JackHutchinson'sLifeFellowshipfromAIB
News
On Friday night, Jack Hutchinson AM (also known as Jack Snr) was recognised with a prestigious Life Fellowship from the Australian Institute of Building (AIB). He has been an active part the AIB of for many decades including as National President between 1994-1996. This honour celebrates Jack's outstanding contributions to the building industry and his unwavering commitment to excellence.
Jack started as a labourer with J Hutchinson & Sons in 1952, and his leadership over more than fifty years has been instrumental in shaping Hutchies into the industry leader it is today. His dedication to people, quality, innovation, and community has left an indelible mark on the construction landscape.
RobinFardoulysAMLFAIB,AustralianInstituteofBuildingHis journey through the perils of the construction sector starting seventy three years ago in 1952, have been a display of resilience and adaption by supporting good staff. That journey was with good construction leaders too, like Tommy Woollam, David Stewart, Ian Barclay, Sir John Pigeon, Joe Box, Jeff Box, Peter Fardoulys, Cess Fritz, John Hornibrook and many other icons of the Queensland construction sector. Jack is with them all.
At the awards ceremony, held at Hutchies’ built Emporium at South Bank, Jack was treated like an industry superstar, with people getting photos with him and acknowledging his immense contribution to construction.
There in support were some of Jack’s closest family and friends, including his son Scott, who is Hutchies’ current Chairman and 4th generation Hutchinson, along with his grandson Jack Jnr (5th generation). They were joined by other special guests — Hutchies' Managing Director Russell Fryer, Hutchies’ veteran and former Team Leader Barry Butterworth, Scott's other son Terrence, and nephew Alec Hutchinson.
RobinFardoulysAMLFAIB,AustralianInstituteofBuildingJack, the Australian Institute of Building is grateful for all you have done, not only for the AIB, but more importantly for the thousands of students, graduates, staff, and the industry more broadly. So it is the pleasure of all of us here tonight to recognise your contribution by presenting you with the highest grade possible life fellow of the Australian Institute of Building. Well done, Jack.
Jack's career history is nothing short of remarkable. He studied Quantity Surveying at Queensland Institute of Technology, graduating in 1966 while working in the Queensland Government’s Public Works office. In 1968, an ailing Hutchies needed desperate help after a few challenging projects – Jack left his job at Public Works to resurrect the company. He introduced modern tools and equipment, programming, and the timeless objective of investing in our people to best serve our clients, a key pillar that remains in Hutchies’ company strategy more than six decades later. Jack was Managing Director and Chairman up until 2001 when he retired. He is also credited with driving the fun and down-to-earth culture that is still renowned at Hutchies today.
In 2001, recognising his significant service to the building and construction sector, Jack was awarded the Order of Australia. He celebrated his 90th birthday in October 2024.
Join us in congratulating Jack Hutchinson AM LFAIB on this well-deserved honour. His legacy continues to inspire all of us at Hutchies and across the Australian construction industry.