Please join me in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our colleagues through the Special Thanks and Recognition Scheme (STARS).
STARS is an Oceania-wide, peer-nominated program that honours exceptional contributions in impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, industry and community engagement, and outstanding service delivery. This year, 11 RLB team members have been recognised with a STARS award.
Customer Service Excellence Award
Carman Lo – Business Administrator, Auckland
Carman has rapidly become an indispensable asset to our Auckland office since joining in June 2022. Her resilience and efficiency have transformed her role into a cornerstone of support across our Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin, and Queenstown offices. Beyond her core duties, she’s pioneered our Training & Development liaison role and manages the Learning Hub, facilitating workshops and inspections while also leading corporate social responsibility initiatives. Carman’s professional demeanour and ability to make others’ work easier through her behind-the-scenes efforts make her truly deserving of this recognition.
Matthew Thompson – Associate (Infrastructure), Melbourne
Matthew’s work has been pivotal in our rail engagements with the Department of Transport and Planning in Victoria. His efforts have led to significant cost savings and process improvements, particularly in projects like the Metro Tunnel and the Level Crossing Removal Program. Matthew’s development of an independent cost model tool has not only streamlined processes but also enhanced decision-making efficiency. His proactive insights and attention to detail consistently drive business and operational excellence.
Value Creation Award
Shane Mitchell – Senior Cost Planner (Electrical), Sydney
Shane Mitchell’s expertise in electrical estimating is nothing short of remarkable. His meticulous approach to analysing complex projects has consistently saved clients significant amounts of money while maintaining high standards of safety and functionality. Shane’s ability to identify cost-saving opportunities and propose innovative solutions makes him a standout performer in our organisation.
Drita Corazzi – Submissions Manager, Melbourne
Drita’s leadership in submission writing is exceptional. She takes charge of the process, proactively creates templates, and drafts high-quality responses that consistently receive top marks. Her ability to manage multiple submissions efficiently and improve their quality with each iteration makes her a vital part of our team.
Teamwork Collaboration Award
Data Collection Team – Henry Burridge, Andrew Heaps, Olin Reed – Senior Quantity Surveyors, Auckland
The Data Collection Team’s creation and implementation of the ‘Quote Database’ has revolutionised how we store, process, and access cost data. This user-friendly tool, developed with Microsoft Power Apps, provides our team with a robust set of market-tested information, significantly improving the preparation of cost plans and the review of contractor variations. The team’s collaborative effort has not only enhanced our operational efficiency but also set a new standard for data management within RLB.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Amy Park – Office Manager, Melbourne
Amy’s leadership in fostering community spirit at RLB is inspiring. From spearheading a company-wide steps challenge that raised $2,000 for homeless youth to driving ongoing fundraising efforts for Guide Dogs Australia, Amy’s initiatives have significantly strengthened our organisational culture. Her role as RLB in Victoria’s Good News Editor further highlights her commitment to celebrating our collective achievements and enhancing our workplace environment.
Riley Butt – Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Auckland
Riley’s dedication to both his work and community service is truly commendable. As a key player in RLB Pulse and the Cost Data Taskforce, Riley balances his professional responsibilities with his volunteer work as a firefighter. His contributions to the Auckland office and his commitment to corporate social responsibility make him a deserving recipient of this award.
Young Achiever Award
Kate Low – Quantity Surveyor, Darwin
Kate has been a driving force in our Darwin office, taking ownership of tax depreciation deliverables and contributing to major projects like the National Aboriginal Art Gallery. Her advocacy for sustainability and her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities with a positive attitude have made her an invaluable team member.
Young Achiever Award & Diamond Award
Andi Xu (Overall Winner) – Cadet Quantity Surveyor, Melbourne
Andi Xu exemplifies the spirit of a young achiever. Balancing her master’s studies with her role at RLB, Andi has contributed significantly to developing machine learning algorithms that streamline cost forecasting and planning. Her leadership roles and innovative approach have not only advanced our projects but also set a new standard for excellence at RLB.
Special Thanks And Recognition Scheme (STARS)
The STARS Awards recognise staff who demonstrate outstanding achievement in alignment with RLB’s vision and strategic goals. They embody our values of fairness, belonging, integrity, and social value, contributing to the communities where we live and work.
In celebration of Rider Levett Bucknall’s 75th anniversary in Oceania, the Diamond Award was established in 2024 to recognise the best employee in our organisation each year. We are delighted to announce Andi Xu as the inaugural recipient. Andi has exemplified our core values and has consistently gone above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence.
It’s a source of immense pride for me as Oceania Chairman to witness the powerful impact our people make on the community and the world at large. Congratulations to the 2024 winners for actively demonstrating RLB values in action.
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