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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationMemories & milestones
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Ian Bushnell
Content Writer
Bill Hannaford
HIA National President 1969-’71
Builders’ registration: We are responsible for the registration of builders, which protects builders and the public.
Looking ahead: We should be doing more lobbying, training apprentices, and bringing them into the building industry. And attracting women to our industry: anything a man can do, a woman can do.
John Ainscough
HIA National President 1977–’79
The national office: Establishing the national office in Canberra was critical, as was having the right people to do the job that was required.
Looking ahead: With all the concerns of finance and sales through the real estate industry supply in the 1970s, HIA was a necessity. For HIA members, my advice is that you always need to keep your eyes and ears open all the time.
Roger de Blet AM
HIA National President 1989-'91
Insurance: We developed an almost instant market in insurance. It seemed every builder in Australia who belonged to HIA took up the insurance product.
Looking ahead: HIA Awards nights are an essential part of the business. When you go to them and you see the participants getting their awards, you appreciate just how special it means to people to be recognised by their peers.
Graham Anderson
HIA National President 1997–’99
National restructure: When Martin Edwards was the president, he bulldozed changes through, resulting in the structure you have today.
Looking ahead: HIA has played a major role, not just in the development of housing but in political and economic life. Its responsibility is to maintain that for the financial and political future.
Peter Irving
HIA National President 2001-’03
Business Partner Network: Many members’ wives or partners handle the books, so we launched the Business Partner Network to offer support.
Looking ahead: We need to reduce the red tape associated with the housing crisis. The [state] government is now going to take away control from the councils for large-cost projects, and the government will make the decision.
Peter Grigg
HIA National President in 2003–’05
First home-buyer assistance: If we had a big win over time, it's probably been the implementation of the First Home Owner Grant.
Looking ahead: We've got to think about how we pay apprentices. HECS debts fund students attending university. We need a similar scheme to pay people a reasonable wage while they learn the trade rather than giving them a pittance.
Bruce Langford-Jones
HIA National President 2006-'09
Memories: I had three years [as HIA president] and it was probably the best time of my life. I enjoyed it, and it's a thrill being with past presidents tonight.
Premises: The most significant thing was when the Board decided that various states should have their own premises. So, we endevoured to achieve that, purchasing or building five different offices.
Jill Lee
HIA National President 2009–’11
Apprentices: We had a fabulous apprentice structure. I put my hand up to be on the apprentice's board or committee, and I was very involved.
Looking ahead: I see a lot more apprentices, particularly women apprentices, on sites than I've ever seen in my 30 years in the residential building industry – something that I hope will continue to thrive in the future.
Stuart Wilson
HIA National President 2011-'13
Meeting members: I tried to get to the regional areas and let our members know that the Board, their staff and HIA were there to support them.
GFC: I was the HIA President when the global financial crisis hit, which was incredibly challenging for our members. We had to address the issue and we came through it together incredibly well.
Ron Dwyer
HIA National President 2013-'15
Early days: I joined HIA in 1983 as a member, then joined a local HIA committee and realised this was the way to go.
Commitment: I was involved in the industry 24/7. I joined HIA because I thought, this is a great way to meet my customers, my competitors, and people I should be meeting if I'm going to progress.
Ross Lang
HIA National President 2015–’17
Green building: I’m proud of the industry embracing energy efficiency, changing the design to provide comfortable living for occupants.
Looking ahead: I could see HIA running its own display homes and being the commercial builder for them and letting members share in that.
Pino Monaco
HIA National President 2017-'19
Advocating: HIA has a wealth of information based on our research, based on our background. We are very good at advocating.
HIACF: The HIA Charitable Foundation is the heart and soul of our industry. It’s what we do for the betterment and wellbeing of our membership.
Simon Norris
HIA National President 2019-'21
Changes: It was an interesting time to join the Board as it was becoming more professional, in the way we approached the corporate governance of HIA.
Looking ahead: It’s important to keep young people motivated. They need to see there are solutions; it requires strong leadership by politicians and organisations.
Alwyn Even
HIA National President 2021–’23
COVID: HIA was able to provide members with accurate information on lockdowns. It was a time when all builders relied on HIA.
Looking ahead: Governments need to recognise the industry is over-regulated. They need to free up industry and businesses so we can get on with building houses.
Debbie Johnson
HIA National President 2023–’25
Contribution: It’s been an honour meeting with HIA members in the industry. I always felt I could contribute and should strive to be on the Board.
Youth culture: While we've never had so much to give, it's never been harder to share that information now, particularly with the younger generation and the way they learn.
First published on 8 September 2025.