Master Builders Association of 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, 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 also serves the public of Victoria by fostering best practice work standards and acting as an independent advisory service.
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
Geelong-based Larkin & Drought Builders created this cleverly-designed home. The concrete walls are the main feature of the home and have been carefully and neatly constructed. A salt and pepper finished concrete slab was poured over the hydronic heating. The joinery was made from American Oak veneer and sprayed in a clear satin finish, cupboards, doors and panels used throughout to match the ceiling linings. A custom brass pendant was designed and constructed to be the central piece above the dining area. Spotted Gum decking was laid around the pool and alfresco area. Kitchen benchtops were poured in place and then polished. Culcutta Marble splashbacks were used as a contrast and the theme was continued into the wet areas for benchtops.
The concrete walls are the main feature of the home and have been carefully and neatly constructed, the salt and pepper finished concrete slab was poured over the hydronic heating. The joinery was made from American oak veneer and sprayed in a clear satin finish, cupboards doors and panels were chosen to match the ceiling linings. Ceiling and wall linings are mitred and return up to the void height of 7m. A custom brass pendant was designed and constructed to be the central piece above the dining area. Spotted Gum decking was layed around the pool and alfresco area. Kitchen benchtops were poured in place and then polished. Culcutta Marble splashbacks were used as a contrast and the theme was continued into the wet areas for benchtops.
The exceptionally complex Cape Schanck Resort project was to be a benchmark of quality and required continual oversight from Kane Construction’s site management and project engineering team. The project presented a number of challenges and complexities. These included an extreme coastal and remote location exposed to wind and weather from the Bass Strait, sand dune-like soil conditions, neighbourhood tension and anti-development sentiment, complex curved structure and façade elements, curved internal walls and high-end bespoke finishes. These challenges highlight the significant accomplishment of the Kane team and its contractors in achieving a high-quality facility for RACV.
Rivergum is a secure 20-bed facility that provides short-term treatment for offenders on supervision orders. The facility includes 20 cottage-style units, administration buildings, a multi-faith chapel, recreational spaces, landscaping and supporting infrastructure. Designed by renowned architects, Guymer Bailey, the Rivergum features various forms, shapes and sizes of nature’s best building material spans across façade cladding, screens, structural elements, ceilings, window shades and reveals, and signage, which provides an ever-present patina that develops over time. Rivergum boasts an environmentally friendly design that features a 230kW solar PV system, German imported automated louvers with world-leading water penetration and air leakage qualities, as well as a geothermal heating and cooling system that uses natural thermal properties of in-ground water to maintain optimum internal temperatures.
Our strategic pillars help guide everything we do:
We aim to research, analyse and capture information that we can use and share with our colleagues and members. We are always following future trends and innovations and work towards continuous improvement.
We are a strong voice in industry round tables, working groups and committees, lobbying the government and guiding policy and regulation for our industry. Member Services: We provide advice and information, support and quality products to help our members work and develop their careers.
Our membership services are paramount to our core business. We provide advice, support and products to our full range of members from occupational health and safety and industrial relations advice through to training and builders registration advice. We also provide legal advice, awards programs and branded products and stationery plus so much more.
As a registered training organisation, we provide a range award winning training, leadership development and communications to our members.
We work towards maintaining and supporting our people and culture and strong, fair governance.
The Master Builders executive team represents decades of dedication and experience working in corporate governance and operations.
Richard has 24 years building industry experience in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore having started as a construction labourer in 1992....
Melanie is the first female president in Master Builders 141-year history. The honour comes with a great deal of pressure and responsibility...
Master Builders Board Member Steven Peluso has been pragmatic in his life and career. As Managing Director of Peluso Woods Group, and...
Aptum Managing Director Ian Hawkey has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 35 years. He holds his position...
Kane Constructions Director Geoff Purcell has worked in the building and construction industry for 25 years. He holds his position...
Richard has 24 years building industry experience in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore having started as a construction labourer in 1992....
Michael sits on the Board of Management as the chairperson of the General Contractors Committee. He is State Manager and Associate...
Melanie is the first female president in Master Builder’s 141-year history. The honour comes with a great deal of pressure and responsibility...
Master Builders Board Member Steven Peluso has been pragmatic in his life and career. As Managing Director of Peluso Woods Group, and...
Sam has worked in the building and brick industry for 40 years. He’s held many positions within Boral and more recently with joint...
Aptum Managing Director Ian Hawkey has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 35 years. He holds his position...
Kane Constructions Director Geoff Purcell has worked in the building and construction industry for 25 years. He holds his position...
Little Constructions Director Mark Little has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 25 years. He holds his...
Neil Grenfell takes great pride in his job and his role on the Master Builders Board of Management. As APA’s New Homes Representative...
Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd Victorian Director Ashley Tonkin-Hill has been in the ground and foundation industry for the past 34 years....
Rebecca leads our expert team in the provision of products and services to our members. She also advocates for the interests of our...
Viviana oversees the business operations of Master Builders Victoria. This includes leading the Executive Management team to provide...
Marc oversees compliance, risk and governance for the association. He is also responsible for support, maintenance and development...
Corrie provides oversight of the Master Builders Training Institute. This includes the areas of training (both RTO and BLSC), as well...
Tony leads the team responsible for the Commercial Operations of the Association and ensures that the member experience and customer...
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 foundation@mbav.com.au.
"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 leads our expert team in the provision of products and services to our members. She also advocates for the interests of our members and the industry in various public and government forums.
Viviana oversees the business operations of Master Builders Victoria. This includes leading the Executive Management team to provide the best services, products, training, and advocacy to our members.
Marc oversees compliance, risk and governance for the association. He is also responsible for support, maintenance and development of the associations information technology and communication platforms.
Corrie provides oversight of the Master Builders Training Institute. This includes the areas of training (both RTO and BLSC), as well as Careers and Builder Registration.
Tony leads the team responsible for the Commercial Operations of the Association and ensures that the member experience and customer service delivered is of the highest standard at all times.
This role oversees the IR, OHS and Legal Advisory teams. The role is also responsible for leading the corporate strategy and people and culture strategy for the organisation.
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.
Melanie is the first female president in Master Builders 141-year history. The honour comes with a great deal of pressure and responsibility and Melanie has handled the first part of her tenure with grace. Tactful, strategic words and behaviour have long been second nature to Melanie, having developed her early career as a chemical engineer working for a glass manufacturing company, a big corporate atmosphere where language was conservative and union walk-outs were commonplace. “I have been lucky to feel comfortable in any environment,” she said. Having worked in glass and plastics manufacturing and materials management, she eventually joined the family building business with her sister, Fasham Pty Ltd eleven years ago. At this time she had just completed a Diploma of Building. “I started working at the back end of the business, rewriting the purchasing system and doing sales estimating to see how all of that fits together with building a house,” she said. About four years ago, Melanie earned her DBU and soon put her hand up for Master Builders committee activity. Her father, Trevor, served as President from 1995-96. “I’m hoping that by having a female president that we can encourage more members – both men and women – to come forward to fulfil roles Master Builders presents on its committees.”
Master Builders Board Member Steven Peluso has been pragmatic in his life and career. As Managing Director of Peluso Woods Group, and Master Menders, he works closely along side his business partner Peter Woods. Under the Master Menders banner they provide building services to body corporate, commercial and industrial facilities managers and corporate insurers. Master Menders specialise in builder liquation, defect and incomplete works. They also build new homes, industrial, commercial fit outs and renovations, small bathrooms to large renovations, land subdivisions, and commercial and domestic unit developments. Steve started working in the building industry at a very young age doing framing but when work dried up, he took a job in car repairs. He later returned to working in the building industry, getting a carpentry apprenticeship working with some of Australia’s largest domestic builders as part of a framing crew for Henley Homes, Simonds and AV Jennings, just to name a few. After a scaffolding accident Steve decided he wanted to “get off the tools” and explore work in property management and development. Steve has been self employed since 1991 and over the past 22 years has developed both residential and commercial projects, mainly in Melbourne’s south east and broadened to insurance rectification works. Steve’s work with Master Builders as a committee and board member has allowed him to make connections and further develop his understanding of all facets of the building industry. “Being on the committee has given me an insight into building legislation changes and now being a board member provides me with an opportunity to be an advocate on the proposed industry changes on an intermediate level, promoting a more consistent and regulated industry that will continue to prosper,” Steve explains. Steve is a judge on the Master Builder awards committee. He is also a member of the Australian Waterproofing Association committee and on the Board of St Kilda Community Housing for the Homeless.
Aptum Managing Director Ian Hawkey has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 35 years. He holds his position on the Board of Management as Specialist Sector chairperson. Ian took charge of the earthworks, demolition and civil works business in 2012 (then known as G&M Aldridge). Ian’s involvement with Master Builders goes back more than 20 years as General Manager of CDL National Contracting Group and as a founding principal of HWM Contractors. He has done two stints as Specialist Sector chairperson and subsequently on the Council of Management and Board of Management. “Being on the Board and Committees you get a more direct feedback on industry changes,” he says. Ian is a qualified civil engineer and holds unlimited Commercial and Demolition licenses. At Aptum, he manages a team of more than 35 people. Having worked in managing and principal roles with a range of civil contractors throughout his career, Ian is well equipped to help govern and guide policy as a valuable member of the Master Builders Board 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.
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.
Michael sits on the Board of Management as the chairperson of the General Contractors Committee. He is State Manager and Associate Director of Cockram Construction, having joined the long standing Master Builders and commercial contractor in 1995. He brings a wealth of business and project coordination experience to his governance role at Master Builders.Michael has worked for Cockram Construction on overseas pharmaceutical projects in China and Puerto Rico, and their seconded services business in the United States. He played a leading role in the establishment of Leighs Cockram JV Ltd in New Zealand, a joint venture partnership between Cockram Construction and New Zealand builder Leighs Construction.He works on projects across a range of sectors including health and aged care, research and education, sport and defence. “I am passionate about leading, training and mentoring staff to allow them to progress and continue to have successful careers at Cockram,” he says.His work with Master Builders began with a committee role in 2011. Since then Michael has been pivotal in helping guide and shape commercial and industrial policy.“I enjoy putting something back into our industry, contributing and helping to foresee issues that are coming up and playing my part,” he says. “I enjoy helping to shape where our industry is headed.”Michael holds a Bachelor of Planning and Design (Building) (Hons).
Melanie is the first female president in Master Builder’s 141-year history. The honour comes with a great deal of pressure and responsibility and Melanie has handled the first part of her tenure with grace. Tactful, strategic words and behaviour have long been second nature to Melanie, having developed her early career as a chemical engineer working for a glass manufacturing company, a big corporate atmosphere where language was conservative and union walk-outs were commonplace.“I have been lucky to feel comfortable in any environment,” she said.Having worked in glass and plastics manufacturing and materials management, she eventually joined the family building business with her sister, Fasham Pty Ltd eleven years ago. At this time she had just completing studying a Diploma of Building.“I started working at the back end of the business, rewriting the purchasing system and doing sales estimating to see how all of that fits together with building a house,” she said.About four years ago, Melanie earned her DBU and soon put her hand up for Master Builders committee activity. Her father, Trevor, served as President from 1995-96. “I’m hoping that by having a female President that we can encourage more members – both men and women – to come forward to fulfil roles Master Builders presents on its committees.”
Master Builders Board Member Steven Peluso has been pragmatic in his life and career. As Managing Director of Peluso Woods Group, and Master Menders, he works closely along side his business partner Peter Woods.
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.
Aptum Managing Director Ian Hawkey has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 35 years. He holds his position on the Board of Management as Specialist Sector chairperson. Ian took charge of the earthworks, demolition and civil works business in 2012 (then known as G&M Aldridge). Ian’s involvement with Master Builders goes back more than 20 years as General Manager of CDL National Contracting Group and as a founding principal of HWM Contractors. He has done two stints as Specialist Sector chairperson and subsequently on the Council of Management and Board of Management.“Being on the Board and Committees you get a more direct feedback on industry changes,” he says. Ian is a qualified civil engineer and holds unlimited Commercial and Demolition licenses. At Aptum, he manages a team of more than 35 people. Having worked in managing and principal roles with a range of civil contractors throughout his career Ian is well equipped to help govern and guide policy as a valuable member of the Master Builders Board 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.
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.
Neil Grenfell takes great pride in his job and his role on the Master Builders Board of Management. As APA’s New Homes Representative for Victoria, he is constantly engaging with builders, developers and other customers. It’s the part of the vocation that he enjoys the most in an industry that he has been a part of since joining the Gas and Fuel Corporation in 1969 as a junior clerk.Since then, he has worked for a range of energy providers, distributors and retailers including Origin, Aquamax and Rheem. This breadth of experience holds him in good stead for his role as MMS Committee chairperson and Master Builders Board Member.“My career has been a good learning curve but I’ve made some great alliances along the way,” Neil says.Neil first joined the MMS committee in 2004. He was made chairperson in 2008 and again in 2016. Subsequently his roles on the Committee and Board of Management began in 2007. “The value for me is being able to understand the components of the industry, and Master Builders are the only association that provide the opportunity to manufacturers and suppliers to have a voice,” Neil explains.“Master Builders works so hard to provide that communication and voice to government for their members. The way the Master Builders has evolved and continues to evolve is tremendous.”
Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd Victorian Director Ashley Tonkin-Hill has been in the ground and foundation industry for the past 34 years. He has been on the Master Builders Specialist Contractors Committee for the past eight years. Ashley is a past President of the Australian Piling and Foundation Specialist Federation and current Director of the Federation. He also chaired the committee that produced the Worksafe Guide to managing safety on piling and foundation engineering sites. He continues to work in this space to guide and consult on reforms. Ashley holds a Masters in Foundation Engineering and is a Chartered Engineer. He currently manages a team of about 60 people.
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