An afternoon of fun and friendly competition
Our teams at Slade Group believe problem solving, collaboration and a bit of fun are at the heart of a great workplace culture, so what better way to bring these to life than with our own version of The Amazing Race in Melbourne’s CBD!
While we toyed with an off-the-shelf activity run by an external provider, ultimately, our social committee and volunteer organisers put their heads together, formed a dedicated subcommittee, and created a bespoke experience tailored to our business. It was a mammoth task designing clever, cryptic challenges that required a diverse mix of skills and experience (like our people), but the effort certainly paid off.
The challenges required quick thinking, and trust in each other’s strengths, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines our workplace. The excitement of solving each clue and racing to the next checkpoint kept energy levels (and our steps) up, while the camaraderie and support within each team were inspiring to witness.
“What a fun and fantastic day it was, I haven’t laughed so much in a while! The clues were amazing… a great team exercise that got you thinking and planning, and I really enjoyed the outdoor activity.”
Rosie, TRANSEARCH Australia
It was clear that the enthusiasm was infectious, with teams embracing the challenge and throwing themselves into the adventure. A highlight for many was the chance to explore Melbourne in a new light.
“It was great discovering parts of Melbourne that I hadn’t noticed before, like Puss in Boots (hiding in plain sight outside the Manchester Unity building in Collins Street), as well as team building outside of the office.”
Fiona, Slade Group
The event was more than just a fun break from the usual office or WFH routine – it was a true team-building exercise. Even for those who helped organise the event, seeing their colleagues engage with such enthusiasm made it all worthwhile, and the joy of witnessing them bond outside their usual work setting was a testament to the event’s success.
“It was a great ice breaker from the normal day-to-day work and office environment. Really enjoyed seeing everyone in their team colours giving it a go and having so much fun and a laugh along the way.”
Tony, Slade Executive
“Loved organising it and seeing everyone giving it a go and having a bit of fun outside of their day-to-day environment!”
Susannah, Slade Executive
The competitive spirit was on full display, with bonus points available for selfies that included a cleverly positioned team mascot – everything from a plastic duck to an inflatable flamingo (don’t ask us where these props came from). The teams even came up with their own names based on their colours. Think Carla’s Ketchup Commandos (red), Streets Have No Name (blue) or Wild Roses (pink), and you’ll get the picture.
From sceptical faces at the start of the event to beaming smiles at the finish line – with lots of laughs along the way – our race delivered exactly what we hoped for: enjoyment, teamwork and shared memories, proving that events like this can bring everyone closer together.
Congratulations to the winning teams: Orange Juice Jammers (orange) and The Grape Escape (purple). A huge thank you to everyone who participated and to those who worked behind the scenes to bring this event to life. Our Amazing Race was more than just a fun day out – it was a celebration of the incredible people who make Slade Group such a great place to work.