Avandra’s first lap around the sun!
We are officially one year into business… and it has been and incredible journey, with just the right amount of adventure!
Honestly, when we started Avandra, we had a pretty simple goal – to build a business that we actually loved being part of. One that had clarity, strong foundations, great people, and work that genuinely excited us.
Twelve months on, we can say (with big smiles on our faces) – it has turned into exactly that!
Right from day one, we set ourselves up with a clear strategy. It gave us direction, helped us stay focused, and meant we could grow with purpose instead of just figuring things out as we went. Our strategy has been our anchor through everything, evolving as we brought new talent into the team.
We also put a lot of effort into building the right systems early. Not the most glamorous part of starting a business for anyone (except maybe Nic!), but absolutely one of the best decisions we made. Having everything integrated and working seamlessly in the background has meant we can spend our time where it really matters: With our clients and on the work we love.
And speaking of the work… what a highlight!
Over the past year, we have had the chance to win and deliver some fantastic projects right across Australia, including NSW, TAS, QLD, WA, and nationally. Every single one has brought something different, and we have loved getting stuck in.
A big part of that has been making the time to really get to know our clients, understanding what drives them, what challenges they are tackling, and what success looks like from their perspective. That connection makes all the difference to how we approach proposals and projects.
We have also built an amazing network of partners — people we genuinely respect and love working with. Having that ecosystem around us has made the journey even more rewarding.
And yes — we hit our financial targets in year one (we are pretty proud of that!). But if we are honest, the thing that stands out most is our team.
Avandra is our people.
This year we have grown an awesome team spanning Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane. Our team is smart, driven, supportive, and just genuinely great people to be around. We have built a culture where people trust each other, back each other, and enjoy turning up to work every day. That is something we definitely do not take for granted.
And the best part? We are just getting started!
Don’t just take it from us though, here is what the team has to say:
“What I enjoy most about Avandra is the supportive, talented team and the chance to work on a diverse range of meaningful projects. It's been a genuinely fun first year, and I'm proud to be part of such a great team.” - Santi Fracala
“I love working at Avandra because it truly lives its purpose, creating pathways for clients, communities, and each other. Our work is meaningful, but it’s the people that make it special. We support, challenge, and inspire one another and we genuinely have fun and love what we do, which makes every day rewarding.” - Cindy Williams
“I love working with the wonderful team at Avandra, because of the people-first approach – both to what we do and how we do it.” - Eleanor Chin Derix
We have also loved being part of the broader industry, getting involved with organisations like Transport Professionals Association and Engineers Australia Transport Australia Society, and contributing in ways that matter to us.
But if there’s one thing we will take away from our first year?
We have had a $h!tload of fun!
The kind of fun that comes from building something from the ground up, solving problems together, celebrating wins (big and small… especially the small!), and backing each other through whatever comes our way.
To our clients, partners, team, and community — THANK YOU for being part of our first year. We genuinely could not have done it without you.
Year One = Foundations set, direction clear
Year Two = Full speed ahead on the path we’ve created!
Nicole Vukic
Mary Haverland
Founding Directors, Avandra