Ancient ceremony marks milestone in construction of state-of-the-art Sydney Business School

Ancient traditions are important, it seems, even for the enormous, no-nonsense John Holland Group, a company with an image more readily defined by hard hat, concrete pours, towering construction cranes and tight deadlines on multi-million-dollar projects.
Last year, the company invited a local Aboriginal elder to perform a smoking ceremony on the site of the University of Sydney Business School‘s new $250-million state-of-the-art facility in the Sydney suburb of Darlington.

A year on and John Holland Group has again turned to ancient tradition to ensure the successful completion of this vast undertaking know as the Abercrombie Precinct project.
Before an audience of hard-hat wearing workers, company managers and University of Sydney representatives, an evergreen tree from the Australian rainforest was hoisted six floors above the ground to the top level of the partly competed building.
This, the dignitaries were told, was a “Topping Out” ceremony, an ancient Scandinavian religious rite held when a construction reaches its highest point. The aim is to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced by the building work.
Following the raising of the tree, University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence and the Sydney Business School‘s Dean, Professor Greg Whitwell, were invited to make a gloved hand impression in wet cement for posterity.
“This is not just a building; it is an investment in the young people of Australia and the region,” said Dr Spence. “It is a building that will create opportunities.”
Professor Whitwell said the Abercrombie Precinct resulted from the hard work, creativity and imagination of a small army of people and would ultimately become an asset and a showcase for the entire university.
“This building will allow us to reach our potential as a world-class business school,” he said. “Most importantly, it will allow us to do what we have always done and that is making lives better.”
John Holland’s Project Director Adrian Mulhall admitted that the company had faced some challenges and would no doubt face further challenges before the project is completed in the middle of next year. “We have still got a lot of work to go but today is a day for celebration,” he said.
In keeping with ancient tradition, workers on the site were treated to a meal at the end of the Topping Out formalities. The tree, itself, will be transferred to the grounds of the nearby Darlington Public School.
The John Holland Group chose to “appease” the tree dwelling spirits with the Topping Out ceremony on the eve All Hallows’ Day, better known as Halloween, a time for remembering the dead including saints and martyrs—just a coincidence or perhaps another nod to tradition.

Business Leader Postgraduate Scholarships

The University of Sydney Business School is offering up to 20 scholarships for local and international students undertaking one of the eligible single master’s postgraduate coursework programs offered in semester 1, 2015. The scholarships are awarded on merit to the most outstanding applicant against the following selection criteria of academic achievement, leadership, ambassadorial potential and motivation to succeed in business in a socially responsible way. The scholarships will cover 50% of the tuition fees for up to 16 units of study, pending degree duration.
Semester 1, 2015 applications deadline: January 15, 2015
Sydney Business School is currently taking applications from students who will be commencing one of the eligible master’s degrees in semester 1, 2015.
Only candidates who are expected to commence study in one of the following degrees in semester 1, 2015 may apply for the Business Leader Postgraduate Scholarship:

• Master of Commerce
• Master of Professional Accounting
• Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
• Master of International Business
• Master of Logistics Management
• Master of Marketing
• Master of Transport Management
• Master of Management
• Master of Management (CEMS)

The scholarship covers 50% tuition fees and is tenable for 1.5 to 2 years full-time study. The tuition fee will be cleared following census dates (March 31 and August 31). The scholarship does not include airfares to Sydney, living expenses, study materials, text books, any ancillary fees (if applicable) or Overseas Student Health Cover each year.
The scholarship is competitive, by application and awarded on merit to the most outstanding applicant assessed against the following four selection criteria:

1. Prior academic achievement, which must include a prior university degree with an Australian-equivalent average of at least 75%
2. Leadership capability, with the successful applicant being required to demonstrate outstanding leadership potential in the business domain
3. Ambassadorial potential, including outstanding public and professional communication skills
4. Motivation to succeed in business in a socially responsible way by demonstrating a commitment to applying the learning offered in the chosen master’s program to making a positive difference to professional life and business practice

Apply to the University of Sydney Business School!

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For more information about this scholarship and to apply, and about Sydney Business School, please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Business Schools Admissions Officer Rachel Brady at rachel@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355.