Anyone who knew the late Mario Biasin, co-founder of Metricon, understood his deep passion for securing the future of the industry he loved through investing in people. To honour this legacy, Metricon partnered with the Building and Construction Foundation in 2022 to create the Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarships. These scholarships aim to empower the next generation by providing equitable access to education, hands-on training, and exciting career opportunities.
This year’s outstanding recipients were recognised by two of Mario's four children, Michelle Crisfield and Brent Biasin, alongside Sara Abraham, Executive Director of the Building & Construction Foundation.
Annalise Novak
At just 18, Annalise Novak is one of two recipients of the $2,500 Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarship in the Early Career category, setting her sights on a brighter future as a bricklaying apprentice. Despite a challenging start in life, including periods of homelessness and the responsibility of caring for her younger brother, Annalise has shown extraordinary resilience.
Determined to find stability, she took up casual labour work and eventually secured a spot in the CFMEU's pre-apprenticeship program for at-risk youth. Although the 22-week program will mean stepping away from paid work, the scholarship will provide crucial financial support during this transformative period, giving Annalise the confidence and resources to pursue her career in construction.
Shantelle Masih
Fellow scholarship recipient Shantelle Masih, also awarded $2,500 through the Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarship in the Early Career category, is taking the same pre-apprenticeship path in bricklaying. Coming from a family that migrated to Australia from Samoa and Fiji, Shantelle faced financial hardship and struggled to stay engaged at school.
She discovered her passion in the construction industry, where she has thrived despite the demands of the job and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated field. The scholarship will help Shantelle find her footing as she pursues a career that empowers her to break the cycle of disadvantage and create a better future.
Omid Hamadi
A remarkable story of resilience, Omid Hamadi is the recipient of one of two $5,000 Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarships in the Leadership category. Forced to flee his homeland due to war, Omid spent years in a refugee camp before resettling in Australia. The upheaval disrupted his education and left him managing ongoing anxiety.
Despite the financial and cultural challenges of starting over, Omid is now studying Construction Management at RMIT University. The scholarship will ease the financial strain, allowing him to focus on his studies and pursue his dream of mentoring students from similar backgrounds.
Elena Ateska
Elena Ateska, a dedicated mother of two, is the second recipient of this year's $5,000 Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarship in the Leadership category. Originally from Macedonia, Elena came to Australia seeking better educational opportunities but struggled to balance her studies in Building Surveying at Victoria University with multiple part-time jobs.
As she worked toward permanent residency, financial pressures grew, especially after starting a family. This scholarship will offer Elena the stability she needs to complete her degree, while also setting a strong example for her children on the importance of hard work and perseverance in their new home.
To learn more about the Building and Construction Foundation Mario Biasin Legacy Scholarships, click here.
