Property professionals honoured on Queen’s Birthday
Westfield’s former Australian chief Bob Jordan, architect Ken Maher, ASBEC co-founder Jane Montgomery-Hribar, property developer Max Beck and respected public servant Peter Seamer have been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday list.
Maher, Montgomery-Hribar and Beck were all named Officers (AO) in the General Division.
Acclaimed architect and president of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), Professor Ken Maher (pictured, left) was awarded an AO for his “distinguished service to architecture and landscape design, particularly through urban infrastructure projects, and to environmental sustainability in planning”.
A recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the AIA Gold Medal, Maher is responsible for city-shaping projects like Olympic Park Railway Station and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts theatre.
Maher has been a vocal advocate of sustainable building, as both a founding board member of the Green Building Council of Australia and a board member of the Co-operative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living.
Meanwhile, ASBEC’s co-founder, Jane Montgomery-Hribar (pictured right), was acknowledged for her “distinguished service to the building and construction sector, particularly in the areas of project procurement and industry standards, through executive roles, and as a mentor of women”.
As the executive director of the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council Inc for 17 years, Montgomery-Hribar was the driving force behind guidelines which improved safety on worksites, elevated standards and instilled greater levels of confidence in the building and construction industry.
Montgomery-Hribar was also a founding member of the National Association of Women in Construction.
Max Beck trained as a carpenter before forming his own contract building business at the age of 21. In 1976 he established the property development, construction and investment company Becton Property Group. Beck was chairman of Becton until 2009, and today concentrates on development of Essendon Airport, which he owns.
Beck was recognised for his “distinguished service to the community through philanthropic and fundraising support for medical, sporting, social welfare and cultural organisations, and to urban revitalisation”.
Bob Jordan (pictured left), Westfield Corporation’s managing director in Australia, New Zealand and the US, was made a Member (AM) in the General Division for “significant service to business and commerce, particularly through the commercial property industry, and to charitable causes”.
Joining Westfield in 1987, Jordan was chief operating officer and then managing director for Australia and New Zealand from 2003 to 2011 before assuming the added responsibility for US operations. The former national director of the Property Council, Jordan retired from Westfield in 2014. He has since devoted his time to charitable organisations and the arts and is currently chairman of the Hazelhurst Art Gallery Fund.
Other AMs were awarded to Andrew Marshall, Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of South Australia’s School of Natural and Built Environments; Queensland architect and adjunct professor from the University of Queensland, Robert Riddel and former CEO of the Victorian Planning Authority Peter Seamer.
Seamer has been active in the planning, management and operation of Australian cities for his long career. He has led Places Victoria, the City of Sydney and several local councils in Victoria. Seamer also oversaw the development of Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square.
Medals in the General Division (OAM) were presented to four property professionals. Brendon Collins is currently building what he hopes will be Australia’s first 10-star energy rated homes in a medium density development. Former builder an adjunct Professor in QUT’s Built Environment Faculty Gregory McLean, John Holland’s national construction manager David Grenfell and the Gold Coast’s Glenn Simpson were also recognised for their service to the building and construction sector.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott was also honoured for her service to the public and private sector.