Travis Clark and Jessica Gardiner rewarded at Southern Regions Building Awards

Travis Clark was named the Young Builder of the Year and the Jessica Gardiner was handed the 2019 Women in Construction award at the ceremony, held at the Ulladulla Civic Centre on July 20.

Ms Gardiner, an apprentice to Joe Proud, August Developments, told the Southern Highlands News she was surprised when the judges announced she was the winner.

The judges said Ms Gardiner has been working with her team on a range of residential projects in the Ulladulla area and has been "challenging the perception of the female tradie".

Mr Clark was described, by the judges, as a young builder that had a "passion for perfection" in building.

"He sets himself and his team high standards of both construction and finish."

More than 400 guests from the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, South Coast and Far South Coast were entertained by MC Adam Straney, comedian Syd Heylen and band State7 during then night.

Retired builders Ross Meredith and Chick Schorobura were judges and could not speak highly enough on the quality of work they had the pleasure of judging this year, a representative for the Masters Builders Association Ulladulla said.

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The spokesperson praised the wide array of local, financial and building industry sponsors, who backed the awards ceremony.

Illawarra company Project Coordination (Australia) Pty Ltd claimed two of the coveted major awards on the night. Project Coordination won the 2019 Commercial Builder of the Year and the 2019 SafeWork Excellence in Work Health & Safety award for the Nan Tien Temple Bridge.

Judges said the construction of a bridge spanning 140 metres over the M1 Freeway had extensive safety challenges.

"These included working over five lanes of heavy traffic, night work, adjacent overhead powerlines, adjacent high pressure gas lines and the supervision of heavy machinery during the construction period. The site safety personnel showed exceptional coordination and planning skills to have this project constructed without stoppages and completed safely without incidents."

Nowra-based apprentice Callum Barker endeared himself to the audience with his short and sharp speech when he was awarded the Apprentice of the Year.

Bega builders Jarrah Clifton and Murray Russell of Clifton and Russell Constructions Pty Ltd won the 2019 Residential Builder of the Year award.

"These builders continually demonstrate their hands-on excellence in building projects with exceptional skill, care and commitment to delivering a quality product and securing complete client satisfaction," the judges said.