Building Resilience Through Adversity

Building resilience through adversity

How the construction industry can rebuild itself to be stronger than ever.

With the ever-changing environment across Australia and the world, and its impact on the construction industry, we sat down with our Managing Director, Tim Gagen to get his insights and better understand how he chooses to tackle adversity in his life, career and business.

How have you faced challenges in the past?

Plain and simple – hard work. I’m a big believer in the adage, “the harder you work, the luckier you get”. With this as my guiding principle, I have always been driven to work hard, even when obstacles are thrown my way.

Within the current circumstances of our industry, it’s understandable to not feel motivated, which is why it’s so important to develop daily habits and a strong mindset that helps to keep you on track towards your goals, even when times get tough.   

It’s also important to remember that we can’t face all challenges alone, so having the support of family, friends and mates across the industry is so crucial. We need each other, now more than ever.

What lessons have you learnt through facing adversity?

Every challenge tests us and pushes us outside of our comfort zone, and that is where we find our greatest growth. While it is extremely uncomfortable to live through challenging times, they also bring with them new perspectives, new ideas and when we look back, we are often surprised at just how much we can handle.

As the first man to swim the English Channel, Captain Matthew Webb made famous the quote “nothing great is easy”. The way I choose to take his words into my career, business and life is that amazing things can happen on the other side of adversity.

What support networks do you rely on to help you through tough times?

Every building has a number of reinforcements that support its overall structure – nothing ever stands alone. When one element of the building is compromised, the structure can rely somewhat on its supports to still maintain its overall integrity. The same should be said for ourselves.

It’s crucial that we all create a support network so that when we are faced with challenges in one area of our lives, the other parts can help to keep us together.

Right now, with our work taking a hit, I’m relying more on my family, friends and workmates, but also in pursuing hobbies and interests that bring me joy and a sense of purpose outside of work.

What can those in the construction industry do to strengthen their resilience?

With so much of what is happening in our industry and around the world, out of our control, the most important thing we can do is to remind ourselves of just that –we unfortunately aren’t able to completely control the situation. But what we can control is our reaction to it.

There will be other challenges that hit us in the days, months and years to come, and during those, you’ll likely find yourself grateful for the challenges you’ve already faced.  

Though many may be used to testing their physical strength on the job site, this is a time to really check in on your mental strength. I encourage everyone to be prepared to have conversations with your work mates, check in on them and how they’re doing and where you can, be open to sharing your experience too.

What is the Streetbuild team doing to support the during this challenging time?

For many years we’ve invested in an employee assistance program which provides all our staff with access to counsellors and resources designed to support their emotional, mental and general wellbeing. We believe that championing the importance of this message year-round is vital in addressing such a key issue.

In addition, we’ve been staying connected as much as possible through team check-ins and virtual lunches to which we’ve received positive feedback from the team. 

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Woolworths Wollongong eCOMM Expansion

To keep up with ever evolving retail customer needs, Woolworths Group partnered with Streetbuild to erect a new online shopping collection point. The project featured Australia’s first fabric awning, as well as modifications to the loading dock and back of house area to ensure the smooth processing of this new service.

Julie Smith

Chief Financial Officer

Julie is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience advising business. With a background in professional services, Julie has worked with businesses across a variety of industries at every stage of business to consult on their future plans, execute new ideas and develop strategies that drive business growth.

Her main area of focus is applying data analytics to get behind the numbers and provide insight to help our business and clients. In her role at Streetbuild, Julie enjoys working with colleagues across all areas of the business to assist in delivering for our clients.

Herman Monserrat

Financa & Administration Manager

As a qualified Accountant with 13 years’ experience across a large number of organisations and industries, Herman manages the Finance and Administration function at Streetbuild.

His strengths lie in project cost management, financial management, forecasting and reporting and his meticulous work ethic and financial management mastery make him an invaluable asset to the Streetbuild team.

Rimon Ayoub

Chief Estimator

With over 18 years of commercial construction experience, Rimon joined the Streetbuild team back in 2019.

Managing the national Estimating team, Rimon is responsible for the coordination and collation of tender packages for client submission, project cost management and monitoring the project budget. He works alongside key stakeholders to ensure the delivery of all projects meet cost, quality, time, and client objectives.

Working with the State Managers and Directors, Rimon ensures that company targets and objectives are met at every level.

Cameron Morrison

State Manager – W.A

As State Manager, Cameron has established Streetbuild’s WA presence and manages the day-to-day resource and project management of all projects on the west coast. This has enabled the Streetbuild brand to continue to gain traction and expand the business nationally.

Having built extensive knowledge of the construction industry across a 20+ years career, he prides himself on his ability to establish and maintain long term secure relationships with clients, contractors, and staff to build loyalty, communication and trust.

Steve Winchester

State Manager – QLD

As a highly motivated, goal orientated, and process driven leader, Steve’s focus is on driving collaboration within project teams to achieve optimum project outcomes for each and every client.

Managing the Queensland construction team as State Manager, Steve instils his acute attention to detail, quality and safety into each team member. This has resulted in an unwavering track record of successful commercial, retail, industrial and residential construction and refurbishment projects.

Tim Gagen

Managing Director

“Backed by over 20 years in the building industry, Tim now leads Streetbuild’s team of experts in the design and construction of all projects. Testament to the strong relationships he has established with satisfied clients, architects, external project managers and sub-contractors, Tim is a highly respected figure in the industry.

A proven leader, Tim’s success lies in his ‘hands-on’ management approach. This allows him to not only guarantee the highest levels of workmanship and materials for each project, but also ensures the best experience for each client through honest, efficient communication and project adaptability. Tim takes the time to understand the goals and expectations of each client and works closely with them to identify solutions that meet the aesthetic, functionality and durability needs of each project.

Having worked and learnt under strong mentors himself, Tim understands the value of providing strong leadership, and coaching his own staff members. Tim has a natural ability to develop and strengthen both individuals and management teams to maximise an individual’s potential, and using this to drive the company’s success.

Tim’s leadership style has resulted in a deeply loyal, inspired and effective team.

Based in our Brisbane Office, his responsibilities include: business development, overseeing the estimating department and project management of several construction and refurbishment projects nationally. Tim also provides assistance and advice to Streetbuild’s site supervisors on all areas of construction, WHS and contractor management.

Graeme Street

Founding Director

In 1998, after a successful and diverse domestic and commercial construction career spanning 20 years Graeme founded his own business, Streetbuild.

From day one, Graeme’s attention to detail ensured that business was constructed on the foundations of quality service, industry best practice, strong business ethics and an unwavering desire to go the extra mile for all stakeholders.

To this end, Graeme’s focus was to establish Streetbuild as a trusted employer and business partner – something he is proud to have successfully achieved with 25 staff that uphold these same values and over 30 construction partner organisations across Australia.

After leading the Streetbuild team as Managing Director for 20 years, in July 2019, Graeme handed the batten to Co-owner, Tim Gagen who has since shouldered the overall management and commercial direction of the business.

Graeme has now taken a more ‘helicopter view’ of the business, remaining as Founding Director & Secretary and Board Members, playing an advisory role in the areas of compliance and business practices.

With the commercial management of the business taken care of, Graeme now has the opportunity to pursue his passion for developing the Streetbuild team and providing mentorship to staff covering everything from construction expertise to business acumen. This process has been instrumental in providing a pathway to meet the short and longer-term aspirations.

Graeme continues to derive great satisfaction and pride in the ongoing development and expansion of the Streetbuild business and the people that make it happen in the STREETBUILD WAY.

Woolworths Wollongong eCOMM Expansion

To keep up with ever evolving retail customer needs, Woolworths Group partnered with Streetbuild to erect a new online shopping collection point. The project featured Australia’s first fabric awning, as well as modifications to the loading dock and back of house area to ensure the smooth processing of this new service.

Kmart Perth New Store Fit-Out

Over 8 weeks, Streetbuild converted this retail space into a brand new Kmart store. The project began with demolition and removal of existing fit-out which was then replaced with a new store front, upgrade to all internal fittings and relocation of service facilities.

Woolworths Oran Park eCOMM Expansion

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Streetbuild were appointed to construct a new online shopping collection point for Woolworths Group to help facilitate and evolve with rapidly changing customer needs. the changing customer needs. This project included the construction of a new canopy, office, cool room and back of house space.

Big W Blacktown Refurbishment

Streetbuild were engaged to transform this outdated Big W store under the Australia wide Renewal 2.0 initiative. The refurbishment included demolition and modifications to the existing store, installation of new flooring, paint refresh and upgrades to service areas and back of house facilities.