READERS’ RIDES
Readers’ Rides: In Focus
MEET THE BUILDER
Name:
MARIE GJORGIOSKI
Lives:
BRISBANE, QLD
Drives:
2021 D-MAX 4X4 X-TERRAIN
What do you love about your job? I’ve always been into building because of my husband’s family—and my own. We built our first house over 20 years ago! I did a lot of the design as a young 18-year-old and we planned to move in, but I got a corporate promotion to Sydney. We slept in the house for one night—camping! So we moved for work and it sold straight away. Since then we’ve always been in property whilst working corporate jobs. When did you become a full-time builder? Well, after my third child was born, I almost died. I developed a really rare condition called preeclampsia postpartum—all my organs were shutting down. And for a week I was fighting for my life. When you’re at that stage there’s a lot of self talk that pulls you through: You’re a mother, you’re a daughter, you’re a wife. But not once was it: you’re a National Account Manager. So I promised myself that if I made it, then I’d do what I really wanted to do. That’s some sea change. You just piled in? I started doing interior design and that led to building work. I had both support and skeptics saying they haven’t seen female builders. I didn’t care. I not only construct, I work with an idea about how people live in their spaces. That whole builder/designer— and probably mother—combination maybe helps with my end result. I am proud to say I recently won a Master Builders award for a renovation on a beautiful bay window for a family who wanted to extend their Queenslander. As well as being awarded the 2020 Master Builders Brisbane Women in Construction Award. Will your kids follow you into the trades? I think so! Maybe. They don’t let on much, but my Year 10 daughter has been doing
subject selection for next year, and in her aspirations she had ‘architect’ and ‘interior design’. I’d love a family business! So: why the D-MAX? I like the look of it, it’s got the power I need, and I love the back tray and cover. I love how inside it feels more car, less ute. Oh, and the wireless CarPlay has absolutely brought me up to the current century.
And you’re a camping family, too? We go bush and beach—Stradbroke is our latest—and we like non-powered, self-sufficient sites, preferably with 4WD-only access so there’s not too many people. And we’ve done trips up to Rubyvale, near Emerald, where my dad used to mine sapphires. I like going inland, my husband likes the water. So we often do one on the way out and the other on the way home.
For more of Marie’s award-winning work, visit www.marieg.com.au
max*d
9
