- Maha Sinnathamby
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Maha Sinnathamby Born Malaysia Residence Brisbane, Australia Occupation Property Developer,[1] Civil Engineer Maha Sinnathamby [2] is a Malaysian Australian businessman and property developer of Tamil ancestry. He lived in a rubber estate Rantau before moving to Australia and becoming an entrepreneur with a vision to build an entire city.
Sinnathamby founded Greater Springfield[3] almost 20 years ago on nearly 3000 hectares outside of Brisbane. Springfield is now a community of more than 21,000 residents living, working and raising families. Predictions are that the population will swell by more than 100,000 people within the next 20 years into a city the size of Darwin[citation needed].
Sinnathamby’s work was acknowledged globally last year with the city being named the world's best master-planned community by the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI).[4]
Other awards include:
- Centenary Medal for regional development in Australia [5]
- Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southern Queensland for his services to education [6]
- Ernst and Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year [7]
- Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for community development [8]
- Australian Institute of Management Medal for Management Innovation.[9]
- Global Organisation for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)International Renowned Entrepreneur Excellence Award 2010 [10]
Sinnathamby is passionately committed to uplifting society through education, which he credits as having played a transformative role in his life[citation needed]. This passion has been translated into a booming education precinct within Greater Springfield called Education City which boasts 8,500 students and a university, a technical college and eight schools.
He has also established a program of scholarships within Greater Springfield and takes a particular pride in seeing people with limited access to education blossom and reach their potential.[11]
An equivalent health precinct, Health City, is under construction and will offer Springfield residents and the wider region access to a range of professional health services.
Mr Sinnathamby’s desire to build a city with a strong sense of community is evident in his commitment to social philanthropy and he has donated more than $200 million of land and funds for vital social infrastructure[citation needed].
His company has donated land for schools, an ambulance station, a police station, a highway and a heavy rail line due for completion in 2013.[12]
See also
References
- ^ Maha Sinnathamby ... the man behind Australia's largest master-planned community
- ^ Meet Maha Sinnathamby
- ^ Welcome to greater springfield
- ^ World's Best Master Planned Community, Greater Springfield
- ^ Centenary Medal by the Governor General of Australia
- ^ Doctor of the University of Southern Queensland
- ^ Ernst and Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year 2003
- ^ Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International in 2003
- ^ Dr Maha Sinnathamby - 2007 Medal for Management Innovation
- ^ Global Organization of People of Indian Origin 2010
- ^ Sinnathamby Scholarship Winner for 2010 announced
- ^ Springfield here we come: rail line construction to begin mid-year
Categories:- Tamil people
- Australian businesspeople
- Tamil businesspeople
- Malaysian people of Tamil descent
- Living people
- Australian people of Sri Lankan descent
- Malaysian Hindus
- Australian Hindus
- Australian business biography stubs
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