In regional Australia, building isn’t always straightforward. Distance, weather extremes and limited access to trades can complicate even the most carefully planned project. But for the three young directors behind Mable Projects, those challenges are exactly what inspired them to start their business.

Based in the charming town of Scone in the Upper Hunter region, Mable Projects was founded in 2020 by Luke Cullinane, Will White and Max Wylie. All three of them grew up in small rural towns.

In just five years, the company has grown from ‘three mates with a ute and a plan’ into a team of 15 delivering custom homes, renovations and restorations across the Upper Hunter and New England, and now Sydney region. That momentum was recognised this year when Mable Projects won the HIA Australian Start-up Business award.

Each director brings a different skillset to the table, creating a business model that has proven both unique and effective. Luke focuses on the delivery of projects and maintaining the company’s high construction standards. ‘We’ve always believed country clients deserve the same level of professionalism and quality you’d expect in the city,’ he says.

Will oversees operations, team leadership and strategic planning, ensuring the company’s systems and site culture keep pace with its rapid growth. As Will says, ‘Good planning and strong systems aren’t optional – they’re essential for our team and our clients.’

Meanwhile, Max drives the business strategy and community engagement. ‘The support we’ve received locally has been huge, so we’re always looking for ways to give back.’

Community connection has become a defining feature of the business. The team has volunteered during flood recovery efforts, supported local schools and sporting clubs, and helped raise funds for community members in need.
‘We’ve offered our services continually to the local community by volunteering our team to clean up after last year’s floods and the damage caused by the Hunter River near Scone,’ Will says. ‘We also volunteered a week of our labour to help clean up after the 2022 Molong floods.’

On a more substantial scale, Max has helped raise over $2 million in the past five years through charity auctions across Australia. This included raising $1.65 million for the Tour de Cure cancer research in Australia.
Over time, the company has steadily built a reputation for high-end custom projects, including architecturally designed homes and heritage restoration projects exceeding $2.8 million.

Now the next phase of growth is taking shape in Scone. Mable Projects is currently constructing a 350- square-metre headquarters and workshop that will serve as the operational hub for the business. ‘This new workshop is going to be a game-changer for us,’ says Max.

It’s being built using Passivhaus principles and recycled materials. Once complete, it will support client education sessions, team training and new ventures such as designing and creating custom furniture.

HIA judges said the company’s success reflects both strong leadership and a clear vision for the future. ‘Their systems, financial oversight and team structure provide a strong platform for scalable growth.’