“I am happy to provide this testimonial for Richie Mallaby of Creative Stone Masonry. I have worked with Richie Mallaby in the capacity of a sub-contractor and subsequently engaged him directly as a contractor to me on a number of occasions. He has performed a range of different types of work and has displayed his versatility and competence in each. The work has varied from:
“Precision construction of cut Bluestone blocks in a circular layout of Melbourne’s famous Floral Clock;
“Modification and relaying of natural stone pieces in the safety upgrade of the Grotto and Fern Gully in Kings Domain, Melbourne;
“Refurbishment and re-creation of ‘natural stone’ rockwork of heritage listed water features in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne.
“I have no hesitation in recommending Richie where creativity, diligence and reliability in working with prepared and natural stone is required.”
Stuart Nicoll. Project Manager. City of Melbourne.
“Ritchie built our stone wall entrance at Paringa Estate with absolute care and attention to detail. He has a unique artisan skill and the passion to make his work the best he possibly can. It was fascinating for me to watch Richie ply his skill in turning a pile of sandstone rocks into the magnificent structure we now have to welcome our customers to Paringa Estate.”
Lindsay McCall. Paringa Estate Winery and Restaurant.
“Within the second stage of construction for the unique Australian Garden Project (found at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne) are a series of large retaining and feature granite stone walls along with integrated paving using the same granite stone. Richie came into this project as a subbie for the main contractor undertaking the landscape works for the Royal Botanic Gardens. From day one Richie had an open, approachable and professional manner in which he worked. He also has a strong passion and belief in his own work and in the way he creates his “artistic” pieces. After weeks of labour, essentially entirely by Richie, he has created these fantastic stone structures which have become a inspiring architectural aesthetic and talking point for visitors who stroll through the Australian Garden.
“Richie has a great eye for detail which also saw him install a large expanse of natural stone slate steps within the same project. Approximately 70 slate slabs up to 3.7m in length, 800mm wide and around 200mm thick had to be individually placed using machine and hand. Not a task for just any stone mason or paving company. It required someone with extensive skill, lateral thinking and a desire to achieve a world class landscape finish within such a unique landscape setting, which is exactly what Richie achieved.
“Richie has since undertaken various small stone works directly for the Royal Botanic Gardens, and as always it’s a pleasure working with Richie. I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Richie for any unique (and not so unique!) stone and paving works. You only have to visit the Australian Garden and you’ll see and appreciate some of Richie’s fantastic work.”
James Robinson. Project Manager. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
“Richard has completed works for us including Royal Botanic Gardens, Australian Gardens Stage 2, in Cranbourne, Melbourne’s Floral Clock rejuvenation and Brimbank council’s water treatment works. In our collaborations with Richard we have come to appreciate his ability to achieve works of the highest standard while maintaining a organised, safe and friendly working environment. Richard works with admirable skill and dexterity, and we are happy to recommend Richard for any civil, commercial or domestic stonework projects he may pursue. We also look forward to working with him again soon.”
Pawel Bankowski. Project Manager, Watpac Vic.
“Richard is a highly skilled stone mason and the requirements of our garden design proved his ability and versatility as he skilfully and competently:
- built around 100 square metres of pathways and laid them with the most beautiful bluestone random paving.
- dismantled, secured and rebuilt our 159 year old bluestone front stairs which had been unstable and crooked for many years.
- placed and secured beautiful large bluestone stepping stones after carefully sourcing just the right shape and shade.
- built several small garden walls from bluestone blocks as well as a subtle, unobtrusive garden edging.
“Apart from his stone masonry skills, Richard is also a very competent landscaper. Working mostly on his own, Richard sourced, purchased, positioned and planted out all the specified plants, laid the lawn and completed the job by mulching the entire garden.
“I am delighted with the absolutely beautiful work Richard has recently completed for us and look forward to working with him again in the future.”
Judy Lofitis. Yarrabank Developments Pty Ltd.