About MBG

Having worked as a Labourer on road construction site from 14 years old, on each school holiday, Simon moved on to a Civil Engineering Degree, a natural progression. First working in Local Government as an Engineer and then into a private Civil Engineering Consultancy. Then came the recession we had to have. Continuing study with a Diploma in computer programming, Simon found a role designing and writing software for the mining industry. This moved into developing Quality Assurance Systems for the software company. Then along came the offer to good to refuse, “come join my construction company, every day is a new exciting day” said Simon’s father back in 1994. Father and Son worker together 18 years at that point the succession plan was for Simon to purchase the remaining shares of Contek to be sole director. Many years of fascinating projects have led Contek Constructions to be highly skilled and highly sort after by industry clients.

Working in an organisation that has purpose is extremely important to me, I am a passionate advocate of Road Safety, with a strong belief that collaboration of key stakeholders is the key to successful outcomes. As General Manager of METEC Driver Training, our Not for Profit organisation works closely with many in the Road Safety space and our work in delivering Road safety education to Schools, Government and Corporate organisations with an aim to improve Road Safety and reduce Road Trauma. In my role at METEC, I oversee the 25 acre facility, staff and contractors.

Specialising in all things banking and having worked in Community Banking for over 10 years, Daniel sees firsthand just how important a strong and connected business community is to the success of the entire community. Having joined the MBG board in 2024, Daniels focus has been on enhancing the ways MBG tells its story so that local businesses see us as an essential tool for their personal and business growth. When he isn't at work, Daniel loves spending time with his family and friends, getting to the gym and watching a variety of sport.

For over 20 years, I've successfully owned and operated a real estate company specialising in residential sales and property management. In an industry long dominated by men, women rarely owned agencies—so building and running my own business as a sole parent of five was at times tough, it was character building. People and community have always been at the heart of what I do. I believe in living, working, and playing locally—because when we support local, we all benefit. A strong local business sector is essential. That belief is why I was proud to be invited to Chair Maroondah Business Group (MBG). I was determined to help local businesses succeed by improving access to resources, information, and networks. MBG's motto—Connect. Grow. Prosper. —reflects exactly what our business community needs. MBG creates real links: between businesses, to Council and Councillors, and to our key partners. It opens doors to employment pathways and job opportunities, strengthening the whole region. Outside of work, I cherish time with my family and grandkids, and I value close friendships. I’m a lifelong learner, and I remain deeply passionate about Maroondah as a vibrant, connected, and thriving place to live.

Jack is the VET Community and Local Government Engagement Coordinator at Swinburne University of Technology. He is passionate about fostering educational opportunities and building strong connections within local communities. In his role, Jack is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning and providing pathways to success in education and employment. As a committee member of the Maroondah Business Group, he aims to bridge academia and industry, creating collaborative opportunities that benefit both students and the broader community.

As the CEO of Micron21, I am dedicated to driving innovation in the data centre and IT infrastructure industry. With over 20 years of experience in delivering enterprise-grade solutions, my focus is on enabling businesses to thrive through secure, scalable, and high-performance systems