Latest news with #JohnBaird
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Melbourne house built around tank seeks $3m sale
A house in Melbourne's northeast featuring a sunken lounge built around a 72,700-litre water tank is ready to make a splash with a $2.75m-$3m sale. The 6.88ha property at 255 Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Rd, Kangaroo Ground, is owned by former T2 Tea director Derek Muirhead and wife Lisa. The couple's five-bedroom abode was originally designed by the late acclaimed architect John Baird of Cuthbert and Partners. Wonga Park house featuring infinity pool, outdoor pizza oven, mountain views up for sale According to the architectural firm Built Heritage Pty Ltd's online Dictionary of Unsung Architects, Mr Baird's projects included several residences across Victoria, an arts and crafts centre at the Beaumaris North State School, a Beaumaris teahouse and the information centre at Newhaven, Phillip Island. Mr Baird established his own housing company, Fairweather Housing, specialising in energy- and cost-efficient kit homes that won industry acclaim including an Australian Design Award and National Energy Award during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1984, he published a book titled By Design: Changing Australian Houses. Barry Plant Eltham's Kathy Purcell said that the Kangaroo Ground house's sunken lounge, wrapped in stacked stone, features a curved wall that backs onto the water tank. The renovated abode also has raked cedar-lined ceilings, large windows, and polished concrete floors throughout the open-plan living and dining spaces. Stone finishes and black-coloured cabinetry are showcased in the kitchen. A wine cellar, gym, decks, an open pergola and a tennis court surrounded by landscaped gardens and bushland are among the other highlights. 'The views are spectacular especially the sunset vistas and Melbourne CBD views,' Ms Purcell said. 'One of my favourite features is the entrance to the home, you walk in to see a beautiful calming designer space and look down the hallway to see a glass-roofed area like an atrium with plants growing inside.' Visitors can access the home via automatic gates and a long driveway. Elsewhere, the outdoor area boasts a dam-fed irrigation system, chicken coop, four-vehicle carport, single garage and barn. Ms Purcell said the house would suit families wanting a retreat-like lifestyle, downsizers and buyers seeking a treechange. 'Kangaroo Ground is still an undiscovered area for Victoria, and is only 45 minutes from the CBD,' she added. The home is close to the Yarra River, park lands, wineries, shops, schools and restaurants.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Father and son identified as campers found dead at Isle Royale National Park
The two campers found dead at a remote campground at a Michigan national park last month have been identified as a father and son. Rangers found the two bodies at a backcountry campground at Isle Royale National Park on June 8, the National Park Service confirmed last month. Rangers used ground and aviation resources to recover the bodies from the campsite the following day. The two have been identified as John Baird, 60, and Bradley Baird, 30, from from Washtenaw County, Michigan, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune and local station KMSP. Park officials have still not revealed the official cause and manner of death as the investigation continues. Death certificates shared by Keweenaw County officials indicate Bradley was a self-employed writer while John was the division president for the insurance company AmeriTrust, KMSP reported. John was reportedly a military veteran before working in insurance, according to WLUC. USA TODAY has reached out to AmeriTrust for comment. Isle Royale National Park is a remote island cluster located in Lake Superior, Michigan, known for its distinctive ecology and wildlife. The wilderness park is only open six months out of the year and is exclusively accessible via ferry, boat or seaplane. In 2023, park ranger Christopher Amidon told USA TODAY the park is home for wolves and moose. "There's been a wolf-moose predator-prey research study going on for over 60 years on Isle Royale, the longest predator-prey relationship study in existence," Amidon previously told USA TODAY. "You have a really high likelihood of seeing moose while visiting Isle Royale, as opposed to wolves, which are incredibly secretive." Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Eve Chen, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 found dead at Isle Royale National Park identified as father, son
Calgary Herald
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
O'Toole, Ambrose, Baird and others call on Carney to take action against Iran
Article content The letter, sent by pro-Israel group Allies for a Strong Canada, urges Carney to take decisive action to counter Iran's 'malign influence' on the Middle East and broader global landscape. Article content Article content 'In light of Iran's persistent aggression, including its support for terrorist organizations and its attempts to undermine stability in the Middle East, we urge Canada to take a leadership role against it in the international community,' reads the letter. Article content Article content The letter calls for Carney to tighten sanctions on Iran's regime, root out Iranian agents operating on Canadian soil and bar fleeing Iranian officials from taking refuge inside the country. Article content Article content Signatories include former foreign affairs minister John Baird, Retired General Rick Hillier and ex-Conservative leaders Rona Ambrose and Erin O'Toole. It also includes former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell, former Alberta premier Jason Kenney and former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall. Article content Michael Westcott, the executive director of Allies for a Strong Canada, told National Post that the fight against Iran belongs to Canada as much as anyone else. Article content 'Whether it was the recent threats against (ex-justice minister) Irwin Cotler, or the shooting down of Flight PS752 that left 55 Canadians dead, Iran is bad for Canada and bad for the world,' said Westcott. Article content Article content Signatory Kaveh Shahrooz, a lawyer and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, said that Carney must acknowledge the existential threat Iran presents to ally Israel. Article content Article content 'It is important that Canada's government begin from the premise that Israel, like every other state, should have the right to firmly defend itself against continuous and credible threats to its very existence.' Article content 'While U.S. military action taken last night was designed to alleviate (a nuclear) threat, the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile. Stability in the region is a priority,' wrote Carney in a statement. Article content
National Post
24-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
O'Toole, Ambrose, Baird and others call on Carney to take action against Iran
OTTAWA — More than 250 prominent Canadians have signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to dial up the pressure against Iran. Article content The letter, sent by pro-Israel group Allies for a Strong Canada, urges Carney to take decisive action to counter Iran's 'malign influence' on the Middle East and broader global landscape. Article content 'In light of Iran's persistent aggression, including its support for terrorist organizations and its attempts to undermine stability in the Middle East, we urge Canada to take a leadership role against it in the international community,' reads the letter. Article content Article content The letter calls for Carney to tighten sanctions on Iran's regime, root out Iranian agents operating on Canadian soil and bar fleeing Iranian officials from taking refuge inside the country. Article content Signatories include former foreign affairs minister John Baird, Retired General Rick Hillier and ex-Conservative leaders Rona Ambrose and Erin O'Toole. It also includes former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell, former Alberta premier Jason Kenney and former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall. Michael Westcott, the executive director of Allies for a Strong Canada, told National Post that the fight against Iran belongs to Canada as much as anyone else. Article content 'Whether it was the recent threats against (ex-justice minister) Irwin Cotler, or the shooting down of Flight PS752 that left 55 Canadians dead, Iran is bad for Canada and bad for the world,' said Westcott. Article content Signatory Kaveh Shahrooz, a lawyer and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, said that Carney must acknowledge the existential threat Iran presents to ally Israel. Article content 'It is important that Canada's government begin from the premise that Israel, like every other state, should have the right to firmly defend itself against continuous and credible threats to its very existence.' Article content
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Board Appointment at Global Architecture and Engineering Firm NORR
TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Brian Gerstmar, President and Chief Executive Officer of NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm, announced the appointment of John Baird, Managing Director, UK to The NORR Group of Companies Board of Directors. "John's appointment strengthens our global leadership and opens new avenues for cross-regional innovation and excellence," said Gerstmar. "With more than 25 years in the industry, he has successfully guided our UK practice over challenging hurdles—including Brexit and the pandemic—while elevating our team's performance and helping clients navigate complexity in the built environment. His leadership brings valuable perspective to North America as we align our global best practices with local needs—particularly in sustainable and low-carbon design." "What excites me about this appointment is the strong alignment of vision and values across our clients, project teams and the firm," said Baird. "As an employee-owned firm, we share a deep commitment to holistic design thinking and making long-term positive impact within the built environment. We're now in a space where people, AI and digital design technologies coexist enhancing global collaboration among our designers, clients and project stakeholders. I am looking forward to providing insights and meaningful contributions to this evolving dialogue on a broader scale." The NORR UK practice has been a part of The NORR Group of Companies since 2010, adding character, scale and depth to the firm—ranging from heritage building refurbishments to new Passivhaus/Passive House designs. Under John's leadership, the team has successfully delivered a diverse range of projects—from distilleries and spaceports to complex healthcare facilities, net-zero carbon educational environments, and low-carbon energy generation centers. John's continued role as Managing Director in the UK ensures NORR retains strong leadership while expanding the reach of his insights to accelerate progress in both project performance and corporate social responsibility. The NORR Group of Companies Board of Directors (As at June 5, 2025) Peter Dubin - Chair & Vice President, RestaurantsJohn Baird - Managing Director, UKBrian Gerstmar - President & Chief Executive OfficerJonathan Hughes - Chief Operating OfficerAnthony Ricciuti - Executive Vice President, RetailVictor Smith - DirectorColin Soule - General Counsel & Corporate SecretaryJacqui Souter - Vice President, Human ResourcesRachel Turner-Lauck - Vice President, Operations About NORR NORR is an employee-owned, fully integrated A&E firm. Our professional team of 750 architects, engineers, planners and interior designers collaborate across 12 market sectors in Canada, the US, UK and UAE. Founded in 1938, we are integrators of design, technology and people, creating strategies and solutions to achieve common sustainable development goals. For more information:Visit our website Connect with us on LinkedIn View original content: SOURCE NORR View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
