42 UPDATES membership MARCH/APRIL 2017
Master Builders celebrates first 100-year member William Fairweather established W Fairweather, Builder and Contractor in the Goldfields region in 1895. With a builders’ registration certificate numbered 1, he was the first registered builder in WA. A framed 100-year membership certificate was presented to Peter Fairweather, the founder’s great grandson managing director since 2004, by Master Builders’ president Rob Spadaccini at the Association’s December Sundowner at Rambla on Swan in South Perth. Mr Fairweather thanked Master Builders’ board for presenting the100year certificate. “I’ve only been involved in the company for 30 of the 121 years,” he said. “However, I accept the certificate, not only in memory of the three Bill Fairweathers who preceded me, but the thousands of supervisors, foremen, carpenters, administration staff, tradesmen and labourers who have put in years of effort. W Fairweather & Son managing director Peter Fairweather received the company’s 100-year Master Builder membership certificate and addressed the December Sundowner gathering.
W Fairweather & Son Pty Ltd has become the first company recognised for 100 years of Master Builder membership in WA. Master Builders’ director Michael McLean says that in its 118-year history the Association has never presented a 100-year certificate to a member, let alone it being consecutive years. “We are extremely proud to have a company like W Fairweather & Son as a member and to be able to celebrate this milestone achievement,” Mr McLean said. “We thank all generations of the family for their continued support of Master Builders.
“We’re a bit old fashioned in some ways. The two-storey joinery factory in Subiaco that was relocated from St John of God hospital in 1915 by my great grandfather is still in use today. We believe in the retention of long term staff where the loyalty and investment flows both ways. We’re very proud to be involved in the building industry and of our long association with Master Builders.” Some of the prominent buildings built by W Fairweather & Son include Princess Margaret Hospital Nurses Quarters, South Fremantle Power Station, East Perth Football Club Grandstand, Rivervale Hotel, Victoria Insurance Building, Union Bank premises, Dalkeith Picture Theatre and the Catholic Education Centre which was opened by Pope John Paul II in 1986.
“William Fairweather was a founding Master Builder member and Association president from 1919-1920. His son William junior was president from 1938-1940. In recognition of William senior’s involvement, he was presented with Association life membership in 1940.”
Members close 2016 in style Master Builders’ most popular networking event of the year, the December Members’ End of Year Sundowner, saw more than 200 guests enjoying the view of the city skyline from Rambla on Swan on the South Perth foreshore. Association councillors and board and committee members attended along with a vast range of long-standing and new members to wind down the year and celebrate the festive season. President Rob Spadaccini and director Michael McLean presented the Regional Member of the Year to Geraldton Committee member Ross Conti (Conti Homes) and overall 2016 Member of the Year to Andy Peppercorn for his extraordinary contribution to the Association. Mr Peppercorn also was awarded honorary membership of the Association. Ten, 25 and 50-year members also were recognised and presented with framed certificates as was Master Builders’ first 100-year member W Fairweather & Son Pty Ltd.
A crowd of more than 200 enjoyed the Sundowner at Rambla on Swan in South Perth.
Bankwest, Cbus Super, Fielders, MBA Insurance Services, West Australian Mechanical Services and Western Power sponsored the Sundowner.