Queensland businessman Scott Hutchinson awarded UQ Alumni Excellence Award for philanthropy

The business leader won the Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to the construction industry and as a philanthropist and sustainability advocate.

Chairman of Hutchinson Builders, Scott served on the QMusic board from 2005 to 2017 and is now its patron, helping deliver major music events like the Queensland Music Awards and BIGSOUND. He also enhanced Brisbane’s music scene by establishing the Triffid Nightclub and Fortitude Music Hall.

Scott supports more than 200 charities annually and was recognised as the Queensland Community Foundation Corporate Philanthropist of the Year in 2019. He supports the AEIOU Foundation for children with autism and promotes First Nations employment through the Statim Yaga Program.

Scott said he was pleased to be recognised with the award because “University of Queensland enabled me to afford to have a philanthropic impact”.

“I have focused my philanthropy on trying to save Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley live music scene from disappearing because it’s been so important to me my whole life and I was shocked at the demolition of Festival Hall in 2003.

“It was essential that somebody do something or we were going to completely lose it. I enjoyed making a serious impact with Fortitude Hall and our six other venues, which are not commercial.”

Scott also supports his employees to give charitably. “Hutchies gives very broadly,” he said. “Anyone at Hutchies can get up to $500 to support their club, team or children’s sports.”

He also champions environmental sustainability, having built Australia’s first six-star Green Star Commercial Office Tower and promoting urban beehives. His leadership and philanthropy have made a lasting impact on his industry and the broader community in Queensland.