Stunning homes and iconic tourist destinations celebrating and inspired by the beauty of Mackay and the Whitsundays have taken top honours at the region’s 2026 Housing & Construction Awards, held at Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on 15 August.
Morris Constructions spent a year planning and two years building Airlie Beach residence, Ancora. The stunning result left the judging panel gobsmacked, earning the prestigious House of the Year Award, as well as Best Residential Bathroomand Individual Home from $4 million up to $5 million. Gangemi Cabinet Makers was also applauded for their craftsmanship on the home, winning the Residential Trade Contractor of the Year Award.
The inspiring transformation of a 1980s beachfront property into the region’s latest luxury tourism offering saw Hamilton Island Constructions No 1 honoured with the McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award for The Sundays, and best Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million.
For the second consecutive year, Fergus Builders won an incredible seven Awards, including the sought-after BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award for their considered craftsmanship on contemporary Glenella residence, Azura Place. After 14 years rising through the ranks to become Residential Manager, Amanda Wilson’s leadership and mentoring of other women earned her the Women in Building Award. The Fergus team also nabbed Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million for Catherine McAuley College Stage 3; Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million for St Patrick’s - Mercy Campus Hall Refurbishment; Commercial Fitout up to $5 million for Gardian Office Fitout; Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 for Whitehaven, and Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million for Pandanus.
It was a double for Stroud Homes Mackay, taking home the remaining two Individual category Awards. After being named Apprentice of the Year in 2012, standout tradesman Trent Deen was recognised for his commitment to quality and trusted reputation with the Rising Star Award. Following in his boss’ footsteps was valued team member Caleb Quinn, earning the Apprentice of the Year Awardfor sharing his knowledge with younger colleagues and treating every job like it was his own home – the judges commenting that “the future of the industry is in good hands with young apprentices like Caleb.”
Cotter Builders were also among the multiple Award-winners on the night, with four trophies including Best Residential Kitchen and Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $1.5 million for Solaire, Home Renovation Project up to $350,000 for Marian House, and Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000 for Dolphin Heads. Executive Living Homes rounded out the Specialty Awards category with Best Residential Swimming Poolfor Bindaree Station – the project also earning them best Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million.
“There is definitely a wow factor to all this year’s entries and winning homes and projects. But it’s the hours of planning, dealing with challenging sites and weather conditions, working in live environments and delivering top-quality work safely and on time and budget that we really commend our builders and tradies for,” Master Builders Regional Manager – Mackay & Whitsunday, Brad Dobie, said.
“The last 12 months have thrown plenty of challenges our way. But as these Awards show, our industry is resilient. We’re continuing to advocate with a government that is listening to us to reset productivity, grow our workforce, hit the housing targets and build the projects our communities need.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of this industry, and I am proud to support our members as they achieve outstanding things. Congratulations to all our 2026 entrants and winners.”
Major winners
Winner of the 2026 Mackay & Whitsunday House of the Year Award – Morris Constructions QLD for Ancora. ‘WOW, WOW, WOW’ was the response from our judges to this breathtaking Airlie Beach residence. From the cantilevered front entertaining deck with flyover roof to the off-form concrete walls, polished floors and custom-fabricated cladding to withstand the coastal environment, every aspect is spectacular. Abell and the Morris Constructions team spent a year planning and two years constructing this ‘anchor’ for their clients, using innovative construction methods, controls, and data systems to deliver a seamless finish – a credit to all involved.
Winner of the 2026 Mackay & Whitsunday BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Fergus Builders for Azura Place. From the moment you arrive, Azura Place makes a confident statement. A crisp contemporary façade enhanced by stone detailing and warm timber accents with real attention to detail. The heart of the home is the open-plan living boasting high ceilings and abundant natural light, while the internal stone feature echoes to the stunning outdoor entertaining space. The Fergus Builders team collaborated with the client to balance distinctive character with broad appeal – and the result speaks to their considered, quality craftsmanship.
Winner of the 2026 Mackay & Whitsunday McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Hamilton Island Constructions No 1 for The Sundays. The Sundays project has transformed a deteriorated 1980s beachfront structure into Hamilton Island’s newest luxury boutique hotel. Delivered within a live resort environment, the project required exceptional planning, technical capability and finishing precision. The team overcame significant challenges revealed during demolition and a remote location by using innovative construction methodologies and technical rigour, setting a benchmark for adaptive reuse. Strong craftsmanship and beautiful finishes earned high praise from our judges and deliver a stunning tourism asset for the Whitsundays region.
All Mackay & Whitsunday winners
Major winners
- House of the Year Award – Morris Constructions QLD for Ancora (Airlie Beach)
- McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Hamilton Island Constructions No 1 for The Sundays (Hamilton Island)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Fergus Builders for Azura Place (Glenella)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Caleb Quinn from Stroud Homes Mackay
- Women in Building Award – Amanda Wilson from Fergus Builders
- Rising Star Award – Trent Deen from Stroud Homes Mackay
Specialty winners
- Best Residential Bathroom – Morris Constructions QLD for Ancora (Airlie Beach)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Cotter Builders for Solaire (Mackay Harbour)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Executive Living Homes for BINDAREE STATION (Devereux Creek)
Housing winners
- Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000 – Triumph Enterprises for Vida 256 (Shoal Point)
- Home Renovation Project up to $350,000 – Cotter Builders for Marian House (Marian)
- Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000 – Cotter Builders for Dolphin Heads (Dolphin Heads)
- Home Renovation Project from $500,000 up to $650,000 – G.J Gardner Homes Mackay for Leap Vista (Coningsby)
- Individual Home up to $450,000 – Triumph Enterprises for Sage & Stone (Bakers Creek)
- Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Fergus Builders for Whitehaven (Beaconsfield)
- Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Moloko Homes for The Oleander Residence (Cannon Valley)
- Individual Home from $750,000 up to $900,000 – G.J Gardner Homes Mackay for Mountain Views 308 (Richmond)
- Individual Home from $900,000 up to $1.25 million – Jorgensen Builders for Longman 362 (Erakala)
- Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $1.5 million – Cotter Builders for Solaire (Mackay Harbour)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Executive Living Homes for BINDAREE STATION (Devereux Creek)
- Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million – Fergus Builders for Pandanus House (Eimeo)
- Individual Home from $4 million up to $5 million – Morris Constructions QLD for Ancora (Airlie Beach)
- Prefabricated and Modular Housing Project – DC Constructions (NQ) for Mandalay Airlie Beach (Mandalay)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – NV Builders for DKF (Glenella)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Lowcock Builders for Yaringa Units (Bowen)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Triumph Enterprises for Solana Mackay (Rural View)
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Gangemi Cabinet Makers for Ancora (Airlie Beach)
Construction winners
- Health Facilities up to $20 million – Crusade Developments for ATSICHS Building Extension (Mackay)
- Education Facilities up to $7 million – WHF Constructions for Pioneer State High School Hospitality Refurbishment (Andergrove)
- Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million – Fergus Builders for Catherine McAuley College Stage 3 (Mackay)
- Community Service Facilities – T.F Woollam & Son for Moranbah Community Centre Redevelopment (Moranbah)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – WHF Constructions for Hungry Jacks - Andergrove Lakes (Andergrove)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – Hamilton Island Constructions No 1 for The Sundays (Hamilton Island)
- Commercial / Industrial Building up to $3 million – Lowcock Builders for VaultX Storage (Bowen)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $3 million up to $10 million – Moggy's Industries for 22 Silverton (Paget)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million – Fergus Builders for St Patrick's - Mercy Campus Hall Refurbishment (South Mackay)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $10 million up to $25 million – WHF Constructions for Northern Beaches Bowls Club Alterations and Additions (Rural View)
- Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Fergus Builders for Gardian Office Fitout (Mackay)
- Commercial Fitout over $10 million – WHF Constructions for Northern Beaches Bowls Club Alterations and Additions (Rural View)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Coral Coast Plastering for Mercy Campus (Multipurpose Hall & MDD Spaces) (Mackay)