Last Saturday night under the eaves of Sydney Opera House, over 400 guests turned out in their finest threads to celebrate Benedict Industries’ golden milestone – 50 Years of successful operation.

Founded by current Chairman Ronald Benedict Smith in 1966, the family owned and operated business has gone from strength to strength – and continues to evolve.  Originally a haulage company delivering sand, gravel and aggregates, today, the industry’s go-to provider of quality quarried and recycled products is fast building a reputation as ‘the waste recycling partner of choice’, servicing greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Fittingly, the Opera House - another Sydney icon - provided the ideal location to come together, with the Harbour Bridge creating the perfect backdrop for what was an amazing evening. Serving as emcee for the night was TV personality and long-time Benedict friend Jason Hodges. Attended by the who’s who of Sydney’s construction and landscaping fraternity, the 5-star event went off without a hitch and was punctuated by an amazing firework display that stopped harbour traffic and mesmerised everyone around the City’s foreshore.

After welcoming everyone, Co-Managing Directors Dana Dupere and Ernest Dupere took the opportunity to thank everyone for their loyal support, and gave recognition to the many businesses, drivers and clients that have been around for ‘the long haul’. Special recognition was given to the Benedict people “that have made this company great”, with many called up on stage and presented with the Order of The Shovel award – a company recognition of dedication and long service.

“We’ve come a long way from the days of sitting in the boardroom, using a distance-measuring wheel on maps of Sydney to calculate track routes,” divulged Ron Smith with a sly grin.

“Today, you can’t travel far around Sydney without driving over, past or through some type of infrastructure that Benedict Industries has had a hand in. As my beloved wife used to say, ‘it’s been a helluva ride!’”