Constructive Conversations
Rork Projects' national annual event series, Constructive Conversations, brings together industry experts to share their perspectives and insights for the year ahead.
The MC for the events is John Paul Janke, a proud Wuthathi and Meriam man, Co-Host of The Point on SBS/NITV, Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee and Co-owner of Rork Projects.
Rork Projects Managing Director, Brian O’Rourke said that the 2021 event series explored the future of work in Australia, from both corporate and individual perspectives.
“The landscape has changed dramatically, and how individuals, businesses and our industry moves forward is still a topic of much discussion,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Being a business owner himself, Mr O’Rourke said that the events of the last 12 months have impacted us all differently and some have fared better than others.
“We’ve been very fortunate to experience growth across our company on a national scale through the COVID-19 pandemic, in part due to the critical role that construction has in stabilising our economy. We see Constructive Conversations a way to not only learn and prepare for 2021, but it was an opportunity to bring our industry together to celebrate a fresh year,” he said.
Brisbane @ The Grove
On Thursday 11 February, around 100 industry guests joined Rork Projects at The Grove in Brisbane's CBD for the first event in the Constructive Conversations series.
John Paul Janke led a fascinating discussion between Paralympian Geoff Trappett OAM, NRL Commissioner Kate Jones and Knight Frank's National Head of Workplace Claire Moran about the future of work and workplaces in 2021 and beyond.
The trio shared their insights about how we have an opportunity to make radical change to the format of a traditional workplace and abolishing our idea of “nine to five”. That opportunity also comes with risks, and the risk of further isolating our colleagues that need face to face interaction.
Canberra @ The Boat House
As the sun set over Lake Burley Griffin on Thursday 25 February, Rork Projects hosted clients and colleagues at The Boat House for more Constructive Conversations.
Petra Oswald from the ACT Government Land Agency, TSA Management's Dr Therese Flapper and Canberra Raiders star Ryan James shared their perspectives on the future for Canberra and how the gift of open space and city planning has positioned the ACT to move forward as leaders on our nation's path to economic prosperity.
Sydney @ The Ivy Sunroom
On Wednesday 3 March, Rork Projects hosted industry guests at The Ivy Sunroom for an insightful discussion between three of our industry leaders on the future of workspaces and the need to rethink how we use our city spaces.
Safe, regenerative and resilient were how our panel of Mirvac's Paul Edwards, Sydney's Deputy Mayor Cr Jess Scully and HASSELL Principal Domino Risch described their vision for Sydney; with much discussion around exploring new models of working - from a 'hub and spoke' approach to more shared spaces, in what Domino called the 'Club House' model.
Melbourne @ Alto Event Space
Rork Projects' Melbourne industry colleagues enjoyed an evening of ideas, thoughts and commentary from three influential thought leaders at the final Constructive Conversations event on Thursday 18 March.
National Basketball League Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger, Data Scientist Jegar Pitchforth and KPMG Australia's Glen Brennan opened up about the challenges their industries and workplaces have faced over the last 12 months and the opportunities that we have moving forward; especially how we can use tangible data to inform our decisions.