03/02/2023
STARTING 2023 WITH A BANG!!!!
What a way to start the year!!!!!
On Tuesday 31st January, our third lot of international labourers arrived in Brisbane.
Their connecting flight via: Port Moresby, a 6.5hr lay over, they were scheduled to arrive in Brisbane International Airport at 4.35pm. However, with one of the labourers forgetting he had 3 bananas in his bag that he did not declare, he got a hefty fine and a long delay in customs, and we finally left the airport at 6.45pm.
Please welcome our new international labourers: Michael Iwayan, Gimmie Suarez and the youngest of the three, Clarence Navarro.
I took with me, Joy Mugao (came with the second lot) as he is good friends with Gimmie. It was a great scene to watch them embrace, and I could see how happy Joy was to see him, it made him feel closer to home.
There was no time to waste as these boys were very eager to start work. Wednesday 1st Feb, we spent the day setting them up, with their Bank Account, Tax file number, Health Insurance etc, and also introducing them to the team here at Head Office and Brisbane South Branch along with the Steel Yard. They then attended their White Card Course that was held here in Head Office on Thursday, and their training officially commenced today with their trainer Anton, and their Basic Scaffold Ticket course booked and confirmed for 21st Feb. (it is all happening!!)
It is a warm feeling, seeing all (now 8) international workers talking about their families and where they are from back in the Philippines, and for the guys that have already been here since last year August, it gave them some form of comfort as they felt closer to their families with the new lot that has arrived.
Not only the international labourers as our good news, but we also have Charles Landeta back with the STAR Team and is now managing the Brisbane North Branch. Charles commenced back with STAR on the 9th January, and it almost feels like HE NEVER LEFT 😊 Brisbane North Branch being under the management of Tony Rogers has grown, and I believe although the staff in Brisbane North will miss Tony (Tony is now the Branch Manager of Sunshine Coast) they are also looking forward to work under Charles guidance and making their branch stronger and assisting in the growth of our business. In saying this, I believe Dave is also happy to have Tony join his team, as the Branch Manager position for Sunshine Coast has been vacant where Dave stepped in to assist (which we are very grateful for)
The year of 2023 is starting off strong and I believe it will get even busier throughout the year.
Welcome to our Star Scaffolds team:
Michael Iwayan - Gimmie Suarez - Clarence Navarro
