Constructive Talk

In this special National Reconciliation Week episode of Constructive Talk, Wamarra Managing Director and proud Wiradjuri man Hayden Heta sits down with Symal Group team members to explore the impact of cultural awareness training and the role each of us can play in advancing reconciliation. The conversation reflects on the importance of understanding Australia's shared history, challenging ass...

This special episode of Constructive Talk is a deeply personal and powerful conversation marking the significance of Anzac Day. We speak with with Doug Baird OAM , father of Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG, to reflect on a life defined by humility, determination, and an unwavering commitment to others. From a talented young athlete with dreams of AFL, to an elite soldier in the Australian Army, Camer...

In this episode of Constructive Talk, host Daniel Carroll sits down with Alison Laing , Symal’s Chief People and Culture Officer, for an honest conversation about leadership, growth and supporting women in construction. Joining Symal at a pivotal stage of its growth journey, Alison shares how she sees her role at its core: building capability and managing risk, while protecting the culture and gen...

As we head into the busiest period of the year, safety matters more than ever. In this episode of Constructive Talk , host Daniel Carroll is joined by George Markelis , Amy O’Neill , and Michael Roberts to talk about what makes the end of year so challenging on site — and what we can all do to stay focused. The team explores the pressures that come with the end of the year: tighter programs, fatig...

Daniel Carroll sits down with former submariner and social procurement advocate Joe Piasecki , alongside Symal Group Defence Manager Rhys Hannan , for a timely and grounded conversation ahead of Remembrance Day. Together they unpack what the day truly means, why veterans need recognition all year round and not just on 11 November, and how Symal is building stronger pathways to support contemporary...

In this episode of Constructive Talk, host Daniel Carroll sits down with Sarah Tozer , General Manager VIC/TAS/SA Building at John Holland, to talk about leadership, resilience, and the emotional reality of working in one of Australia’s toughest industries. From her early years as one of the few women on site to leading some of the country’s most complex infrastructure projects, Sarah shares an ho...

In this episode of Constructive Talk , host Daniel Carroll sits down with Joe Williams — former NRL player, champion boxer and founder of The Enemy Within — for an honest and powerful conversation about mental health, resilience and the journey to self-discovery. From growing up as a young footy prodigy in Wagga to navigating the pressures of professional sport, Joe shares the lessons learned from...

In this episode of Constructive Talk , host Daniel Carroll sits down with Ed Ross , co-founder of TradeMutt and TIACS , to talk about mateship, mental health, and how two tradies from rural Queensland are reshaping the way our industry connects. From growing up in outback Queensland to launching a movement that’s helping thousands of workers open up about mental health, Ed shares the journey behin...

In this episode of  Constructive Talk , host  Daniel Carroll  sits down with  Erik Locke , CEO of  Incolink , to explore one of the toughest conversations in our industry — mental health. Construction is an industry built on strength, endurance and teamwork — but behind the hard hats, many workers are struggling in silence. With suicide rates nearly  twice the national male average , it’s time to...