Founded in 1927 by Colin Newnham and still in family hands, Newearth Constructions has grown to become one of the most successful civil contractors in Central Victoria and one of the most respected contractors in the state. We have grown to a business employing over 40 staff and have constructed some of the most significant projects in the region.
We look forward to celebrating our 90th birthday in 2017.
1927
In 1927, at 19 years of age, Colin Allister Newnham tendered or a job with Country Roads Board to seal one and a half miles of road south of Romsey. He was successful in winning the business but was not old enough to sign the contract. The local newspaper editor stepped in and signed the contract on his behalf. With two Clydesdales and a lot of back-breaking work the job was successfully completed and so began Newnham Earthmoving.
1930s & 40s
Colin Newnham continued working for the CRB and local shires during the Depression and during the war volunteered for the Civil Construction Corps on the construction of airfields in Ballarat, Sale and Swan Hill.
1960s
Due to Colin’s ailing health, his son Ken Newnham came to assist, steering the company back toward road construction. In the mid-1960s his youngest son Doug joined the expanding family business. In 1967, the company was renamed as C.A. Newnham & Sons.
1970s, 80s & 90s
Colin Newnham passed away in 1978 leaving a family legacy and thriving business that continues to this very day. During the 1970s and 1980s Newnham Earthmoving won several major sub-divisional contracts in the Romsey area, including water storage reservoirs and sewerage treatment lagoons. In 1984, the company was again renamed as Newnham Earthmoving Pty Ltd.
In 1990, Ken retired from the business and Doug’s wife Carol became an active partner. Their son Cameron joined the Newearth Constructions in 1998 making it three generations in the family business.
In 1994 David Mitchell joined Newearth Constructions Civil Engineering Contractors as Construction Manager and oversaw the implementation of a Quality Control system acceptable to VicRoads. These systems and procedures have been paramount in the development of Newearth Constructions procedural practices and remain in place today.
In 1997, Newnham Earthmoving was awarded the CASE Earth Award (Category 1) – Environmentally Sensitive Rural Residential Subdivision Construction
In 1998, Newearth Constructions Pty Ltd commenced as the project delivery arm of the business.
2000s to Today
In 2003, Newearth Constructions was recognised as a Nationally Prequalified Contractor with the Civil Contractors Federation and our Integrated Management System was implemented. In 2014 a company restructure occurred with David Mitchell retiring and Cameron Newnham appointed to the role of Construction Manager. At this time, Doug Newnham retired from operational control but remains as Managing Director and Nick Karapetsas joined the company in the new role of General Manager.
In 2018 Mick McCarthy replaced Nick Karapetsas as General Manager and in 2019 Mark Sullivan joined the team in the role of Construction and Contracts Manager.
With over 90 years in the industry Newearth Constructions have seen many changes in construction methods and technology and have adapted and expanded their business accordingly including laser control and auto grade.
Newearth Constructions continues to expand its business with the dedication to adapting to an ever evolving construction industry while maintaining a high level of customer service that has kept clients returning to us for over 90 years.
We are still based in Romsey and our civil engineering contracting and earthmoving services are available throughout Central Victoria.
