People of Property Leaders
People of Property Leaders showcases our members and their organisation to the Property Leaders Brisbane community.
The People of Property Leaders are featured on LinkedIn and in The First Thursday Club (TFTC) invitation email.
If you are interested in being featured, please reach out to hello@propertyleadersbrisbane.org
Tony Dunnings
Director
Dunnings Consulting Engineers
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
Combining a passion for creating innovative, impactful buildings with a commitment to solving challenges and building meaningful relationships with exceptional people.
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
At Arup London, I had the chance to work on the redevelopment of Kings Cross Station, a 170+ year-old Grade 1A listed structure.
The project involved major alterations to its masonry and timber structure, which provided lateral resistance to a large double barrel-vaulted roof made of wrought iron, cast iron, and steel. The real challenge was making sure the structure could handle these changes and the quirky snow load patterns. It was amazing to dive into the history and materials, especially knowing the building had already survived bombings during WWII.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
I aim to make a positive impact in every interaction, focusing on building trust and respect with everyone I work with. I also make it a priority to find sustainable solutions in each project that help reduce carbon impact, contributing to a better future for generations ahead.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Cycle. Brisbane has great cycling infrastructure and that allows shaking some kilos while commuting.
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
Both mt Coot-Tha and Wilson Outlook Reserve for gazing back at the city.
Gary Wignell
Associate Director
Dunnings Consulting Engineers
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
When I was 5 years old, I pointed to the West Gate Bridge and told my mum and dad that in a previous life, I died working on that building. So, I guess it was fate that in this life I would be a designer rather than a builder. I always loved drawing and working out how things came together, which landed me in design properties and buildings.
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
Monash Learning and Teaching Building – It was incredibly challenging project from Concept stage to Practical Completion, with complex elements at every turn. From the 10-meter cantilevering floors to the 24-meter clear span transfer floor trusses over auditoriums, every element pushed the boundaries.
To add to that, intricate detailing for the two-story escarpment stair and the prefabricated roof hoods. Overcoming these hurdles was immensely rewarding, and the final result is just amazing.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
I really want my impact to be centred around adding value to projects, solving problems that need to be solved while being resourceful in design. Its about looking at the big picture and working out how can a building be designed more efficiently.
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
The best view of Brisbane I have seen was on flight SQ236 to Singapore, the plane did a fantastic loop of the city just after leaving Brisbane airport. But I usually get my fix at the top of Mt Coot-tha, where you can see far and wide.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Feelix for Goodness in Burnett Lane (order a ‘Magic’)
Jeremy Sue
Principal | Brisbane Leader
Northrop Consulting Engineers
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
The early PVR stages of the 2032 Olympics facilities have been rewarding. It’s exciting to be part of projects that not only look at the immediate needs but also consider sustainability and long-term impact—especially with the use of mass timber.
Project you want to work on? Why?
I’m keen to continue to contribute to Olympic projects that aren’t just about the here and now but aim to create something lasting—projects that focus on legacy, community, and inclusivity. These are the kinds of efforts that make a real difference, shaping not just place but also the lives and communities they bring together.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
I want my impact on the property industry to focus on creating spaces and buildings that are thoughtful, enduring, and sustainable. It’s about designing with purpose—crafting environments that make smart use of space, and stand the test of time.
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
The views of the Wool Stores in Teneriffe from the City Cat are truly unique. They offer a reminder of Brisbane’s history, showcasing how the city has evolved while still holding onto its roots.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
No Standing – Eagle Street. Surprisingly enough, you can only stand.
Kevin Walker
Managing Director of ETON Outsource
ETON Outsource
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
My entry into the property industry was more by accident than by planning. My background in technology and consulting inspired me to open an engineering consultancy in 2015. I was hooked from day one and loved working with property people, whom I mostly have found to be positive, optimistic and commercially focused. The success of the consultancy business was largely attributed to the outsourcing of skilled technical roles to full time employees in the Philippines. Outsourcing enabled a significant commercial advantage and inspired us opening ETON in 2022. The reason we started ETON was we wanted to share the competitive advantages we experienced through outsourcing with other business people and entrepreneurs seeking better staff upscaling options.
What does your standard day look like?
A typical day starts early, normally at 6am with a quick check of emails and accounting software to check if there any overnight urgent issues from our global partners in the UK or the Philippines that need to be addressed. I always get at least one hour body and mind work done, so either a gym visit or a run along the river near my home in Milton, followed by around 15 minutes meditation. I have learned that body and mind work helps with the stresses of life and is essential for mental wellbeing, long life and physical health. After body work the day begins in earnest with meetings, emails, calls and management of the effective placement of excellent Philopena staff with Australian businesses. The experience is rewarding and enjoyable and the days typically fly. I often don’t stop for lunch forgetting to eat until the evening when my kids respectfully remind me by saying “Oi Dad what’s for dinner tonight”.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
The start of Logan Road in Woolloongabba because it has the coolest cafés, restaurants and bars with an international flavour including French, Greek and Thai foods. The area also has the “One Mile”, an awesome Irish bar that serves the best pint of Guinness in Brisbane.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
The impact I want on the property industry is to help our industry friends and peers grow and succeed in their businesses by providing best practice outsourcing solutions.
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
Mount Coo-tha lookout – every Brisbane persons favourite place to take foreign visitors at night for a hot chocolate and a stunning view of the city.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Anywhere is Rosalea village, there are six cute coffee shops and restaurants to pick from depending on your mood and the time of day.
Rick Beardwood
QLD Manager – Senior Building Certifier
BM+G
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
I have always had an interest in the industry ever since a young age watching the activity on building sites. I moved from Manchester to Brisbane in 2012 and fell into the Building Certification sector and still enjoy it.
What does your standard day look like?
I have an early start walking the dog before everybody else wakes up. My wife and I then get breakfast, sort out the kids and get ready for the day. My son and I both then say goodbye to his baby sister and mum then we head off for the daycare drop off. I then get to work, check in with the team to plan the day, then its into meetings, phone calls, fee proposals, reports – but not before a coffee!
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
It would have to be the street where I live. Nothing beats coming home after a long day!
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
A lot of favourites however the most unique was Kidston Power Station in Northern QLD. An underground pumped storage hydro power station which makes use of an abandoned Gold Mine.
Project you want to work on? Why?
It would have to be something related to Brisbane 2032. Or another mass-timber building – they are always rewarding.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
If I can be well respected by industry colleagues and contribute to an overall safer built environment and impart a greater confidence in the industry generally to the public then I will have done my job well.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Car to work. My son is obsessed with trains, so I get enough public transport on weekends – even more so now thanks to 50c fares!
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
Howard Smith Wharf – you get it all, the Story Bridge and city skyline.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Knowhere on Upper Edward St. Spring Hill. It’s the local coffee shop to the office!
Hamish McMurray
CEO
Barmco Mana McMurray
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
I really like seeing a project develop from a concept into a built form. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been involved in some really interesting projects, from the C-17 Globe Master and C27J Battlefield Airlifter projects at RAAF Amberley, through to leading the engineering services design team for the $300M National Museum of Australia, and most recently the delivery of the $1B Canberra Hospital Clinical Services Building. I love looking out over a city and seeing all the projects I’ve been involved in and thinking “I was part of the team that built that”.
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
Canberra Hospital Expansion – working directly for Major Projects Canberra on behalf of Canberra Health Services, we were the client-side engineers shaping the delivery of this iconic $1B new hospital facility. I had previously led the project to author the Canberra Health Services Engineering Services Standard Inclusions which formed the basis of the project brief, and my team at BMM were heavily invested in ensuring a strong outcome for Health and the Territory through the concept, detailed design, and delivery. The outcome was outstanding, and my team contributed a lot to the project, as well as learning a lot from it.
Project you want to work on? Why?
Queensland Health Hospital projects. BMM have an expert team of health engineers, and we really want to be a part of the delivery of Health Services in Queensland. Our Queensland office manager Dhimendra and I have previously worked on the Joint Health Command facilities at various bases across the region, but have yet to engage on one of the larger public hospitals in this state.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
BMM are committed to pursuing engineering excellence. Too often today we see designs done from the top down, where the work has been offshored and a basic on-floor layout produced with little or no consideration of the infrastructure behind it. Projects experience huge variations because the designer didn’t size the plant properly in the first place and didn’t consider how the services were going to reticulate through the project. BMM do all of the bits that senior engineers used to do in large design houses before offshoring became a thing. We brief the project properly and create a solid, buildable concept, we review the design carefully to see if it can actually be built and will do the job, and we provide the construction superintendence and commission it to make sure it is put together the way it was designed. BMM want to bring quality design back into the construction industry.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Car or motorcycle. I live on a property just out of the city with no public transport, and the commute is just too far to cycle. I’m also a racing enthusiast and a motor-cycle racer myself, having competed in both Formula Xtreme and Australian Superbike, although this is strictly kept to the track!
Trent Gourgaud
Director
Barmco Mana McMurray
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
The property Industry is so diverse, and I have worked in a number of roles and capacities from Project Management, Construction Management and Design Management. The property industry has allowed me to work on some very complex and amazing projects, both here and abroad which includes recently CSIRO Collections Facility and the Clinical Services Building at The Canberra Hospital.
What does your standard day look like?
Wake up around 5:30am – Try and decided if I do a work out.
My youngest is up at 6:30am, and first words out of his mouth is dad can I have some Breakfast.
Try and get into the office or onsite between 7:30/8am.
From there its go go with meetings, site inspection, document reviews, team catchups, electrical skateboarding and more site inspections
6pm or 7pm head home.
I need to work on the work life balance!!!!!!!!
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
The CSIRO Collection Facility is a highly complex facility and we played a small, but significant role in the project in which we provide Peer Design Review services and Independent Commission Agent Services from Concept, Construction, Commissioning and Handover.
The facility is state to the art and the outcome was second to none.
Project you want to work on? Why?
When I was working for a tier one builder, I had the opportunity to be involved in the early stages of some exciting Health Services projects in Queenslands and I would like to close the loop.
Our BMM team are experts health engineers, and we really want to be a part of the delivery of Health Services in Queensland. Our Queensland office manager Dhimendra and CEO Hamish have previously worked on the Joint Health Command facilities at various bases across the region, but have yet to engage on one of the larger public hospitals in this state.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
BMM are committed to pursuing engineering excellence. Too often today we see designs done from the top down, where the work has been offshored and a basic on-floor layout produced with little or no consideration of the infrastructure behind it. Projects experience huge variations because the designer didn’t size the plant properly in the first place and didn’t consider how the services were going to reticulate through the project. BMM do all of the bits that senior engineers used to do in large design houses before offshoring became a thing. We brief the project properly and create a solid, buildable concept, we review the design carefully to see if it can actually be built and will do the job, and we provide the construction superintendence and commission it to make sure it is put together the way it was designed. BMM want to bring quality design back into the construction industry.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Car or Electrical Skate board. Its pretty easy to get around our city and during the warmer months, I often jump on the electric skateboard to commute. The board in a permanently in the car so I can go for a quick skate at lunch if I need to clear the head.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
My residence because my coffee machine makes the best coffee.
Ramon Canale
Senior Engineer
Barmco Mana McMurray
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
The end products become buildings/ facilities that are tangible. You can see them, touch them; people use them, work in them, live in them, visit them. They are like showcases of what we do. They also change the city skylines we live in. To be part of that is very rewarding. I have worked in numerous industries under this title being Defence, medical, education, government, commercial and residential. It’s such a wide, diverse industry; there’s always a new project that peaks your interest into something you’ve not done or tried before.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
Fish Lane in Brisbane CBD. It is a small, secluded gem with restaurants and a microbrewery. I think people like places that can be explored, out of the way and not look like they are too planned or organised.
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley (Brisbane). Such a unique building in Southeast Queensland that has influenced the design look of many buildings after it. It was a big challenge to have as much exposed concrete and keep it neat and classy by careful coordination and hiding services.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
Bringing about solid solutions for our clients. Dependable, repeatable, quality advice. Working as part of BMM allows me to achieve these goals. We are known as engineers that you go to when things get hard and that care. BMM is made up of people that each have years of diverse experience and worked on many challenging projects. Helping the property industry find better, more efficient and effective solutions is very satisfying to be part of.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Car, then train. I live in Gold Coast and commute to Brisbane for work. The M1 is a roulette wheel of chance so the train makes sense. It also is safer by not driving when tired or fatigued. We need another M1…
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Marchetti Café (Tattersall’s Arcade). Good espresso. No fanfair.
Lachlan Paulger
Managing Director
Melrose
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
I have always enjoyed the creativity and tangibility of construction, from an early age growing up on a farm.
What does your standard day look like?
Collaborating with our team delivering projects for our clients, thinking about how we as a business grow strategically and continue to improve daily as induvial and a team.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
Paulger Road, its home!
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
One One One Eagle Street – a landmark building that was a challenging project.
Project you want to work on? Why?
A future project that is yet to be thought of but will be inspiring. Australia’s first Nuclear Fusion Project!?
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
To create a business that is truly aligned to its purpose and values. A business that creates value for the industry and its people that will continue on past my time.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Cycle when im keen, car primarily. I love driving!
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
Mt Cootha or Mt Glorious on an early morning.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Salt Coffee Roasters – It’s our local and they run a good show!
Henry Olsen
Director
Melrose
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
I enjoy the challenge that construction brings and the teamwork to make something real for our clients.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
Start with a coffee or two, then working with our project teams assisting in the delivery of projects for our clients as well as building relationships will all of our stakeholders.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
Halifax St, the home of the East Tigers.
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
400 George St – it was the first ECI project I was involved in and to be there from the very start to the end was very rewarding as well as working with a fantastic group of people that all worked through multiple challenges to achieve a state of the art product.
Project you want to work on? Why?
Nothing specific, I just want to keep working through challenges with great people and enjoy the process of construction.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
To create a great business that people want to work with and for over generations.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
Car to work, it makes childcare drop off easier.
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
Joey’ at Kangaroo Point.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Hello Gary’s at Norman Park – a local close to home.
Tom Smith
Director
Melrose
What inspired you to pursue a role in the property industry?
My year 11 career guidance councillor (Ms Sinton). I wanted to either get into a trade or head out west to join the family farming operation. Ms Sinton recommended Construction Management and the rest is history.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
I head up Melrose’s Preconstruction Team. So generally the grind of Tender Pipeline work including tender submissions, client correspondence and supporting the preconstruction team.
Tell us your favourite street in SEQ/Brisbane? Why?
Ray Street – Wilston. My Grandparents owned a house there growing up. Whether it was cricket with the neighbours or just visiting my grandparents I built the best memories growing up.
Favourite project you have worked on? Why?
119 Charlotte Street Repositioning Project. It was Australia’s first recladding project to suit the non-combustible cladding solution. Paired with speculative fit outs, tenancy works, a live lobby and new EOTF this beast was a great project to be on with great outcomes.
Project you want to work on? Why?
I’d love to be involved with some more projects out west. Not only an excuse to see family but there is a lot of infrastructure opportunity out there looking to be seized.
What do you want your impact on the property industry to be?
I want my impact to be Day to Day. I want to be someone who makes a positive impact to those around me and non-transactional in my interactions day to day.
Car/cycle/walk or public transport? Why?
I am very lucky to live in Teneriffe and Work in Newstead. So walk!
Where do you see your favourite view of Brisbane from? Why?
Elidon Hill Reservoir in Wilston is good. But for me there is a particular view of the Brisbane skyline you get when driving up from the gold coast on the M1 as you go past Griffith University that always gives me a warm sense of being home.
Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?
Salt Coffee Roasters – stones throw from our office.