Our Values
Safety - Everybody goes home without harm at the end of the day
Sustainability - We act today with the future in mind
Relationships - Committed to creating and maintaining long-term relationships
People - We equip, inspire and empower our people to be their best
Creative - Creating solutions to meet our customer's needs
Excellence - Committed to getting it right the first time
Fair Return - Reward for all commensurate with the value delivered
Integrity - Honesty, respect and equitable treatment for all, without compromise
Garry's Story
Garry Staveley joined McConnell Dowell in December 2007 as Project Manager for the Rail, Civil & Marine Business Unit on a 457 visa from the UK.
The Big Decision
My wife Jess and I had made a decision to leave the UK some years ago but had never really had the courage to take the plunge. But one fateful day I came home from work and said to Jess that I had had enough and wanted to now take that plunge and go to New Zealand to live. After explaining my reasons to Jess (it may have been a frustrating day at work!) I forgot all about it. A few days later Jess suddenly said out of the blue that if we were to commit to moving that she would rather go to Australia due to the kinder weather. In her own words “she was not prepared to go that far and get as wet as she can in the UK”.
Jess and I have four boys together and I have a daughter from a previous relationship, so there was a lot to consider. Could we go to Australia and leave them, and the rest of our family in the UK? We discussed it with the families and had a mixed result. Much discussion later we finally decided that we would go!
We then did a lot of soul searching, research and homework on the possibilities of actually getting to Australia. The research showed how to get to Australia and the criteria we would need to meet with Immigration obligations. We found out about the 457 Visa and decided that this would be the most suitable.
In May 2007, I finally put my CV on the system and registered with several UK and Australian agencies. Very shortly after I was invited to attend an interview in London with a company called McConnell Dowell. This prompted us to do some research on the internet and found the McConnell Dowell website.
In mid August both Jess and I attended the interview, as we had both been invited to attend. The partners also play a big role in the overall decision to make this big move and this was new to both of us and insightful.
After a two hour interview, we both came out feeling very positive and were starting to think that our dreams may actually pan out for us.
A few weeks later we were contacted and it was confirmed that things had gone well and a position was offered to me; on this same day I was approached by two other companies in Australia and one in the UK offering interviews for new positions. These were duly declined as we had accepted the offer given by McConnell Dowell.
On a personal note
My eldest son “Jack” was due to start his exams in the May of 2008 which led us to make a hard decision, if the process was quick enough does he leave school there and then come to Australia and complete his education here or do I go earlier than the rest of the family and set up life without the family?
I came to Australia in early December 2007 leaving the family behind (something I would never do again).
The new Beginning
On my arrival into Melbourne I was greeted at the airport by a chauffer arranged by McConnell Dowell and driven to the booked temporary accommodation for some well earned sleep.
Priorities
Day One - I arranged to open a bank account, you will need this for when you commence work also. I had my 457 Visa officially stamped by The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and arranged to have my driving licence changed over to an Australian licence. This was all done very simply by taking my paperwork with me.
Accommodation
Jess and I both decided prior to me leaving the UK (and even though I am 10 thousand 500 miles from her I still obeyed) that I was to purchase a family home for us all and not rent. Well I have sourced our dream home close to the beach in a City called Frankston and moved in 5 weeks prior to the family coming to Australia.
The family, including a cat and dog will have a home to come to straight away and the kids will have their own rooms all freshly decorated.
There were a few hoops to go through obtaining permission from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) to buy the property and I could not get a mortgage of more that 80% of the house due to legislation but I found that help was at every part of the process from friends and some professionals.
My family will be joining me in July 2008 which will be a final step for our journey and the start of a new life. Life has been quiet without the family and to be honest I can’t wait till the four boys and dog are making their usual racket.
The company have already agreed to sponsor my Permanent Residency and the support from everybody has been second to none, I even returned home prior to Easter to assist with a recruitment drive and was able to spend the Easter break with my family.
Summary
On a finishing note can I say that if your intentions are to relocate to Australia for a life work balance and a change in lifestyle, you will not be disappointed. I was very pleased also in the manor that McConnell Dowell arranged our Visas and flights and would have no hesitation in recommending McConnell Dowell to any prospective person within the engineering construction industry wishing to apply for work in Australia.
Garry Staveley
Project Manager
Civil & Marine
Ph: +61 3 8805 5200
Email: garry.staveley@macdow.com.au