FROM THE CEO AND PRESIDENT

Celebrating our industry’s

Welcome to the OctoberDecember issue of Master Builder – the official magazine of the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBV). This edition is packed with articles we hope you find of interest and value to you and your organisation.

We both hope you enjoy this latest edition of your member magazine.

Excellence in Housing Awards

In October, we held our annual Excellence in Housing Awards night at Crown Palladium in front of 800 guests to celebrate the best in the residential construction sector this year.

Everyone should feel very proud of the high-quality work of our members and the exceptional standards we uphold as Master Builders.

As President and CEO, it is a great pleasure to congratulate Coben Building Pty Ltd on winning the 2022 Master Builder of the Year - Residential for a stunning multi-unit development in Fenwick St, Kew.

This is a terrific achievement for the team and a well-deserved success.

Meanwhile, the Regional Builder of the Year – Residential was awarded to Virtue Homes for its work on a statement home in Traralgon.

A big well done to Virtue Homes.

And finally, the Young Builder of the Year – Residential award went to to Anthony Larne from Anthony Larne Constructions.

Congratulations, Anthony – everyone here at MBV is excited to support you on your continued journey in our wonderful industry.

Mario Biasin Scholarships

As part of raising awareness of the mental health issues in our industry, we presented two special scholarships at the Excellence in Housing Awards to honour the memory of the late Mario Biasin. and CEO of Metricon. Mario made an indelible contribution to the building and construction industry and strongly advocated for our sector.

Mario’s sad passing earlier this year has left an enormous void in our industry.

To honour Mario’s legacy, the Building and Construction Foundation, established by MBV in 2010, launched two special scholarships.

The Mario Biasin Leadership Scholarship, supported by Incolink, was awarded to Atrida Veseli.

Meanwhile, the Mario Biasin Career Advancement Scholarship, supported by Bunnings Trade Australia, was awarded to Kenneth Lim.

Congratulations to both of our deserving Scholarship recipients.

MBV is proud to support this initiative in partnership with the Building and Construction Foundation, Bunnings Trade Australia, and Incolink.

By continuing Mario’s legacy through awarding these scholarships, we can assist these deserving recipients in progressing their careers in our industry.

Look after your mental health

We can tell you, from personal experience, that the best gift you will ever give your loved ones is the chance to help you.

We urge all our members to remember that if you need help, crisis support is on hand, and can be found at: • Lifeline: (13 11 14 and lifeline.org.au) • The Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467 and suicidecallbackservice.org.au) • beyondblue (1300 22 4636 and beyondblue.org.au) • HALT (0409 756 274 and jeremy@halt.org.au)

• Any building and construction industry worker experiencing a crisis and needing immediate mental health support should call Incolink’s 24/7 helpline on 1300 000 129. Just know that you’re not alone.

MBV is here for you.

International Research Project

In late October and November, an MBVled delegation visited Europe, England, Canada and the United States as part of an international research project to support Victoria’s post-Covid building and construction industry.

The Australian-first study tour investigated emerging trends in alternative supply chains and materials, circular economy, net zero buildings, regulatory reform, and innovation in sustainable building practices, while examining best-practice skills, training, and migration.

The research project and study tour were extremely timely, given the multiple challenges impacting Victoria’s building and construction industry.

We know first-hand that many of our members are struggling with profitability while dealing with skills and labour shortages, ongoing material price increases, significant workplace stress, and mental health issues.

achievements

proved to be an invaluable investment into the confidence of Victoria’s building and construction industry and an opportunity to showcase Victoria to the world.

MBV has partnered with the Victorian Government and RMIT University to undertake this vital research.

Members can read more about the International Research Project in this magazine edition.

A final note from our president

As you may know, Rebecca recently announced that she is leaving MBV after four great years as our CEO.

Rebecca started as MBV CEO in January 2019, leading what can only be described as a journey of positive change for the organisation and led us through the COVID-19 period.

Rebecca’s early work underpinned the ongoing cultural change efforts that have provided a much-needed framework as we continually strive to improve value for our members.

This work has included hosting the first-ever International Women’s Day events in our organisation’s history and overseeing the implementation of a range of inaugural diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, including paid parental leave, gender affirmation leave, and domestic and family violence leave.

In recognition of her efforts in leading our organisation and industry through the COVID-19 crisis, Rebecca was inducted into the 2021 Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Rebecca has agreed to remain connected to MBV, and the broader building and construction industry, by accepting MBV’s nomination to be appointed as President of Incolink.

She is the first woman to be nominated to that position in the organisation’s 32-year history, which is another acknowledgment of MBV’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

While the MBV Board has accepted Rebecca’s resignation, we have been working with her on a succession plan, and a recruitment process will begin soon.

In the meantime, Michaela Lihou has been named as interim MBV CEO. service and efforts over the past four years and wishes her every success in the future.

Season’s greetings

At MBV, we value every one of our members, and we cannot express enough our gratitude for your ongoing support in what has been another challenging year.

It’s been fantastic working with you all in 2022, and our team looks forward to continuing to support you next year.

On behalf of the team at MBV, we send you season’s greetings and wish you a very happy New Year.

Please note that our offices will be closed from 5pm, Friday, December 23, 2022, until Sunday, January 8, 2023

In the meantime, have a wonderful break.

Mark Little, President, Master Builders Victoria

Rebecca Casson, CEO, Master Builders Victoria

For all general enquiries, phone Master Builders on (03) 9411 4555. Or you can contact our key services using the details on this page.

KEY CONTACTS

Master Builders Victoria CEO Rebecca Casson Master Builders Victoria Executive Team

Executive Director Strategy, Finance and Operations Michaela Lihou Executive Director Legal, Governance and Training Tristan Moseley Executive Director Policy, Membership, and Communication Megan Peacock Executive Director Advisory and Shared Services Giovanni A. Abelardo Director Finance Carly Hooke

Master Builders Victoria Directors

Director Marketing & Communications Gavriel Berkowitz Director Business Development & Sales Nat Molinaro Director Master Builders Training Institute Corrie Williams Director Advisory Sam Smith Director IT Phillip Harris Board of Management

President: Mark Little Deputy President: Geoff Purcell Treasurer: POSITION VACANT Immediate Past President: Richard Hansen Housing Sector Chairperson: Lisa Hollingsworth General Contracting Chairperson: Michael Clemenger Specialist Contractor Chairperson: Ashley Tonkin-Hill Country Sector Chairperson: Stuart Allen Materials, Manufacturers and Suppliers Sector Chairperson: Mark Phillips

Council of Management

President: Mark Little Deputy President: Geoff Purcell Treasurer: POSITION VACANT Immediate Past President: Richard Hansen Housing Sector Chairperson: Lisa Hollingsworth Housing Sector: Pasquale Garofalo General Contracting Sector Chairperson: Michael Clemenger General Contracting Sector: Dale Kennedy General Contractors Councillor: Ashley Levin Specialist Contractor Sector Chairperson: Ashley Tonkin-Hill Specialist Contractor Sector: Gregory Cole Country Sector Chairperson: Stuart Allen Country Sector: David Rowe Materials, Manufacturers and Suppliers Sector Chairperson: Mark Phillips Materials, Manufacturers and Suppliers Sector Councillor: Neil Grenfell

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Melbourne

332 Albert Street East Melbourne Victoria 3002 GPO Box 544 Melbourne Victoria 3001 Phone: (03) 9411 4555 Email: mbassist@mbav.com.au

Wodonga

35 Hovell Street Wodonga Victoria 3690 PO Box 700 Wodonga Victoria 3690 Phone: (03) 9411 8070 Email: membershipadmin@mbav.com.au