Master Builders Victoria was established in 1875 by a group of distinguished builders intent on raising standards within the industry.
Since that time the organisation has grown to become a pre-eminent industry voice with members universally renowned for their reliability, skill and professionalism.
A broad based organisation, Master Builders services the needs of the entire industry, from residential to commercial and engineering businesses, principal contractors to subcontractors, tradies, manufacturers and suppliers.
We continually assist in developing the skills of our members by providing access to a wide range of services, an impressive degree of recognition, as well as representation to government and industry.
Master Builders are held to the highest industry standards. To become a Master Builder, members are required to undergo a series of stringent checks.
We strongly encourage those members with the necessary knowledge and experience to become a Registered Building Practitioner. Only those members with Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registration can call themselves a Master Builder.
A Master Builder is proud, respected and constantly developing their craft. They are self employed builders and building and construction companies. Master Builders are companies, big and small, residential and commercial, and subcontractors and have built many of the most well recognised buildings in Victoria.
A Master Builder is different from other builders. A Master Builder is highly regarded by consumers reflecting high standards and professionalism.
Is your builder a Master Builder?
"You’ve just got to support the organisation that you’re a member of. Support the system that supports you. I use all the Master Builders services. You always learn something from these meetings. I find it very useful."
- Sirous Kousari, Siemens Constructions
"We looked around and found that Master Builders with all of the history that they have and the benefits that they offer, was absolutely the right organisation for us to join."
- Sean Morley, CEO, Impresa House
"The support that I received during my time at Master Builders was above what I expected. The trainers were always willing to listen to any questions and the staff were always happy to assist."
- Vanessa Borg, Certificate IV in Building student
C J Henderson are a small boutique building company that pride themselves on retaining the highest standards of workmanship and flexibility through the construction period to ensure their clients get the end product they deserve. For their Jan Juc project, key considerations in construction had to be worked through to manage the multiple junctions between old and new, for a seamless transition and relationship.
The design documentation specified key alignments of rooflines, walls, pitching points and internal timber linings between old and new. A datum line was set up to carry the existing floor and roof levels through the building, while the ceiling was pitched exactly from this datum line with highlight glazing starting from the existing ceiling. The connection between the new garage and existing roofline had to be married, along with the courtyard and west elevation of the building.
An exercise in the bespoke and making difficult concepts effortless. All parts of the build required custom approaches. Materials used are a combination of block, blackbutt and Barestone (cement) sheeting. Topping slabs have been laid over an insulated structural slab, that has in-floor hydronic heating for comfort. Water tanks, drainage and retaining walls are concealed. Doors disappear into walls; windows are set flush and the ceiling rakes above. From the free-standing bath to the retractable flyscreens, all aspects of this custom build prioritise quality and longevity. Enormous commercial top hung glazing units glide effortlessly. Giant sheets of porcelain panel line the bathroom walls. Benchtops are rugged concrete Caesarstone.
The Rod Laver Arena refurbishment is a key part of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment, a three-stage masterplan project built over ten years. The critical decision was made to keep the arena open whilst construction occurred. Constructing in a live environment meant minimal impact on events held in the precinct and continued economic benefits from Melbourne Park events. The refurbishment of this icon included a new patron entry, reorientation of the arena entry, securing the loading dock, parking for up to 24 semi-trailers, upgrading and enlarging artist dressing rooms, introducing a large-scale restaurant experience and rooftop bar, increasing the rigging capacity for shows from 30t to 100t with a removable rigging system, converting the arena from full seating to concert mode in four hours with the introduction of 1200 retractable seats; and upgrading and making compliant critical safety aspects of the arena. The project was not without its challenges; however, Lendlease engaged with and supported the Stakeholder teams to achieve a fantastic outcome sports and concert fans will appreciate for years to come.
The facility is a single storey, steel framed, brick veneer construction with typical hospital finishes throughout, built upon a concrete slab on bored piers. Adjacent to the new building is a new carpark and landscaping. Construction of this facility occurred within an operational army barracks and with a coordinated proactive approach to the build no issues were incurred. Early works involved the removal and relocation of overhead power lines, and the removal and remediation of an existing underground storage tank. The slabs were poured over 4 sessions. This stage approach allowed for the electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic services rough to commence in the other stages. Some pours commenced as early as 3am to allow the concrete curing before the heat of an Albury/Wodonga summer day.
Our strategic imperatives guide everything we do:
Our empowered people and innovative systems deliver outstanding performance.
Our voice and leadership drive positive change.
Our members' and customers' success is our success.
Our communication and relationships deliver value.
The Master Builders executive team represents decades of dedication and experience working in corporate governance and operations.
Little Constructions Director Mark Little has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 25 years. He holds his...
Kane Constructions Director Geoff Purcell has worked in the building and construction industry for 25 years. He holds his position...
Sam has worked in the building and brick industry for 40 years. He’s held many positions within Boral and more recently with joint...
Richard has 24 years building industry experience in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore having started as a construction labourer in 1992....
Rebecca empowers the MBV team to lead a future-ready industry that builds a better world. Rebecca is an outstanding advocate for the...
Mell Leads the membership, communication, sponsorship, marketing and events teams. Mell inspires her team to put our members first...
Michaela leads the development of our corporate strategy and empowers our team to live and inspire MBV's values, and consistently strengthen...
Saeed leads the commercial teams, including the Master Builders Training Institute and Master Builders Building Services teams; he...
Tristan provides expert advice, guidance and direction to the CEO, Board and Council of Management on effective governance policies...
Master Builders has supported youth homelessness charity Kids Under Cover for more than 25 years. During that time our Board, executive team and members have supported events like the Cubby House Challenge, made donations and volunteered time. Our contribution was publicly acknowledged in 2003 when Master Builders was named a patron of Kids Under Cover.
Recognising the part we could play in effecting policy change for Kids Under Cover, Master Builders also lobbied for changes to the building planning regulations. In 2006 Kids Under Cover became exempt from building planning permits and in turn, benefited from a shorter construction lead-time.
Master Builders hosted the 2009 pilot Cubby House Challenge at the Building and Home Improvement Expo, allowing the charity to test the concept and create what has become a signature event for Kids Under Cover.
Our financial contribution has reached more than $50,000 but it is our lobbying, advice and advocacy that has been critical to the development of the charity. Without this, the team at Kids Under Cover say they would not have been able to deliver 450-plus studios and supported more than 3000 young people since they began.
Master Builders regularly contributes in a range of ways to a variety of other benevolent organisations. These include:
• Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
• Australia’s Biggest Game of Cricket
• SIDs Red Nose Day
• Charity Golf Days in Bendigo, Wodonga and Traralgon
• Sacred Heart Mission
Master Builders donated $5000 to the Sacred Heart Mission at the end of 2016, a lump sum of staff fundraising efforts throughout the year.
Every two days, an Australian builder or construction worker takes their own life. Furthermore, construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work and one in five Australian workers is likely to be experiencing a mental health issue at any one time – that figure rises to one in four among construction workers.
These confronting facts are both deeply disturbing and preventable. Our members have highlighted the importance of mental health in our industry and asked for our help, compelling us to recognise our place in that support network. As a large member organisation, we have a range of ‘touch points’ with builders, enabling us to open that imperative dialogue on mental health awareness.
In response, our OHS department has launched two mental health training courses, Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Workplace Training, plus Mental Health Toolbox meeting scripts. We have also featured a foreword by beyondblue chairman, Jeff Kennett, in our member magazine plus feature articles and builder profiles on the issue. Mental Health information has also been incorporated into our Trade Nights.
We hope that by providing information, training and opportunities for discussion, we can help address the over representation of our industry colleagues in mental health statistics.
For more information about how our OHS department can help you with mental health contact us on (03) 9411 4555.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Established in 2010, the Master Builders Foundation has been instrumental in nurturing the careers of young apprentices and those in the early stages of their careers in the building and construction industry. The Foundation has awarded over 110 scholarships, providing more than $230,000 of financial assistance for training and tools.
We look forward to continuing that support.
Please contact us to find out more about applying for a scholarship or making a tax-deductible donation to the Master Builders Foundation by emailing [email protected].
"If you have goals to go further in the industry, you may as well go for a scholarship because it will help you make that next step.”
"The $10,000 went a long way towards getting my license, otherwise it would have been hard to afford a diploma, get a good computer and software as an apprentice let alone get registered.”
Devin Grant, Granted Constructions (Foundation Scholarship winner 2013 and Master Builders Apprentice of the Year 2011)
Rebecca empowers the MBV team to lead a future-ready industry that builds a better world. Rebecca is an outstanding advocate for the interests of our members and industry in public and government forums, placing our members first - all the time, every time.
Mell Leads the membership, communication, sponsorship, marketing and events teams. Mell inspires her team to put our members first all the time, every time. Her team is committed to creating value for our members by delivering on our engagement and growth strategy through vibrant events, meaningful relationships, and connectivity with our member support teams.
Michaela leads the development of our corporate strategy and empowers our team to live and inspire MBV's values, and consistently strengthen our capabilities. Her customer-centric team adds value to our members and customers and helps them succeed through the provision of OHS, IR and Legal advisory services and solutions.
Saeed leads the commercial teams, including the Master Builders Training Institute and Master Builders Building Services teams; he also leads our IT and finance teams. Saeed's leadership approach means he challenges the status quo and adds value to our members by driving innovation and change.
Tristan provides expert advice, guidance and direction to the CEO, Board and Council of Management on effective governance policies and practices and compliance with all required legislation. The Chief Legal Counsel and Company Secretary monitors and ensures that policy and procedures are adhered to and is also responsible for overseeing the timely and quality preparation and distribution of Board and Council of Management agendas and papers. The Chief Legal Counsel is the Chief Legal Officer for MBV and has oversight over the provision of legal advice both internally as part of the in-house function and externally to members through the Legal Services Team.
Little Constructions Director Mark Little has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 25 years. He holds his position on the Council of Management through his involvement with the Country Sector Committee. Mark began Little Constructions in 2004. In 2015 Little Constructions built their first Display Home, catapulting them into prominence. Mark’s involvement with Master Builders goes back over 20 years. In 1997 Mark won numerous Master Builders awards including; Geelong Apprentice of the Year, Best Overall Apprentice in Carpentry for the Geelong region and the Florence M Taylor Medallion. And in 1998 he joined as a student member. He has been on the Committee of the Geelong Section and was one of only a handful of members to sit for 3 years as Chairperson. He has also done two stints on the Country Sector Committee. “Being on Committees and Boards enables me to give and receive accurate information on industry reforms,” Mark said. At Little Constructions, he manages a team of seven employees. Having worked on numerous challenging projects throughout his career, and maintaining the constant successful growth of his business, Mark is well equipped as a valuable member of the Master Builders Association of Victoria Council of Management.
Kane Constructions Director Geoff Purcell has worked in the building and construction industry for 25 years. He holds his position on the Board of Management as General Contractors Chair. “Joining the General Contractors Committee in 2015 has allowed me to receive and provide direct feedback to Master Builders and our industry peers,” he says. Geoff joined Kane Constructions in 1993. After delivering successful projects in Victoria, Geoff relocated to the Kane NSW branch in 2005 as Construction Manager before later becoming the NSW General Manager/Director in 2006 and then returning to Victoria in 2012. Geoff holds a Bachelor of Planning and Design, Bachelor of Building and Unlimited Commercial and Domestic Licences. At Kane, with his fellow directors, he manages a team of more than 400 people across all sectors of the industry. Having worked in managing and principal roles throughout his career, Geoff is well equipped to help govern and guide policy as a valuable member of the Master Builders Board of Management.
Sam has worked in the building and brick industry for 40 years. He’s held many positions within Boral and more recently with joint venture PGH Bricks. Sam helped launch Think Brick and the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation. Both these groups have now grown into National Associations very important to both masonry and the building industry. Sam has been on the Master Builders MM&S Committee a number of times over the past 20 years and has this year stepped up to join the Council of Management. “I want to give something back to the industry that I love and has been so good to me,” he said.
Richard has 24 years building industry experience in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore having started as a construction labourer in 1992. Richard won the AIB’s national Professional Excellence award in 2007 for project management of the K2 Apartments project. He now works as Victorian State Manager and as an Executive Director at Hansen Yuncken, a 100 year old national private builder. Richard is passionate about promoting the positive influence of the building industry and about the training and education of all its participants.
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