The new building at Bulimba School, famously designed and built by Northbuild on a steeply sloping site, was officially opened by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 3 November at a ceremony attended by the teachers, school kids and contingent of parents. Local Member Pat Purcell gave a speech as did Kevin Rudd. The school band played and sang. The media scrum of TV cameras and microphones was very evident.

  Northbuild was represented by Commercial Manager Andrew Corrigan, Construction Manager Ian Busch and Site Manager Wayne Miller. In the speeches by Principal Michael Zeuschner, Deputy Principal Sheryl Kennedy and local Member of Qld Parliament Pat Purcell, tribute was paid to Northbuild and in particular to Wayne Miller. Principal Michael Zeuschner explained that it was a complex building that required lots of interaction with the existing school – and that “Wayne Miller was a pleasure to deal with; things went very smoothly considering the difficulties and complexity”.

  The school is built over five levels on a high prominent spectacular location – with wonderful views to the Brisbane City skyline.

  After the opening ceremony the special guests enjoyed morning tea. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd really does introduce himself as “Kevin”. He met and spoke for a few moments with Northbuild’s staff asking Andrew Corrigan how the building industry was going at the moment. Andrew explained that Northbuild had a fairly full workbook of current Queensland Goverment projects, but could see a downturn in private industry projects due to nervousness about world financial conditions.