In this episode of The Downer Difference, we sit down with Michael Franks, Defence Sector Leader and recipient of the Downer Culture Champion Award. A proud Air Force veteran and golf enthusiast, Michael brings a unique perspective shaped by his military engineering background and his current role on the Downer Defence team, contributing to major projects like the Woomera redevelopment, Riverina, and Williamstown.

Michael shares powerful insights into what it takes to lead high-performing teams in complex, high-stakes environments. From making the tough calls to putting safety and accountability at the centre of everything we do, to building trust across business units - this episode is packed with lessons for leaders working in defence, infrastructure, and beyond.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

✔️ The role of culture in delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects

✔️ Translating customer needs into actionable delivery strategies

✔️ The value of cross-business collaboration and communication

✔️ Making courageous decisions to uphold safety and excellence

✔️ Why accountability and trust are essential for high performance

✔️ Lessons from military leadership applied in a corporate setting

This is a must-listen for project leaders, defence professionals, and anyone interested in driving a high-performance culture through clarity, courage, and collaboration.

Recommended book: The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do

Recommended song: Triple G

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In this episode of The Downer Difference, we speak with Jarred Rowland, Senior Project Manager at Downer Rail & Transit Systems, about his journey from the tools to becoming a senior leader, and how frontline experience has shaped his approach to safety, leadership, and culture change. Jarred shares a compelling case study from a high-risk project site where injury rates were too high, and how decisive leadership turned things around.

By empowering teams, redesigning communication systems, and creating safe pathways to speak up, Jarred and his team have shifted from reactive safety practices to a proactive, prevention-first mindset. This is a powerful conversation about accountability, transparency, and making safety everyone’s responsibility.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

✔️ How to empower teams to speak up and work to a shared standard

✔️ Creating safety rituals and reporting tools that actually work

✔️ Transitioning from reacting to incidents to proactively preventing them

✔️ Using feedback loops and town halls to drive culture change

✔️ Motivating teams through structure, recognition, and follow-through

✔️ What “The Downer Way” means in practice from culture to delivery

This episode is a must-listen for operational leaders, frontline managers, and anyone passionate about building a strong safety culture and empowering teams from the ground up.

Recommended book: Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

📺 Watch on YouTube: [YouTube Link]

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In this episode of The Downer Difference, we explore what makes good companies great and the hidden truths about the CIO role. Joining us is Nicola Dorling, Group CIO, Downer Digital, who shares her insights on business transformation, enabling delivery, and excellence as a pursuit. From her earlier role as a CFO to CIO at Downer, this is an entertaining and engaging conversation for those interested in developing high performing teams. 

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

✔️ How company’s reach high performance and avoid complacency 

✔️ The intersect between passion, profit and proficiency 

✔️ Change mindset and curiosity to tip a company from good to great

✔️ Excellence as a pursuit

✔️ Machine learning and AI applied to project delivery

✔️ Pushing yourself personally and professionally 

✔️ Data as a key to competitive advantage in business 

✔️ Ensuring everyone is laser focused on their role to enable high performance and deliver successfully

This is a must-listen for senior leaders, contract managers and anyone passionate about digital transformation for competitive advantage. 

Recommended books: Good to Great, Jim Collins

Recommended music artist: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye

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With oversight of more than 3 million tonnes of asphalt produced annually and responsibility for the procurement, supply, and production of over 300 million litres of bitumen products, George is a recognised expert in road construction and surfacing solutions. His deep industry knowledge and passion for sustainable infrastructure make this a must-listen conversation.

We explore what it takes to turn a great idea into a sustainable business, especially in traditional industries. From innovation and recycling to product adoption and building something that leaves a lasting legacy, George shares how Downer creates value through capability, culture, and care for the future.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

✔️ How to turn opportunities into successful, scalable products

✔️ The future of asphalt and the role of recycling in sustainable infrastructure

✔️ The importance of culture and shared language in a diverse organisation

✔️ Leaving a legacy through innovation and safety

This episode is essential listening for innovators, engineers, and leaders looking to transform legacy industries and create real, lasting impact.

Recommended book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

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In this episode of The Downer Difference, we deep dive into developing relationships with multinational partners to develop green transport corridors across the planet.

Joining us is Christian Douglas, Future Architecture Energy Lead at Downer, who shares his insights on solving complex energy transition problems in the aviation and maritime industries with French, Japanese and German partners. From his early career at Downer as a Graduate Engineer to developing new fuels for ships and planes, this is a fascinating conversation for those interested in new and emerging technologies.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

✔️ Downer’s Graduate Engineering Program and careers in energy transition

✔️ Designing a commercial-scale prototype plant to produce new eFuels for the maritime and aviation sectors

✔️ Hunting and eliminating carbon emissions across entire supply chains

✔️ Puzzling through the capability and tools needed to decarbonise businesses

✔️ Working in teams and respectfully challenging individual assumptions while developing new technology

✔️ Partnering with FACET: the Franco-Australia Centre for Energy Transition

This is a must-listen for leaders, graduate engineers, sustainability practitioners, contract managers, and anyone passionate about fostering a sustainable future.

Recommended books: Three Body Problem, Liu Cixin

Recommended music artist: Air

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In this episode of The Downer Difference, we dive into the critical elements of building and sustaining high-performing teams. Success isn’t just about strategy - it’s about owning the outcomes, fostering the right team dynamics, and creating an environment where people can thrive.

Joining us is Leo Triplik, who shares insights on what it takes to build and nurture a team that delivers consistent performance while attracting the next generation of talent. From celebrating victories (and failures) to finding the right people, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons for leaders at every level.

🎙️ In this episode, we explore:

✔️ The power of taking ownership and accountability in leadership

✔️ How team compatibility impacts performance and workplace culture

✔️ The role of personal connections in driving team success

✔️ Why celebrating wins and losses and learning from them is key to growth

✔️ Industry-based learning as a tool to attract and engage Gen Z talent

✔️ Strategies for identifying, securing, and nurturing top talent

This is a must-listen for leaders, contract managers, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about fostering a workplace where people feel empowered, engaged, and set up for success.

Recommended books: The Martian by Any Weir

Recommended song & music artist: Show must go on by Queen

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In this special International Women’s Day episode of The Downer Difference, we sit down with Emma Gamblin, Chair of EmpowHer - Downer’s first enterprise-wide employee network supporting women across the business.

Creating an inclusive workplace isn’t just the right thing to do, it drives better outcomes for our people, customers, and communities. In this conversation, Emma shares her insights on what it takes to build an organisation where women want to work, thrive, and stay, and how each of us, regardless of gender, can contribute to a more inclusive future.

In this episode, we explore:

✔️ The role of EmpowHer in supporting women across Downer

✔️ How male allies can actively support women in a traditionally male-dominated industry

✔️ Reverse discrimination - myths vs. reality

✔️ How to create a workplace where women thrive and feel valued

✔️ The importance of vulnerability, kindness, and bringing your whole self to work

✔️ Mentorship and advocacy and how leaders at every level can make a difference

This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about diversity, inclusion, and building a workplace where everyone’s voice is heard, and talent can shine at full volume.

📺 Watch on YouTube

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In this episode of The Downer Difference, we sat down with Peter Tompkins, Downer Group CEO, as he reflects on what The Downer Difference means to them and how it’s shaping Downer’s work.

This episode begins with a relaxed and intimate conversation, starting with book recommendations - perhaps a few you'll want to add to your own reading list - before diving into their favourite music artists.

We then explore:

• Unpacking common myths about the CEO role and the reality behind them
• The power of visible leadership and why it matters
• Mentors who’ve shaped Peter’s journey, daily habits & his definition of success
• Peter’s proudest achievements since stepping into the CEO role
• The origins of the Downer Difference and the inputs of people in shaping it
• What Downer’s culture means to him and how it’s driving performance
• The difference between a good leader vs great leader
• What it means to be an agile contractor and how it’s applied at Downer

Recommended books: Make your bed by William H. McRaven and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Kill_a_Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 

Recommended music artist: INXS

Don’t miss this engaging and insightful conversation that showcases how Downer is creating impact through their culture. 

📺 Watch on YouTube

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Welcome to The Downer Difference, the podcast inspired by the launch of Downer’s new culture, created to share the stories of our people and the impact they’re making shaping Downer’s success. 

Through engaging conversations, we dive into what makes Downer tick - from driving a high-performance culture to delivering remarkable outcomes for our customers and empowering communities to thrive by standing for each other.

In each episode, we’ll uncover:

• How The Downer Difference drives transformation and resilience.
• Insights from leaders on culture, innovation, and sustainability.
• Personal stories of achievements, lessons learned, and growth.

Whether you're part of the Downer team or simply curious about what makes a leading infrastructure and services provider excel, this is your backstage pass to the heart of Downer.

Tune in for inspiring conversations, practical takeaways, and a fresh perspective on creating impact through culture, collaboration, and care.

And for a fun twist, each episode features a book and song recommendation that reflect our guest’s perspective on the culture. 

This first season is co-produced by two of Downer’s own - Mhairi Donohoe, General Manager, Education, and Helene Toury, General Manager, Brand & Marketing. 

Tune in to be inspired, informed, and connected with the heart of Downer. Follow us now!

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