8 August 2025
A breathtaking home expertly crafted atop a rugged coastal cliff has claimed the lion’s share of accolades at the Master Builders 2025 Central Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.
The highly anticipated formal event was held at The Rockhampton Leagues Club on Friday 8 August, celebrating the year’s most outstanding homes, projects, and people.
It was a huge night for DR Moore Constructions, who won five gongs including the coveted House of the Year Award and best Individual Home from $2.5 million up to $3 million for their meticulous work on The Saramoa – a marvel of coastal construction perched atop Zilzie Cliff. The challenging location also saw the DR Moore team win Best Use of Sloping Sites, plus Best Residential Swimming Pool for the angular, custom-built oasis, and Best Residential Kitchen for the chef’s delight boasting a butler’s pantry, commercial-grade cold room and freezer among its modern features.
Paynters also had plenty to celebrate. The team took home both the McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award and best Tourism & Leisure Facilities over $10 million for the long-anticipated reimagining of the landmark Keppel Bay Sailing Club, overcoming two cyclones and coordinating work during the local sailing regatta in the process. Paynters also won best Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million for the Rockhampton Leagues Club - Gaming and Level 1 Alterations and Additions—and took out the Health Facilities up to $20 million category for their work on the Capricorn Coast Renal Services Extension and Essential Energy Building.
The prestigious BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award honoured WHF Constructions for their exceptional work delivering a modern and functional training workshop for much-needed apprentices in the region with the CQU North Rockhampton – New Facility.
The Individual Awards category was dominated by Jones Building Group. Kye Sutton’s commitment and work as a respectful, reliable team player with a passion for all things carpentry earned him the Apprentice of the Year Award. Company founder, skilled tradesman and exemplary leader Doug Jones took home the Rising Star Award; while Valerie Piquet’s dedication to achieving her building qualifications and passion for sharing her knowledge with apprentices saw her win the Women in Building Award.
“These Awards are a great opportunity for everyone to sit back and congratulate themselves on the incredible work they’ve done over the last 12 months,” Master Builders Regional Manager – Central Queensland, Dean Phillips, said.
“We’ve got a huge pipeline of work ahead of us, and the Queensland Government’s investment in future projects including the 2032 Games Athlete Village at the Railyards Rejuvenation precinct, the upgrade of Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, plus the Rockhampton TAFE Centre of Excellence earmarked in the State Budget, points to exciting and challenging times ahead for our industry.
“The calibre of this year’s Awards entries proves we are well and truly up to the task. From stunning new and renovated homes showcasing both traditional and innovative construction, to important community, health, and education facilities delivered on time and budget amid extreme weather events, and inspiring people committed to making our industry better, they have all exceeded our expectations.
“Congratulations to all our winners – you have done Central Queensland proud.”
Major Winners
Winner of the 2025 Central Queensland House of the Year Award – DR Moore Constructions for The Saramoa
Perched atop Zilzie Cliff, The Saramoa is a breathtaking feat of meticulous attention to detail. The steep location demanded perfect coordination in the ground-up construction by the DR Moore team, who seamlessly integrated precise structural steel elements manufactured off-site with no room for error. The result is a breathtaking three-level home boasting a custom-built pool with angular knife-edge features, a large modern kitchen, commercial-grade cold room and freezer, plus sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, redefining what’s possible in coastal construction.
Winner of the 2025 Central Queensland McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Paynters for Keppel Bay Sailing Club
A long-anticipated development for the Capricorn Coast, the Keppel Bay Sailing Club project presented significant technical, structural and environmental challenges. The Paynters team overcame two cyclones and coordinated a staged delivery to accommodate the Keppel Bay Sailing Regatta, finishing the project on time and on budget. Incorporating innovative materials and construction techniques to withstand and manage the marine environment, the result is a spacious, modern landmark with breathtaking views, set to delight locals and visitors for many years to come.
Winner of the 2025 Central Queensland BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – WHF Constructions for CQU North Rockhampton – New Facility
Handed a design brief calling for expanded and improved trade training facilities, WHF Constructions excelled. The team has designed and constructed a workshop that integrates seamlessly with existing facilities at the CQU campus, delivering the perfect blend of theoretical and hands-on learning. The modern and functional space was delivered on time and on budget, and is an asset to carpentry, joinery, plumbing and masonry apprentices in our region, meeting existing demand and helping grow the industry for the future.
All Central Queensland Winners
Major Winners
- House of the Year Award – DR Moore Constructions for The Saramoa (Zilzie)
- McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Paynters for Keppel Bay Sailing Club (Yeppoon)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – WHF Constructions for CQU North Rockhampton - New Facility (Norman Gardens)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Kye Sutton from Jones Building Group
- Women in Building Award – Valerie Piquet from Jones Building Group
- Rising Star Award – Douglas Jones from Jones Building Group
Specialty awards
- Best Residential Bathroom – Lyke Homes for SavageForbes Coastal Home (Barmaryee)
- Best Residential Kitchen – DR Moore Constructions for The Saramoa (Zilzie)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – DR Moore Constructions for The Saramoa (Zilzie)
Housing awards
- Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 – Stroud Homes Rockhampton for Wildflower 216 (Parkhurst)
- Home Renovation Project from $300,000 up to $450,000 – C J Bell for West View (West Gladstone)
- Home Renovation Project from $450,000 up to $600,000 – BCM Building for Hamilton (Hamilton Creek)
- Home Renovation Project from $750,000 up to $1 million – C J Bell for West Renovation (Gladstone)
- Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – Corbett Homes for Ritz Novo 180 (Emerald)
- Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – Lyke Homes for The Sir Davidson Project (Kinka Beach)
- Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Darrin Price Constructions for Walker (Calliope)
- Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Wolf Constructions QLD for Rossmoya Build (The Caves)
- Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million – Corbett Homes for Casa Bella Vista (Lammermoor)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Swebworthy Constructions for Inverness View (Inverness)
- Individual Home from $2.5 million up to $3 million – DR Moore Constructions for The Saramoa (Zilzie)
- Truecore Best Use of Steel Frame Housing Award – Stroud Homes Rockhampton for The Shouse (Bungundarra)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – DR Moore Constructions for The Saramoa (Zilzie)
- Excellence in Construction Quality – Lyke Homes for SavageForbes Coastal Home (Barmaryee)
Construction awards
- Health Facilities up to $20 million – Paynters for Capricorn Coast Renal Services Extension and Essential Energy Building (Hidden Valley)
- Education Facilities up to $10 million – Swebworthy Constructions for Coastal Kids (Taranganba)
- Education Facilities over $10 million – Hutchinson Builders for Rockhampton Special School New Gla's and ITD Building (Rockhampton)
- Sporting Facilities – TP Aquatic Constructions for Mount Morgan Aquatic Centre (Mount Morgan)
- Community Service Facilities – T.F Woollam & Son for North Rockhampton Ambulance Station & Central Regional Office (Parkhurst)
- Community Accommodation – Hutchinson Builders for Denison Street Apartments (Rockhampton)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Diversified Building Services (Qld) for Moura Museum and Library (Moura)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – Paynters for Keppel Bay Sailing Club (Yeppoon)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – Hutchinson Builders for Hungry Jacks Gracemere (Gracemere)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – Hutchinson Builders for GyG & Banjo's Bakery (Rockhampton)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – Paynters for Rockhampton Leagues Club - Gaming and Level 1 Alterations and Additions (Rockhampton)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $15 million up to $30 million – Mettle for Peppers Yaralla (Gladstone)
Major Sponsors
