Celebrating 50 years of Ashburner Francis
Celebrating 50 years of Ashburner Francis
Today our Managing Director Brian Kenny, together with Directors Lara Harris, Toby Murdoch, Graham Heaslip, Wayne Benson and Paul McKenna are full of gratitude for the tenacious trio that founded Ashburner Francis. Andy Francis and Harry Ashburner, alongside Cliff Farmer took that leap of faith in Brisbane back in 1976.
“Creating a business from scratch takes courage, expertise and energy,” Brian Kenny says. “Andy, Harry and Cliff all had that in spades. It’s a legacy we’re humbled to build upon.”
Rewind to the seventies and Andy, Harry and Cliff quickly gathered loyal clients from within architecture offices, Government entities, and development/property management organisations. By the eighties, as the office grew, they welcomed the firm’s first female employee — a draftsperson by the name of Anna Dymalla.
Reflecting on the origins of Ashburner Francis’ workplace culture, current Director Lara Harris applauds the firm’s early emphasis on equity. “I’ve always felt welcome in this workplace, and it’s obvious Ashburner Francis has a long history of recruiting for merit over gender,” Lara says.
Embracing ‘new’ technology
The first fax machines and mobiles began to appear at Ashburner Francis HQ in the eighties. Personal Computers too were taking up residence on the desks of our engineers. Then in the nineties, the ‘world wide web’ was launched.
Around that time, Ashburner Francis became an early adopter of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to help expedite the design and documentation process for clients. Toby Murdoch, who now heads up the Brisbane office alongside Lara Harris, says being future-focused is firmly embedded in the firm’s DNA.
“We’re certainly carrying on that tradition of embracing new technologies and staying in step with emerging AI tools,” Toby says.
Overcoming challenges
Surviving the Global Financial Crisis in 2007 and navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic were among Ashburner Francis’ greatest challenges to date. “Disruptions to the design and delivery of building services were industry-wide, of course,” Brian Kenny says. “But we’re extremely proud of the way we continued to support our clients, collaborators and colleagues through this long period of instability.”
Looking ahead
Today, our clients have access to mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and energy services
— enabling Ashburner Francis to provide them with fully integrated design solutions.
Our team continues to grow, and in recent years we’ve welcomed an increasing number of graduates and early-career engineers.
In the coming months, we’ll be hosting 50th anniversary celebrations in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Townsville and Darwin. Watch this space for more details.
Meanwhile, for a deeper dive into Ashburner Francis’ history click here.
Want to discuss an upcoming hydraulic project with Paul and Joe? Reach out via hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Ashburner Francis hydraulic division snares new powerhouse Principal
Ashburner Francis hydraulic division snares new powerhouse Principal
The Ashburner Francis hydraulic design team, based in Brisbane, is delighted to welcome Joe Griffin to the role of Principal. Joe’s impressive background and experience spans more than two decades, including his most recent role as General Manager of a hydraulic consulting firm, leading hydraulic design teams for flagship residential tower developments, and large-scale industrial projects for food and beverage processing facilities. His expertise has also been sought for offshore projects including the upgrade of fire safety systems for an industrial facility in Papua New Guinea.
Joe’s significant hydraulics’ expertise is enhanced by his ten-years as a commercial plumber, predominantly in Australia and partially in the UK. According to Joe, this trade experience created a smooth transition to design. “My practical experience informs my design solutions; for example, my on-site installations experience helps me to identify issues early and visualise outcomes including how I integrate my work with mechanical and electrical services,” Joe says. He goes on to highlight that this streamlines the design process and helps avoid clashes during construction, or even worse, retrofitting afterwards.
Ashburner Franics Principal Joe Griffin with Director Paul McKenna (Photo ©Leonie Bolt)
Always looking for ways to create improvements and efficiencies, Joe has a keen interest in emerging technologies. Specifically, he is currently trialling new software that sizes and designs pipe work (in real time) as it’s being drawn. “Technology is dynamic and continuing to move quickly, including in hydraulics. Continuing to keep pace with industry tools and technology is vital to deliver innovative and effective outcomes for clients,” Joe says.
He’s also looking forward to developing the hydraulic team’s fire sprinkler expertise — and will work closely with Ashburner Francis’ mechanical team to make that happen. Meanwhile, Paul McKenna (an Ashburner Francis Director who heads up the hydraulic division) says Joe’s appointment marks a turning point for the firm.
“The expansion of our hydraulic team has been brought about by growing demand for our services,” Paul explains. “Joe’s significant experience and his combined trade-and-consultant expertise perfectly position him to take up the role of Principal and not only deliver clients exceptional service but also mentor our emerging talent here at Ashburner Francis.”
Rounding out Joe’s impressive career to date is his recognition from the Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia (AHSCA QLD Chapter) as a finalist for Hydraulic Consultant of the Year 2024 (Queensland) — an honour Paul McKenna has twice been awarded. Together, Paul and Joe will make a formidable team.
Want to discuss an upcoming hydraulic project with Paul and Joe? Reach out via hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Is engineering the problem child of the built environment?
Is engineering the problem child of the built environment?
Fun and creative. That’s how Ashburner Francis Electrical Engineer, and recent graduate, Rachel Anderson describes her profession. So if Rachel’s right, why aren’t more young women following her into careers in engineering?
According to stats from Engineers Australia in 2025, only 19% per cent of engineering graduates in Australia are women and an even smaller percentage, 16%, account for professional engineers1.
Rachel says “engineering degrees don’t necessarily turn into engineering careers” and laments that sometimes women can feel isolated and undervalued when entering the workforce. “Engineering has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, which can make women feel like outsiders once they enter the profession.”
Rachel’s colleague, Hydraulic Engineer Isabella Schettino, goes further: “Without strong support networks or role models, it can be easier to pivot into adjacent industries within the built environment, where perhaps your skills may feel more transferable and environments more inclusive.”
Ashburner Francis engineers Rachel Anderson, Isabella Schettino, Lara Harris (Director) and Samar Desouky (Photo ©Leonie Bolt)
Isabella doesn’t have to look far for the supports she believes are vital to propel her profession into a more equitable environment for young women. Ashburner Francis’ Lara Harris, a mechanical engineer and Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) expert, took up a Directorship at the firm in 2024.
Since then, the number of females applying for undergraduate and post-graduate roles at Ashburner Francis has more than doubled. And Lara says she’s buoyed by the upswing. “I believe having more diverse viewpoints around any design discussion can only lead to better outcomes,” Lara says.
“My mother showed me you don’t have to decide between a career and a family — and that nothing was off limits to me as a woman. It never occurred to me not to pursue engineering on the basis of any kind of real or imagined gender inequality.”
Lara has two young children and supports flexible work arrangements for parents and caregivers at Ashburner Francis. Samar Desouky, a mother of three, is one of the benefactors of that flexibility.
“Engineering is a demanding profession but it is possible to balance this career with other life commitments,” Samar explains. “Eradicating any unconscious bias in hiring and promotions will guarantee women equal opportunities to advance to top-tier roles in engineering,” she says.
Meanwhile, Isabella Schettino believes some myth busting is long overdue. “We need to dispel the myth that engineering is purely technical or solitary,” Isabella says. “In reality, it’s collaborative, creative and people-focused.”
Recent graduate Rachel Anderson, whose career has just begun, believes all engineers have a part to play in promoting the profession. “I don’t see myself as a role model in any grand sense but I do think visibility matters.
“I’m happy to share my experiences and I’ll be delighted if that helps even one young woman consider engineering as an achievable and worthwhile career.”
[1] https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/news-and-media/2025/07/engineering-has-evolved-so-must-way-we-talk-about-it
Interested in exploring work opportunities with us? Email your CV to hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Ashburner Francis expansion sparked by increasing demand across the country
Ashburner Francis expansion sparked by increasing demand across the country
Several new appointments and internal promotions have recently been announced across our Brisbane, Toowoomba and Darwin offices.
In Brisbane, Paul McKenna who heads up our hydraulic design team, has been promoted to Director. An award-winning hydraulic consultant, Paul draws upon more than 25 years of industry experience to deliver Ashburner Francis’ clients efficient and future-focused plumbing, sanitation, filtration, gas and wet fire services. Paul’s Directorship follows on from his colleagues Lara Harris and Toby Murdoch — both of whom were announced as Brisbane-based Directors in August 2024.
Also in Brisbane, we welcomed hydraulic engineer Isabella Schettino and electrical engineers Natalia Browne and Sukhin Ludher. Isabella, Natalia and Sukhin all have extensive local and international experience and look forward to leading design teams and mentoring emerging talent.
Natalia Browne, Sukhin Ludher, Isabella Schettino, Amer Osmani, Rachel Anderson, (seated) Sam Lilwall & Ben Horton (Photo ©Leonie Bolt)
Among that emerging talent pool at Ashburner Francis is electrical design drafter Amer Osmani and mechanical engineer undergraduate Sam Lilwall. Congratulations too to Rachel Anderson who recently completed her studies and is now an Ashburner Francis electrical engineer, after first joining our team as an undergraduate in 2022.
Further west, the Toowoomba office has welcomed senior electrical designer, Ben Horton — who brings to his role a combination of construction and design experience. Ben is joined by Sam Scott, a newly appointed electrical engineer, who has been with the team on a part-time basis since 2023.
Meanwhile in Darwin, long-serving Director Graham Heaslip was pleased to welcome electrical drafter Panupong Yuttapong to his growing team.
Ashburner Francis Managing Director Brian Kenny said the firm’s recent expansion shows no signs of slowing down.
“We’ve secured an incredible team of talented individuals and, as we head towards the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032, we look forward to remaining on this trajectory of growth.”
Banner photo features Ashburner Francis Directors Toby Murdoch, Paul McKenna and Lara Harris.
Interested in exploring work opportunities with us? Email your CV to hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Are multi-res developers paying too much for building services?
Are multi-res developers paying too much for building services?
Rising construction costs and recent hikes in pricing for electricity transformers, and other power distribution infrastructure, are all putting the squeeze on the feasibility of new multi-residential developments. But one of our Brisbane Directors, Toby Murdoch, says there are still ways to seek out cost efficiencies on new multi-residential apartment and townhouse developments.
Ashburner Francis Director and Electrical Engineering Manager Toby Murdoch believes power loads on some new developments are being over calculated.
“Precise calculations are critical,” Toby explains. “In some instances, those calculations can reveal that existing networks are actually sufficient to power a new multi-res or townhouse development without requiring a costly transformer and all the downstream infrastructure that comes with it.”
In addition to reviewing calculations, Toby says there are two strategies that could help developers further contain their costs. Firstly, he recommends engaging building-service engineers to undertake pre-feasibility studies — especially for multi-res apartment developments where space is at a premium.
(Portrait): Toby Murdoch, Ashburner Francis Director &
Electrical Engineering Manager (Photo ©Leonie Bolt)
(Background image) Photo by Tom PREJEANT on Unsplash
“Ideally, developers need to know how much space to allow for transformers, ahead of their design going to Council,” he says. “Unearthing these dimensions after your application has been lodged, can lead to the loss of valuable square footage (from proposed units or apartments) to accommodate transformers — and, of course, secondary applications to Council to seek approval for those redesigns.”
For developers looking for further cost-efficiencies, Toby’s second recommendation is to engage engineers that offer mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and ESD services all under one roof.
“Where possible, I always recommend an integrated approach to service design or, at least, a highly collaborative team of consultants,” Toby explains. “In the case of townhouse developments, working together to coordinate service routes can help minimise additional trenching (and other costly earthworks) as well as assisting in constraining costs for cabling from the point of supply to the final distribution boards within each townhouse.”
Banner photo by Emily Rose on Unsplash
If you’d like to find out more about our approach to building services for multi-res developments, please reach out via hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Powering the new-look Katherine High School
Powering the new-look Katherine High School
We were delighted to head up the building services’ design team for Katherine High School’s recently completed refurbishment. Located south of Darwin and featuring a fully refurbished Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) centre, our electrical engineering helped equip the new and refurbished spaces for future-focused learning.
The completion of the Katherine High School’s refurbishment marks a major milestone for our Darwin office, who joined the project team pre-COVID.
Led by Ashburner Francis Associate David Marek, our Darwin team was responsible for the design and documentation of all electrical services at the school’s two refurbished buildings — which now accommodate new General Learning Areas (GLAs), science labs, music rooms, art studios, a gallery, and a new communal stair presentation area. We also oversaw the work of sub-consultants, Building Services Group and Major Consultancy, who undertook all of the project’s mechanical and hydraulic engineering.
Ashburner Francis designed and documented electrical services including
Lighting and C-BUS lighting control systems
Power Dry fire
Communications Security CCTV
Access Control Public Address
Hearing Augmentation
Katherine High School – Image courtesy of Allen Story
A key consideration for the STEAM centre’s science labs was the inclusion of emergency buttons to instantly cut power if needed. Meanwhile, the refurbished buildings also required upgraded switchboards and communications racks, together with new cabling.
As part of the project, the existing Main Switchboard (MSB) was also upgraded to support the new refurbishments and future growth of the school. To make way for the new MSB — measuring over five metres wide — a door and wall were removed and replaced with new 2.4m double doors to provide easy access.
Ashburner Francis also designed and documented the new wall-mounted hearing augmentation systems throughout the learning spaces — to assist hearing-impaired students and educators.
Architects MODE (responsible for designing the projects’ interiors and exteriors) integrated linear LED strip lighting throughout the interiors. In line with their vision, we also designed a series of curved extrusions to complement the look and feel of each learning space and adjoining corridors.
MODE’s Associate Director, Joe Shanahan, praised the approach. “Ashburner Francis did a great job of designing custom lighting for feature bulkheads and recessed areas — the result integrates really well with our overall design.”
This latest project follows on from a series of earlier collaborations between MODE and Ashburner Francis. “This is one of the larger-scale projects we’ve done with Ashburner Francis in the Northern Territory and their performance was really good. I often recommend them for management of building services design —having that one point of contact, with the necessary expertise, makes my life a lot easier!”
This project expands upon Ashburner Francis’ and David Marek’s significant portfolio of work in the Darwin education sector. Among David’s long list of past projects are refurbishments for Darwin High School and Wulagi Primary School, additional facilities for Stuart Park Primary School and Girraween Primary School, as well as lighting upgrades for Charles Darwin Universities’ Casuarina and Palmerston campuses.
If you’d like to discuss an upcoming NT education project, please reach out to David on 08 8942 0585 or davidm@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Celebrating our workplace
Celebrating our workplace
Wonderful to bring together our teams from Darwin, Townsville, Toowoomba and Brisbane for a very special catch-up at our Brisbane HQ recently.
Thanks to Evocativ Mental Fitness for kicking off the day with a session on strategies for navigating personal and professional challenges.
Big thanks too to our very own Lara Harris (as seen at far left with Ashburner Francis’ Debbie Benn) for coordinating a fun outdoors event where we split into teams and raced around the city to locate hidden clues, before making our way back to the office.
We wrapped up the day by welcoming our families to join us for a relaxed dinner. All in all, a great day for celebrating our workplace — and each other.
The rise and rise of modular construction: Are building services ready to meet demand?
The rise and rise of modular construction: Are building services ready to meet demand?
No longer the exclusive domain of regional or remote projects, modular construction is now becoming de rigueur for city-based builds too. Read on to discover how the design of building services is being impacted by this changing of the guard.
Modular construction is enjoying soaring popularity. It’s a process whereby the majority of a project is realised off-site — often in large warehouse facilities — and then transported for final assembly on location.
Undertaking the bulk of construction in ‘controlled’ environments has the potential to deliver speedy results, and reduced labour costs, all without having to contend with unpredictable weather conditions and protracted site preparations.
No strangers to modular construction, we have been designing and documenting building services for these types of projects for over a decade. Formative projects include mining construction camps in Central and Western Queensland. More recently, our modular construction jobs have included a patient ward building for Hervey Bay Hospital and an administration building for Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane.
Ashburner Francis Mechanical Engineer Clint Walker says, no matter the location, one key consideration applies to all building services for modular construction. “When everything is modular, we have to design building services in compartments,” Clint explains. “It’s imperative that the interfaces between compartments will work as a system when they are connected on site.”
Furthermore, unlike traditional builds, modular construction projects tend to have low-pitched roofs.
“Modular buildings don’t have a lot of roof cavity to accommodate mechanical systems and infrastructure, so spatial coordination can really make or break a project!”
From Toowoomba to the Kimberley — modular construction fast tracks new school
Modular construction is now the ‘norm’ for projects located in regional or remote parts of the country. Ashburner Francis’ Toowoomba office recently designed and documented the electrical and mechanical components of the building services for a new school, built by Hutchinson Builders and located in the Kimberley.
The Manjali Studio School (developed via a partnership between the Bunuba community and Studio Schools of Australia) is a residential and teaching facility made up of 87 buildings constructed in Toowoomba and transported to the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges in Western Australia.
Ashburner Francis designed and documented all of the school’s communications and power reticulation (including solar modules for external lighting). Several other site-specific systems were also integrated. Lightning protection was essential, as the region is prone to storms during the wet season.
Given the region regularly experiences temps in the 40s, or higher, designing robust air-conditioning was also a key priority for the Ashburner Francis team. Low-maintenance units were selected, mindful of the school’s remote location in the event a repair or replacement may be required.
Over in the school’s community building, equipped with a commercial kitchen and exhaust system, dehumidification measures were designed to assist in countering humidity and to help protect the building’s indoor air quality.
Andrew Nolan, Senior Design Manager at Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba praised the expertise and meticulousness of Ashburner Francis, which played a crucial role in the success of the Manjali Studio School project, saying:
“The Toowoomba office of Ashburner Francis demonstrated a deep understanding of modular construction and the integration with site works necessary for a remote community. Their insights were invaluable in ensuring that the school’s building services could be easily constructed and assembled on site. I am eager to collaborate on similar projects with this highly capable team.”
Embarking upon or planning a modular construction project? The Ashburner Francis team welcomes your enquiry via hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au
Women working in engineering
Women working in engineering
Whilst of course gender equity should be prioritised year-round, ahead of International Women’s Day we asked some of our team members to explore what it means to be a woman working in the engineering industry in 2025.
What drew you to a career in engineering?
I’ve always been curious about how things work, especially when it comes to technology and electricity. Engineering seemed like the perfect way to turn that curiosity into something practical, whereby I could help design and improve the systems people use every day.
Neelima Kopuri, Graduate Electrical Engineer
My father is a builder so I’ve always had an interest in the built environment. This, combined with my love of science and mathematics, pointed me in the direction of engineering.
Lara Harris, Ashburner Francis Director
When you embarked on this career, did you have any preconceived ideas about gender equity in the industry? If so, were they confirmed or refuted when you entered the industry?
Anecdotally and with regards to my university experience — where only about 10% of my cohort was female — I had a sense that there was a lack of female representation within the industry. However, since joining the workforce, I’ve always felt very welcome and I’ve never experienced any inequality whatsoever. I’m also buoyed to see more women represented in leadership roles and Board positions too. These are very positive signs for the industry.
Rachel Anderson, Undergraduate Electrical Engineer
I came into engineering with the belief that it would be a merit-based profession and my experience has largely validated that. Qualified engineers have access to lots of opportunities and hiring decisions are generally based on qualifications. Whilst progress has been made in terms of gender-equity awareness and inclusivity, it’s important to acknowledge that this is an ongoing journey and continued efforts are crucial.
Samar Desouky, Mechanical Engineer
Is there one woman who has most inspired your career to date?
When I began considering my career path, I read Built: The hidden stories behind our structures. Author and structural engineer Roma Agrawal really inspired me, thanks to her curiosity about the built environment and her insights into how mathematics have paved the way for engineering innovations, such as the electric grid! My choice of career was heavily influenced by learning more about the transformational power of engineering.
Patricia Lane-Gessiri, Undergraduate Electrical Engineer
Last year, I heard a keynote by Jamila Gordon a global technology executive, who was born in Somalia and now resides in Australia. I was really inspired by her resilience in overcoming numerous challenges.
Samar Desouky, Mechanical Engineer
I’m inspired by our Director Lara Harris. It’s great to see her in a leadership position, advocating for everyone’s needs in a capable and compassionate way. She’s continuously encouraged me and helped me to feel more courageous and comfortable in my role.
Rachel Anderson, Undergraduate Electrical Engineer
When thinking about the building services industry, why is gender equity so important?
Without women in engineering, design decisions can become non-inclusive for a variety of stakeholders. We only have to look to crash-test dummies for an example. For decades, they were designed around a typical male proportion. Finally, when female proportions were introduced, several cars failed safety tests! It’s essential to have women well represented in the design process.
Rachel Anderson, Undergraduate Electrical Engineer
We design and construct spaces that are used by people of all genders. Therefore, it’s crucial that the professionals designing these spaces reflect that diversity.
Samar Desouky, Mechanical Engineer
What advice do you have for other women considering a career in engineering?
Go for it! Regardless of gender, if you have an interest in problem solving and the process of engineering, you will very likely have lots in common with all of your colleagues.
Lara Harris, Ashburner Francis Director (BRIS)
Do research to determine which part of the industry most interests you and be ready to take on challenges.
Patricia Lane-Gessiri, Undergraduate Electrical Engineer
Don’t let stereotypes stop you from going for it! Trust yourself, find good mentors and keep learning.
Neelima Kopuri, Graduate Electrical Engineer
Four promotions across two Ashburner Francis offices
Four promotions across two Ashburner Francis offices
Congratulations are in order at both our Brisbane and Toowoomba offices. In Brisbane, Michael Heaslip (pictured at far left) and John Tait have been promoted to Associates. Meanwhile in Toowoomba, Clinton Walker (pictured third from left) and John Kereczko will also each take on the new title of Associate.
Clinton is a mechanical engineer who joined Ashburner Francis in 2018. Since then, he has led the team’s design and documentation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) services. His colleague, John Kereczko is an electrical engineer who also brings trade experience to the team. A former electrician, John draws upon significant experience in electrical service connections, metering and power reticulation.
In Brisbane, Michael and John Tait’s promotions come after lengthy tenures with Ashburner Francis. Michael has notched up more than 12 years with the firm, whilst John has been with us for close to a decade. Both Michael and John have contributed to the success of a range of projects across multiple sectors including commercial, industrial and aged care facilities.
Ashburner Francis Managing Director Brian Kenny describes the promotions as well won: “Associates play an important role in delivering our clients timely, efficient and future-focused building services design,” Brian says. “Michael, Clinton, John Kereczko and John Tait are all valued team members with the necessary experience and professionalism to succeed as Associates.”
Want to connect with the newly appointed Associates and discuss your next project? They welcome your enquiry on hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au