Better Homes and Gardens is celebrating the Tradie of the Year Awards to recognise the incredible talent, dedication and community spirit of tradies across Australia. From sparkies and chippies to plumbers and tilers, the nominations we received were heartfelt, inspiring and also humbling.
From hundreds of entries, four exceptional category winners were selected across innovation, craftsmanship, being new to their trade, and a standout apprentice.
It was eye-opening to see the scale of contribution, talent and aspiration in our Australian trade landscape, and wonderful to see and hear the appreciation within communities. We saw nominations from business owners, clients, friends, colleagues and, of course, mums.
To every nominee, thank you for the work you do, and the way you do it. You’re not just building homes, you’re shaping communities.
Winner of Tradie of the Year
Kimberley Smyth – HeySista Plumbing
Out of the hundreds of deserving entries, one extraordinary tradie stood out to be named Tradie of the Year. This entry went above and beyond, shattering social norms and expectations. To our winner Kimberley Smyth, your work inspires us all.
You’ve shown that with courage and compassion, you can build not only a business, but a movement. For more information on Kimberley’s work, check out the Innovator of the Year category!
Category winners for Tradie of the Year
Each category winner has been selected based on the merit of their technical excellence, impact to community, and quality and pride in their work.
Tradie of the Year categories
Read on to discover more about these top tradies, our special mentions in each category:
Artisan of the year
Jonathan Friend – JForm
Creative to the core, Jonathan doesn’t just build, he designs experiences. His boutique construction company JForm has earned a cult following for bold colour, architectural precision and soulful timber craftsmanship. From wine bars to home studios, his work blends flair with practicality.
Based in Sydney, Jonathan deserves this award for his work elevating construction to an art form and building with both his hands and heart.
Special mentions
Sam Spong
From international medals to mentoring the next generation, Sam’s craftsmanship cements him as a bricklayer hero.
Bindi Day
Bindi transforms homes with precision and pride, leading a First Nations, female-led painting business (BindiLee).
Justin Howden
More than a plumber, Justin’s community service for palliative care and local kids make him an artisan with a purpose.
Cooper McCarthy
A craftsman with heart, Cooper transforms outdoor spaces and lives through hard work and dedication to family and community.
Tim Macartney
With elite fault-finding skills and a calm approach, Tim sets the standard for excellence and customer care at Enviro Electrical.
Ash Dongara
More than a skilled arborist, Ash’s compassion saved a family of orphaned owls, proving that true artisans protect nature and the job.
Dion Daley
Precision, pride and principle define Dion. A bricklayer who won’t cut corners, only clean lines.
Melissa Cattle
A creative powerhouse with a heart for helping, Melissa champions small jobs, female apprentices and DIY dreams, proving no job is too small for big impact.
Apprentice of the year
Jack Reed – Electrician
Dyslexic but determined, Jack has turned challenges into fuel. Now 20 and thriving as an apprentice electrician in Queensland, he combines an incredible work ethic with a generous spirit.
Jack volunteers regularly with the SES, contributing his time every Monday night after a full day of work. He recently helped secure homes and assisted in the clean-up after Cyclone Alfred. Closer to home, Jack supports his family and community, even lighting up his family’s backyard dreams. He’s the kind of tradie every site wants, and his family is proud as punch.
Well done to Jack for his grit, humility and future potential as a leader in his trade and his community.
Special mentions
Dylan Morris
A former pilot turned diesel-fitting apprentice, Dylan’s excellence has already earned him “Apprentice of the Year” at Glencore as well as the respect of his colleagues.
Annie Griffin
A trailblazer in mechanics, Annie became the first female mechanical fitter at Atlas Copco, where she’s now mentoring others.
Cooper Collins
Second-year apprentice carpenter Cooper Collins goes above and beyond, volunteering to do free carpentry work at a local retirement village.
Dane Trotman
Clients often mention plumbing apprentice Dane by name in their 5-star reviews. His work ethic and problem-solving make him a standout member of the Nettelbeck Plumbing & Gas team.
Anastacia Flack
Female glaziers aren’t common, and Anastacia juggles full-time work, elite sport and community spirit with unmatched drive.
Innovator of the year
Kimberley Smyth – HeySista Plumbing
Plumber, business owner, changemaker and mother of four, Kimberley Smyth is reshaping plumbing from the inside out. Founder of Hey Sista Plumbing in Melbourne, Kimberley built her all-female plumbing team to create safe, respectful spaces for women, especially those with experiences of domestic violence or trauma.
She didn’t just break into a male-dominated industry as a mature age student, she’s building pathways for other women to follow, offering apprenticeships, mentorship and real opportunity.
Special mentions
Ryan Wilson
Founder of Free Trade Day in his local area, Ryan rewires what it means to be a tradie, combining electrical prowess with community impact.
Anthony Antoun
From 3D drone design to sustainable landscape solutions, Anthony is landscaping the future of construction with tech, talent and tenacity.
Hannah Chenoweth
With grace and a power drill in hand, Hannah is carving out new space for women and inclusivity in the trades.
Stuart Joyce
From off-grid farms to multi-site solar hubs, Stu’s high-voltage solutionsare lighting the way for regional innovation.
Gavin Doran
Using YouTube to educate the world one pipe at a time, Gavin is diving into digital innovation in the plumbing and trade space.
Brenton Matters
Blending diesel mechanics with med-tech vision, Brenton’s world-first patient transfer system is reshaping care with dignity.
Sharif Baytieh
From flood-prone land to flourishing gardens, Sharif turns obstacles into inspired outdoor engineering with heart and smarts.
New to the trade
Cody Shannon – The Chip Shop Carpentry
A former vet turned carpenter, Cody’s career change is anything but ordinary. Combining his passion for sustainability with a unique understanding of functional design, Cody founded
The Chip Shop Carpentry in Melbourne to be as environmentally conscious as it is community-minded. He’s also been able to combine his two passions, contributing his time and skills to recent renovations at Thornbury Veterinary Hospital. Congratulations to Cody for boldly reimagining what it means to start fresh, and building with brains, purpose and soul.
Special mentions
Morgan Purdie
Turning blocked drains into 5-star days, Morgan’s passion for plumbing is as genuine as it gets.
Scott Huelin
From the police force to in-demand handyman, Scott’s precision and pride have set a new standardfor the trade.
James Burrows
At just 24, James is building more than homes; he’s building a legacy of excellence and mentorship.
Lachlan Chalms
With just a year in, Chalms is already the go-to handyman with a golden rep and grateful clientele.
Lee O’Sullivan
Lee’s sharp eye and sharper skills prove he’s not just learning construction, he’s helping shape it.
Nathan Morgan
From FIFO mechanic to Perth’s rope splicing go-to, Nathan’s quality work is making waves across the
yacht clubs.
Beau Livingston
In the heat of the north, Queenslander Beau’s bright brushstrokes and big heart are transforming homes and lives.
Congratulations to all of the winners for Tradie of the Year, and the overall winner, Kimberley Smyth for their creativity, innovation and dedicated to getting the job done!
- Conditions apply, see bhg.com.au/tradie-of-the-year. Commences 06/02/25. Ends 11:59 AEST on 30/05/25. Open to Australian residents only. This is a game of skill, not a game of chance. The Promoter is Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.
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