90 Years of Lyons Construction

1924
1924

Eric  James Lyons commences his carpenter’s apprenticeship with Mr. John Freeland.

1929
1929

Eric completes his International School Diploma in Building Construction and Architecture.

1929

Mr. Freeland’s business becomes insolvent due to the Great Depression. Having recently completed his diploma, Eric establishes his own business and he and his brother Allan set out to Patho West near Echuca to build a house.

We worked so hard in the early days, for little more than starvation wages. I am so grateful for my brother who was loyal, hardworking and a great companion to me all our lives.” – Eric Lyons, 2004

1930
1930

Eric and Allan win their first P.W.D. contract to construct a school in Minhamite – little did they know, this would be the first of many educational institutes and schools their company would go on to build.

1933
1933

Eric marries Eliza May Wallace (known as Isie) who would go on to become the unofficial “Office Manager.”

“My late, dear wife Isie helped me greatly in every way – answering phone calls, keeping the office, bringing up our children and running the house and meals.” – Eric Lyons, 2004

 

1933

Eric and Isie move into their first home at 2 Oxford St, Belmont. This home was designed and built by Eric – the first built in Belmont in three years due to the Great Depression.

1933 – 1953

E. J. Lyons, builder, and his team build over 200 homes in Geelong and the surrounding regions.  Their first home is built at 1 Sommers St, Belmont.

1938
1938

Allan and Eric build Allan’s first home at 41 Oxford Street, Belmont.

 

1940
1940

Eric and Isie move to 11 Scott St, Belmont. Eric works out of a shed and office in the backyard.

1953
1953

Eric’s son, Kevin, commences his carpenter’s apprenticeship.

1953

The company commences work on one of their first major, commercial projects, the Belmont Methodist Church. The project was completed with 2000 man hours worth of voluntary help by members of the church’s congregation.

We made – well – reasonably good navvies out of ministers, clerks, pastry cooks and even a grocer.” – Eric Lyons, 1954.

1955
1955

Eric is elected as President of the Geelong Master Builders Association.

1958
1958

Eric’s son, Norm, commences his carpenter’s and joiner’s apprenticeship.

1959
1959

E. J. Lyons and Sons moves to a purpose-built facility and office at 42 Little Fyans St, South Geelong.

1959

Eric brought Kevin into partnership with him and the company begins trading as E. J. Lyons & Son.

1959

Beverley Earl commences work as the first full-time secretary and book-keeper.

1959

Joe Astall joins the company as the Building Foreman.

1963
1963

Kevin becomes a Director of E. J. Lyons & Sons and Barwon Joinery.

1965
1965

Norm is promoted to Foreman Junior at Barwon Joinery.

1965

Norm is awarded a Victorian Overseas Foundation Scholarship. He travels to England to study and work under Trollope and Colls – builders for the London Stock Exchange.

1970
1970s

E. J. Lyons and Sons Pty. Ltd. transitions to building commercial construction.

1975
1975

Eric Lyons officially retires from his role as Working Director of the company, but maintains his role as an advisor to the business.

Dad didn’t really retire – he just worked for other people.” Eric’s daughter, Heather Lyons.

1977
1977

Gary Iacono joins the business as a trainee Estimator.

1977

Allan retires on November 17th, his 65th birthday, after 48 years with the company.

1980
1980

Bernie Henry joins the business as a Site Manager.

1982
1982

Joe Astall retires from the company after 23 years.

1985
1985

After 26 years of loyal service to the company, Beverley Earl retires.

1993
1993

E. J. Lyons & Sons commences work on a project very close to the hearts of many of those involved – the construction of the new Charles Brownlow Stand & Players Facilities at the Geelong Football Club.

 

1994
1994

At the Master Builders of Victoria Awards, E. J. Lyons & Sons wins the Excellence in Construction of Entertainment/ Hospitality/ Sports Facilities award for our work building the Charles Brownlow Stand & Players Facilities at the Geelong Football Club.

1995
1995

Steve, Norm’s son, joins the business as a Contracts Manager.

1996
1996

E. J. Lyons & Sons commences work on a landmark project – constructing Smorgy’s Restaurant on Cunningham Pier.

 

At the time of construction, this was one of the most expensive and challenging projects the company had worked on and today, remains an icon of Geelong.

1997
1997

At the Australia Institute of Building Awards, E. J. Lyons & Sons wins the Professional Excellence in Building Award for our work constructing Smorgy’s Restaurant on Cunningham Pier, Geelong.

2000
2000

Master Builders of Victoria recognises Lyons Construction for our work on the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Redevelopment.

2000

At the turn of the millennium, the company commences work on a project a little different for them – the Geelong Art Gallery.

2002
2002

Lyons Construction is awarded  Commercial Builder of Year – South West Region for the new Torquay Primary School.

 

The following year, Master Builders of Victoria award Lyons Construction Regional Builder of the Year for the same project.

2003
2003

Lyons Construction is the Overall Winner at the Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards.

2003

Lyons Constructions is awarded The Age Dun & Bradstreet Rural Award.

2003

Lyons Construction is recognised by Master Builders of Victoria for our work on the Gordon Institute of TAFE, East Geelong.

2004
2004

The company, now trading as Lyons Construction, moves to a new office at 100 Fyans St, Geelong.

2004

Lyons Construction celebrates 75 years of business.

2005
2005

Lyons Construction is recognised by Master Builders of Victoria for our work on Bellarine Secondary College.

2005

Lyons Construction is awarded Commercial Builder of the Year – South West Region by Master Builders of Victoria for our work on the restoration of St. Mary’s of the Angels Basilica, Geelong.

2006
2006

Norm Lyons retires from the role of Managing Director.

2007
2007

Gary Iacono is appointed as Managing Director and is appointed to to the Board of Directors.

2007

Lyons Construction is awarded the contract for the construction of Spotlight and Anaconda retail stores.

 

With a job value of $13,500,000.00, this is the biggest contract Lyons has won so far.

2007

Steve Lyons, now the Senior Estimator, becomes a member of the Board of Directors.

2007

Lyons Construction commences work  on a job with a special meaning to Norm – Anam Cara House.

Norm was on the Board of Directors of Anam Cara for several years, before retiring to take up the role of Ambassador, which he held for two years.

 

2008
2008

Lyons Construction starts work on a project a little outside our usual ones – the Bellarine Aquatic Centre.

2009
2009

Lyons Construction celebrates its 80th anniversary.

 

2009

Lyons Construction is recognised by Master Builders of Victoria for our work constructing The Edge, Geelong.

2010
2010

Bernie Henry joins the Board of Directors after 31 years with the company.

 

2011
2011

Lyons Construction wins Master Builders of Victoria’s Regional Commercial Builder of the Year – South West and Regional Builder of the Year.

2011

Lyons Construcion is also recognised by Master Builders of Victoria for Excellence in Construction – Commercial Buildings Over $6M for the Katsumata Centre at Kardinia International College, Geelong.

 

At the same awards, Lyons Construction wins in the residential category for Best Custom Home Over $700,000 for 16 Crows Nest Place, Queenscliff.

2011

Lyons Construction completes a $5M extension and refurbishment of Faggs Mitre 10. This project holds added significance to the company because of the long partnership Lyons has had with Faggs – we are their oldest customer!

2012
2012

Norm is awarded Life Membership of Master Builders of Victoria.

 

2012

At the Master Builders of Victoria Awards, Lyons Construction is awarded both Regional Builder of the Year and Commercial Builder of the Year – South West.

2012

 Lyons Construction is wins the Master Builders of Victoria Excellence in Construction Award for Commercial Buildings $3-6M (Waurn Ponds Library & Community Hub).

2012

 Lyons Construction is wins the Master Builders of Victoria Excellence in Construction Award for Commercial Buildings Over $6M (New Generation Library, Deakin University – Waurn Ponds campus).

2012

At the Master Builders of Victoria Awards, Lyons Construction received a Special Commendation in the $1-3M category, for our work on the Audi Centre, Geelong.

 

This project marked a long and continued partnership with Rex Gorell which spans more than 10 projects.

2013
2013

Lyons Construction wins big at the Master Builders of Victoria’s Awards, walking away having won Commercial Builder of the Year – South West Region.

 

2013

Lyons Construction wins the award for Excellence in Construction – Commercial Buildings $1-3M for the Inquiry Centre at Kardinia International College.

2013

Lyons Construction wins the award for Excellence in Construction – Commercial Buildings $3-6M for Geelong Technical Education Centre.

2017
2017

Christine, Kevin’s daughter, joins the business as a member of the board and the HR, Marketing and Communications Manager.

2017

Kevin retires as Director of the Board. Norm is appointed to fill the position.

 

2018
2018

Lyons Construction is awarded Commercial Builder of the Year – South West Region by Master Builders of Victoria.

2018

Lyons Construction wins the award for Excellence in Construction – Commercial Buildings Over $10M for Star of the Sea Aged Care Residence.

2019
2019

The City of Greater Geelong and the National Trust recognise Lyons Construction at their annual Heritage Awards for their work in restoring and conserving historical landmarks, Portarlington Primary School and Geelong Covent Garden.

 

 

2019

Lyons Construction celebrates 90 years of business!

2020
March 2020

Steve Lyons celebrates 25 year milestone with Lyons Construction.

Steve Lyons

August 2020

Bernie Henry celebrates 40 year milestone with Lyons Construction.

Bernie Henry celebrates 40 years

2021
2021

Lyons Construction awarded 2021 Master Builders Victoria – South West Regional Building Awards – Excellence in construction of commercial buildings over $10.5m for The Court Precinct at Sacred Heart College.

Award2

2022
March 2022

Gary Iacono celebrates 45 year milestone with Lyons Construction

Gary45

 

September 2022

Lyons Construction company restructure took place on September 1, 2022. The restructure included the newly appointed roles:

– Steve Lyons, Managing Director

– Gary Iacono, Operations Manager (Interim)

November 2022

David Bauzon celebrates 20 years with Lyons Construction.

Lyons Construction Staff members