• Sirous Kousari from Siemens Construction specialising in custom homes
• Based in King Lake
• Rebuilt home after bushfires

King Lake-based home builder Sirous Kousari is no stranger to life threatening situations, but he is nothing if not resilient. As a teenager he fled war-torn Iran for the refuge of Pakistan, coming to Australia in 1987 as a 16-year-old. His father, Aziz, was a builder in Iran and he followed with Sirous’ mother and his siblings in 1992. By then, Mr Kousari was on his way to becoming a rescue pilot, a role that saw him work in some of Australia’s most remote communities until a serious accident caused his career to grind to a halt.

Another tough break followed on 7 February 2009 – Black Saturday. While working on decking at his picturesque King Lake property with his father, he received a call from a friend in a neighbouring township.

“I could see there was smoke on the horizon,” Mr Kousari recalls.

“A friend with a farm in Beveridge called and asked ‘what’s happening there in King Lake?’ I said ‘what do you mean?’ And then I looked across the way and could see the fire and thought ‘oh my God’.”

“We got in the car and got out of here; I didn’t want to risk it. I just opened the gate for the horse and we left. I reckon all of the fatalities happened in the minutes after we left because visibility was so low.”

When he returned, his home had been gutted. Adding insult to injury, Mr Kousari had allowed his home and contents insurance to lapse a mere month prior, unable to afford the bill. His decision to rebuild was swift though, and he set up a portable home and got to work on his dream home, to which he was still adding the finishing touches when we spoke.

“Because I didn’t have insurance I had to start slowly, slowly. To bring it to this stage has taken me five years. It’s been a slow recovery but we’re nearly there and it could be worse; we could have been dead that day,” he says.

“You can’t let these things scare you, you have to just keep working and keep your spirits up.”

This positive, ‘can do’ attitude is something Mr Kousari carries across all aspects of his life. While working on his home, he completed an Advanced Diploma in Building and joined Master Builders on the recommendation of a friend this year. He is now working on developments in Beveridge and Wallan.

“I like to focus on elegant designs and quality finishes. I would like to stay in the area and gradually move to the inner south-eastern suburbs,” he explains.

Since joining Master Builders, Mr Kousari has made the most of the products and services provided including attending multiple Trade Nights.

“You’ve just got to support the organisation that you’re a member of. Support the system that supports you,” he says.

“I use all the Master Builders services. I go to all the meetings I can. You always learn something from these meetings. I find it very useful and very beneficial,” he continues.

Mr Kousari has also used the Master Builders OHS department despite undertaking his own studies in OHS.

“I have done some OHS study as part of my diploma but to implement it into actual practice is a different thing,” he explains.

“I’ve called on Master Builders, and OHS Manager John Darcy is going to come out and have a look at my site. He is an extremely knowledgeable person and it will give me the assurance that I am doing everything by the book and in accordance with the regulations and requirements.”

Another way Master Builders has helped Mr Kousari run his business is by making certain he now has all of his insurance matters in order.

“I have all of my insurances through MBA Insurance Services. I found them very helpful, I made enquiries and someone always got back to me quickly. The price is very competitive; if anything I’m saving money. Another thing is that at least I know I am insuring with a reputable organisation,” he says.

Mr Kousari also capitalises on the branding, reputation and product discounts that go along with being a Master Builders member.

“Being with Master Builders gives you more credibility – gives you a more professional appearance. It gives you good branding and is a good marketing strategy,” he explains.

Sirous Kousari and his camel Humpy at their King Lake home

“I also got a $5000 discount on my Hilux. You do get benefits like that. You’ve just got to use your membership.”

When not working on his business, Mr Kousari likes to relax at home with his menagerie of goats, horse ‘Blacky’ and a camel named ‘Humpy’ whom he rescued from a man who wanted him for a meal.