There aren’t many construction jobs where a crane sparks genuine, cheering excitement. But at Ronald McDonald House, Westmead (RMHC GWS), delivered by FDC in 2017, it was a different story. On the days that the big cranes were scheduled to arrive, the FDC team would spread the word so children, many in the middle of critical treatments, could rush to enjoy the spectacle. These weren’t incidental moments, they were intentional. Small but meaningful ways of acknowledging who this project was for.

Situated a two-minute walk from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, RMHC GWS is a 60-room home-away-from home. It’s a respite for seriously ill kids and their families in a non-clinical environment, providing care, connection and support through some of life’s toughest moments.

From the very beginning it was clear RMHC GWS was more than just a complex construction project. It was a deeply personal commitment, and one that continues to resonate with the team who brought it to life.

One team, one purpose

“There was a real sense of shared purpose and a ‘one team’ mentality, which is unusual on a project of this size,” recalls FDC Senior Site Manager, Chris Edwards. “I’ve never been on a project like that, before or since, and it's hard to put into words just what it meant to us. Everybody got it, and everybody cared. Everyone understood the importance of what we were creating and wanted to do their best. I had two young children myself at the time and walking in there every day, seeing what all those families were going through, really hit home.”

“It was uplifting to see everyone from builders to architects, interior designers to subcontractors all pull in the same direction,” adds FDC Construction Manager, Shane Cevenini. “And for a lot of us, particularly those of us with kids, it was a real reality check around what’s important in life. We all felt that added responsibility to work together and create a place that was going to feel uplifting.”

That sense of responsibility and care translated into every element of delivery. “We wanted to help the charity by ensuring project costs were lowered wherever possible, ensuring the charity received maximum value from every dollar spent. We spoke with our suppliers and subcontractors, and the response was amazing. Our partners contributed in many ways, with the most obvious being through financial means and included completing works for discounted rates, completing works at cost (for no margin), and assisting with providing labour for minor adjustments requested by Ronald McDonald House, free of charge. In addition, so many of our subcontractors and suppliers joined us with making direct donations to the charity, which greatly contributed to the overall cause. The result achieved was incredible,” says FDC Senior Project Manager, Michael Badaoui.

Meaningful moments

The original Ronald McDonald House remained operational throughout construction, meaning children and families were often visible from the site, playing in the nearby playground or watching on from windows. “There was always something going on,” says Edwards, who recalls how the team worked to coordinate moments the children could enjoy, like the delivery of crane lifts. “We tried to keep the house up to date every week, so they knew what was coming up.”

Small acts of fun or thoughtfulness evolved into real-life connection between the FDC team and the families. And at Christmas, they found new ways to brings smiles and lift spirits. “The Houses’ Elf on the Shelf found its way to the top of the tower crane with our driver,” Edwards laughs. “We took a photo of the elf looking down on the old house and the kids loved that!”

Throughout construction, the FDC team regularly volunteered in RMH’s Meals from the Heart initiative, preparing, serving and sharing home-cooked meals with resident families. “We’d work a full day, then head over to the kitchen and have fun cooking as a team,” Edwards says. “Everyone was so appreciative. There’s a reward in that, a sense of happiness just helping out wherever you can.”

The legacy lives on

For FDC, the Ronald McDonald House, Westmead project has left a legacy, not only in the form of a vital facility, but in the relationships it has nurtured. The connections made throughout the project have lasted well beyond handover. FDC are now intertwined in the house and are regularly supporting whether it’s with facilities upgrades, working bees, Meals from the Heart volunteering and golf day sponsorships. Since 2020, FDC have been honoured to support the house in their annual 24-hour Gift a Night Appeal by serving as the dollar matching partner, contributing up to $150,000 each year. In 2022, FDC raised $433,629 for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Greater Western Sydney through its annual Melbourne Cup fundraiser, equivalent to 2,718 nights of accommodation for families in need.

Ronald McDonald House, Westmead was always going to be an extraordinary project. But perhaps one of the most telling examples of the culture of caring that defined it is something that happened right at the end of construction.

Adjacent to the house, there was a large unused area on the site. It was set to be left unused as it was previously, but the FDC team saw an opportunity. “We just said, what if we turfed it so the kids could play there?” Badaoui recalls. “There was no budget for it. But we knew it would bring value to the families, so we just did it.” The team covered the dirt with turf and created a welcoming outdoor space. “It wasn’t something we were asked to do,” adds Badaoui. “It was just something we felt was worth doing. And to see how happy the kids were with that, was really cool.”

Celebrating 35 Years + Counting.