asphalt that we see on roads and is why you

will see a designation such as AC10, which

means asphaltic concrete with the largest

aggregate size being 10mm.

The concrete we are most familiar with is

made with cement to bind the aggregate and

sand particles together. This type of concrete

goes hard due to the chemical reaction of the

Portland cement.

Asphalt is a type of concrete

but instead of cement binding

the sand and aggregate

together, bitumen is used as

the binder. This is not by a

chemical reaction, however,

but rather heat. Bitumen at

air temperature is quite hard

and when it is heated in an

asphalt plant to 180°C it becomes a very soft

liquid. As a liquid it is mixed with sand and

aggregate – about 5% bitumen, 45% sand,

45% aggregate and 5% dust.

But now comes the tricky part. The asphalt

must be placed on the ground, then levelled,

rolled and compacted before it gets too

cold. In the summer on a 35°C-plus day, this

will take hours. In winter, especially if there

is wind, you will only have minutes. Rolling

compacts the asphalt to remove most of the

air voids so that when it cools you have a

hard, tightly-compacted surface.

Although bitumen is a naturally-occurring

product and has been used for waterproofing

for thousands of years (read Noah’s Ark),

bitumen these days comes from oil. Once

the kerosene, petrol, diesel and oil have been

removed from crude oil in the distillation

process, the black sticky stuff left in the

bottom is called bitumen. Polymers are

added to bitumen to give it flexibility and

improve the overall qualities of the product.

So why are some roads nice and smooth

but other roads, particularly country roads,

so rocky? Asphalt is one way to seal a road

or a carpark but another method is called

a spray seal. With this method hot liquid

bitumen is sprayed onto the road base and

then aggregate is spread over the top. This is

usually done in two coats of bitumen and two

coats of aggregate with 14mm of aggregate

in the first coat and 10mm in the second coat

– 14/10 spray seal.

Spray seal is most commonly used on country

roads because it is a lot cheaper than asphalt

at about $10 per square metre compared

with $35 per square metre. Country councils

spread their maintenance budget using this

cheaper option.

Another common bitumen product is called

bitumen emulsion. This is bitumen that has

been atomised and suspended in water

so it can be transported and used at air

temperature. The tiny bitumen particles do

not stick together in the water as they have

been given a cationic charge by coating them

with acid. The particles repel each other in

the same way that the two north ends of a

magnet push each other away and therefore

they stay suspended in the water. When the

emulsion is sprayed, the acid coating ‘breaks’

and the bitumen sticks together. Bitumen

emulsion is most commonly used as a tack

coat to make asphalt stick to the surface

beneath it or as a low traffic volume spray

seal such as a driveway.

Asphalt can be coloured using oxides in the

asphalt mixing plant – ‘blonde’ or clear bitumen.

Generally though, asphalt is black. After a while

however you may notice that asphalt starts to

go grey. In the same way that metal oxidises or

rusts, asphalt also oxidises. Asphalt’s bitumen

content slowly reduces and the asphalt

becomes less flexible. When this happens, you

will see cracks appear in the

surface. Once there are cracks

in the surface, water enters the

pavement and softens the road

base underneath. A soft road

base leads to a pot hole.

The most common way to

repair a pothole is by saw-

cutting an area larger than the

I love the smell of asphalt in the morningTim Kelly – NSW Construction Manager

Bitumen spray seal.

Asphalt plant.

Red asphalt road.

THE DRILL July 2017 43

pothole and removing a depth of 150mm to

200mm of material from the repair site. The

repair is then filled with asphalt compacted

in layers, which is called a deep lift patch.

Regular maintenance of an asphalt road

usually involves removing the top 50mm of

asphalt from the road with a milling machine

and placing a new 50mm wearing course.

This goes a long way to preventing cracks

appearing in the surface of the roads and

potholes forming.

New technologies are constantly being

developed in the world of asphalt. Warm-

mix asphalt reduces the amount of energy

required to produce the asphalt and different

types of exotic binders improve the efficiency

and life of the asphalt. Whatever the future

holds for asphalt, this black sticky stuff that

barely rates any attention as we drive on the

motorway or land on a runway will be around

for quite a while, and so will the crews that

lay it.

Some common asphalt terms:

• Paver – A self-propelled machine that

places and levels asphalt.

• Shuttle buggy – An asphalt transfer

vehicle that receives asphalt from trucks

and places it into the paver without

touching the paver, which would produce

a bump in the finished surface.

• Profiler – A machine that mills asphalt off

the road with teeth on a spinning drum.

• Flocon – A truck with a heated body

and conveyor on the floor of the body

for transporting and dispensing asphalt

without tipping.

• Hotmix – Asphalt.

• Coldmix – Asphalt that has been mixed

with diesel to allow it to remain soft

and usable when it cools. As the diesel

evaporates the asphalt goes hard.

• Roller – A machine used to smooth and

compact asphalt.

• Multi tyre roller – A roller with rubber tyres

with adjustable air pressure that provides

further compaction and a smoother

surface to asphalt due to the higher point

loading of the individual tyres.

Some interesting facts about asphalt:

The density of asphalt is 2.44 tonne per cubic

metre. To work out how many tonnes of

asphalt is required multiply the area (in m2)

by the thickness (in metres) then multiply by

2.44.

The thinnest you can place asphalt is three

times the maximum aggregate size.

The thickest you can place asphalt in one lift

is five times the maximum aggregate size.

Asphalt crew.

Multi tyre roller.

Oxidised asphalt vs new asphalt.

CINDY JAMES, National HSEQ ManagerCindy joined Diona in June 2016. With 20 years in

HSEQ, across a number of industry sectors, Cindy

finds the engineering and construction space and

Diona in particular, the most interesting and

rewarding to date. At Diona it is a delight to be

surrounded by enthusiastic, tenacious and inspiring

people! Cindy has two rabbits, Sophie and Alla, and

when not at work she is working through her bucket

list! Triathlon, fun run, Ikea flat-pack furniture,

travel, and more time with family and friends.

PAUL LYNDON, Safety ManagerPaul is married with three children aged 21, 19 and

15. He is as active outside of work as he is at

work! He has been a yoga teacher for the past 31

years, yeah, since before it became trendy! He

loves skateboarding and kayaking. He has been

involved in HSEQ for the past 15 years, the last six

of these with Diona and he really enjoys being a

part of this great team of people!

CHRIS ARRINGTON, Environmental ManagerChris Arrington (pictured with his wife Ann and son

Easton) is our Environmental and Community

Manager. His family is expecting the arrival of their

second son (Waylon) in October. When not at

work, Chris enjoys fishing, camping and all things

outdoors.

SOROUSH JAHANI, Quality ManagerSoroush has been with Diona for seven years.

With experience in Manufacturing, Compliance,

Engineering and Quality Management roles,

Soroush says “The most enjoyable part of my work

is the opportunity to provide service to others.

Internally, to our project teams and externally to

our clients and the people and businesses who

benefit from the new infrastructure we build”.

Soroush and his wife have two daughters and a

female Pomeranian. They also have three hens

and three goldfish and he says they are still trying

to figure out if the fish are male or female!

PAUL STEWART, HSEQ Advisor (QLD)Originally from the village of Balla, outside

Castlebar in Mayo, Ireland, Paul came to Australia

in 2009 and loved the place so much he’s now

building a house in sunny Queensland. He loves

sports and all things football. He is a GAA supporter

and is still waiting for Mayo to win Sam Maguire

back. He enjoys rugby union, soccer and is a mad

Manchester United supporter (is there any other

kind?) With more than nine years in safety, he has

focussed in the construction space working on civil,

commercial, mechanical and residential jobs, from

small to billion-dollar projects. Paul has been with

Diona more than four years, initially in New South

Wales but now lives in Queensland.

MARIA RYAN, HSEQ AdministratorMaria’s favourite quote is “Be yourself; everyone

else is already taken”. Her favourite travel

experience, so far, has been The Colosseum in

Rome. Maria is married to Shane and they have

two beautiful teenagers, Adelline and Oscar. In her

spare time Maria enjoys cooking, gardening and

bush walking. Her favourite current music group is

Rufus, favourite band of all time is U2 and her next

holiday destination is Tasmania. The person whom

she would most like to be stranded on a desert

island with is Heston Blumenthal . . . oh sorry,

that’s who she’d most like to meet.

MEET THE HSEQ TEAM

CINDY

CHRIS

SOROUSH

PAUL

MARIA

LARISSA

PAUL

2017

CINDY JAMES, National HSEQ ManagerCindy joined Diona in June 2016. With 20 years in

HSEQ, across a number of industry sectors, Cindy

finds the engineering and construction space and

Diona in particular, the most interesting and

rewarding to date. At Diona it is a delight to be

surrounded by enthusiastic, tenacious and inspiring

people! Cindy has two rabbits, Sophie and Alla, and

when not at work she is working through her bucket

list! Triathlon, fun run, Ikea flat-pack furniture,

travel, and more time with family and friends.

PAUL LYNDON, Safety ManagerPaul is married with three children aged 21, 19 and

15. He is as active outside of work as he is at

work! He has been a yoga teacher for the past 31

years, yeah, since before it became trendy! He

loves skateboarding and kayaking. He has been

involved in HSEQ for the past 15 years, the last six

of these with Diona and he really enjoys being a

part of this great team of people!

CHRIS ARRINGTON, Environmental ManagerChris Arrington (pictured with his wife Ann and son

Easton) is our Environmental and Community

Manager. His family is expecting the arrival of their

second son (Waylon) in October. When not at

work, Chris enjoys fishing, camping and all things

outdoors.

SOROUSH JAHANI, Quality ManagerSoroush has been with Diona for seven years.

With experience in Manufacturing, Compliance,

Engineering and Quality Management roles,

Soroush says “The most enjoyable part of my work

is the opportunity to provide service to others.

Internally, to our project teams and externally to

our clients and the people and businesses who

benefit from the new infrastructure we build”.

Soroush and his wife have two daughters and a

female Pomeranian. They also have three hens

and three goldfish and he says they are still trying

to figure out if the fish are male or female!

PAUL STEWART, HSEQ Advisor (QLD)Originally from the village of Balla, outside

Castlebar in Mayo, Ireland, Paul came to Australia

in 2009 and loved the place so much he’s now

building a house in sunny Queensland. He loves

sports and all things football. He is a GAA supporter

and is still waiting for Mayo to win Sam Maguire

back. He enjoys rugby union, soccer and is a mad

Manchester United supporter (is there any other

kind?) With more than nine years in safety, he has

focussed in the construction space working on civil,

commercial, mechanical and residential jobs, from

small to billion-dollar projects. Paul has been with

Diona more than four years, initially in New South

Wales but now lives in Queensland.

MARIA RYAN, HSEQ AdministratorMaria’s favourite quote is “Be yourself; everyone

else is already taken”. Her favourite travel

experience, so far, has been The Colosseum in

Rome. Maria is married to Shane and they have

two beautiful teenagers, Adelline and Oscar. In her

spare time Maria enjoys cooking, gardening and

bush walking. Her favourite current music group is

Rufus, favourite band of all time is U2 and her next

holiday destination is Tasmania. The person whom

she would most like to be stranded on a desert

island with is Heston Blumenthal . . . oh sorry,

that’s who she’d most like to meet.

MEET THE HSEQ TEAM

CINDY

CHRIS

SOROUSH

PAUL

MARIA

LARISSA

PAUL

2017 STEVEN CROCKETT, HSEQ Advisor (NSW)Another Kiwi. Having managed hotels for 15 years before getting serious about safety after seeing many a sawmill incident, Steve moved to Australia in 2006 and did various FIFO roles for mining and oil and gas companies. He then moved to Newcastle to a Safety Manager role in civil construction and joined Diona in 2016. Steve and Vicki live in beautiful Scone in the Hunter Valley. Steve enjoys watching the mighty New Zealand All Blacks beat Australia and spending time with their large family including 14 grandchildren.

LARISSA ALOFA, HSEQ Advisor (QLD)Larissa moved to the Gold Coast from New Zealand four months ago and is loving the life style and sunshine. She has a Diploma in Forest Management and Occupational Health and Safety. When not at work, Larissa enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her husband and creating new adventures.

STEVEN CATRIONA

CIARAN DAVID

RAYSUZANA

DAVIDCAITRIONA

CATRIONA DEVINE, HSEQ Advisor (NSW)Not accustomed to describing herself, Catriona says some may say she has a quick temper, but she prefers to think she is pretty laid back and easy going. When Catriona is not at work you are likely to find her outdoors, running, walking or laying by the beach with a good book. Last year she completed the City to Surf and her training regime started 10 days before the big event! What an athlete! Her life motto . . . Gratitude is the key to a happy and healthy life!

CIARAN MCALEER, HSEQ Advisor (NSW)Ciaran arrived in Australia more than four years ago and while originally living in Queensland, now lives in Sydney. Ciaran is one of our Environmental specialists. When not at work he enjoys spending time at home with his lovely wife Ursula, riding his motorbike, honing his home beer brewing skills (and the tasting that comes with it) and walking his dog, Belvedere.

DAVID LAWRANCE, HSEQ Advisor (NSW)David is married with one daughter (and says he is grateful she got her mother’s good looks). He is a proud grandfather of two and enjoys spending time with his family and when he can, likes to get away fishing and four-wheel driving. He and his wife have done a number of trips with the best so far being a four-wheel driving and camping trip in the Victorian High Country with friends.

RAY MCCLOY, HSEQ Advisor (NSW)A fitter and turner by trade, Ray spent 20 years in the Army as a vehicle mechanic tradesman, gaining the rank of Warrant Officer. Army time saw him survive several dropped grenades and be missed when someone shot at him! He was also a member of the contingent to bring back the Unknown Soldier in 1991. Involved in Safety since the early 80s, Ray enjoys a good laugh, but takes his role seriously and wants everybody go home the same way they came to work, only tired-er!

SUZANA JOLAK, Relations Manager (NSW)Suz has over 20 years experience in stakeholder engagement and community relations. Much of this gained with Lend Lease, working largely on high profile construction and infrastructure projects, including the Sydney Olympics.

Suz is a proud grandmother and her new favourite pastime is spending every spare moment with her baby grandson, Aleks. Suz also loves being in the kitchen, cooking and experimenting with new recipes (and raiding the pantry for chocolate).

DAVID CROWHURST, Relations Manager (NSW)David joined the Diona team in 2017 after almost three years at Sydney Water. He has also worked in the Yukon, Canada and more recently on Australia’s largest windfarm for AGL. Currently working on our projects in the South West, David enjoys the variety and challenges associated with working for Diona and Sydney Water. When not at work, David can be found on his CRF450 or 4WD-ing. He also keeps two six foot aquariums and is involved in breeding and selling African Cichlids fish.

CAITRIONA LEDGEWOOD, Community Liaison Officer (QLD)Caitriona is originally from County Derry, Ireland. Catriona joined the HSEQ Team in 2016 and works largely with our QUU projects. When not at work, Caitriona’s interests include travelling, shopping and keeping fit. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and having a laugh. She is pictured here at home in Ireland with her Godson, Gabriel.

Confined Space Entry Permit

Form. No.: 16-2-003 Rev 1.2 (06/05/2015) Page 1 of 3

MAINTAIN ENTRY PERMIT AT JOB SITE UNTIL JOB IS COMPLETED IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 000

Location of confined space:

Description of confined space:

Purpose of entry:

Requested by: Date of entry:

CONTROL MEASURES ISOLATION: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Mechanical, electrical isolation/control Face/eye protection Water, gas, sewer flow isolation/control Steel toe capped boots Locks &/or tags have been fixed to isolation points Gloves

ATMOSPHERE: Hard-hat Natural ventilation Coveralls Air flush (preliminary) Self rescuer Air flush (continuous) self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

COMMUNICATION: Escape harnesses Verbal Helicopter straps Visual Lifeline Radio / Mobile Phone Tripod/hoist

EMERGENCY EVACUATION: LIGHTING: Rescue procedure in place Natural Area secure Torch Rescue Drill completed on:___________________ Electrical lighting

STAND-BY PERSONNEL AND RESCUE ARRANGEMENTS

Stand-by person(s) are:

1st Person’s Name: ___________________________ 2nd Person’s Name: __________________________OTHER PRECAUTIONS:

Chemicals being used (if so specify): Confined space entry signs

Have all personnel been inducted/trained in SWMS Any other permits required (if so specify)

Other precautions (specify) & notes:

AIR MONITORING DEVICE INFORMATION

Device: Serial no. Date due for calibration

Pre-use spot check performed by Notes

AIR MONITORING DATA: CONDUCTED PRIOR TO ENTRY AND AT REGULAR INTERVALS:NOTE: SAMPLING TO BE CONDUCTED PRIOR TO EACH ENTRY TO CONFINED SPACES:

Time: Sampled by: Oxygen

(19.5%-23.5%)Flammable gas

(<5%)Carbon dioxide

(<30ppm)Hydrogen sulphide

(<10ppm)Other

Use a gas detector and record the atmospheric readings, who is entering and spotting and the time in and out of a confined space.

A confined space is determined by the structure and a specific set

of circumstances. The same structure may or may not be a

confined space depending on the circumstances when the space is

entered. Entry to a confined space is considered to have occurred

when a person’s head or upper body enters the space.

Consideration must be given to the depth of the trench, ground

conditions, atmospheric conditions, engulfment from water, sand,

soil, sewer, traffic, plant in use and the tasks performed. Confined

Space means a restricted space which may become hazardous to

a worker entering it because of a change in the atmospheric

conditions, engulfment or harmful contaminants.

What is excavation work?

Excavation work generally means work involving the removal of soil

or rock from a site to form an open face, hole or cavity using tools,

machinery or explosives. Any construction work (including any

work connected with an ‘excavation’) that is carried out in or near a

shaft or trench with an excavated depth of greater than 1.5 metres,

or a tunnel is considered to be ‘high risk construction work’ for

which a safe work method statement (SWMS) must be prepared.

Excavation work should be carefully planned before work starts so

it can be carried out safely. Planning involves identifying the

hazards, assessing the risks and determining appropriate control

measures in consultation with all relevant persons involved in the

work. Structural or geotechnical engineers may also need to be

consulted at this stage. If ground conditions change – STOP work

and reassess with the team.

In this edition we will focus on two of the LIFE SAVER RULES

Both of these Life Saver Rules address critical risks that many Diona workers encounter every day, so it is vital that we understand the hazards associated and the do’s and don’ts of working around such risks.

ALWAYS ensure you have a valid permit.ALWAYS ensure that only trained and authorised persons access the space.ALWAYS have trained spotter and rescue person present.

ALWAYS ensure your permit to excavate is completed and reviewed prior to ANY excavation, every shift. ALWAYS ensure edge protection/fall prevention, access and shoring systems are installed when greater than 1.5 meters.ALWAYS use a spotter when digging around services/mains

Always use DBYD and complete your ‘Permit To Excavate’ in full before undertaking digging near underground mains or services.

Always use a Confined Space trained entrant, spotter and rescue person, gas detector, self rescuer, harness, Davit Arm or Tripod.

Always complete a site specific risk assessment to determine the Confined Space. Only use trained workers for confined space work.

Always use a spotter when digging around services/mains.

Always bench, batter or install shoring shields, handrails and ladders for protection from falls, collapse and access/egress when deeper than 1.5m.

THE DRILL July 2017 47

On Friday 16 June 2017, game two of the Calibre versus Diona soccer match took place at Valentine Sports Park. The two teams played seven months earlier when it was sweltering, but conditions for game two were perfect, making the Diona team think they were back home. It started off as a friendly, but after a little

push and shove it was evident to see

team captain Enda Gannon along with Pat

defending. Calibre quickly learned that

nothing was getting past these two who

intimidated everyone who came close.

Mark and Des spearheaded the attack

aimed directly at the opposition’s goal. Their

keeper knew quickly he was going to be in

for a hard day at the office. Every time they

tried to go wide, Amar would come from

nowhere to intercept the ball and spoil the

well-structured Calibre game plan. They tried

the other side where Declan and Neil did not

allow anything past unless it was to give it to

the bullet-proof Brendan where everything

and everyone got turned away or ended up

second best.

Michael and Barry took care of every ball

that got to them, sending it back to the two

stalwarts Pat and Enda where the captain

decided it was time to get on the board.

Calibre finally broke away down the sideline.

They did not get the better of Diona and the

boys just got sick of Brett yelling directions

like a New York traffic cop. Every time the ball

even looked like coming to the Diona box

Brett, with his cat-like reflexes, made it look

easy to stop.

From the sideline we noticed the guy on the

ground, we were ready to call for help when he

leapt to his feet and took the field with Diona

colours . . . it was Peter Massey who played

extremely well, but Calibre could not score.

Both teams were relieved to see half-time

Diona vs Calibre Soccer match

Ben Wall – Procurement Officer

with one point each.

Diona brought the dangerous high-impact

players McGuinness, Higginbottom, Carroll,

Disley, O’Callaghan and Groarke.

Peter Massey rejoined the Calibre team in

their colours providing serious support to

the team. However, no matter who kicked

the ball in whatever direction Amar was

there to chase the ball and for his efforts, he

scored a goal. Shortly after that Pat scored a

penalty. Calibre retaliated with one of their

own and the ultimate aim was left to one of

Diona’s former greats, Mark Connolly, to put

it beyond doubt with a goal to seal the deal!

Diona won the game 4-2.

As one of the Diona spectators, it was an

enjoyable match to watch. The standout

Diona player, leading by example, was

captain Enda Gannon. Also, an exceptional

mention to Damien who never gave up and

had the brightest boots on the park.

THE DRILL July 201748

Recently, the HSEQ team introduced Diona’s Environmental Commitments to keep our approach to environmental compliance simple and consistent. The commitments are grouped under four

actions: maintain, minimise, protect and

respond. They represent a simple and clear

message from the SMT and we need your

support to ensure we deliver every job

in accordance with our existing policies,

procedures and expectations.

The HSEQ team will continue to focus on

each of these commitments with you, with

our collective aim to deliver environmentally-

friendly, sustainable and successful project

solutions. Following further consultation with

site personnel, the HSEQ team will introduce

guidance documentation to support the

continuous improvement efforts regarding

these commitments. This document will exist

as a live source of current best practices and

visual examples for our operations, enabling

all workers to access current and valuable

advice on environmental compliance.

The four Environmental Commitments are

detailed below:

Maintain• Waterways and stormwater – Maintaining

the quality and integrity of local waterways

and stormwater systems is of the highest

priority. It’s up to all of us to ensure that

waterways and drains are protected and

all dewatering is conducted as per our

internal procedures.

• Responsible storage and handling of fuels/

chemicals – Ensuring that all our fuels and

chemicals are stored in bunded containers

and that use is according to SWMS and SDS

requirements.

• Plant and equipment – Well-maintained

plant and equipment operates more

efficiently, saving time and money for

projects. Additionally, maintaining clean

plant will reduce the spread of weeds and

daily checks will detect drips/leaks of fuel

or other fluids.

• Project sites and records – Good

housekeeping not only projects a positive

image of our company’s operations, but

also directly influences environmental

compliance onsite. Maintaining accurate

and up-to-date records ensures that our

reporting requirements are accurate and

provides vital information to the HSEQ

team and management on how to improve

our operations.

Minimise• Impacts to the environment and

community – This is what it’s all about.

Everything we do every day has an

impact on the environment. It’s up to

each and every one of us to minimise that

impact. By taking action outlined under

Diona’s Environmental Commitments we

can make a significant reduction in the

environmental footprint of our operations

and increase profitability while leaving the

world a little better place in the process.

• Waste through reduce, recycle and reuse

methodology – Given the size, scope and

dynamic nature of many of our works,

waste management has historically been a

significant challenge. We will introduce new

initiatives and facilities in the coming months

to make it easier to segregate recyclables and

reduce waste across all our operations.

• Areas affected by project works – By

reducing our disturbance footprint we

can reduce dust onsite, the risk of erosion

and sediment run off, water usage for

dust suppression and areas that require

rehabilitation. It will also decrease the risk

of warranty work for rehabilitated areas.

Protect• Flora/fauna and the environment at all

times – Much like PPE for your own safety,

protection measures are a last line of

defence for the environment but no less

important. Ensure any required protections

such as sediment socks, silt fences and tree

protection zones are in place and are well

maintained.

• NO-GO Zones – It’s in the name really

isn’t it? NO-GO Zones are established

for a reason. Always ensure that any

NO-GO Zones are well delineated and

have appropriate signage to avoid any

unauthorised access.

Commited to the EnvironmentChris Arrington – National Environmental & Community Manager

THE DRILL July 2017 49

Respond• Immediate rectification and reporting –

Despite our best efforts, environmental

incidents and near misses may still occur.

It is imperative that in the event of an

incident, the situation is immediately

rectified where possible and immediately

reported to the HSEQ team for escalation.

This is also true for near misses. Near

misses provide valuable information that

can be used to prevent future incidents

and improve the efficiency of our

operations.

Compliance with these commitments

will continue from existing benchmarks

and will be measured by site audits and

inspections. With your help, we can cement

our position at the top of our client’s leader

boards, bolster our company reputation,

continue to meet our target of zero fines and

infringements and become a more efficient

operation, all while leaving the world a better

place for everyone else. Remember, this is

everyone’s responsibility and we will each be

held accountable for our compliance. With

everyone’s help we can make a very real and

tangible difference to lessen our impact on

the environment.

If you have any questions regarding these

commitments please ask your project HSEQ

Advisor or Environmental Manager.

THE DRILL July 201750

The programs also coincided with the

Calibre Board and Executive meetings which

afforded participants a rare opportunity to

interact with board members and executives,

ask questions and share their ideas. “I was

impressed with the amount of enthusiasm

and originality of ideas,” said CEO and

Managing Director, Peter Massey.

By the end of the courses, participants left

feeling reinvigorated and motivated to return

to their teams to share their experiences and

begin using the skills learned.

To find out more, or if you would like to be

considered for either of these programs in

the future, please speak to your manager

or the People and Capability team about

developing your skills to be eligible.

In early May, 14 Diona personnel joined

42 Calibre employees at the leadership

development programs Calibrating Leaders

and LEAP (Leadership Excellence Acceleration

Program) held in Kingscliff, New South

Wales. Focused on Calibre’s rising talent and

experienced leaders, the intensive three and

a half day courses engaged and challenged

individuals, providing an insight into the

traits and behaviours of a good leader as

well as the intricacies that make a business

successful and sustainable. The facilitator,

Frank Stasiowski from PSMJ, encouraged

open participation and discussion and

empowered individuals to share their

knowledge, challenge ideas and participate

in group activities.

With individuals travelling

from across Australia, New

Zealand and Singapore,

the programs provided

a unique opportunity to

showcase the diversity of

our business and enabled

participants to meet

like-minded professionals,

broaden their networks

within Calibre, and share

knowledge and experience.

LEAP participant, Dan

Hollis from G&S Engineering commented, “I

was absolutely amazed by the sheer size and

variety of expertise within Calibre.”

Rose Nilsson from Calibre’s shared services

legal team, who attended

Calibrating Leaders, said,

“I loved being able to

meet and interact with

very enthusiastic, creative,

passionate people from

other parts of Calibre.

It helped open up the

channels of collaboration

for me.” See more

feedback from attendees

on page 53.

Collaboration on the Agenda at Leap and Calibrating LeadersMelissa Lowry – Calibre Marketing & Communications Advisor

Attendees of the Calibrating Leaders and LEAP programs.

THE DRILL July 2017 51

Enda GannonSenior Project Manager, Diona NSW Program Attended: LEAP

What was the one thing that surprised you about the program?

The motivation and drive of the people. This included the

LEAPers, the Calibre board members and the course instructors. I expected a high

level of motivation and drive but the reality far exceeded expectations.

How do you see this program shaping your future with Diona and Calibre?

The program certainly opened my eyes to the overwhelming diversity within

Calibre. It was very interesting to meet and interact with the other companies and

people. For me the course identified certain weaknesses and areas to improve

upon for myself. The goal now is to improve on these.

Did you notice a change when you got back to your office and how?

The course has not had a major effect on my daily tasks, however, I feel it has been

more beneficial in terms of working towards my ultimate goals and long-term

planning to achieve these.

Describe the one message that really resonated with you.

Calibre has a long-term plan. This was discussed on a number of occasions during

the course. The emphasis has been shifted to thinking long term together as one

team.

Your number one challenge prior to attending the course and your new solution.

Making the best of the opportunities that are fast becoming available as Diona

transitions into Calibre. Discussions at the course with course instructors and board

members alike have instilled a lot of confidence that these opportunities are there

for the taking.

Barry CrosseyProject Manager, Diona NSW Program Attended: Calibrating Leaders

What was the one thing that surprised you about the program?

I was surprised at just how receptive the executives were

to hearing both the LEAP and Calibrating Leaders ideas and suggestions. Having

Peter Massey immediately put one of the executives in charge of taking each idea

to the next level was really great and it is an exciting time to be part of this team.

How do you see this program shaping your future with Diona and Calibre?

I feel this has given me more tools to not only help me manage my current projects

more effectively, but also enable me to source new leads utilising some of the

techniques we learnt for reaching out to prospective new clients.

Describe the one message that really resonated with you.

Collaboration between all parts of Calibre is vital to our continued success and

growth. With the knowledge and experience we have, there is nothing to stop us

succeeding in any direction we go. It stood out for me that everyone participating

in the Calibrating Leaders program was similar to me in that they all want to see

the Calibre businesses continue to develop and flourish.

Other comments:

Tenacity is something that is acknowledged and rewarded at Diona. It was excellent

to see that the rest of Calibre clearly has ample supplies of tenacity as well.

Haley Lee General Manager People & Capability

With a career that started

at G&S Engineering in 1999,

General Manager – People

& Capability, Haley Lee, is a true representation of

living with a sense of tenacity. Her career evolution

has taken her through all aspects of Human Resources

(HR), starting in a junior position within the HR team

and moving through management and executive

leadership in her current role with Calibre.

Being in executive leadership positions for around

four years, Haley has always felt that her success has

absolutely been through the talent of the teams she’s

worked with and led. “I wouldn’t say I set my sights on

a leadership position from when I left school but I have

always been ambitious and passionate about what I

do. Regardless of the title, I’ve felt that each role I’ve

had included some form of leadership.”

Her role now includes a lot more diversity including

different business models and geographies, however,

she still feels success across the group can be

attributed to the empowerment of our employees and

continuing to focus on building an organisation which

everyone feels included in and proud to work for.

“I love people and I’m passionate about understanding

how we can get the best out of our teams,” Haley

states. “I also love the diverse nature of the profession

I’ve fallen into.” This allows Haley to face challenges

each day, which she feels is beneficial to her growth

and understanding of the business, “…for me, it’s a

privilege to work in this profession”.

As Calibre continues to evolve, Haley is focused on

priorities which include increasing our knowledge

as an organisation through formal and informal

mentoring. “It’s amazing how generous people are

with their time, not only to share but to teach when

you just ask!”. Haley attributes her success thus far to

building meaningful mutual working relationships,

passion for the organisation and for people. The

past 18 years has proved that the opportunities

are endless and each day, Haley continues to enjoy

the conversations and passionate employees she is

surrounded by, helping her continue to grow and

achieve fantastic results not only for the business, but

for all employees.

Bringing the wider Calibre group together with a

common set of values, helping other business leaders

engage with their teams and motivating people to feel

a part of the Calibre vision are key aspects of what the

People and Capability team will be concentrating on

over the next few months.

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 201752

John Lane-Smith – IWam advisor

The Queensland management team recently

spent a weekend in Noosa building even

better strategic communication skills and

stronger working relationships.

The weekend’s activities, such as building

boats out of cardboard and plastic sheets

and tactical war games under pressure, were

a fun way to develop team-building and

leadership skills.

On arrival, the group was split into two teams

and given cardboard tape and plastic sheets.

They worked their way through purposely-

doctored drawings, looking out for pitfalls, to

make the ships.

Not only did their constructions need to float

while carrying crew members, they had to

race across the ocean (well the pool really).

The maidens in distress were on hand to

provide motivation. However, the boats were

soon paddling off in the opposite direction at

a pace. The picture tells the story. 

The second day’s activity, Battlespace, was

a sophisticated indoor business game and

simulation that required effective leadership,

teamwork and communication to win.

The players dressed for the part

in camouflage fatigues with each

taking different roles to plan the operations

under tight time pressure in ever-changing

conditions.

This built the need for quick and value-driven

decision making, allowing longer term

planning to best utilise provisions, people

and ammunition.

All focused on information overload

and cross-functional working as a team.

We’re pleased to report that both teams came

out with flying colours. The team dinner was

a highlight of this great weekend.

Boats and battles test team-building skills

Plastic and cardboard boat race.

Plastic and cardboard boat.

Mission: Saving Private Jack.

Queensland Management Team.

Chris Fenner and John-Paul O’Connor.

EMPLOYEE

SPOTLIGHT

THE DRILL July 2017 53

What is your role at Diona?Senior Estimator.

Before working at Diona, what was the most unusual or interesting job you have ever had?Managing Asia’s biggest effluent treatment plant after it had passed

through a significant incident on site.

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Diona whose job would you want?Charlie Haire – always challenging.

What are the three best words to describe Diona?Innovative, Adaptive and Challenging.

What do you find the most challenging at Diona?Managing the crucial deadlines.

What do you like most about Diona?Cultural diversity and monthly barbecues.

What is your proudest moment at Diona?The successful win of the Woolloomooloo tender which marked my

$100 million worth of tender wins with Diona.

How do you balance your career at Diona and family?Good time management at work which allows me to spend quality

time with my family.

Where is your hometown?Nadiad, Gujarat State, India.

Do you have a favourite quote?“Don’t be too sweet that people eat you and don’t be too sour that

people spit you.”

Favourite travel spot?Historical places of India.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?Ajay Devgan from Bollywood and my daughter suggested Theo

James from Hollywood.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?Narendra Modi – a dynamic leader with clear vision.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?Yoga mat, camera and iPod/iPhone.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?“Royal Rajesh”.

Motto or personal mantra?Everyone has a brain, but only some use it smartly.

People would be surprised if they knew (about you):I can touch my nose with my tongue (you can try . . . it is not easy).

Tell us a bit about your family.My beautiful wife Ria works as a mortgage broker and takes care of

Rajesh Shukla

my two gorgeous daughters. My elder daughter Shruti is 12-years-

old, very studious and knows five different languages. My younger

daughter Shreeja is 5-years-old, very naughty and pure girly girl but

very adorable.

I have an older brother and sister living in India. My Dad (always my

inspiration) and Mum live in India but spend alternate years visiting

Australia and living with us.

Top three life highlights?Graduation, marriage/kids and migrating to Australia.

What advice would you give to recent new hires?Adopt the new culture. First work with the system before making

any criticisms or trying to make any changes. Always be ready for

challenges and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What are three career lessons you have learned?• Be calm in a pressure situation

• There are always different ways for a solution

• Admit your mistakes bravely and honestly.

What do you like to do in your spare time?Watching movies with my kids and playing stupid games with them.

What is your hidden talent?Cooking.

What music is on your phone?Bollywood 90s songs.

What is on your bucket list?Europe tour.

Which cartoon character would you most like to live with?Donald Duck.

You are the happiest when?When I spend time in India with my joint family (51 members

including all uncles and cousins) living under one roof.

Around the traps, in snaps

Diona Pty Ltd New South Wales Head OfficeUnit 5, 322 Annangrove Rd

Rouse Hill NSW 2155

P: 02 8867 8000

F: 02 8867 8088

Queensland OfficeUnit 5, 93 Pearsons Rd

Yatala QLD 4207

P: 07 3441 0500

F: 07 3441 0550

South Australia OfficeUnit 1, 5 Barr Powell St

Welland SA 5007

P: 08 8241 5544

F: 08 8346 2168

Victorian Office162 Fulham Rd

Alphington VIC 3078

P: 08 8241 5544

F: 08 8346 2168

Email: enquiries@diona.com.au

Tenders: tenders@diona.com.au

www.diona.com.au