Master Builders Immediate Past President Greg Zuccala has officially passed the torch to incoming President Peter Picking in front of 130 guests at a function this week.

Taking the podium, Mr Picking thanked his predecessor for his distinguished service to the association, and began his remarks with a brief look back at his early career, quickly noting some formative experiences that impressed upon him the importance of activism and safety in the building industry. Within a month of starting his career in construction, he recalled, he’d witnessed a rigger fall from a crane hook, and the rowdy start of a Building Labourers Federation campaign for a $40 pay rise.

“As a graduate at the time, this was a significant eye-opener,” Mr Picking said. “The need for safety was so evident.”

Mr Picking has an extensive background in the construction and development industry, including hospitals, apartment buildings, offices, defence projects, civil subdivisions and major sports and entertainment facilities. He enters his presidency with significant tenure and leadership on Master Builders’ General Contractors and Specialist Contractors committees, and has also served as a member of our Council of Management and Board of Management. Currently, he is a Senior Associate at Advisian.

But Mr Picking’s focus for the evening was on the future of Master Builders and how best to gauge its needs, interests and be prepared to accommodate them well into the future.

“Our community is changing, and as an association we need to be nimble enough to change with it,” he said.

“If we look outside our circle, we see all manner of different companies undertaking significant works in commercial [building] and housing. How do we connect and service these groups? We need to look forward not only five years, but 10 and 30 years from now.”

He also noted significant measures Master Builders has taken recently, directing the attention of the Victoria Government’s incoming political leaders to the need for less red tape in the building process, and to reduce the influence of other factors that contribute to higher building costs.

“These elevated costs affect the viability of community facilities and the loss of employment on private projects,” he explained.

“We need to play our part to ensure …the enforceable legal reforms occur. As an association, we must maintain maximum pressure on governments of all persuasions to continue their infrastructure spend.

“I look forward to working with you all over the next few years.”