AS OUR MEMBERS PREPARE TO BUILD CANBERRA TO REALISE ITS FULL POTENTIAL THEY CAN BE REST ASSURED THAT THE MBA IS READY AND WILLING TO ASSIST THEM TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT, GRACIE FERREIRA
Canberra’s growing up and our buildings are being recognised on the national stage Canberra has come of age and turned from the relatively unknown Bush Capital to being named third best city in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. Those of us that live and work here have always known this to be the case – the only thing I find hard to believe is how on earth we came behind Detroit – really?
Congratulations should go to the ACT Government for having the vision required to transmute the city, and allowing it to mature into a truly international hub by detaching itself from the shadows of Melbourne and Sydney. Our city continues to evolve and I for one share the Chief Minister’s confidence and optimism and cannot wait to see what lies ahead. The Chief Minister says he wants buildings built that will win awards…well we are certainly building them! At the 2017 MBA National Awards, held in Hobart on November 25, four of our ACT residential builder members won awards. In this issue, Drewaire Constructions share their experience of attending the national awards. It would be an understatement to say that our members are ready and waiting to take on the challenge that Canberra’s new found fame might bring; be that the City to Lake Project, City Centre Renewal or the much talked about Convention Centre
redevelopment. My sincere congratulations go out to all the national winners. All the team at the MBA are truly very proud of you for embodying all that Masters Builders stands for. As you are all aware we have had some changes here at the MBA over the past few months. Since Kirk’s departure, we have decided to revisit what it is that our members want and need from their premier member association, and how we can best serve them in order to continue to grow their businesses. Kirk was a champion fighter for local jobs and local engagement and the government listened and Kate Lundy was appointed to the role of Local Industry Advocate. That was only one of the many causes taken up by Kirk that he fought with heart and soul and the board and I thank him for fighting the tough fights while CEO. After searching for a replacement the board was unanimous in its decision that the best person for the job was someone who knew the finer details of the organisation, and whom we believed to have the knowledge and skills required to take the MBA to the next phase. That person is Michael Hopkins who served as Deputy CEO for 2 ½ years under Kirks leadership. We welcome Michael to his new role and are very confident he will achieve beyond what is required of him. As our members prepare to build Canberra to realise its full potential they can be rest assured that the MBA is ready and willing to assist them to be the best they can be, and hopefully next year we can bring more National awards home to the Capital. Keep up the great work!
MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 4 2017
7
