Find out more

Find out more

Find out more

Managing Director

Charlie established Whelans Swan Reach Pty Ltd in 1975 and has managed the business as it has developed to what it is today – East Gippsland’s largest and most professional civil construction company with associated quarries and heavy haulage business.

Charlie has overall responsibility for business development and relationship networking whilst overseeing the subsidiary operations. He ensures stakeholder satisfaction and is passionate about his local community and supports, mentors, and guides the youth of today in the civil construction industry.

Lynne has been working side by side with Charlie as a husband and wife team since the inception of the Whelans company back in 1975. Lynne has been the corner stone and foundation of support to her husband and family during the growth of the company, and is very proud to have been an integral part of building Whelans into the successful, multi-faceted company that it has become.

Lynne engages in many areas and fields within the company on a regular basis, is very hands on and in touch with the needs of all aspects of the company and its staffs requirements. She shares Charlie's passion for local community and is always there to support and guide all who engage with her.

Chief Operations Officer

Leigh has 25 years’ experience in the roads and civil industry having an extensive knowledge of regional areas and their inner workings.

Leigh comes from a pavement background and has developed his skill sets in the civil sector in more recent times. Leigh is responsible for the strategic direction and internal operations. Leigh leads the senior management team and is passionate about steering Whelans Group’s strategic future.

Director Major Projects and Engineering

Tim has 20 years’ experience in the civil construction industry, with 15 years as a civil engineer after returning from studies in 2010. Tim has extensive knowledge from the ground up for the key areas of the business in earthworks, pavement, drainage and landslip works.

Tim leads the major project team completing works above a specific value or complexity. Tim is responsible for the developing engineering area, as well as focusing on the safety structures and asset management of the business.

Director Regional Operations

John brings 16 years’ experience in civil construction. By applying his knowledge of specialist diesel fitting and heavy road transport, John is able to successfully oversee the management of our Heavy Haulage division along with Workshop, Fabrication and Engineering divisions, and with his civil construction experience, he is suitably qualified
in supervising the management of Whelans Quarries, regional civil projects and road maintenance contract with East Gippsland Shire Council.   

Director of Commercial and Strategy

Chris has over a decade of experience in professional services roles, providing both strategic financial direction and risk analysis and day-to-day financial oversight. More recently, he has managed the commercial outcomes of various major projects, continually delivering winning outcomes for clients.

Chris utilises his experience as a chartered accountant across a variety of industries to deliver robust financial oversight and commercial advice at both a project and group level. He enjoys getting to know his clients and their projects at a granular level and facilitates a hands-on approach to commercial management, ensuring project appropriate risk and commercial oversight.

Chief Financial Officer

Bec joined Whelans Group in 2011 and successfully completed her accounting degree in 2016.

Bec is responsible for ensuring the finance team operates efficiently and effectively, managing the day-to-day financial aspects of the business whilst also ensuring that accurate and timely reporting is available to management and relevant financiers.

Human Resources, Recruitment and Payroll Manager

For 16 years, Kellie has been successfully managing Whelans Group’s payroll, recruitment and onboarding requirements along with industrial and employee relations. Kellie brings 42 years of experience to the company, in all of the above fields, along with finance experience in accounts payable and receivable.

Prior to joining Whelans Group, Kellie worked in local government and timber/forest industries, the latter industry placing her in a powerful position to enable ongoing leadership and management in construction and quarrying. Kellie prides herself on honesty and integrity with all aspects of her communications with personnel that she interacts with.

Kellie has a solid understanding of workplace law and the varying National Employment Awards that are necessary for the successful operations of the company and its 150 employees – spending many hours reading and interpreting the seven national awards that are necessary to cover the vast variety of employment fields within Whelans Group. Our company and employees are assured that in Kel’s capable hands, the best interests of all are being well looked after.

Head Estimator

Warrick has over a decade of experience in heavy industry and mining maintenance as well as warehousing and asset management. Warrick joined Whelans Group in 2023 as an estimator and has taken charge of tendering projects locally as well as playing pivotal roles in the development phase of some of Whelans Group’s awarded major projects.

Warrick strives to deliver the best outcomes in all tendered projects to set the rest of his team up for success while providing the best product to all our clients.

Design Manager

Ashlee has over 16 years’ experience in the civil engineering industry, being a Senior Design Draftsperson for over 13 years. This included AutoCAD drafting, reading standards and specifications set by various agencies, contract documentation, Quality Assurance system compliance and managing various staff members. 

Ashlee increased her knowledge by undertaking a Project Development Officer position within a local council which entailed developing concept plans and working through them with community, key stakeholders, government agencies and design consultants to seek the best outcomes for everyone involved. Projects within this role required multiple levels of approvals with various government agencies. Whelans Group is pleased to have Ashlee working on the team.

Communications Manager

With a degree in journalism and communications and an IAP2 accreditation, Mary has more than 15 years’ experience in delivering communications and engagement activities across a range of projects and programs in water, mining, rail and road infrastructure in the public and private sector.

Mary joined Whelans Group in 2023 to lead and deliver communications and engagement activities on major road projects including the Bogong High Plains Road landslip and the Great Ocean Road and Inland Routes Renewal Program for our client Major Road Projects Victoria. Mary also provides internal strategic communications support and advice, working to drive engagement with tailored communication approaches that deliver on our values and priorities.

Regional Project Manager

Matt has more than 20 years’ experience in the construction industry in various positions, beginning his career in civil construction in 2004. He completed an apprenticeship and Certificate III in plumbing and gasfitting before joining Whelans Group in 2010 as a machine operator.

He then moved into the Logistics Manager role in 2011 before taking on the role of Construction Manager for Earthmoving in 2013, which has led him to his current role as Regional Project Manager.

Matt has gained extensive experience in overseeing projects from award to final completion for a variety of clients, from major highway upgrades to subdivisions and driveways and everything in between. He manages staff both on the ground and in the office and is always striving for the best outcome for both our clients and Whelans Group.

Project Manager

Jack joined Whelans Group in 2017 and has quickly moved into the role of Project Manager after successful stints as Project Engineer and Construction Manager. Jack specialises in all disciplines of road construction including both traditional full pavements and road rehabilitation scopes.

Jack’s skills include work health and safety, environment and quality management compliance, programming and subcontractor management. Jack is passionate about his role at Whelans Group and always strives to take on any challenge no matter how big or small that is thrown his way.

Quarry Manager

Rob has almost four decades of experience in the quarry/mining industry having worked in hard rock and sand operations throughout eastern Australia.

He gained a stint in the industry in a National Training role travelling Australia, which he says was also a great opportunity to gain more experience in different quarrying locations and environments, looking at different operations and the unique operational challenges that they all face.

Rob has been with Whelans Group for two years as our Quarry Manager for all of our quarries. He has a strong focus on customers receiving a premium product, tested and produced to specification and building relationships with our industry regulators.

Workshop Manager

Ben has 23 years in the mining, construction, and fabrication industries, completing his apprenticeship and Certificate III Diesel Mechanic and Heavy Commercial Vehicle Technology with Whelans Group.

For the past 10 years, Ben has been in the role of Workshop Manager, responsible for supervising maintenance operations, tracking costs, ensuring high machinery standards, implementing procedures, conducting inspections, managing repairs, training personnel, scheduling, and overseeing parts inventory. Ben also handles external project quotes and repairs while ensuring adherence to safety standards.

Logistics and Haulage Manager

With over a decade of industry experience, Gav plays a pivotal role in coordinating materials and equipment, overseeing fleets of up to 100 vehicles. His expertise spans regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and logistical challenges such as site access and resource allocation. Gav excels in completing quarry quoting of materials and transportation, managing comprehensive supply chain operations from procurement through distribution.

He collaborates closely with suppliers, contractors and project teams to develop and implement efficient logistics strategies. Gav’s proactive approach ensures seamless project execution, adhering to timelines and budgetary constraints, and maintaining operational efficiency in construction projects. His strategic acumen and problem-solving skills contribute significantly to optimizing resource utilisation and achieving project goals effectively.

Regional Maintenance Contract Manager

Kaitlyn oversees the road maintenance services for the East Gippsland Shire Council, covering the far east region of Gippsland. She possesses expertise in contract administration, contract management, and financial assistance.

With over 15 years of experience in administration and management, including nine years in the civil construction industry, Kaitlyn brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.

In her current position, Kaitlyn supervises field crews across various locations within East Gippsland, managing road maintenance operations. She is responsible for the pricing and scheduling of incoming projects, monitoring project costs, and ensuring alignment with council budgets and invoicing procedures.

Environmental Engineer

Pat is an Environmental Scientist with a passion for the environment and finding the best solution for any scenario through collaborative consultation. 

Pat can navigate the best project based outcomes by adopting an inclusive mindset while educating and including construction teams. Pat has five years’ experience in his selective field and has Whelans’ best interest at heart when it comes to environmental education and outcomes. 

Pat is also Whelans Group’s lead in sustainability and Recycled First initiatives, and has shown beneficial outcomes leading our construction teams in this ever evolving space.