Civil engineer and greenfield developer Bert Dennis has been honoured for his lifetime of work in the property sector, and more than 60 years of success with the multi-generational Dennis Family Corporation.
Dennis has developed thousands of hectares of land and was recognised at The Urban Developer awards last night, receiving the inaugural Lachlan Webb Lifetime Achievement Award in front of more than 450 of his peers.
The Urban Developer is also honouring one of its own.
Speaking at The Urban Developer Awards gala evening, chief executive Adam Di Marco said he was humbled to honour co-founder Lachlan Webb as the namesake of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nine years after founding The Urban Developer, Webb has stepped away from the business due to ill health.
“From the outset, we had a big vision for what it could become for this industry that we're both so passionate about,” Di Marco said.
“While I've been out the front of the business, Lach has been the force behind the scenes. The foundations that the entire organisation was built upon.
“In many ways, like building a building, it’s these foundations that let the project thrive and survive.”
Earlier this year Webb, 36, received the news he had been dreading for much of his young life. His family is one of 40 around the world with a rare terminal genetic condition called Fatal Familial Insomnia, and his had been triggered.
“He is in the fight of his life,” Di Marco said.
“His big thinking, innovation, commitment and passion has enabled our vision for The Urban Developer to become a reality. He was a driving force in our establishment of our TUD+ membership program, Urbanity and The Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence.
“It is all of these things that we wish to honour and celebrate now—forever.
“We’re so proud to announce that The Urban Developer’s Lifetime Achievement Award will now be named in his honour.”
Don’t miss our exclusive interview with 88-year-old Dennis next week, discussing his extraordinary life.
