WELCOMING NEW MASTER BUILDERS ACT LIFE MEMBER

Simon Butt

On 20 November 2023, Simon Butt was welcomed as the newest Master Builders ACT Life Member. Simon was President of Master Builders ACT from 2012 to 2013 and served on the MBA Australia Board in the same period. From 2015 to 2022, Simon was the MBA Australia President — the highest possible position that can be held in the Master Builders movement nationally.

During 37 years of working in construction and project management in Canberra, Simon worked his way from estimator, all the way up to chief executive officer of Manteena.

Simon’s strategic business skills, good governance and promotion of diversity shaped Manteena during his 34 years with the company. Simon became known for his success with challenging and demanding projects that were often ‘out of the ordinary’. Simon led the successful completion of a state-ofthe-art scientific research facility for the Australian Phenomics Facility as part of the John Curtin School of Medical Research. His ability to identify the key strategic approach and communicate the steps needed to bring projects to fruition have made him a standout leader.

Simon guided Manteena through a strong growth phase, building on their established reputation for professionalism, integrity, reliability and performance in a highly competitive market. This included overseeing Manteena’s expansion across Australia and into 31 other countries by responding to the needs of national clients and proactively structuring the company to seek international opportunities.

In 2016, Simon oversaw the successful restructure of Manteena’s trading operations into three entities covering the commercial, security and residential sectors.

Throughout his career, Simon has been a passionate advocate for the construction industry and, though he has recently retired from Manteena, he has maintained this foothold in the industry. He has continued his involvement as a valued Member at Master Builders ACT, an adjunct professor at the University of Canberra and a contributor at construction-based technology companies, as well as operating his small company ‘Future Ideas in Construction P/L’.

Master Builders ACT would like to extend a massive congratulations for all that Simon has accomplished on his journey to becoming a Master Builders ACT life member and all that he has yet to achieve.

Celebrating 30 Years with GRACIOUS HOMES

Gracious Homes, formerly known as Gracious Living Constructions, is a cherished local family-run company that was established in 1998 by current Director, Darren Goodwin. With five inhouse staff and a large group of longstanding subcontractors, Gracious Homes is a one-stop shop for all residential work.

As an integral part of the Canberra community for decades, the devoted team has built a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and delighted customers, as well as a leading position in the industry.

The team’s recent knockdown-rebuild stood out as a remarkable achievement that epitomised the seamless collaborations between the client and the team. These trusting relationships are a large part of what has earned Gracious Homes their great reputation. The entire design and build process for the knockdown-rebuild was expertly handled in-house. The team overcame the challenges posed by COVID-related disruptions and delivered an outstanding result of exceptional quality for the client.

One of the greatest indicators of success at Gracious Homes is the happiness of the client. The client was not just satisfied but extremely happy and thankful for the remarkable outcome. By working closely together, they were able to successfully control costs, embrace the client’s unique needs and ensure the best possible outcome for the family involved, leaving them with a lasting sense of satisfaction. The exceptional results achieved on this project truly reflect why Gracious Homes continues to thrive in the industry.

The team also strive to actively support the local community. For the last five years, Director Darren has passionately led the Royals Women’s rugby team as their coach. Over the last two decades, he has held a number of significant roles at the Canberra Royals, including serving as a player, coach, board member and president.

Gracious Homes’ unique approach to construction sets them apart. The team are anchored in their core values of customer satisfaction, integrity and unwavering commitment to quality. They offer practical solutions while maintaining excellence.

Congratulations, Gracious Homes.