This year that honour was bestowed on Peter Hurst.

It proved to be quite a surprise for the Hurst Homes director, who prefers to be the one handing out the awards.

“I’m an absolute control freak and I like to know exactly what’s happening around me constantly,” Mr Hurst said. “I like to be the person that does that thing for other people.

“To get caught on the night, I was gobsmacked. It was a real highlight. It got me, caught me totally off guard.”

The HIA Honour Roll highlights individuals who are not only held in high regard by their peers, but who have also provided services to the industry above and beyond self interest.

To read the 2018 HIA Awards special publication e-mag, click HERE.

Mr Hurst, who is also vice president of the HIA Wagga branch, said Honour Roll recipients weren’t announced every year and could only be named on merit.

“We set a criteria of anyone who goes over and above, for the benefit of the industry and community, away from their general role or paid position,” he said. “They’re giving of themselves and their time and sacrificing.”

Peter made his way into the industry after completing a pre-apprenticeship course at Wagga TAFE and starting an apprenticeship with Geoff Burns at the end of 1985.

He stayed into his third year before joining David Hurst in 1987 and finishing his apprenticeship in 1988.

During the late 80s Peter continued his education, studying building foreman/clerk of works, and scaffolding and rigging at TAFE. Going out on his own in 1990, his first solo project was two, two-bedroom units, followed by spec homes in developing suburbs.

With an increasing administration workload, Peter put down the tools in 1993 to focus on running the business.

Peter prefers to work behind the scenes, including teaching at TAFE, and continues to be dedicated to the planning and development of Wagga. He has won many awards within the building industry, including at HIA and Master Builders level, as well as for workplace safety.

Peter has donated time to sporting groups and raising money for charities, including as president of Kangaroos Junior and as an organiser of the HIA golf day.

His greatest achievement is his family: wife Deb and their children - Kate, Hannah, Abbey and Wil.

“My two eldest daughters both came home for (the awards) and the other two kids … to have them there, you win an award and you come home and talk about it second hand, but for them to be there to see that, I got a buzz about it,” Mr Hurst said.

“They’re such a big part of it. I do try to get to whatever I can, but they understand that what I do is for the greater good of the industry and Wagga, because I think we’ve got so much potential here.”