Life at Douglas Archives - Douglas Partners

Douglas Partners for Clean Up Australia Day: Making a Positive Impact Nationwide

Stephanie Austruy — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:46:53 +0000

Throughout March, Douglas Partners branches proudly participated in Clean Up Australia Day, dedicated to enhancing our local environments. From footpaths, shores, lakes and roadsides to parks, our teams from across departments embarked on a collective mission.

We are thrilled to share that our efforts yielded significant results, with a total of 126.45kg rubbish collected nationwide. A special mention to our Macarthur Branch, who led the charge with an impressive 52.45kg of rubbish collected. Among the items retrieved were shopping baskets, cans, bottles, coffee cups, bags, cigarette butts and even unexpected finds such as underwear.

In the spirit of community collaboration, some of our teams had the opportunity to work alongside residents, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for our environment.

Clean Up Australia, the organisation behind this impactful initiative, has been instrumental in promoting environmental conservation nationwide for 3 decades and aligns with our commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

Witnessing the tangible impact of our efforts serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of initiatives like this. Beyond its environmental benefits, Clean Up Australia Day is as an excellent team-building opportunity for our people, fostering a shared sense of purpose and connection.

Learn more about our commitment to sustainability here.

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New Starters Induction and Graduate Development Program at Douglas Partners

Stephanie Austruy — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 23:03:27 +0000

At Douglas Partners, we believe in nurturing the talent and providing a solid foundation for ongoing professional growth. Our New Starters Induction and Graduate Development Programs are designed to equip our newest people with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to thrive in their career.

Empowering New Talent for Success

We recently convened our Annual New Starter Induction Day at the Women’s College of Sydney University. This event serves as a pivotal platform for our people from across Australia to gather, exchange insights and delve into our organisational culture, understanding what sets us apart and fuels our success.

The day featured an array of informative sessions, including workshops that provided participants with a taste of the diverse learning opportunities available with us, including modules from our Graduate Development Program running simultaneously to the main event.

Graduate Development Program Overview

Our Graduate Development Program is designed to accommodate individuals at various stages of their professional journey whilst keeping flexibility at the forefront, hence the program can start anytime.

Three Stages: The program contains three phases, which collectively is equivalent to three years, however, we recognise that learning is personal and therefore timelines can vary.
Diverse Course Offerings: With over 14 courses, our program covers a wide range of topics. Elective courses allow graduates to align their learning with specific interests and areas of study. Examples of our courses include:
1. Soil and Rock Logging Course: A hands-on exploration of geotechnical fundamentals.
2. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: underpinned by the renowned Franklin Covey program.
3. Strengths Profile Assessments: Identifying one’s key strengths and talents to feel energised, increase engagement and achieve set goals..
4. Project Management Course: The capstone of the program equips graduates to transition successfully to leading projects, by introducing them to the fundamentals of project management.

Fostering Holistic Understanding

We actively encourage our graduates to explore different disciplines within our field, fostering a holistic understanding of our entire operations. Whether it’s geotechnical engineering, environmental science, groundwater or another specialty, hands-on experience not only makes for more seasoned professionals, but it also contributes to them unearthing their niche.

Join Us on the Journey

If you are a recent graduate, our program is waiting for you. Discover your potential, connect with industry leaders and embark on a fulfilling career at Douglas Partners.

Learn more about our Graduate Development Program here.

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Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

Stephanie Austruy — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:59:17 +0000

To commemorate 2024’s International Women’s Day, we reflect on progress made in our business that reflects this year’s theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’. Some of our recent actions include:

Expanding our enhanced annual leave provisions to positions that historically fell outside of this benefit;
Introduction of purchased annual leave;
Shareholding eligibility to a broader cohort;
Launch of our annual wellbeing allowance;
Third year of our Consulting Women@Douglas Event
Pilot of a Shared Services/Support team event; and
Refined graduate and project manager training programs to support various career pathways.

We recognise that while there is still lots more to be done, we can be proud of what we have achieved so far. Like our Managing Director, Will Wright, we can all be champions of change.

Discover more about our company culture and commitment to inclusion and diversity on our Life at Douglas page.

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Douglas Partners’ 36th Annual Technical Seminar – A Celebration of Continuous Improvement

Stephanie Austruy — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 03:15:11 +0000

Douglas Partners’ 36th Annual Technical Seminar was not just an assembly of professionals but a vibrant celebration of the theme of Continuous Improvement.

At the core of the event were over 60 engaging presentations by engineers, scientists, and consultants from across the company. These sessions delved deep into project challenges, shared insights gained from overcoming obstacles, and presented novel approaches. In doing so, the seminar served as a powerful testament to Douglas Partners’ enduring commitment to excellence – cultivating a culture of innovation, collaboration, and positive change.

Celebrating achievements

In alignment with the event theme, we took the opportunity to recognise outstanding contributions made by our team members.

Among the standout presentations were:

An exploration of ‘Evaluating Risk Appetites as Third-Party Reviewers’ provided valuable insights into risk assessment practices, shedding light on strategies to enhance project evaluation and decision-making processes.

An examination of ‘Addressing PFAS Challenges on Greenfield Sites and the Integration of Continuous Improvement’ underscored the importance of adapting to evolving environmental concerns. This presentation highlighted innovative approaches to mitigate PFAS contamination and showcased our commitment to staying at the forefront of environmental stewardship.

A presentation on ‘Advancements in Passive Rock Slope Stabilisation Design’ showcased cutting-edge techniques for enhancing slope stability.

An instructive presentation on ‘Groundwater Contouring’, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement in refining fundamental practices.

The prestigious Don Douglas Award recognised the proactive contributions and research findings of two Douglas Partners engineers, on mine infill grout segregation and its consequences for mine remediation. Their research aims to address challenges in verifying the effectiveness of remediation efforts due to variations in the engineering properties of the grout. Their findings establish a correlation between the delivery method of grout and its spatial distribution, providing insights to enhance grouting operations and improve remediation outcomes. Stay tuned for the release of a detailed paper outlining their study – coming soon.

Comradery & social responsibility

Beyond the technical discussions that defined the seminar, Douglas Partners’ unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility took center stage. During our team dinner, held on a cruise beneath the iconic Harbour Bridge, we proudly unveiled a commissioned artwork as part of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.

Also, we took a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the significant impact of our partnership with Engineers Without Borders, particularly in the Northern Rivers Flood Project.

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2023 Consulting Women@Douglas Conference

Stephanie Austruy — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:54:23 +0000

Our second Consulting Women@Douglas Conference took place in early November at Darling Harbour, Sydney, gathering our female engineers, scientists and shared services leaders from across Australia.

The event carries on our purpose of uniting participants, engaging in meaningful discussions on challenges faced by women in the industry and most notably collaborate and devise innovative solutions to benefit the entire business.

The conference provided reflection on the past year, highlighting various progress made and celebrating our wins. It is by supporting initiatives like this, we continue the conversation on what matters to not only women, but our people more broadly.

This year’s agenda featured opportunities for divergent thinking and collaborative workshops, with a specific focus on issues including training and career development, on-site challenges, wellbeing and balancing family commitments.

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Douglas Partners Joins Forces with Engineers Without Borders & Holding Hands Under Ground to Aid Flood-Affected Families in Northern Rivers

Stephanie Austruy — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Between the 25th of February and 2nd of March 2022, a series of relentless rain and flooding events took a toll on the east coast of Australia. Among the regions significantly affected, the Northern Rivers in New South Wales, was confronted to important damage to properties and infrastructure, leaving families struggling to cope with the aftermath.

As the community perseveres, the process of rebuilding lives and restoring normalcy remains ongoing, highlighting the enduring impact of the floods on the region.

Earlier this year, we partnered with Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) and Holding Hands Under Ground (HHUG) to provide pro bono geotechnical assistance to support the Northern Rivers Floods.

At Douglas Partners, corporate social responsibility has always been at the heart of our values. This joint Endeavor with Engineers Without Borders reflects our commitment to give back to the community and share our expertise and resources, as individuals striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours.

Engineer Without Borders Australia

Angus, a geotechnical engineer at Douglas Partners, is among the volunteers who collaborated with Engineers Without Borders and HHUG to offer their expertise and support. Recently, Angus was on-site, performing geotechnical mapping in multiple locations, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) tests, and drilling boreholes to obtain essential soil samples from varying depths and log soil strata. We are pleased to share his testimonials providing insight into his motivations to volunteer and recounting his experience throughout the first part of this journey.

What inspired you to volunteer for the EWB Northern Flood Recovery Project?

I wanted to be involved in the EWB Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Project for many reasons. Firstly, I saw the devastating impact of the floods on TV. People had lost everything, and I wanted to do something to help.

I had been involved with EWB at university and thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved with them professionally for the first time. I believe my humanitarian values align well with EWB.

I saw this project as an exciting challenge and an opportunity to apply the skills and experiences I have gained from working at Douglas Partners to improve the lives of the communities affected by the floods. I think it is terrific Douglas Partners has become a partner with EWB and supported my involvement in EWB Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Project.

Engineer Without Borders Australia

What were your initial thoughts upon arriving at the site?

My initial thoughts were the shock of seeing the extent of damage from the landslips at each of the four sites. You could clearly see the damage to the house, the steepness of the slope and debris that had fallen down from the landslips.

Geotechnical testing is incredibly important to the recovery process as the information can be used to provide accurate parameters and information essential for the design of remediation options at each site including retaining walls, anchors, soil nails and underpinning.

Engineer Without Borders Australia

What was the most rewarding part of working on this project?

The most rewarding part of the EWB Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Project was hearing the community members’ stories about the floods, how high the water level got to and them showing appreciation for the work we were doing. It was also rewarding to meet so many people through EWB and community partners.

I think these kinds of projects are great opportunities to help and learn. I would encourage anyone to get involved. I would like to get involved with more of these kinds of projects in the future because I share strong humanitarian and social justice values and want to put myself out there to help others in times of need.

Engineer Without Borders Australia

As we conclude Angus’s testimonials, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his selfless dedication and commitment to aiding the flood-affected communities of Northern Rivers. We would also like to thank Gary for his on-site support and David and Josh for their work on this project.
Our collaborative efforts with Engineers Without Borders are just beginning, and we look forward to sharing more updates and progress on our work.

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Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2023

Stephanie Austruy — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000

As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2023, we take great pride in honoring the remarkable women engineers at Douglas Partners. Their talents, skills, and contributions play a vital role in shaping our industry.

As an engineering consultancy firm, we understand the significance of gender diversity and inclusivity in the engineering industry, and this year, we are excited to celebrate the progress we have made in empowering women. Building upon the success of our inaugural Women Event, “Consulting Women at Douglas,” last year, we continue to foster connections, inspire growth, and create a more diverse and inclusive culture within our organization.

Promoting Connection, Inspiration, and Growth

Last year, we hosted the first-ever “Consulting Women at Douglas” event. This event provides a unique opportunity for us to collaborate, exchange ideas, and address the challenges we face in the industry together. Through open dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas, we aim to create an environment where all individuals can thrive. We look forward to hosting our Consulting Women at Douglas again this year.

This year we also actively participated in various STEM programs to inspire and encourage young girls to pursue careers in engineering. By engaging with the next generation of female engineers, we aim to break down barriers and empower young women to embrace their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through mentorship programs, internships, and outreach initiatives, we strive to create a pipeline of talented female engineers who will contribute to the growth and innovation of our industry.

INWED23 #MakeSafetySeen

As part of our commitment to safety and promoting the #MakeSafetySeen theme of International Women in Engineering Day, we extend our gratitude to Sally, Ashika, and Liz for sharing their valuable safety tips. Their contributions help raise awareness and emphasize the importance of creating a safe working environment for everyone involved in engineering.

By championing diversity and inclusivity, we are shaping a brighter and more equitable future for women in engineering.

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Highlights from our latest Event: Support@DP

Stephanie Austruy — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000

On May 19th and 20th, we held our first-ever and very successful Support@DP event!

It brought together our support (now known as Shared Services) & administration teams from across Australia.

It was a unique opportunity to connect as one team and collaborate. It was incredible to see long-time colleagues finally meeting face-to-face and new employees introducing themselves in person. Connections made over the couple of days were truly invaluable and are looking forward to their positive impact throughout the business.

The event also served as an exceptional platform for learning. We explored various topics including Lean and Sigma processes, legal insights, Core GS, and new system improvements just to name a few.

Beyond learning, we brainstormed ways to enhance working together. Workshops centred around improving internal support within DP and how by strengthening our connections, we could identify areas for improvement and arrive at actionable recommendations.

We are excited to maintain this momentum and continue providing resources and opportunities that enable our people to thrive in their career.

Please watch the highlight video below that captures the spirit of Support@DP.

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Making connections at Douglas Partners’ 35th annual Technical Seminar

Stephanie Austruy — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

After much anticipation, almost 300 engineers, scientists, consultants, and other professionals from across the country gathered recently for the annual Douglas Partners Technical Seminar.

The event, now in its 35^th year, is a celebration of science and engineering, and importantly the strong culture of learning and development that exists at Douglas Partners.

For many, however, the Technical Seminar is fertile ground where new relationships with colleagues, both socially and professionally, form. It reinforces how communication, teamwork, and trust are the essential ingredients to shared success – which is why the chosen theme for this year was Making Connections.

This theme came to life in many ways: connecting with colleagues, connecting to our shared vision, and connecting to the future we are building together.

Championing the wealth of experience and technical expertise that exists across our 20 branches nationally, an impressive 40+ presentations were delivered on a range of topics and disciplines. This was supported by poster submissions and interactive booths that showcased emerging technologies, smart tools, and capabilities.

Acknowledging individual excellence, key promotions and awards were announced, including the recipient of the coveted Don Douglas Award. The winner of this award (named after the founder of Douglas Partners) can choose to attend a relevant international or Australian conference, with registration, flights and accommodation covered for themself and a guest.

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Douglas Partners 34th Annual Technical Seminar

Stephanie Austruy — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0000

True to a unique tradition at Douglas Partners, we were excited to recently gather and celebrate the 34^th annual Technical Seminar.

While we are spread throughout Australia, the Technical Seminar is a special opportunity to bring the great minds at Douglas Partners together. Through various presentations, seminars and panel discussions, there is a collective exchange of skills, learning, advice, and mentorship.

Important milestones and achievements, including promotions, excellence awards and anniversaries were celebrated.

This year we observed the theme ‘Strategic Synergies’, a symbol of how we as a group are all contributors of the same aspiration.

There were 22 presentations, some notable talks included: ‘M1 Extension – Strategic synergies on a unique site investigation project’, a presentation on the challenging site investigation, a discussion on the geotechnical works undertaken at the ‘New Sydney Fish Market’, as well as an overview of the ‘approach to Geophysics at Douglas’.

This year the event was hosted in a hybrid format where teams gathered in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, and all presentations were then broadcast between these sites virtually to create a shared experience. In our usual style, it was a valuable knowledge-sharing opportunity, as well as a much needed, and long-awaited opportunity to connect with colleagues not seen in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We look forward to all branches connecting at the one venue next year.

For a snapshot of this years’ Technical Festival, watch the highlights video below.

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