Ballinrobe’s Brian scoops industry awards

Ballinrobe’s Brian scoops top award in Australia


Ciara Galvin

Some people fear Friday the 13th, but for Ballinrobe man Brian Costello who lives in Sydney with his wife, Trish, and three sons, it’s been far from unlucky.
The owner of Classic Decor Painting Decorating and Paperhanging received top awards last Friday at the Master Painters of Australia awards. Not only did Costello win an award for wallpaper hanging, he also won the top prize on the night – ‘Project of the Year’.
Brian’s team, which included Rory Gallagher from Charlestown, worked on the award-winning A$8 million waterfront home, which overlooks Sydney Harbour Bridge, for over a year.
“There are 27 different wallpapers in the house, and no two walls are painted the same colour,” explained Brian, who developed the business from scratch after settling in Australia 12 years ago. “I went backpacking 12 years ago and never came back,” he quipped.
Hearing the good news back home, Brian’s parents, Carmel and Séan, are proud of their son’s latest achievements.
To scoop the Master Painters of Australia awards, Brian’s company had to outshine much larger businesses, including those that complete large-scale projects for the Australian government.
“Homes all around Australia are judged. Usually Government work would win. It was the first time a domestic house won [the Project of the Year award].
While no stranger to awards, having previously won an award for Heritage and Restoration, Brian remains humble. “I just do what I do and do my best,” he said.