Brett McKenzie's Profile

BRETT MCKENZIE PROFESSIONAL BEGINNINGS
On completion of my Junior Certificate I commenced employment with Joe Bennett (Gatton) Pty Ltd as an apprentice Carpenter and Joiner. I acquired a very broad experience in the industry as the company tackled contracts from domestic homes and buildings to a wide range of commercial and industrial projects, renovations and refurbishing.

This variety, my rapidly improving supervisory skills and Joe’s mentoring, gave me the extensive experience and maturity to assume a senior management role at a very early age. As well, (virtually unheard of in the building industry even now), I was appointed Supervisor of a building company while still only late in my 2nd year of apprenticeship.

So at 17, I was placed in the Supervisor’s role of the entire company, and was solely responsible for approximately 8 employees, and dozens of self employed business people (sub-contractors), aged anywhere from15 to 55.

Thus, I had to learn very quickly how to communicate, direct and motivate all types of personalities and ages, from apprentices to architects and establish the ability to guarantee high performance from all. Within that year, I attended my third and final stage of technical training at Toowoomba Tafe College. On completion of that year, I received the prestigious Queensland award for Apprentice of The Year for Carpentry and Joinery. After completion of my apprenticeship in 1985, I remained with Joe Bennett as a supervisor until I departed for overseas in early 1990.’’

INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
"I left specifically for invaluable overseas construction study and experience, and to pursue a lifetime passion for design and architecture, in which the international variety and maturity had always been compelling.

And so, I left Australia, travelling, meeting with renowned builders, and studying throughout the USA, Canada, Ireland and all of the United Kingdom, before basing in London to begin employment. I was employed initially as Supervising Carpenter with The Mirror Group Newspapers, during their massive changes across the UK, and then accepted a position as a top-level supervisor for a major fire protection construction company, Hat Contracting in London. I remained with the firm until March 1991, when the contract completed. I then continued to study, meet and travel throughout Europe for over four months.

On return to the UK, I accepted a position of Key Supervisor on a number of extremely complex jobs for R & S Fire Protection, ranging from the billion-dollar Docklands revitalization, right through to the most sophisticated projects across London.

These involved the complete responsibility of design and supervision of our specific contract, and used innovative methods never seen in Australia, to provide high standards of fire protection not yet explored with these new methods of construction. I was also responsible for Quality Assurance of these projects, and consultancy with other site managers, quantity surveyors, architects and engineers. The calibre and expectations of these other team members was of course, of a world class standard.

As a result of this experience and the results achieved. I was sought out by and contracted to the British Government, to personally supervise the extraordinarily specialised (and ‘Tempest’ security level) development of Nuclear proof communication bunkers, for RAF bases throughout Northern England.

I was investigated and assessed both for psychological and security clearance to British Cabinet security level. Thus, at age 24, I’ve personally experienced and been responsible for extreme issues of international security; involved with both the highest matters in a country of that stature, and as well, the protection against ‘cold war’ nuclear attack and terrorism, which still remains totally confidential.

For May to August 1992, I was ‘headhunted’ by Aaronite Ltd, and commenced General Management duties on their contract for the 1992 Olympic Village in Barcelona, Spain. I was appointed to supervise and to have hands on fixing of fire protective material and waterproof aluminium casings to structural steel beams, extending externally from the building, tying and bracing the main steel network structure to the building body. Our entire team (my responsibility) worked from suspended cradles on the exterior of 46 storey apartment buildings.

This job involved precision work with very fine tolerances, policed closely by quality surveyors with no room for error (because of the intensity of the building program, and the Olympic deadline). To achieve these goals, it required my development of a very precise team plan, supported by a unique project planning system, linking 24 hours per day with a pool of resources, and complex project experience second to none. What also made this task unique was my required coordination of the teams personal needs and requirements. And as well, maintaining high levels of morale, not only in the work place, but in day to day living for a long period of time in a foreign country in extreme 40-45 degree heat and climate conditions

On my return from Barcelona I was contracted to Aaronite to handle and implement both design assistance. Along with the supervision of construction for their ‘state of the art’ Benetton Formula One racing teams race car assembly and development building, (as well as for Quality Assurance standard testing technology) in Gloucester, United Kingdom.

Following this final, very satisfying project, I returned to Australia in late December 1992 after travelling, studying and conferring with other international groups and construction specialists through Egypt and Asia (and in-between, trekking the Himalayas).’’

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS OPERATION COMMENCEMENT
‘’Upon my return from overseas, I was excited to pursue one lifetime goal, and achieved my building contractors ‘gold cards’ (for both residential building and also general contracting within the industry) and then launched our Company, in April 1994.

Entering our industry at a time when the economic climate saw large numbers departing, posed both an enormous challenge and an exciting task, as I, (with extensive international experience) recognised and targeted a market segment and strata previously untouched. That niche was to develop a specialised, integrated ‘package of building and design services’ to assist our clients and prospects. Who in large numbers were very nervous proceeding with this unsteady industry, in a time of risk it had never experienced before.

Put simply, we gave (and continue to give) the most extraordinary, risk-free method of building yet seen in Queensland, to individuals in either Brisbane’s most exclusive suburbs or the untouched Twin Villages of 1770 and Agnes Waters.

That package had to include proven talents ranging from design to budgeting (pre-contracts), to advise and achieve total control for our clients before total commitment. Surrounding our Company with professional associates then followed this up, with a team of experts permanently employed to focus totally on a common goal of ultimate satisfaction for our clients.
This absolutely ensured we always achieved excellence in design, construction and workmanship, fully centred on and around their special requirements both as individuals and their family lifestyles.

I believe this vision has been the major factor in allowing our Company to receive (from our industry peer directors) almost 40 QMBA Industry awards for excellence in construction since 1995 alone.

The awards range from the most innovative use of glass, through to open class housing and commercial refurbishment up to $2 million for a historical building.

All in all, we are justifiably proud of our accomplishments to date, and the bright future that awaits us with such a capable, proven track record of success.