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REPORTS general news M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 4
PAST PRESIDENTS MEET AT CONSTRUCTION HOUSE A who’s who of the WA building industry gathered in West Perth in March for a reunion of Association past presidents. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says that since the Association’s formation in 1898, there have had 54 presidents – most of them serving for two years. “Recently we established a tradition of convening a past presidents’ luncheon to induct the newest member of this illustrious group,” Mr McLean said. “This year, our group of past presidents welcomed Robert Shaw who led the Association for the last three years. During his term as State president, Robert was also a Housing Councillor, represented WA on the National Residential Builders Council, was chief judge for our Housing Excellence Awards, won a Building Excellence Award in the Great Southern region, was WA’s representative on the national awards judging panel and won Master Builders’ Member of the Year Award.”
New boy Robert Shaw (right) with Kevin Sale.
Current president John Ripp and Mr McLean hosted the lunch. The old guard welcoming Mr Shaw included three life members, Bob Greaves (president in 1977-78), Ron Doubikin (88-89) and John Mitchell (200001). Other past presidents attending were Geoff Allen (79-80), Max Rivett (95-97), Ray Sputore (98-99), Kevin Sale (02), Dan Perkins (0305), Steven Peck (06-07) and George Allingame (08-10). Mr McLean said apologies had been received from John Doust (68-70), Tom Oxley (81-83), Murray Lilleyman (84-85), Howard Marson (94) and life members Rob Torrance (86-87) and Darryll Retallack (92-93).
Life members Bob Greaves (left) and John Mitchell (right) with Max Rivett.
“It’s an illustrious band,” Mr McLean said. “Of our living past presidents, four have served as national president of Master Builders Australia – John Doust in 1974, Bob Greaves (81-82), Ron Doubikin (95-96) and Ray Sputore (04-06). Bob and Ron also are life members of the national body and Dan Perkins is currently our national deputy president. Each of our past presidents has left an invaluable legacy following his time leading our organisation and we acknowledge their contributions to our Association’s well being.” Life member Ron Doubikin (centre) with Geoff Allen (left) and George Alligame.
Mr McLean said the past presidents were interested to find out about changes happening at Master Builders and within the building and construction industry generally. They were briefed on national level legislative reforms, the Heydon Royal Commission into union corruption, the decline in union EBAs and growth in business at Master Builders’ Jolimont Training Centre. “We also covered the operation of our three regional properties in Geraldton, Albany and Bunbury and the upgrades to Construction House,” Mr McLean said. “Other upcoming highlights this year which we spoke about include WA hosting a national Master Builders’ board meeting in Perth, the five hundredth episode of HOME in WA and our Geraldton Branch celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in August. We also touched on the formation of a Pilbara Branch and the launch of online contracts.”
Dan Perkins (left) and Ray Sputore.
Current Master Builders’ president John Ripp (right) with Steven Peck.