CamoowealFullCircle
ExploringLegaciesinRemoteConstruction
The Camooweal Primary Health Care Centre shows how Hutchies blends history with modern methods of construction to keep building smarter for remote communities.
In a heartfelt return to one of Hutchies’ most remote and historic projects, company legends Barry Butterworth and Jack Hutchinson Snr recently visited Camooweal to see the newly completed hospital – built by Hutchies Modular in 2024 – replacing the original facility Barry helped construct back in 1963.
The visit in 2025 marked a full-circle moment for Barry, who began his career with J Hutchinson & Sons in 1961 and was just a young apprentice when he was sent to Camooweal to help build the original hospital. The project was one of Hutchies’ earliest ventures into remote construction, and Barry recalls it as one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs of his career.
BarryButterworth"We lived in the shed, mixed every bit of concrete by hand, and had no power tools. We used carbide lights for illumination and drilled holes with star drills. It was hard yakka, but I loved every minute of it."
The original hospital was built using traditional methods – bored piers, suspended slabs, and reinforced concrete walls – all constructed with materials trucked in from Mount Isa and cement bags weighing over 50 kilograms each. Barry and the team worked long hours without overtime, driven by a strong work ethic and a deep sense of pride in their craft.
Fast forward nearly six decades, and Hutchies has returned to Camooweal with a new approach – modular construction. The 2024 replacement hospital was delivered using Hutchies’ leading modern methods of construction (MMC) expertise, a concept Barry himself helped pioneer in the early 2000s. Each module was carefully built off-site in the Hutchies Yard at Yatala and transported more than 2,000km to Camooweal, allowing for rapid installation, commissioning and minimal disruption to the community.
Barry’s contributions to Hutchies’ original foray into modular construction were instrumental. In 2006, he led the delivery of 55 modular homes for Queensland Health across 18 remote locations. He developed innovative jack systems to unload modules without relying on cranes, saving time and cost.
"We could put three modules together in a day. It was all about finding smarter ways to do things."
The 2025 visit was more than just a trip down memory lane – it was a celebration of Hutchies’ enduring legacy in regional Australia. Accompanied by Hutchies’ Managing Director Russell Fryer and COO Paul Hart, Jack Snr and Barry toured the new facility, met with locals, and reflected on the evolution of construction methods and Hutchies’ continued commitment to remote communities.
"Camooweal was where I learned what hard work really meant. To come back and see how far we’ve come – with modular buildings, better safety, and smarter systems – is incredible. But the heart of Hutchies is still the same: good people, strong relationships, and a willingness to go anywhere and give anything a go."
Jack Snr echoed the sentiment, noting that Hutchies’ culture of innovation and community connection remains its greatest strength.
JackHutchinsonSnr"We’ve always said yes to the hard jobs, the remote jobs, the ones others wouldn’t touch. That’s what makes us Hutchies."
The Camooweal revisit is a powerful reminder of Hutchies’ history and future – built on craftsmanship, resilience, and a deep respect for the places and people we serve. From hand-mixed concrete in 1963 to precision-built modules in 2024, no matter the time, location or materials, Hutchies continues to build with heart.
