JACKSON PAINE
The Australian Institute of Building held their annual awards ceremony in Brisbane on Saturday night, as the brightest talents in construction around the country were recognised.
The AIB Professional Excellence in Building Award reflects the highest standards of building and construction management in Australia.
24-year old Jonathan Benjamin, who works for Project Group based in Melbourne, was a winner of the national award after managing the construction of Gold Moon restaurant in the Melbourne south-eastern suburb of Brighton.
“Winning this award is hugely humbling,” Mr Benjamin said.
Benjamin administered the demolition of an existing building to allow for the construction of the two-storey fine dining, Chinese restaurant.
With much of the clientele only able to communicate in Chinese, Benjamin believes challenges such as these were something the selection panel held in a high regard.
“It was a very difficult project, but it is recognition like this that makes all the hard work worth it.
“Being so early in my career and still with so much to learn, this award gives me a bit of confidence that I’m heading in the right direction.”
These awards are unique as they are the only Australian awards that recognise the individuals’ professional excellence in the building and construction process, as opposed to the project itself.
Project Group enjoyed a successful evening with Angus Brooks, a colleague of Benjamin’s, also being recognised by the AIB.
“With another colleague winning a Professional Excellence Award as well, it’s great for company exposure and to be compared to companies across the nation.”