VALE
A TRIBUTE TO CHARLES HORNER WRIGHT Charles Wright passed away on 12 April 2022 after an eight-year battle with melanoma. He was in every sense a professional and a gentleman and carried on in the business until only three weeks before he died. Such was his dedication to the profession and his stoicism that many were taken by surprise to learn of his passing. Charles was born in Newcastle, NSW in 1948 and his family soon moved to Putney, where he stayed until the completion of his education at Hunters Hill High School. He soon began his career in construction and rose to be the chief estimator for some of the wellknown building companies in Sydney. He took the opportunity to relocate to Darwin in 1976 for two years and never left the Territory. He soon was thinking that it wouldn’t be long before he would have been considered a “local”. Charles began QS Services in 1990, with the practice rapidly becoming the go-to firm for many architectural, engineering and construction companies seeking professional, quality cost advice and associated services across the Top End of Australia as well as within a number of countries in the S-E Asian Region. Since 1990, it is worth noting that many other QS firms have come and gone, while QS Services remains intact and successful. The office took in a number of cadets over the years, many of whom have excelled in the profession by their own determination, plus a work ethic instilled by Charles.
Charles’ list of achievements included the following: • Associate AIQS • Fellow AIQS • Certified Quantity Surveyor • Associate Member of Australian Institute of Building • Adjudicator #17 Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT) • AIQS Excellence Award 2000 • AIQS Infinite Value Award for Lifetime Contribution 2015
“Charles Wright was a true gentleman whose unquestionable knowledge, passion and leadership led him to become a major influencer to the Northern Territory construction industry over make decades. Charles was a strong advocate of the quantity surveying profession in the Northern Territory and made an exceptional contribution to the industry in the Northern Territory. I would like to pass on my deepest sympathies to Robyn and the Wright family on his recent passing.” Thomas Carroll, AIQS (Affil.)
• Board Member Master Builders (NT). Such was his standing in the industry and community, it is estimated that more than 300 mourners attended his funeral service.
TESTIMONIALS FROM MEMBERS “I knew Charles for over 50 years and had the pleasure and privilege to have worked with him on countless interesting and varied projects, both within and outside of Australia. He was the ultimate professional and put 110% effort into every job, no matter the size or complexity. He is and will continue to be, very much missed by his family, friends, office staff, clients and professional associates.” Peter Farmer AAIQS (Ret.)
04 : JUNE - AUGUST 2022: BUILT ENVIRONMENT ECONOMIST
“I knew Charles from occasional professional dealings over the last 15 years in the Darwin construction industry. And as I later discovered, Charles was a legendary figure with great standing amongst his peers. I found Charles to be a gentleman and I respected him for his professionalism and high quality of workmanship. I’m certain most of my colleagues would say the same. Charles was a champion for the quantity surveying profession in the Northern Territory with his involvement in AIQS, Institute of Architects, and probably other professional bodies I am not aware of. Charles is also responsible for providing grounding to many young quantity surveyors in Darwin through his training and mentoring over the decades. The Darwin construction industry is much poorer for having lost Charles.” David Johansen MAIQS
