GEORGE WABNITZ AND HIS LATE WIFE HELEN There were many highlights over the 30 years complex projects, leaving simple ones in of business with the acceptance of a HIA national the past. award close to number one. The site of the winning George’s passion for building and excitement home was one of the most technically challenging for each project was often embodied in the final sites the business had ever worked on. product. The drive towards building out-of-the- ‘It was very challenging because it was very steep, ordinary projects helped make Wabnitz Homes an we had problems not only with the site but we had award-winning business. problems with deliveries to the site, because of the While George loved building, spending the steepness of the roads,’ George said. majority of his time working hard to ensure his But with a steep site comes great rewards. And business built the best possible homes, his son the rewards came for Wabnitz Homes when it won says his computer skills don’t come as naturally as the 2017 HIA Australian Outdoor Project award for building. When it was time for the business to start GEORGE’S SON the South Australian home. marketing online help came from his children. They SAYS HIS FATHER ‘Everyone that came and had a look at the site provided their father with advice on the best way to WAS ALWAYS A was just blown away by it, we had lots and lots of market the business and the basics of how to use PROBLEM SOLVER comments from everybody.’ the computer to improve production. It was easy to see why everyone, including ‘If it wasn’t for them I don’t know how I’d cope,’ the owners, were happy with the result. The George said. spectacular views of the South Australian coastline The children were also instrumental in entering and the craftsmanship of all aspects of the home Wabnitz Homes into the HIA 2017 awards. Even helped to cement the business as one of quality. after winning a HIA national award Wabnitz Homes While this winning home was one of the more had a focus on family, with George dedicating the complex projects George worked on in his career, accolade to his late wife. it was not out of the ordinary for Wabnitz Homes For all Wabnitz Homes has done for the to take on challenging projects. George’s son residential building industry and its South Australian says his father was always a problem solver and clients over the past 30 years, George’s son says over the lifetime of the business saw that ability the best part is having people recognise the name transferred into the projects that were being built. and say ‘your dad built my home’. Wabnitz Homes began taking on interesting and www.wabnitzhomes.com.au NOVEMBER 2018 HOUSING 73