Beginnings and Transitions

Our firm was established in 1956 by Mr C M (Gerry) Calder as a sole-practitioner operation based in Chinchilla.

Gerry Calder was indeed a remarkable man, having qualified as a Master of Engineering, an Authorised Surveyor and a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland. Among his many achievements, he undertook the survey for the Story Bridge across the Brisbane River. A selection of Mr Calder’s elegant vintage surveying equipment and other memorabilia is on display in the foyer of our Chinchilla office.

The practice continued with minimal staff until 1975 when Mr Graham Brandon commenced as a Partner in the firm of Calder & Brandon and provided an enlargement of the client base. Following the death of Mr Calder in a car accident in March 1975, the total staff consisted of Mr Brandon and John McQuaid, now Company Secretary.

Since this time, staff numbers have steadily increased to accommodate varying client needs and the requirement for an enhanced range of capabilities.

From an initial client base of four Councils - Chinchilla, Murilla, Taroom and Bendemere Shires - and staff based only in Chinchilla, the firm has established long term relationships with many councils in Southern and Central Queensland and worked hard to maintain these relationships throughout the 2008 council amalgamations and beyond.

In 1985, the firm was renamed GJ Brandon & Associates and continued to trade under this name until it was changed to Brandon & Associates in 2000.

Picture: Mr Calder (fourth from right) and the project team
inspecting the Story Bridge site