Tom Brady is the Executive Chairman of Brefni, he is on the CCF NSW Board and, as of June 2026, a 25-year member.
“When I look back over that time, the industry has changed enormously,” he says.
“We’ve gone from paper plans and late nights in the office to digital delivery, tighter safety standards, and increasingly complex projects.
“What we do today is safer, smarter, sharper and more sophisticated.
“But despite all that change, the fundamentals haven’t moved.
“This industry is still built on good people, strong relationships, and the pride of delivering something that lasts,” Tom says.
“When I first started out with a single backhoe back in 1995, I quickly realised that navigating the civil construction landscape isn’t something you can easily do in isolation.
“You need a backbone of support.
“We joined CCF because they gave us a collective voice and a sense of community.
“The reason we’ve stuck around for a quarter of a century is simple: consistency and alignment.
“CCF’s values have always mirrored our own focus on raising industry standards, promoting safety, and backing the people who actually do the heavy lifting.
“They’ve been a reliable partner through every phase of Brefni’s growth,” he says.
Tom says CCF NSW does this in a number of ways.
It provides the information Brefni needs to continue its success, advocacy on behalf of civil contractors throughout the state, opportunities for networking, and more.
“In our industry things change rapidly—whether it’s compliance, safety regulations, or industrial relations.
“CCF has essentially acted as an extension of our compliance and advocacy teams.
“Whenever we’ve needed clarity on complex industry shifts or a platform to voice concerns that affect mid-tier contractors, CCF has been there to provide the resources and the political muscle to make sure civil contractors are treated fairly,” he says.
When it comes to advocacy, Tom sees the CCF’s role as putting forward the consensus view of the industry.
“CCF is at its best when it’s actively lobbying for civil contractors —championing fair contracting terms, pushing for pipeline certainty, and making sure the government understands the practical realities of working on-site.
“When the CCF acts as a unified, powerful voice for the civil sector, it elevates the entire industry and ensures that safety and quality aren’t compromised by race-to-the-bottom mentalities,” he says.
And on networking, Tom says the CCF provides opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t exist.
“CCF bridges the gap between smaller contractors, tier-one players, and major clients. It has given Brefni a platform to showcase our capabilities to a broader audience early on,” he says.
For the recognition as a 25-year member, Tom says he’s very grateful, offering, “A sincere thank you to the CCF team, past and present.
“Running a civil contracting business for 25-plus years comes with plenty of sleepless nights, but knowing there’s an organisation completely dedicated to protecting and advancing our industry makes the journey a lot smoother.
“And, to quote a famous writer George Bernard Shaw who said, ‘We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.’
“Here’s to the next chapter,” Tom says.