BAYSIDE business leader and philanthropist Mick Power has been recognised as a Philanthropic Great in the 2026 Queensland Day Awards, honouring decades of community contribution alongside his success in building one of Australia’s largest privately owned construction companies.
Premier David Crisafulli presented the award as part of this year’s Queensland Day celebrations, recognising Queenslanders who have made an outstanding contribution to their communities and the State.
Dr Power is the founder and chairman of BMD, which he established in 1979 before growing it into Australia’s largest privately owned civil construction company.
Today, BMD generates more than $2.4 billion in annual turnover, employs more than 2400 people and delivers major infrastructure projects across Australia and internationally.
While widely respected for his business achievements, Dr Power has also built a reputation for giving back to the communities in which the company operates.
For more than 40 years, he has supported charities, sporting clubs, community organisations and grassroots initiatives, particularly across Brisbane’s Bayside region.
BMD now contributes more than $1.5 million annually to philanthropic and community causes, supporting programs across sport, education, healthcare, the arts and veterans’ services.
The company’s community involvement extends beyond financial support, with employees regularly volunteering, fundraising and assisting with disaster recovery efforts through BMD’s well-known “ute army”, which provides practical assistance during times of crisis.
Dr Power has also been a strong advocate for women in sport and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
BMD is a major supporter of Australian sport, backing organisations including the Brisbane Lions, North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland Rugby League and a range of community sporting clubs.
Closer to home, the company has supported Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League for more than four decades, Wynnum Golf Club for more than 25 years and provided major funding for the Power Family Music Hall at Moreton Bay College.
Speaking after receiving the Queensland Day honour, Dr Power said the recognition was deeply meaningful.
“Queensland has shaped who I am, the business we built and the way I have always tried to do things by working hard, staying grounded, backing people and contributing where we can,” he said.
“Our business is our people. For me, the measure of success is not only what we achieve as a business, but whether the places we work are in some way better because BMD has been there.”
The latest recognition follows another major honour earlier this year when Queensland University of Technology awarded Dr Power an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership in business and long-standing contribution to communities across Australia.
Premier Crisafulli said this year’s Queensland Day Awards recipients represented the very best of what the State had to offer.
