If you’ve spent any time on the Sunshine Coast in the past 50 years, chances are you’ve walked through, driven past or even lived in one of Murphy Group’s projects. From community centres to classrooms, health facilities to homes, this is a business that has helped shape the fabric of our landscape.
What began as one man’s dream has become a story of family, success and the kind of determination that builds more than structures. It builds legacies.
Murphy Group is celebrating 50 years since Leigh Murphy began the company at Mooloolaba in 1975. What started as a small family business has grown into a multi-division group employing more than 90 people across its sub-brands, Murphy Builders, Murphy Homes and MP Build. In this time, the team has played a significant role in commercial construction, industrial superstructures, government projects, multi-residential developments and luxury family homes within Queensland and New South Wales.
Projects have spanned from Kakadu to Sydney, each leaving a mark on its surroundings. Yet for those who know the company’s story, the journey was far from smooth. Leigh’s early years were marked by challenges, but they gave him the foundation that would later define the company’s spirit.
Despite setbacks, including a $4000 debt when a client failed to pay, Leigh refused to give up. To make ends meet, he sold pot plants at the Caloundra flea market every weekend while working hard to build up his business.
By the late 1980s, that persistence was paying off. Leigh’s work became integral to developments at Kawana and Mount Coolum. The 1990s brought a new chapter with commercial projects such as the Maleny Wine Barrel and the Mooloolaba Seashells Units, both of which are distinctive landmarks that signalled the company’s growing influence across the region.
The 2000s ushered in a period of expansion and strategic change. Leigh’s daughter Brooke Bastien and long-time team member Mark Berry joined the board, steering the company through a new era of growth while staying true to its family roots.
“As Sunshine Coast locals, we are deeply committed to building quality within our community and beyond,” Brooke says. “We need to say a heartfelt thanks to the Sunshine Coast community for their ongoing support and trust.”
Her words carry the weight of experience. The global financial crisis tested the industry in ways few could have predicted, and COVID, of course, brought another wave of uncertainty.
“This 50-year milestone is a testament to Aussie grit and determination,” Brooke says. “We wouldn’t be here today without the ongoing dedication from our incredible team and the strong partnerships we have forged over the years. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our founder, Leigh, whose commitment to excellence is the reason for our success.”
Leigh is quick to share that sense of gratitude.
“We will continue to keep our fundamental values and our great team. It is not that the sky’s the limit, there is, in fact, no sky,” he says.
It’s a statement that feels less like ambition and more like philosophy – a reminder that for the Murphy family, the measure of success isn’t simply in what they build, but in how they build it.
That community spirit has always run deep. Through the years, the Murphy Group has supported local sporting clubs and events, including the long-standing Murphy Homes Maroochy Classic, and partnered with local charities. One of the company’s most meaningful collaborations has been with the vital Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
In 2019, the Murphy Group team threw its expertise and passion into planning, designing and building Daniel House, the foundation’s headquarters in Palmwoods. From here, the foundation runs its national operations, providing counselling and support services for young victims of crime.
And now, that partnership is continuing with a new initiative. The Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Murphy Group are teaming up to create a charity home. The home will be built from the ground up and hit the market for auction in 2026.
The Build it for the Kids concept is simple but stands for so much. Every single dollar of profit from the home’s sale will go straight to the foundation, funding education, awareness and support for victims – all aimed at keeping children safe from harm.
“This is our second Build it for the Kids charity home with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation,” Mark explains. “It isn’t just about building a house. It’s about building a safer future together.”
The group is currently seeking services, products and donations from businesses and the community. “Your generous donations of services or products will play a crucial role in constructing this special home, making a tangible difference in the lives of young people,” Mark adds.
“By contributing, you’ll be directly supporting the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s vital work in child safety education, awareness and victim support.”
As the team reflects on 50 years of building, it’s also looking forward. This year, work will begin on Muse, a multi-residential luxury sky home project located directly behind the group’s head office in the heart of Mooloolaba. It’s a project that delivers a full-circle moment, linking the company’s future back to where it all began.
Leigh has been building throughout Mooloolaba since the 1970s, shaping the coastal skyline long before cranes became part of it. Now, half a century later, the next generation is preparing to do the same.
“As Mooloolaba locals, we are delighted to be embarking on the Muse project in early 2026. We are building contemporary coastal sky homes of only one unit per floor, just steps from Mooloolaba Beach,” Leigh says.
“Muse is a bespoke high-end project, and it is both sentimental and significant for us,” Brooke adds.
It’s a story defined by family and determination: the young builder selling pot plants at the markets, a new business that faced tough times and the team that continues to work together with a purpose of giving back.
There is little doubt that the Murphy Group will achieve far more in the coming five decades.