On Friday 25 August, Master Builders Association held its Excellence in Building Awards at the NEX, Newcastle West. Close to 600 guests were entertained and appreciated the outstanding workmanship displayed within the region’s construction industry.

Over 150 entries were judged representing a combined value of work exceeding $240 million. This presented the experienced panel of judges with the enviable task of selecting the best of the best. The objective of the yearly Awards is to encourage, promote and recognise “Best Practice” in building and to establish benchmark projects for contractors to emulate. The entrants and winners set high standards whilst promoting public confidence in dealing with regional builders, architects and subcontractors.

 

Newcastle Master Builders President, Matthew Haines, congratulated all entrants for the quality of their projects. Mr. Haines acknowledged the significant contribution the industry and the Master Builders contribute to our region’s employment and wealth with over 25,000 workers and suppliers deriving an income from construction work. The projects on display were certainly a credit to the building skills and business experience of the region’s contractors and builders.

 

The commercial projects were of outstanding calibre. The commercial builder of the year, North Construction and Building, was rewarded for their challenging efforts in completing the Maitland Sportsground, North Wyong Medical Practice and Mount Hutton Opal Aged Care. It was a difficult choice for the judges when competing against projects of such high standard as Scratchley’s Restaurant (PDA Building), Scenic Head Office (Graph Builders), St. John’s Cathedral (Lyon Constructions), Go Kindy New Lambton (Mavid Construction), Christ Church Cathedral (Compton Projects) and Tighes Hill Substation (Gongues Constructions). All were worthy commercial winners.

 

North Construction was a stand out in the commercial building awards, picking up no less than six awards along with their Commercial Builder of Year gong.

Godbee Electrical were again recognised as the commercial subcontractor of the year for their outstanding work on a number of projects including Kinda Capers Toronto, John Hunter Hospital and Toronto Anglican care.

 

The residential awards also produced entries of exceptional build quality, exciting new products and improved sustainability and energy/water efficiency. The residential builder of the year, Pycon Homes and Construction, delivered high quality standards and finishes throughout a number of dwellings on the Mid North

Coast. To be recognised as the best residential builder against other notable category winners including Croese Building, McDonald Jones, Mavid Construction, Ferris Building, Graph Builders, Craig Marriot Building and Compass Additions was a memorable achievement. Evan Graham was judged to be the Master Builder’s Young Builder of the Year and collected the award for his astute business skills, attention to detail and superior safety systems. Automated Innovation was recognised as the Housing Subcontractor of the year for excellent trade work at Bar Beach and Merewether.

 

Apart from the exceptional projects on display, a notable highlight for the night were the awards presented to Rodney Hines, Mark Fernance and Mitchell Earl for their outstanding achievements as building apprentices. Mitchell Hill and John Brunette were awarded joint winners of the Construction Management University Graduate of the Year. Nicole Redmond from North Construction was recognized for her exceptional service to the industry through the Women in Building Recognition Award. Twenty two local award winners now progress to the National Master Builders Awards to be held in Hobart in November, where the regions previous winners have claimed significant recognition.