Pioneer who created city’s masters builders branch farewelled
PETER WALTER NIXON BIG names of Townsville’s building industry have paid respects to the man who helped establish the city’s master builders branch, Peter Walter Nixon.
Mr Nixon died on August 31, aged 87.
He was born in Bathurst and was married to Sheila.
He was farewelled by family and friends at the Lakes Chapel on Monday.
Mr Nixon was instrumental in the establishment of the Townsville office of the Queensland Master Builders Association.
He was the first appointed staff member in the region, subsequently holding the position of regional director for 27 years from the early 1960s. He was held in high regard. Managing director of Corinthian Constructions, John Mahlouzarides, said Mr Nixon was a well known Townsville building identity who started as a painter before he managed Robb and Brown in Townsville and then went on to take the travels across North
Queensland for work spread word of the Master Builders Association, which now spans countrywide and represents 32,000 members in the $200 billion building and construction industry.
“Peter was very active in fostering the membership of the association. Peter was virtually a lone person up here and did a very good job,” he said.
“The building industry is a very vast one with various sections to the industry. Peter was very good at tying it all together, he had a good understanding to each division.”
Adrian Gabrielli, managing director of Gabrielli Constructions, paid tribute to Mr Nixon saying he helped him get his building licence.
“I will forever be grateful to Peter for his assistance in obtaining my building licence upon my father’s sudden death, enabling the family building company to keep trading with me as the new nominee,” Mr Gabrielli said.