Moloko Homes Building Dreams

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Building Dreams WITH GAVIN SMITH

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uilding your dream home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and with the right construction company, it can also be one of the most fun and exciting experiences of your whole life.

From buying the perfect plot of land to designing a floor plan you love, picking out the tiles and taps right through to selecting the colour scheme, when you build from scratch every element of your house is done just the way you like it and to your exact personal tastes – that’s what makes it so special.

There is no-one that understands this more than Gavin Smith, owner of leading construction company Moloko Homes, who has worked alongside countless first-home builders, many of whom he now calls friends. Born and bred in the Whitsundays, Gavin knows what it takes to build a quality house in the local region, he

www.corelife.com.au 36 36 www.corelife.com.au

also understands that in a small town like this, reputation is everything.

“Most of my clients, I remain friends with afterwards and we have a laugh – I enjoy that about the job. When you hand over the keys and they are so excited and grateful – it’s always a special moment,” he said.

Gavin started his career as a carpenter but soon ambition led him to explore the construction industry and he started out by building his own home from scratch – believing that there is no better way to learn than with first-hand experience.

After successfully completing his own home, Gavin discovered a passion and also a talent for building and it wasn’t long before he studied for his builders’ licence and, as a natural leader, decided to start his own construction business. In the beginning Gavin

operated Moloko Homes from a large shed in his back garden before expanding to an office at the 121 Business Centre in Cannonvale.

Flash forward 12 years, add in tonnes of grit, dedication and determination and Moloko Homes has now built its own commercial complex in Carlo Industrial Estate which opened last year in the height of COVID. The impressive complex houses a modern showroom for Moloko Homes as well as five other businesses.

Known for taking educated risks, Gavin is also the driving force behind a new and exciting land development opportunity in Parker Road, Cannonvale which boasts 67 lots of prime real estate. As developer, Gavin is working with an extended team to transform the land into liveable lots which are due to hit the market this month.

Building Dreams With the influx of southern seachangers arriving in the Whitsundays, Gavin has experienced a massive rise in demand over the past year. Despite this, he is determined to keep it small and only commit to what he can deliver in order to maintain the quality assurance and reputation Moloko Homes is known for.

local businesses that he has worked alongside for many years.

“We are trying to keep it all as small as we can to ensure quality control – smaller numbers but do a better job on them,” he said.

“There is never ever a problem, there is always a solution - there are so many ways of doing things – building should be a fun experience and that’s what we try to do here.”

“You can smash out 100 homes every year but if you’ve got a bad reputation at the end of it then what have you got? I’m here for the long-term, that’s what it’s all about – good service and quality assurance.”

With customer satisfaction being a top priority for Moloko Homes, Gavin ensures that every experience from the planning stages right through to handing over the keys and walking through the front door is streamlined, smooth and supportive.

Moloko Homes is unique in the fact that it directly employs 11 carpenters who construct each building from the ground up. Most builders would sub-contract this role but, having come from a carpentry background himself, Gavin understands this is the best way to ensure quality.

For the other elements of the build like plumbing, electrics and earthworks, Gavin employs trusted

“Most trades have been with me since the beginning so the homeowner gets a good back-up service because those trades rely on me as much as I rely on them,” he said.

With over 40 floor plans developed over 12 years, clients can choose from a selection of tried and tested local designs or create their own personalised design alongside a builder who understands the price and possibilities of all aspects and knows how to translate dreams into reality at the most reasonable rate.

“Anyone can bring a scribble on the back of a box if they want and we can draw it up for them,” said Gavin.

“If you’re looking for a block of land, I am happy to meet you out there, before you even purchase it, to make sure it’s going to be the right block of land for you. Otherwise, you’ll possibly buy a block of land and later you’ll realise it will cost $800,000 to build on it because it is on a sloping site. At least you can get that input from a builder before you’ve even started.”

Now at a place in his life where he values both family time and career diversification, Gavin has stepped away from the daily running of the business, leaving it in the capable hands of his fully trained staff while always being available when needed. His time is now split between spending quality time with his two children and launching the new development.

In his leisure time Gavin can be found fishing and boating with friends and family or bringing out the family motorbikes on his acreage property. He also loves a Sunday road bike ride with friends, often heading to the Proserpine Dam or Conway Beach.

Gavin also takes great pride in bringing his children along for the adventure, teaching them about the building and development business and giving them the opportunity to be part of every aspect of his life.

“My kids love coming into work and my son Benson loves the bulldozer!” he said.

“It teaches them so much, they get to meet so many different people and understand how it all works and ask questions.”

If you are looking for a trusted, local construction company that puts you first and guarantees a personalised and fun experience – build your house with Moloko today.

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Building Dreams

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A DEVELOPERS DREAM F

or the past six months Gavin and a small team have been working tirelessly, digging up dirt on a large development site at the end of Parker Road in Cannonvale. His mission to launch this exciting new subdivision has been under wraps for three years since he bought the site and finally, after a long and dedicated journey, Gavin is ready to not only launch the 67 lots of prime real estate but also announce a new and exciting career direction – becoming both builder and developer.

“While I am never a step away from home construction because I still love it, my personal focus is on the development,” said Gavin.

“I find it exciting and am really looking forward to getting people out on-site and showing them where the lots are – up market, with quality homes & large alotments” Investing in a multitude of heavy equipment, from dump trucks to excavators, bull dozers, graders, rollers, water tanks and more, Gavin and his team of three have spent months moving 20,000 cubic metres of dirt from the site and despite having another 12,000 cubic metres to go, they are thrilled to see the individual lots take shape.

The Parker Road development site had previously been planned to hold 150 aprox. lots, each one being 400 square metres but, following a consultation with surveyors, it was decided to change the site to just 67 lots allowing for larger land packages and increasing green areas to provide a more scenic backdrop. This will also put less pressure on the road network and create a more spacious neighbourhood layout.

After working with the town planners and surveyors, a process which began three years ago, Gavin began working closely with Scott Reid.

Initially the pair shovelled dirt together at the site and now they combine forces once again with Scott offering project management from his new consultation business, Locus Surveys.

Scott will look after the surveying components involved in the project such as civil construction and bulk earthworks positioning as well as the sewer lines and storm water drainage sites.

“It’s been wonderful being there right from the start, helping design the layout and following the process as well as being involved in building it and actually working the machinery,” said Scott.

“I look forward to being there right through to end of the project and fingers crossed I can even get to the point where I can live there!”

Also working closely with the development team is Veris, Engineer Reece Milburn and Rob Taylor, Principal at Taylors Property Specialists, who has been chosen to sell the sub-division blocks.

Machine Operator Cody Van Bergen has also been the man on the ground every day working with Gavin and Scott to remove the dirt and create the lots.

While other developers would outsource much of this work, Gavin has chosen to be on the ground, experiencing the project from its inception, never afraid to get his hands dirty and taking great pride in seeing the development unearthed before his eyes.

With water and sewerage now in-place, the next stage will be finishing the road network. In the meantime, the new sub-division is open for viewing and Gavin will be happy to personally escort you around the site and share in the vision of your dream home, which he can also help you build. www.corelife.com.au 39

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We Treat Every House Like It’s Our Own

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rom the moment you start your dream build, Office Manager Alicia Kelly will be by your side to ensure everything from drafting and engineering to contracts and design is done to your specifications. With a friendly, efficient, and approachable manner Alicia is the magic wand that whips your homebuild into shape before your eyes.

A qualified graphic designer by trade, Alicia has an eye for colour and design which has led naturally into interior design assistance at Moloko Homes.

“I discovered that I could still use my training in graphic design but apply it in a totally different way,” said Alicia.

“People have usually got a bit of an idea about what they want, and I just help guide them in that process.”

Once the initial contract is signed, Alicia will invite you to a four-hour colour consult where you will sit in a comfortable lounge within the modern showroom and choose all the elements that will then create your personalised home.

From the gutters to the roof tiles, the interior paint colour to the handles for the kitchen cabinets, all aspects are considered, and Alicia will gently guide you into creating a seamless blend that not only reflects your personality but also works together as a whole picture.

Standard items are included in your package while others may be considered extras and upgrades. Alicia finds that most clients wish to invest in a few speciality items and when this happens, they are simply added to the Builder-

Building Dreams

Trend app which outlines the price to ensure full transparency.

Building her own house through Moloko Homes two years ago, Alicia says there is no better endorsement than experiencing it yourself.

“Our quality of build and reputation is excellent, I am very proud of how we build our houses and our structural integrity,” said Alicia.

“We pride ourselves on customer service and treat every house like it’s our own. Building can be stressful, so we try and make it as simple and easy as possible. I do get a lot of feedback from clients saying they didn’t realise how easy this process can be.”

On the weekend Alicia can be found at her two-acre property in Strathdickie with her fiancé Jarod, their three lizards and two American Staffies. The couple are good friends with their neighbours and often spend time together having BBQs or bonfires.

Alicia’s Top Tip: •D uring the drafting process take into consideration the size of every room and measure them at home to ensure the space meets your needs.

•A lways take into consideration morning and afternoon sun and any views you would like when you’re sitting on your alfresco.

•M ake a list of “must haves” and a “wish list” for your home, this can include house plans and interior design.

•C reate a mood board for some inspiration and direction with colour pallets.

Making It Happen!

From the moment your plans are finalised, your new home will be in its construction phase and the friendly, efficient face that looks after everything from permits to ordering, updates to changes is Project Manager Takeisha Graham.

Currently studying a Bachelor of Business part-time, Takeisha majors in marketing and human resources, which she is looking forward to using as she progresses within the industry.

“I’ve always liked design and building, it’s something that’s always interested me, and I know I’ll be able to use my degree here as well – there is a lot of room here to grow here,” she said.

At just 19-years-old, Takeisha is a mature-minded and motivated individual who enjoys working with people to make their home-making dreams come true.

From rearranging, liaising between clients and contractors right through

to sending updates, Takeisha is the first face you’ll see as you walk into the showroom and the first voice you’ll hear when you ring with a query.

“It’s awesome helping people build their first home and knowing all the memories they are going to make there,” she said.

To keep clients up to date Takeisha uses an innovative Builder Trend App which allows her to upload photos of the progress of the build, so they see first-hand how it is developing.

Born and bred in the Whitsundays Takeisha currently lives on a 7 acre property in Woodwark and has plans to soon build a house of her own taking advantage of the building grants that are available.

In her spare time, Takeisha can be found playing netball on a Wednesday evening or out fishing and boating around the islands with friends. www.corelife.com.au 41

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Building Dreams

meet the

Back row L-R: Andrew Kronk, Mason Johnson, Arthur Whitton, Bronson Lee, Keith Tindall. Front row L-R: Harry Quod, Patrick Conen, Toby Ladynski, Harrison Sherrington.

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rom the foundations up, Moloko Homes understands that the most important part of any build is structural integrity and with quality assurance at the forefront of every job, the team of ten highly skilled carpenters construct every house with exact precision. Not only are they hard-working perfectionists, they are also a robust team built on the foundations of mateship, a strong work ethic and a united team culture.

Where many building companies outsource carpentry, owner of Moloko Homes and carpenter by trade Gavin Smith, decided to keep this part of the build in-house to guarantee his clients a smooth and sturdy operation.

Harry Quod Whitsunday local Harry has been with Moloko Homes for one year this month and has loved carpentry since he was a child. Now 28-years-old he is a first-time father to his six-month-old baby and is looking forward to building a house of his own next year. In his spare time Harry can be found playing lawn bowls, recently winning the B Grade 4’s competition at Airlie Beach Bowls Club.

Carpenters

“I love the consistency of work at Moloko and doing something different every week”

“You get to build stuff you didn’t realise you could and meet new blokes”

Mason Johnson

Harrison Sherrington

When Mason left school at 16, he went straight into an apprenticeship and has followed a career in carpentry ever since. Now 28-years-old, Mason has been with the company for four months and is looking forward to working on more projects as time goes on. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf at the Proserpine Golf Club on the weekends.

At just 18 years of age, Harrison is a second-year apprentice who says he prefers the practical trades more than academic education, making this an ideally suited career for him. Leaving school at 16, Harrison is the youngest guy in the team, and he has been welcomed into the fold by the old soldiers, who love mentoring him. Harrison says he loves the working environment and learning from people he admires.

“I love working with a good crew – it’s all good work”

Toby Ladynski Toby has been with Moloko Homes for four months and loves working in the building industry. Having left Proserpine State High School and pursued an apprenticeship in carpentry, he has the skills and knowledge to bring value to the team. A spring chicken at 22-years-old, he has found his dream job at Moloko, with time on the weekends to do even more of what he loves: going reef fishing with friends.

“The boys are really good and it’s a great working environment”

Arthur Whitton Arthur has been with Moloko Homes for five years and loves working outdoors. At 24-years-old, he enjoys having a laugh with friends and is known to spend his spare time riding a jet ski that doesn’t belong to him.

“It’s a good crew and a great place to work” www.corelife.com.au 43

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Building Dreams

When Experience Counts Andrew Kronk

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ne of the most experienced carpenters in the Whitsundays, Andrew Kronk has seen a lot of changes in the 35 years he has been a carpenter in the region.

Starting his apprenticeship locally when he was just 15 years old, Andrew always knew he wanted to work with his hands, and he has now crafted a reputation for being one of the most highly respected men in the industry.

From building million-dollar mansions on Hamilton Island to competing with the sloping sites of the Whitsunday’s hilly landscape, Andrew said that there is almost no terrain a good carpenter cannot conquer. Fortunately, over his extensive career, sloping sites have become rare and large, flat plots of land have become more popular.

“We now have flatter land to build on - when I did my apprenticeship it was all sloping sites, posts and bearers and poles,” he said.

“The development side of things over the last 30 years has been amazing with the land available now - people can do

so much with their land because it’s all on flat property.”

For the last eight years, Andrew took on a supervisor role at Moloko but has just taken a break from responsibilities, choosing to be supervisor Keith’s right hand man instead.

These days, he is the resident trouble-shooter, called to assist at different job sites whenever required.

“All of the projects are a pleasure to work on because of the group of people Gavin seems to have amassed,” said Andrew.

“Everyone gets along, even all the trades – the plumbers, electricians, everyone gets along really well with everyone else on all the job sites. I love working for Moloko Homes, it’s awesome!”

Andrew and his wife have a 12-year-old daughter and the family live on rural acreage with plenty of space to keep horses. In their spare time they enjoy going to horse-riding competitions where they camp and make friends with likeminded people.

Chief Liaison Keith Tindall

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ith a head for logistics and a character for bringing out the best working relationships, Moloko Home’s Supervisor Keith Tindall is responsible for ensuring all site works go ahead smoothly and efficiently by working closely with all trades on the job. From electricians to plumbers and of course his own team of carpenters, Keith liaises with everyone to schedule timelines to achieve goals as well as other duties such as organising jobs and materials.

go onto any job site, and we all have a good laugh,” he said.

This multi-faceted role is hands-on and hectic, but Keith loves the challenge and says it is made easier because he works alongside a great team.

Now with a new three-month-old addition to the family, Keith says that he loves spending time at home with his children and going out fishing with friends when he gets the opportunity.

“The crew all get along really well, I can

A country boy at heart, Keith grew-up on a 28,000 acre farm 100km south of Longreach. When he was 12, he was sent to a residential boarding house where he could study with his peers, returning home to his family every weekend. It was in Longreach that Keith met his Melbournian wife and the couple moved to Airlie Beach shortly after the birth of their daughter Harper.

Meet the Apprentice

A

fter four challenging years studying his craft within his apprenticeship at Moloko Homes, 23-year-old Patrick Conen has not only completed his training, he has also won the respect of his peers through his dedication and enthusiasm for the job.

Patrick says that it feels great to have finished the process and he would recommend becoming a carpenter to anyone who is good with their hands.

“Just give it a fair go, put in as much effort as you can,” he said when asked what advice he would give someone who is thinking about pursuing the same trade.

“I enjoy what I do so that always helps - if you don’t mind going to work, you’re winning!”

Owner of Moloko Homes, Gavin Smith, said that he’s extremely proud of Patrick and that he is one the best apprentices he’s seen.

“What I really like about Patrick is he has a really broad understanding of the entire building concept within all trades,” said Gavin.

“He’s very approachable and I think with his knowledge he will continue to learn and hopefully become a foreman or a builder in his own right.”

Patrick is a Whitsunday local and went to Proserpine State High School before starting his career in carpentry. He has just bought a house in Jubilee Pocket and on the weekend, he likes to head out on the water in his tinny for a fish with his partner and friends.

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Building Dreams

Meet Bronson W

ith a head for logistics and a skill-set for working with timber, Moloko Home’s head carpenter Bronson Lee looks after multiple builds across the region, overseeing everything from putting the walls up, building the trusses and of course constructing the roof.

A fourth-generation carpenter, Bronson spent his childhood working alongside his father and grandfather, building furniture and learning the principals of word work which would lead to a successful career in the building industry.

Managing a team of ten carpenters in a business that is due to build an impressive 35 houses this year, Bronson is certainly kept busy in his role. From allocating jobs to ensuring all his staff are working as efficiently as possible, Bronson oversees all the structural needs of every building.

“We’ve always got jobs pushing through,” said Bronson.

“It’s amazing how you start with just a pile of timber, and you end up with a house!”

“Smaller builders will struggle having multiple jobs on the go at once; that’s where we are successful, we are able to schedule different parts of the team to different jobs so things can still progress quickly. I think it’s a big advantage.”

Originally from Victoria, Bronson met his Whitsunday-born fiancé down south and the couple moved back up to the region four years ago with their two children who are now three and eight. The lifestyle change suits Bronson who says that despite the

With a passion for sport, Bronson can be found watching it in his spare time these days rather than playing. He also loves spending quality time with his family and, a bit of a pro in the kitchen, enjoys cooking-up a storm for friends and loved ones to enjoy.

“I loved seeing the finished product, from start to finish and knowing you’ve been involved in that,” said Bronson.

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A New Home

Building Dreams

Exactly How you Want It!

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hen Tayla Beck and her Fiancé Waylon McCarthy embarked on the mammoth task of building their first home, they both felt nervous and uncertain about the project.

Fortunately, they needn’t have worried because the couple’s experience when building with Moloko Homes was one of the most exciting experiences of their lives. Not only was it smooth and straightforward it was also a lot of fun.

“It was honestly one of the best experiences we’ve ever had – they made it so easy!” said Tayla.

“Being first home-owners, you don’t know what to expect, you don’t know what’s coming next - they kept us updated and any changes or issues were sorted immediately.”

The personal connection and exceptional customer service made the couples experience even more special.

“We scheduled in a four-hour colour meeting with Alicia - you go through everything from your tiles to your colours, down to your handles on the kitchen cupboards, the wall paint – everything in your

house you run through with Alicia and she’s amazing,” said Tayla.

“She’ll match everything to make it perfect – she’ll have an idea of what you want after talking to you and then if you pick something that’s a bit different, she can suggest something similar that would go with everything else.”

During the build, Tayla and Waylon were able to keep updated with the progress by booking an appointment where they were personally accompanied around the construction site. They also downloaded the Builder Trent app which was regularly updated with images and other details relating to the build.

Construction started in October 2020 and by April 2021 the couple had the keys and moved into their brand-new home.

“I’d recommend building with Moloko to anyone, if we ever built another house, we would go back to them for sure,” said Tayla.

“When you have a new home there’s nothing to fix and it’s exactly how you want it. You can customise the house, you can change it around, you can do whatever you want to make it special – and it’s all yours!”

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CONGRATULATIONS

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Building Dreams

A Fresh Design For Whitsunday Dream Living

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aving spent most of their lives living in apartments in Sydney, Brad and Katrina Smith along with their son Jack, were looking forward to living in a house with a garden and a pool, where they could create a sanctuary of outdoor living and a seamless transition between indoor spaces.

The family moved to the Whitsundays in January 2020, just before the COVID pandemic prompted many other southerners to do the same. Ahead of the trend in many ways, they started looking to buy a house but when the $30,000 government grant for home builders came into play, decided to embark on a journey that saw them design their own house from scratch with the help of the team at Moloko Homes.

Selecting a plot that was located off the street on a prime piece of land in Cannonvale, the location of their new home offered a unique side-garden layout which meant there were no rules and they could break the mould to create the house of their dreams where every aspect was designed to their exact tastes and specifications.

“What was really important to us was having that

indoor outdoor living,” said Katrina “We found that we always sat out on the balcony, sunrise and sunset, having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and playing cards – to have that was really a big focus for us.

“We changed the design a number of times with the help of Alicia, she was really good and the more time we spent with her, she got a sense of where we were coming from and the feel for what we were looking for.”

With over 40 floor plans in their catalogue, Moloko Homes not only provides set plans, but they also have the experience and knowledge to work with their clients, drawing on inspiration across floorplans to create unique concepts for individual homes.

During the build, Brad said they would often be invited down to the construction site so they could offer feedback, hear suggestions and see the progress first-hand.

“The carpenter would call us up and say, ‘hey, come down to the house, we just want to run an idea passed you’,” said Brad.

“We saw the value in being consultative and I think we’ve got a better product because of it.

“For our son to see the place come from dirt to what it is now – his mind is blown! – he’ll never look at a house the same way again. For him to be able to see what’s in the walls and how the roof goes on – it’s a really good experience for kids.”

The Smith family started the consultation phase of the build in June last year and construction began in September. They received the keys this June and were extremely pleased with the entire process.

“We love our spaces! We got the keys on the Wednesday at 2pm and we had the van packed with the mattresses and the fridge by 6pm and we moved in – we couldn’t wait to move in here!” said Katrina.

“Gavin has been here so long, and he has obviously developed the relationships with the people he wants to work with – what goes on behind the scenes is a really well-oiled machine – very professional – we will definitely do it again one day!” www.corelife.com.au 49