The VMBSG Women’s Network has experienced significant growth and engagement over the past year. We’ve hosted a variety of successful events that have provided valuable networking and learning opportunities for our members, featuring inspiring guest speakers and insightful discussions.

Robert Mitchelmore started Ryt Business Solutions Pty Ltd in 2011 after 14 years with Victoria Police and 10 years with the Victorian Building Authority. With extensive experience in investigations, Robert applies modern investigative techniques to manage cases, assess complaints, prepare legal documents, and handle court proceedings.

Prior to entering the legal profession Mat Sherwell was with Victoria Police for 12 years honing his investigation and prosecution skills.

Kirsty Leskie is an experienced lawyer who has exceptional project management skills. Kirsty uses these skills to assist her clients in running complex and high importance proceedings.

Stephen Hempel, a retired Municipal Building Surveyor and former Manager at Stonnington Council, has had a distinguished career in local government, serving as a Local Government Representative on the Building Codes Committee, a member of the Building Appeals Board, and a Committee Member of VMBSG. With qualifications including a Diploma in Building Surveying, Scaffolding Inspector, Building Inspector, and Building Surveyor, Stephen remains active in retirement on the Mornington Peninsula, engaging in various projects and playing golf regularly. An accomplished athlete, he has completed 8 Ironman competitions and 28 marathons.

I started my carpentry apprenticeship right after leaving school and worked in the field for nearly 15 years. Wanting a change, I decided to pursue a career as a Building Surveyor, studying by correspondence while living in Mildura. After four years, I became a qualified Building Surveyor and began working at Whittlesea Council. Following 15 years there, I joined the old Building Commission, which later became the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). After finishing up at the VBA, I took on contract roles with Surfcoast Council, Greater City of Geelong, and Horsham Council. I retired in 2020 and now enjoy Parkrun, coaching junior basketball, and caravanning.

John Prendergast is dedicated to improving the building industry, particularly in the field of Building Surveying. With extensive knowledge of both the building industry and local government, John has a strong track record of leadership and expertise. He has previously served as the Municipal Building Surveyor for the City of Dandenong and held key roles including membership on the Building Regulation Advisory Committee (BRAC) and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS). John is also the immediate past president and a life member of the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group (VMBSG).

In addition to his work in Australia, John has led several international study tours on behalf of AIBS, guiding Building Surveyors through cities of interest in China in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017. His extensive experience in local and state government, combined with his passion for advancing the industry, has made him a respected figure in Building Surveying.

Peter Phillips has had a long and varied career in building surveying, starting as a Cadet Building Surveyor at the Shire of Eltham in 1976. He then moved on to the City of Melbourne, where he became Senior Building Inspector for the CBD. From 1992 to 2001, Peter held several roles at the Building Commission, including Senior Technical Advisor and Registrar for the Building Practitioners Board. He later became Municipal Building Surveyor at Mornington Peninsula Shire from 2001 to 2010. A dedicated member of the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group (VMBSG) since 2001, Peter served as a Committee Member and Vice President. He also worked on state government committees and review panels, and from 2010 to 2017, he was a member of the Building Practitioners Board. Peter’s most recent roles were as Manager Building Services at the City of Whittlesea and Municipal Building Surveyor at Moira Council.

I am a qualified Civil Engineer, Municipal Engineer (Post Grad), and Unlimited Building Surveyor with 45 years of experience in local government, running my own private Building Surveying/Engineering company, and working in the waste management industry. I have served as Municipal Building Surveyor (MBS) for Ararat, Pyrenees, and Corangamite and provided relief MBS services for various regional councils. My passion has always been the wellbeing of my staff and the community, with extensive involvement in Emergency Management after fires, floods, and windstorms. I am now a member of the Red Cross Emergency Response team and serve on the board of the Port Fairy Folk Festival as Manager of Building Compliance. In addition, I run my own yoga and meditation business, teaching classes to around 28 students, including local building inspectors, surveyors, and town planners. Outside of work, my interests include long-distance ocean swimming, playing in bands, building, and most recently, golf.

Brett Turner has been involved in the Building Surveying industry since the early 1980s, gaining experience in both private and Local Government roles. He’s a former President of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) Vic Chapter, where he served on the executive for over 13 years and earned the title of Fellow of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors. Brett is also a dedicated committee member of the VMBSG and held a long-standing position as Municipal Building Surveyor (MBS) at the City of Casey. Currently, he serves as the MBS at Bayside City Council and is looking forward to retirement in the next five years – but still has plenty of passion for the industry!