COMMITTEE ROUND-UP
Get to know the Master Builders The building and construction industry is one of the most important sectors of the Victorian economy. It is the largest full-time employer in the state and enables the government to deliver important crucial infrastructure. Master Builders Victoria represents approximately 6500 members from across the building and construction industry. These include large and small builders, tradespeople across the domestic and commercial sector, apprentices, suppliers, and manufacturers. Our election process, run through the Australian Electoral Commission, helps ensure legitimate representation across the diverse sectors of our industry. Our five committees cover the key areas of Housing; Materials, Manufacturing and Supply; Specialist Contractor, General Contractor; and Country for our many regional members. The committee’s role in consulting and advising helps inform our board in its decision-making to deliver meaningful industry representation through effective engagement and feedback. Joining our sector committees are the first steps to joining our Board and Council of Management, where you can have more powers to manage affairs and decide policies. Our committees’ contribution to each meeting shapes how we work here at Master Builders Victoria, so please share your experiences and knowledge of working in our industry. Master Builder magazine contributor Leigh McClusky spoke to five of our current committee members to quiz them about their roles and what they enjoy about the position.
30 | Master Builders Victoria
Country Sector Group – Stuart Allen
General Contracting Sector Group - Michael Clemenger
While builders in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria share many similarities, there are specific challenges for MBV’s members operating outside of Greater Melbourne. According to Chairperson Stuart Allen, one of the biggest challenges for MBV’s regional community is the ongoing issue of a shortage of trades and labour. “It’s always been a bit of an issue with tradespeople being attracted to Melbourne because of the higher wages down there, and that’s one of the things that we find difficult to compete with,” he said. “That drain on the regional trade pool is hard enough at the best of times, but listening to our members, they’re telling us it’s become even harder during the pandemic and with the explosion of work that’s been around lately.” Mr Allen said the Country Sector Group is the first port of call for many regional members. “We get so many emails and messages when they have a query about everything from looking for information about building surveyors, warranty insurance, regulations, you name it, it’s the whole gamut that members come looking for help with,” he said. While COVID-19 has had many downsides, Mr Allen said the unexpected upside for his sector group had been the increased use of online communications. “Given we’re spread all over Victoria, getting together has sometimes been a challenge in the past,” he said. “But with everyone now able to jump into an online meeting, that has been one of the very few benefits of this pandemic.” According to Mr Allen, regional members value that while they might be largely out of sight, they appreciate knowing they have a regional voice, and their concerns are listened to. “We’re lucky in the regions that we get together and have events like golf days and trade days, and they’re important opportunities for us all to connect.”
Chairperson Michael Clemenger has been a member of the General Contracting Sector Group for more than a decade and says it plays an important role in representing commercial contractors’ views, ranging from small operators to large national commercial builders. “Master Builders as an association is only as good as the voices and input they’re getting from their members, so the various sector committees are a really important link between members and the organisation’s management and Board,” he said. “For all of us, the pandemic has been a major issue for the past 18 months or so. “The committee has played an important role in being able to provide real-time feedback about members’ concerns and queries in terms of what’s happening in the industry.” Mr Clemenger said safety notifications and updates from the regulator are an important part of the committee’s regular conversations. “We’re always looking at new issues that are coming up. Crystalline silica is a big issue for our members and us and an issue we’re keeping a close eye on now,” he said. According to Mr Clemenger, while managing COVID-19 has been a major challenge for the sector, managing the way back to normal will also be challenging. “We’re going to need to keep getting that feedback between members and MBV management about what are the new pinch points for us? What are the things that are bothering us, and what sort of support do we need?” he said. While being a member of a sector committee is a voluntary commitment, Mr Clemenger said he’s found it particularly fulfilling. “I’ve always taken the view that if you don’t do it, who will?” he said. “I see my involvement in the committee as me giving back to the industry that’s served me very well over several years.”
Volume 76 Issue 04
