The level of innovation, dedication and ability of those connected with the building industry on the Sunshine Coast continues to amaze and inspire me.

As property editor with Sunshine Coast Newspapers I have developed a strong association with the architects, designers and builders of this region.

In that time we have created many lasting friendships.

Last week we started this year’s judging for the Master Builders Association regional awards.

Houses in a variety of categories from those suited to first-home buyers right up to the multi-million dollar mansions, from warehouses and professional offices to tourist accommodation, shopping complexes and centres of learning.

I am privileged to be able to walk through these homes and buildings they have nominated for the awards.

These are the buildings they think are worthy of commendation and good enough to go on and be judged, first, against the best in Queensland then, second, against the best in Australia.

The high levels of expertise, the degree of care and amount of thought, planning and effort that goes into them is remarkable.

So too is the way the industry has moved to build houses that are more environmentally efficient, safer and better to live in while still bearing in mind the cost to the end-user.

Just like newspapers, where a large number of people with different skills, egos and levels of expertise work together to put out a product that is as good as any in the world, so it is with the building industry.

Roofers, tilers, concretors, plumbers, painters, carpenters, carpet layers complete the vision that designers came up with – what builders, developers, quantity surveyors, estimators, valuers, accountants, bankers, planners put in place.

I once read that if you can help just one person then your life has been worthwhile.

Every day in the building and construction industry, just like here at Property Week, we are helping people.

Helping them get a roof over their head, a home of their own, a dream fulfilled. How good is that ... helping create one of mankind’s basic needs.

During judging we get to marvel at the sheer enormity of some projects, be amazed at the extreme attention to detail in others, admire the problem-solving, the persistence, the sense of pride each must feel when they step back and say: “I built that.”

Yet saying that, we cannot be content to sit back and feel comfortable. It is the responsibility of all of us to perform our special skills to the best of our ability.

The greatest tragedy is to not use these talents.

As American social writer Eric Hoffer said: “In times of change the learners inherit the earth while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”