The Development Drum

In this episode of The Development Drum, CEO and Founder of GemLife, Adrian Puljich, sits down to discuss his mission to revolutionise the over-50s resort-style living sector across Australia. Adrian shares his journey from working alongside his family at Living Gems to founding GemLife in 2016 and expanding it into an industry-leading developer with a rapidly growing national footprint. He offers...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Chief Revenue Officer at Gallery Group, Alexandra Stuart-Robertson, reflects on her dynamic 20-year career across fine arts, high-end property sales, and strategic leadership. Alex shares an honest look into her transition from Sydney to South East Queensland, the pivotal female mentors who shaped her early career, and the art of shifting from a hands-on op...

In this episode of The Development Drum, father and son duo Nic and Ben De Luca reflect on over three decades of growth, evolution, and long-term legacy within the Queensland property and construction sectors. Nic shares a candid look at building De Luca Corporation from the ground up, highlighting the core values, authentic leadership, and relationship-first mindset that have guided the group acr...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Maria and John Dracakis reflect on nearly three decades of building a boutique, family-run property and construction business from the ground up. They share a candid look into how their distinct skill sets complement each other, the reality of navigating major market cycles and events, and the strategic advantages of maintaining an in-house construction arm...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Antonia Mercorella reflects on her long-standing tenure leading an influential peak body and the benefits of broadening her organisation's scope. She shares a candid look at her professional evolution, shifting from the technical details of a legal background into a big-picture executive leadership role. Antonia also discusses the high-stakes realities of n...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Nerida Conisbee reflects on her career trajectory from graduating into a 1990s recession to overcoming an early fear of public speaking and becoming a leading market commentator. She provides a behind-the-scenes look at the responsibility of breaking down complex data into objective insights, and explains why communicating market mechanics is far more diffi...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Julian Simmonds reflects on his journey through various levels of public and private sector leadership roles, to becoming the CEO of Economic Development Queensland (EDQ). He explains how building his career from the ground up required navigating the distinct landscapes of local and federal politics, and how early transitions served as a pathway to deep ind...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Bob Sharpless reflects on his journey and transition from working as a civil engineer to becoming the Deputy Chairman of Springfield City Group, the master developer of Greater Springfield. He explains how building his career and his landmark project from the ground up, required navigating early risks, and how planning for worst-case scenarios served as a d...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Sam Gardner reflects on his unique transition from a biochemical science background to becoming a second-generation leader at his family-owned business, Gardner Vaughan Group (GVG). He explains how carrying on a strong family culture has anchored the business during a period of massive corporate scaling and rapid multi-residential expansion across South Eas...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Frank Licastro reflects on his journey and transition from being an on-site electrician to building Frank Developments, a premier design-led property brand. He explains how carrying his family name brings both pride and pressure, and how vertically integrating his business helped him navigate recent industry disruptions. Frank also offers a candid look into...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Ian reflects on his career and his passion for creating lasting legacies through his projects. He explains how staying connected through UDIA Queensland helps his team stay informed and how his term as State President drove him to constantly push for better outcomes. Ian also offers his perspective on the housing crisis, unpacking the structural challenges...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Andrew shares the story that took him from the legal world to a leadership role at nbn, reflecting on what he loved (and misses) about being a lawyer and how it ultimately led him to where he is today. He offers fascinating insight into the one thing most new home buyers don’t know — and why it keeps him up at night. Andrew also speaks to the value of suppo...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Marina shares the journey behind her enduring passion for the industry, from early lessons and influential mentors to the values that guide her today. She talks about building and maintaining a brand and legacy with clarity of purpose, her collaborative leadership style, and why genuine connection with her team, peers, and the broader industry remains at th...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Kirsty sits down with Damian Winterburn to explore his journey into the property development world, inspired from a young age by his grandfather’s legacy. Damian shares candid insights into the builder-developer business model, the lessons he’s learned, and the advice he’d pass on. He also reflects on the projects he’s most proud of — particularly those tha...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Roger Collins-Woolcock shares stories from a career that’s seen it all — from building an office from the ground up in Hervey Bay back in 1994, to backing himself years later and launching a boutique consultancy. He reflects on the lessons learned along the way, his passion for helping clients grow, and the value of smart succession planning and strategy. W...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Marty offers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of property finance — sharing the complexity of his role, the extraordinary highs and lows, and what it’s like working alongside some of the biggest companies in the country. With a deep passion for the industry, he reflects on the importance of mentoring the next generation and the value of strong prof...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Claire O'Rourke takes us through her career journey — from the lecture halls of university to climbing the corporate ladder, to now leading her own company. She reflects on the pivotal role of professional mentorship in shaping her path and how her involvement with UDIA Queensland fuels her sense of purpose. Claire also shares a behind-the-scenes look at he...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Development Drum, Adam McVie opens up about his journey through a long and rewarding career at Dennis Family Corporation. He shares the lessons learned along the way, the realities developers are navigating in today’s landscape, and what’s kept him engaged in both the industry and with the Institute. From proud project milestones to finding balance between w...

In this episode of The Development Drum, Kirsty speaks with Col Dutton — UDIA National President and General Manager at Stockland. Col shares his journey into the property industry, from development assessments in local councils to leading Stockland’s Gold Coast team and embracing new challenges on the West Coast. He discusses the importance of understanding the customer, matching product to commu...

In this episode of the Development Drum, Glen Maidment talks about the journey of starting his business, Maidment Group, its expansion, and the strategic decision to incorporate various in-house services, such as the recent inclusion of multi-unit residential offerings. He discusses the hurdles encountered, particularly in the distinctive regional market of Townsville, and his participation in the...

In this episode of the Development Drum, Mike Loney discusses the complexities of navigating the property development landscape amidst a housing crisis, providing insights into the challenges they’ve faced while also offering his perspective on whether housing affordability is achievable. He goes on to tell the story of how he got into this field of work, sheds light on his current day-to-day acti...

In this episode of the Development Drum, Tammy Berghofer shares her journey from starting a marketing degree in university, to now working as a legal advisor to the real estate sector as an award-winning Partner at MinterEllison Lawyers. Delve into the intricacies of the regulatory landscape and collaborative efforts with Government, and gain insights into the complexities of an aging population,...

In this episode of the Development Drum, Amanda Yeates discusses her career trajectory, from her roles in State Government and Transport and Main Roads to her current position as CEO at SunCentral. Amanda expresses her enthusiasm for the industry, highlighting the aspects that excite her most, and sharing the challenges she has encountered over the years. She offers insights into the community's a...

In this episode of the Development Drum, Mark Creevey and Tony Williams, Directors at Ray White Special Projects (QLD), share invaluable insight into market intricacies, supply and demand, and the nature of the industry. Mark and Tony discuss their collaborative approach towards co-directing the business and how they ensure combined goals are achieved. They also share their experiences navigating...

In this episode of the Development Drum, David Laner delves into the intricacies of his role, exploring both its challenges and highlights as he navigates projects from inception to completion. David also shares invaluable advice to industry peers and newcomers alike, emphasising the significance of active participation in industry organisations and the guidance offered by mentors. Links from this...