The Award is given to an individual or organisation who in the opinion of MBA’s Board of Management has made a significant contribution to the building and construction industry in Western Australia.

About Robert Law

Robert Law was the first President of MBA from 1898-1903 at the age of 31.

He was the son of a builder who came to WA from Victoria and built the railway bridge across the Swan River at North Fremantle. The pair won numerous government bridge and jetty contracts, including Derby Jetty. In the early 1980s a partnership of Atkins & Law was formed with William Atkins and they built the first leg of the Perth-Pinjarra railway line. Atkins & Law projects include the Perth Boys School and the Perth Mint (1996-98).

On 28 March 1898, Robert Law organised a meeting at a hotel in Murray St, Perth to discuss the formation of the Builders & Contractors Association. He was first elected President at the first AGM 5 months later on 26/8/1898. He built his own family home at 18 Colin Street, West Perth (now heritage-listed).

Other landmark projects included Guildford Grammar School, Perth Children’s Hospital, Boans Bros Emporium (where Myer now stands), Bunbury Railway Station, Orient Hotel and several jetties.

By 1934, Law was WA’s leading brickmaker, becoming Managing Director of Metro Brick. He was also was appointed Managing Director of Portland Cement and became a Life Member of Kings Park Tennis Club in 1914.

Robert Law died in 1947.

Previous Winners of the Award:

1998 Homeswest

1999 Graham Kierath

2000 Geraldton Building Company

2001 Len Buckeridge

2002 John Roberts

2003 Plunkett Homes

2004 Graham Glick

2005 Ron Scott

2006 Gervase Purich

2007 Robert Torrance