Business View Oceania - July 2024

the company after the Second World War. Initially inclined towards carpentry, Malcolm had to adapt to the predominant bricklaying industry of the time. Despite his initial reluctance, this shift allowed him to lay the groundwork for a legacy. “The majority of homes back then were built by bricklayers. Carpenters only did about 25% of the house, mainly the flooring, roof and doors,” Hibbard explains. Malcolm officially became a builder in the 1950s, focusing on the Campbelltown region of Sydney before expanding to Dubbo and Narromine in New South Wales. Malcolm was not just a builder but also a Pentecostal Christian preacher. His dual roles as a minister and a builder led him to construct several churches, blending his faith with his craft. In 1966, at 14, Hibbard’s father, Bruce Hibbard, joined the business, carrying on the family tradition and becoming a licensed builder in 1976. EVOLUTION AND EXPANSION The 1980s marked a significant turning point as Malcolm passed the baton to his son, who broadened the company’s horizons to Port Macquarie and Tamworth. The 1990s witnessed Hibbard and his twin brother, Jon Hibbard, joining the business and completing four-year apprenticeships in carpentry and joinery. This era also saw an industry shift from brick to timber frameworks, with brickwork transitioning from a structural necessity to more of an aesthetic feature, showcasing the company’s adaptability and progress. “It was our grandfather’s vision for his grandsons to carry on the legacy,” Hibbard reflects. After their apprenticeships, the brothers swiftly transitioned into project management roles, assuming leadership positions and overseeing numerous constructions. Their expertise and dedication have been key in the company’s expansion into 13 regional towns, including Ballina,Grafton,Armidale,Tamworth,Dubbo, Mudgee, Orange, Parks, Forbes, Port Macquarie, Taree, and Wauchope, making a significant and lasting impact on these communities. A PROACTIVE BUILDER Hibbard Homes prides itself on being a proactive 25 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 HIBBARD HOMES