Spotlight on Far North’s building brilliance at 2024 Housing & Construction Awards
A Whitfield home departing from the traditional Queenslander style and a pioneer tradeswoman with a passion for advocacy have been awarded top honours at this year’s Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards.
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A Whitfield home departing from the traditional Queenslander style and featuring intricate off-form concrete detailing has been celebrated as FNQs House of the Year at this years Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards.
The highly anticipated formal event was held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday 9 August, championing the industry’s most exciting projects and individual leaders.
It was a double celebration for Koru Building Contractors, winning both the House of the Year Award and Display Home over $800,000 for visionary Whitfield sanctuary, OMBRA.
OMBRA showcases a contemporary style that embraces its environment.
The team had a vision of creating a sanctuary with a striking entrance connected to the rainforest on its spectacular site.
The home incorporates modern materials and innovative features, including intricate off-form concrete detailing, curved walls, and high ceilings, plus a self-contained studio.
Master Builders Regional Manager – Far North Queensland, Sharon Vella, congratulated the winners across all 37 categories.
“The last twelve months have seen us overcome some significant hurdles, but our industry has once again demonstrated its extraordinary resilience,” she said.
“Our Housing & Construction Awards is our sector’s night of nights, and it was great to see so many people come out to celebrate and kick up their heels after another year of tough but outstanding work.”
Bryant Building Contractors also walked away with two gongs, including the sought-after Project of the Year Award for their innovative work on Newman Catholic College Stage 2, and best Community Service Facilities for the Pyramid Residential Care Centre at Gordonvale.
Rounding out the Major Awards category was Orr Made with the prestigious BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award for the impeccable craftsmanship on Far North Queensland first, Vastu on Oak.
In the Individual Awards category, exemplary workmanship earned Freshwater Designer Builders’ Bailin Ware the SKILL360 Apprentice of the Year Award. 14-year industry veteran and respected mentor James Watson of Watson Constructions FNQ took home the Rising Star Award, while passionate industry advocate Ursula Donnellan of Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings won the Women in Building Award.
“Our judging panel had a challenging but enviable job when it came to selecting our winners, with every project and award recipient putting their own stamp of excellence on their work, showcasing the passion and quality that Master Builders are renowned for,” Ms Vella said.
“I congratulate each of our entrants and winners on raising the bar once again this year, and every person who contributes significantly to our industry in our region. We’re so proud to be a part of your success.”
Industry champion takes out Women in Building award
Six years ago Ursula Donnellan embarked on a career change into the construction industry, and she has never looked back as she advocates for others to follow in the footsteps and see what a career in construction could mean for them.
Ms Donnellan was awarded the 2024 Master Builders Women in Building award during a glitzy ceremony on Friday evening.
The Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings business manager said she was honoured and humbled to receive the award.
This recognition is not just a testament to my individual efforts but a tribute to my remarkable female colleagues in the industry,” she said.
Ms Donnellan made the transition into construction from a career in hospitality and began her work as a bookkeeper with no industry experience.
“When I first embarked on my career change into the construction industry six years ago, I was introduced to Mark Fletcher by my long- time friend Cheryl Haddric,” she said.
“Together, we drove from Cairns to Port Douglas with my 18-month-old son in tow.
“Six years later, that collaboration [with Mark] has flourished, earning several awards and propelling our business forward.”
Ms Donnellan has become more than just a success within her team but has used her experiences and passion to advocate for more people to look at how they could fit within the field as an industry champion.
“I absolutely enjoy it,” she said.
“I look for any opportunity to influence kids, woman, and I also work with refugees from Centacare, the humanitarian organisation, and they do their certificate I in construction.
“Our team is a force to be reckoned with. We all come from diverse and challenging backgrounds, including refugee camps, prisons, and experiences of abuse.
“Yet, we are united by a shared sense of purpose and a passionate drive to succeed.”
Ms Donnellan is particularly proud of her outreach efforts aimed at inspiring young people to try something different.
“I’ll take on people who want work experience to give them a go or I’ll invite students to have a look at what we do at Mark Fletcher,” she said.
“I aim to promote our work as a wet trade, especially formwork plastering, because in Far North Queensland, there’s not, many around.
“Im just trying to get the younger generation interested because no-one is aware of these trades.”
Ms Donnellan said despite some personal obstacles she remained steadfast in pursuing her dreams within the industry.
“It’s a field I am deeply passionate about and will continue to advocate for.
“Here’s to the future of women in building.”
Winner of the 2024 Far North Queensland House of the Year Award – Koru Building Contractors for OMBRA
Winner of the 2024 Far North Queensland BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Orr Made for Vastu on Oak
Best Residential Bathroom – Freedom Constructions Qld for Kewarra Beach Abode (Kewarra Beach)
Best Residential Kitchen – Clifford Homes for CASA DEL SOL (Mission Beach)
Best Residential Swimming Pool – McIntosh Builders for Dalrymple (Edge Hill)
Project of the Year Award – Bryant Building Contractors for Newman Catholic College Stage 2 (Smithfield)
SKILL360 Apprentice of the Year Award – Bailin Ware from Freshwater Designer Builders
Rising Star Award – James Watson from Watson Constructions FNQ
Women in Building Award – Ursula Donnellan from Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings
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Originally published as Spotlight on Far North’s building brilliance at 2024 Housing & Construction Awards
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