Farewell, Greg Wheeldon

After 10 years with Paynters and more than 40 years in the industry, we’re celebrating the retirement of Greg Wheeldon.

As our Senior Design Manager, Greg has played a pivotal role across countless housing and education projects, sharing his depth of knowledge, and practical design insight every step of the way. His experience has helped shaped projects – strengthening outcomes for our clients and communities.

Four decades in construction is an incredible achievement, and Greg’s contribution leaves a lasting legacy. We’re especially grateful that 10 of those years were shared with the Paynters team.

Now, it’s time to swap drawings and deadlines for long rides on the bike and well-earned travel adventures – two passions we know he’ll fully embrace in this next chapter 🚴‍♂️✈️

Congratulations, Greg – enjoy the ride ahead.

Greg’s Career Journey:

• 1976 – Finished high school and commenced a Bachelor of Applied Science (Built Environment) at Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT).
• 1978 – Took a year sabbatical, working as a waiter, builder’s labourer and in various other casual roles.
• 1979 – Returned to QIT, completed his degree (majoring in Architecture and Industrial Design), and began working in an architectural firm.
• 1980-82 – Undertook a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Queensland (UQ) while working full-time, and eventually gained registration as an architect in Queensland.
• 1984 – Backpacked through Europe and started working in London on British Airways projects. As phones were becoming more common in offices, Greg would often sneak in calls to his girlfriend Mary back in Australia.
• In December, Mary flew over to meet him in Rome and Greg proposed in a small taverna below the Acropolis. From there, they travelled to Cairo and sailed up the Nile, sleeping on the deck of a small felucca. When they later returned to London, Mary embarked on a spending spree buying the rings and her wedding dress.
• 1985 – Returned to Australia in January and married in March.
• 1987 – Promoted to a Grade 3 architect and relocated to Townsville to deliver the new Townsville Airport Terminal. The big white building (the current terminal) is still Greg’s handiwork, although the fitout has changed over the years.
• 1990 – Returned to Brisbane, delivering major government fitouts, heritage studies and projects including Customs House and Victoria Barracks.
• 1995 – Completed an MBA at UQ.
• 1997-90 – Made redundant and worked for an architectural consultancy firm, but eventually resigned.
• 1990-2010 – Started Mandikos Wheeldon Architects with Nick Mandikos, combining Nick’s hospitality experience and his government/defence project experience.
• 2010-2014 – Following Nick’s retirement, Greg became the sole director, and he continues to manage the company’s properties to this day.
• 2015-2025 – Joined the Paynters family in Brisbane, where he became a Design Manager, eventually progressing into a Senior Design Manger role.
• 2026 – Began a well-earned retirement.

We sat down with him to reminisce on the past 40 years…

• Why architecture and design?

I’ve always enjoyed making things, from cubby houses and furniture to model planes. In high school, I developed an interest in technical drawing, and exposure to architecture through a friend’s father sparked my interest further. It was a natural fit for my inclination toward building and design.

• Your son Josh has followed in your footsteps as an Architect, how does that make you feel?

I’m incredibly proud. Josh works in the healthcare sector and collaborates with many people I’ve known throughout my career. We’ve even had some crossover on projects like Doomadgee Hospital.

• During your time at Paynters, you have worked on a number of different projects, what were your favourites?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I’ve really enjoyed the Redcliffe Dolphins projects, Redlands RSL, many social housing developments and a number of the school projects, which are especially rewarding given their community impact.

• Career highlights?

Too many to count, but a few standouts:
• My university days in the late 1970s were a fun and eye-opening time.
• Standing firm with stakeholders on high-value projects was character building.
• Making really tough calls onsite in remote locations stiffens your spine a little.
• Attending the opening of the Australian Army Band Building at Gallipoli Barracks, which I designed and was a very rewarding experience.

• How have you seen the industry evolve over the past 40 years?

The most obvious change has been in technology and communication. When I was in London, I was drawing by hand with a T-square and set square, which is where my habit of rolling up my sleeves started, as they’d constantly get covered in pencil and ink. It’s a habit that’s stuck with me ever since.

My thesis in 1979 was also typed on a typewriter by my older sister. Mobile phones only came into use after I graduated from UQ, fax machines appeared when I started doing government work, and computers and the web came later again. What was once new and unfamiliar is now just part of everyday life, and it’s hard to imagine how we ever worked without it.

While the fundamentals of building haven’t changed much —we still use steel, concrete, brick and mortar, cladding and sheet metal roofing — the real evolution has been in what goes inside buildings. The systems that manage services, enable communication and transfer data and information have completely transformed the industry.

• What advice would you give to the next generation entering the industry?

Follow what genuinely interests you — not what others expect.

Travel, explore, and understand how people live in different parts of the world.

Also, have confidence in your ability to adapt. If one path doesn’t work out, you can always pivot and build a different, fulfilling life.

• What will you miss most about working in the industry?

The people and daily interactions, especially seeing the next generation come through.

• What are you looking forward to most in retirement?

Staying active through fitness, surfing and riding, and returning to hobbies like building timber surfboards.

Travel will remain a big focus for Mary and I. After completing the Camino Trail in 2025, we’re looking forward to more experiences centred around walking, local culture, food and history.

And of course, spending time with the grandkids.