Visionary design, technical mastery, and community impact were front and centre at the 2025 Mackay & Whitsunday Housing & Construction Awards, raising the bar in construction excellence.
Held at the Mantra Mackay on 9 August, the industry’s night of nights showcased the innovation and resilience driving the region’s built environment, at a time of exciting challenge and change.
After sweeping the pool last year, Fergus Builders was again triumphant, taking home seven Awards across a wide range of commercial and residential categories – the highest number for one builder across the state so far in 2025. This included best Education Facilities over $10 million for state-of-the-art Holy Spirit College – New INTAD Building; Community Service Facilities for the vital new Airlie Beach Fire Station; best Retail Facilities over $5 million for ALDI Andergrove, best Community Accommodation for Shute Harbour Units, and Commercial Fitout up to $5 million for GHD - Commercial Office Fitout. Fergus’ standout work in the residential space netted the team best Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 for the elegant but affordable Mayfair, and Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 for warm and inviting family haven, Aria.
Red Emperor Constructions won an impressive five gongs, including the coveted House of the Year Award, plus Best Use of Sloping Sites, Best Residential Bathroom and best Individual Home from $4 million up to $5 million for Haven on Hamilton – the spectacular home poised atop a steep rocky site with breathtaking views of the Whitsundays. Red Emperor’s fifth Award was Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings for The Grove Stage 8C at Cannonvale.
CiteCon made it a triple with Paige Gardner winning the Women in Building Award for her commitment to excellence, passion for mentoring others and paving the way for a more diverse, dynamic and inclusive industry. CiteCon also won best Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million for state-of-the-art workspace Penske Australia, Paget, and best Commercial / Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million for MI Scaffold Industrial Warehouse.
The prestigious BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award and best Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million went to Phillip Bonaventura for The View – a stunning resort-style home overlooking the Coral Sea; and T.F Woollam & Son won the McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award, plus best Health Facilities over $20 million for the Sarina Hospital Redevelopment, essential for the growing community.
Fourth-generation builder and business owner Bronson Lee of Moloko Homes was recognised for his commitment to quality workmanship and his clients with the Rising Star Award; while exceptional dedication, leadership and skill earned Liam Gribben of NV Builders the Apprentice of the Year Award.
“These Awards are a chance to pause and celebrate the outstanding contributions our local builders, tradies, and businesses have made over the past year — and this year’s entries showcase the depth and diversity of talent across Mackay & Whitsunday,” Master Builders Regional Manager Brad Dobie said.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of our industry. Alongside the homes, schools, and hospitals our community relies on, the 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games delivery program is opening new doors — from major upgrades to Harrup Park for cricket, to extensive Bruce Highway works and tourism projects like the Airlie Beach SkyWay.”
“From beautifully crafted homes and clever renovations to vital infrastructure and community spaces delivered under pressure, our members have shown what’s possible when passion meets professionalism.
“Congratulations to all our winners — your work continues to shape the future of our region and inspire the next generation of industry leaders.”
For a spotlight on major winners Fergus Builders and CiteCon, read more on pages 22-23
All Mackay & Whitsunday Winners
Major Winners
House of the Year Award – Red Emperor Constructions for Haven on Hamilton (Hamilton Island)
McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – T.F Woollam & Son for Sarina Hospital Redevelopment (Sarina)
BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Phillip Bonaventura for The View (Dolphin Heads)
Individual winners
Apprentice of the Year Award – Liam Gribben from NV Builders
Women in Building Award – Paige Gardner from CiteCon
Rising Star Award – Bronson Lee from Moloko Homes
Specialty awards
Best Residential Bathroom – Red Emperor Constructions for Haven on Hamilton (Hamilton Island)
Best Residential Kitchen – Cotter Builders for Villa Athena (Racecourse)
Best Residential Swimming Pool – NV Pools & Spas for DLB (Marian)
Housing awards
Display Home from $400,000 up to $600,000 – G.J Gardner Homes Whitsunday for Reef Display Home, Cannonvale (Cannonvale)
Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 – Fergus Builders for Mayfair (Beaconsfield)
Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 – Cotter Builders for Sana House (West Mackay)
Individual Home up to $400,000 – G.J Gardner Homes Mackay for The Bridgewater 173 (Blacks Beach)
Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – Fergus Builders for Aria (Beaconsfield)
Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – Hotondo Homes Mackay for Garnet 258 (Mackay Harbour)
Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Cotter Builders for Villa Athena (Racecourse)
Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Phillip Bonaventura for The View (Dolphin Heads)
Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million – Blue Palm Homes for The Cove (Airlie Beach)
Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Eastwood Projects for Botanica (Woodwark)
Individual Home from $4 million up to $5 million – Red Emperor Constructions for Haven on Hamilton (Hamilton Island)
Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Red Emperor Constructions for The Grove Stage 8C (Cannonvale)
Best Use of Sloping Sites – Red Emperor Constructions for Haven on Hamilton (Hamilton Island)
Ken & Nola Clark Memorial Award - Judges Commendation – Hodge Town and Country Builders for Silk (Bowen)
Construction awards
Health Facilities over $20 million – T.F Woollam & Son for Sarina Hospital Redevelopment (Sarina)
Education Facilities up to $10 million – WHF Constructions for CQU Mackay Trade Training Centre (Ooralea)
Education Facilities over $10 million – Fergus Builders for Holy Spirit College - New INTAD Building (Mount Pleasant)
Community Service Facilities – Fergus Builders for Airlie Beach Fire Station (Cannonvale)
Community Accommodation – Fergus Builders for Shute Harbour Units (Cannonvale)
Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Cumberland Homes for Elementa Whitsunday and 74 Islands Distillery (Airlie Beach)
Retail Facilities up to $5 million – Lowcock Builders for CarWash Whitsundays (Cannonvale)
Retail Facilities over $5 million – Fergus Builders for ALDI Andergrove (Andergrove)
Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Fergus Builders for GHD - Commercial Office Fitout (Mackay)
Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5 million – Lowcock Builders for Lowcock Builders HQ (Bowen)
Commercial / Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million – CiteCon for MI Scaffold Industrial Warehouse (Paget)
Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – CiteCon for Penske Australia, Paget (Paget)
Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $5 million up to $15 million – Residential Developments Services for Palace Hotel Proserpine (Proserpine)
Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Tin Lid Enterprises for Airlie Beach Fire and Rescue Station (Cannonvale)
Find all of the pics here: https://tinyurl.com/23kdrzj3
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