Sunbury

Bernie Purcell – Building Inspector | Licensed Builder | Industry Professional

My name is Bernie Purcell. I am 57 years old and live in Gisborne in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria, with my wife Amy and our three children. Originally from
Geelong, we relocated to Gisborne to raise our family and become part of a strong local community.

I bring more than 40 years of experience across the Building & Construction industry and Emergency Services. I began my career in 1984 at the age of 16,
starting a plumbing apprenticeship with JC Taylors & Sons. I completed my apprenticeship in 1988 and continue to hold current plumbing registration across all aspects of the trade.

From an early age, I developed a strong passion for property. At 19, I purchased my first block of land in Clifton Springs, later selling it to buy my first home in
Geelong, where I immediately began renovating. This sparked a long-standing interest in residential development and construction.

In 1994, during a recession and a downturn in construction work, I pursued a more secure career and joined Victoria Police. After 10 years as a police officer
and 10 years in the plumbing industry, I transitioned in 2004 to become a Professional Firefighter with Fire Rescue Victoria, a role I held for 20 years. During
this time, my roster allowed me to expand my involvement in property development.

In 2012, I completed my Certificate IV in Building and Construction and became a fully licensed DB-U Domestic Builder. This enabled me to deliver largerscale projects, primarily my own multi-unit developments, where I acted as owner, developer, builder, and project manager.

Community involvement has always been important to me. A lifelong team sports enthusiast, I played cricket and football in Geelong, including a short stint
with the Geelong Under 19s, and later moved into playing coaching roles. After relocating to Gisborne, I joined the Gisborne Masters Football Club and
continued leadership roles as a playing coach of the Over 35s and Over 45s teams.

At this stage of my life, while my body has slowed, my experience, knowledge, and drive have never been stronger. My next chapter with Jim’s Building
Inspections, where I bring professionalism, integrity, and practical expertise to every inspection. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and experience, and most importantly, delivering real value and confidence to my clients

Sunbury