16 August 2025
From bayside beauties to sprawling ranch-style stunners, the 2025 Wide Bay Burnett Housing & Construction Awards proved a showcase of bold ingenuity, precision, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Long regarded as the highlight of the year for the industry, the sold-out event was held at The Clubhouse Hervey Bay on Saturday 16 August.
The prestigious McHugh Steel House of the Year Award, as well as Best Residential Kitchen and Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million went to GI Builders for Oakwood – a magnificent home with a scale and presentation reminiscent of a Texas ranch hailed as ‘impressive in every way’ by the judging panel.
Ashley Cooper Construction was honoured for their multi-stage work on the Hervey Bay Boat Club Redevelopment. The team was hailed as having excelled in the renovation of the busy, operational club in a tidal location, winning the Project of the Year Award, as well as Retail Facilities over $5 million and Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million.
Bundy Homes also made it a triple with the BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award, Best Residential Bathroom and Display Home over $800,000 for BARGARA DISPLAY, brimming with enviable lifestyle features including a climate-controlled wine cellar, firepit and pool.
The Apprentice of the Year Award went to Damon Scheuber from Ellis Homes and Construction, applauded for his persistence, work ethic and strong technical skills as a mature-aged apprentice. The Ellis team also won Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 for The Cadence, and Best Use of Sloping Sites for Summit View.
Commitment to being a role model for empowerment, excellence, and inclusivity earned Madelaine Graham from Bryant Building Contractors the Women in Building Award, while the Bryant team also celebrated winning Education Facilities over $10 million for the Urangan SHS - Multi-Purpose Hall.
Rounding out the Individual awards category was experienced professional and business owner Jake Chappel, honoured with the Rising Star Award for his appreciation of the responsibility that comes with being chosen to create a family home, setting a high bar.
Nathan Groszmann Constructions were the night’s biggest winners, taking home four Awards. The team were honoured with Best Residential Swimming Pool for their Eagle View project, integrating custom LED lighting under the waterline, a stunning turtle motif, and a sophisticated pool house. The team also won best Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million for Views on Blue; best Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 for Waves at Burnett Heads; and best Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million for Bella Donna.
“It’s a privilege to work with our members every day. This year’s field of Awards entrants demonstrate the next-level talent we have in this region, and that makes me immensely proud,” Master Builders Regional Manager – Wide Bay Burnett, Ian Langer, said.
“There are some once-in-a-generation opportunities ahead that will keep our industry busy. The state government is investing in new and expanded hospitals across Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Maryborough, as well as new and upgraded facilities for our police and fire brigade, refurbishments at Maryborough TAFE, plus local sports club upgrades as we head towards the 2032 Games.
“This year’s winning projects and people Wide Bay Burnett builders and tradies have what it takes to deliver this pipeline. As we celebrate this year’s winners, we also celebrate the strength, skill and spirit of our entire industry – the future looks bright because of them.”
Major winners
Winner of the 2025 Wide Bay Burnett McHugh Steel House of the Year Award – GI Builders for Oakwood
Boasting a prime location overlooking the pool, farmland, lakes and river, this magnificent home makes an impression from all directions—its scale and presentation reminiscent of a Texas ranch. GI Builders were applauded for the extensive, high-quality cabinetry, vaulted ceilings, stunning kitchen, and the abundance of rich textures and natural finishes. Accessibility was also key, seamlessly incorporated to deliver complete inclusivity. In the words of our judges, Oakwood is ‘impressive in every way”—a credit to those who crafted it.
Winner of the 2025 Wide Bay Burnett Project of the Year Award – Ashley Cooper Construction for Hervey Bay Boat Club – Redevelopment
The major renovation of a busy, operational club in a tidal location posed a challenge – but Ashley Cooper Construction excelled. The multi-stage project has transformed the landmark into a modern, sustainable venue, featuring a reimagined front entry, upgraded bistro and bar, a dynamic sports bar and café, and full re-roofing. Exquisite cabinetry is the hero of each of the new zones crafted by the team, with our judges applauding the precision, level of detail, and exceptional craftsmanship on display.
Winner of the 2025 Wide Bay Burnett BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Bundy Homes for BARGARA DISPLAY
Designed as a showcase for Bundy Homes and what they can offer their clients, Bargara Display is brimming with every lifestyle feature imaginable. Our judges praised the level of innovation and immaculate finish displayed by the team bringing this project to life. Boasting high, vaulted ceilings, large open kitchen, family and dining room, this home exudes open space—while the climate-controlled wine cellar, outdoor spaces, firepit and pool complete the dream. This project is testament to Bundy Homes’ quality craftsmanship.
All Wide Bay Burnett winners
Major winners
- McHugh Steel House of the Year Award – GI Builders for Oakwood (Oakwood)
- Project of the Year Award – Ashley Cooper Construction for Hervey Bay Boat Club - Redevelopment (Urangan)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Bundy Homes for BARGARA DISPLAY (Bargara)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Damon Scheuber from Ellis Homes and Construction
- Women in Building Award – Madelaine Graham from Bryant Building Contractors
- Rising Star Award – Jake Chappel from Chapp Building
Specialty winners
- Best Residential Bathroom – Bundy Homes for BARGARA DISPLAY (Bargara)
- Best Residential Kitchen – GI Builders for Oakwood (Oakwood)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Nathan Groszmann Constructions for Eagle View (Sharon)
Housing winners
- Display Home up to $400,000 – Villaworld Homes by AVID for Panorama 24 (Kawungan)
- Display Home from $400,000 up to $600,000 – JRZ Homes for Pacific (Innes Park)
- Display Home over $800,000 – Bundy Homes for BARGARA DISPLAY (Bargara)
- Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 – Nathan Groszmann Constructions for Waves at Burnett Heads (Burnett Heads)
- Home Renovation Project from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Scott Thomsen Construction for Grand Abode (Oakhurst)
- Home Renovation Project from $1 million up to $2 million – Vivere Homes for "LITTLE RIPPLES" - A Renovation Making Waves in Sustainability (Urangan)
- Individual Home up to $400,000 – Rangeley Building Group for Watermelon 210 (Kawungan)
- Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – Ayres Building Contractors for Coastal Oasis (Urraween)
- Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – Ellis Homes and Construction for The Cadence (Gooburrum)
- Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Possco for Scholl Residence (Mundubbera)
- Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Scott Thomsen Construction for Resort Living on Finch (Maryborough West)
- Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million – Nathan Groszmann Constructions for Views on Blue (Bargara)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Bungalow for Esplanade Beachside (Urangan)
- Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million – GI Builders for Oakwood (Oakwood)
- Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation – Bungalow for K’gari Bungalows (K'gari Fraser Island)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – Ellis Homes and Construction for Summit View (Qunaba)
- Truecore Best Use of Steel Frame Housing Award – Vivere Homes for STEEL HORIZON (Dundowran Beach)
- Prefabricated and Modular Housing – Saltair Modular for QBuild Bundaberg (Bundaberg East)
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Mariners Pools Plus for Illumina Haven (Walligan)
Construction winners
- Health Facilities up to $20 million – Hutchinson Builders for Hervey Bay Hospital Inpatient Ward (Hervey Bay)
- Education Facilities up to $10 million – Apollo for Walkervale Childcare Centre (Walkervale)
- Education Facilities over $10 million – Bryant Building Contractors for Urangan SHS - Multi-Purpose Hall (Urangan)
- Community Accommodation – JRZ Homes for Honeybee (Avenell Heights)
- Community Service Facilities – Apollo for Bundaberg Community Health Facility (Thabeban)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for Hervey Bay Boat Club - Redevelopment (Urangan)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – McHugh Steel for Budget Car & Truck Rental Depot (Kensington)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for Hervey Bay Boat Club - Redevelopment (Urangan)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – Nathan Groszmann Constructions for Bella Donna (Bundaberg)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $5 million up to $15 million – Murchie Constructions for Wintergarden Community Hub (Bundaberg)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $15 million up to $30 million – Mainbrace Constructions QLD for Hervey Bay Home (Pialba)
- Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Stroud Homes Wide Bay for Woongarra Display (Bundaberg Central)
- Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5 million – WK Projects for 4WD Supacentre Bundaberg (Kensington)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million – Fergus Builders for Reece Bundaberg (Kensington)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $15 million up to $30 million – IDC Construct for Hyundai Rotem (Maryborough West)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Cabinet Connections for Oculists (Kepnock)
Major Sponsors
