The Local Files: Mark Dobson — Building a Life on the Peninsula

For many, the Mornington Peninsula represents the dream: an escape from the city’s rush to a place where community, coastline, and calm converge. For builder Mark Dobson, that dream became reality just three years ago - and in that time, he’s built more than a home. He’s built a life grounded in craftsmanship, community, and connection.

We sat down with Mark to hear about his journey from New South Wales to Mount Martha, his long career in construction, and how he’s now channelling his experience into local projects that celebrate the very best of Peninsula living.

Q: Mark, let’s start at the beginning — where did you move from, and what brought you to the Peninsula?

We were living in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales - in Bowral - for about 15 or 16 years. We’d been talking about a sea change for a while, and after COVID, it felt like the right time. Originally, we thought we might move to the Brighton area, but during one of our trips down, we kept driving, and ended up in Mount Martha.

We instantly fell in love. The beaches reminded me of where I grew up - the Northern Beaches in Sydney, around Avalon - but with something extra. The Peninsula has that same relaxed, coastal lifestyle, but also the scale and energy of a proper community. There’s depth here - families, local businesses, and a sense of belonging. We just thought, this is amazing.

We went home, kept thinking about it, and came back 12 months later. We found a home we loved and bought it straight away. That was three years ago now, and we’ve never looked back.

Q: Tell us a bit about your family — how did everyone feel about the move?

There are five of us in total - my partner Fiona and I, and our three daughters. When we moved, our eldest had just finished at the ANU, studying science and dementia, and she’s now doing her PhD at the Florey Institute in Melbourne. Our middle daughter, who’s 21, is in London, working as an actor on the West End, which has been incredible to watch unfold. And our youngest is about to head into Year 12 doing her VCE.

Moving a teenager is always tricky - friends, schools, routines - but she’s settled in beautifully now. She’s made new friends, still keeps in touch with her old ones from Bowral, and really loves the lifestyle here.

For Fiona and me, it’s been wonderful to see all three girls finding their paths, even if they’re spread across the globe. They’re close and constantly in touch - FaceTiming, messaging, cheering each other on.

Q: You had an impressive construction career before moving. Tell us about that part of your journey.

Yes, I ran my own construction company - Dobsonei - for about 25 years. We had 16 staff and turned over around $15 million annually, doing a mix of commercial and residential projects. We also won a number of Master Builders Awards and numerous projects on TV,  we still have our website as a portfolio of works www.dobsonei.com to show my experience.

We built everything from retirement villages to aged care extensions, including dementia wings and group homes for children with disabilities, as well as some very high-end homes on Sydney Harbour. It was rewarding, diverse work. When COVID hit, I started to wind the business down, focusing on our own developments instead. That created the space and flexibility to make the move to Victoria.

Q: You also built a chalet in the Snowy Mountains during that transition?

Yes! That was a passion project. It’s called APRES Hideaway, in Lake Crackenback near Jindabyne. I couldn’t get trades up there at the time, so I built it almost entirely myself - from formwork and tiling to kitchens and interiors.

For about a year, I was doing eight-hour drives each way, leaving at 2am Monday morning, working four days straight, and driving home Thursday night. It was exhausting, but also incredibly satisfying. We still have the property and use it as a family getaway, and maybe one day, a retirement escape.

Q: What does life — and work — look like for you now on the Peninsula?

When we got settled, I took some time to figure out what was next. I didn’t necessarily want to start another large-scale company, but I still wanted to use my 35 years of building experience in a hands-on, community-focused way.

So I started MPMPM - Mornington Peninsula Minor Projects & Maintenance. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a building and maintenance business specialising in small residential projects - pergolas, deck rectifications, outdoor spaces, and preparing houses for sale or rental that make homes more functional, presentable and enjoyable.

At the start, I went out and met around 40 local real estate agencies from Mount Eliza to Dromana - including Sam from Danckert Real Estate - to introduce myself. That door-knocking exercise really paid off. It was humbling, but it built the foundation for everything that’s followed.

Now, about 60% of my work is repeat business, 35% comes from referrals, and the rest through the website - mpmpm.com.au. It’s been an amazing, organic way to grow, built entirely on relationships.

Q: It sounds like you’ve really embraced the local community too?

Absolutely. I joined the Rotary Club of Mount Martha soon after moving here, which has been fantastic. Before that, back in New South Wales, I was with the Rural Fire Service for 10 years. Giving back is something I’ve always believed in.

Through Rotary, I’ve been involved in supporting Fusion and The Ranch 2.0, among other local initiatives. It’s just part of who I am — if you’re lucky enough to have done well, you should help others where you can. The more you put into the community, the more you get out of it.

Q: What do you love most about life on the Peninsula?

Everything! The friendliness, the community, the landscape — it all just feels like home. People here are so welcoming. I actually love the weather. Everyone complains about the cold, but after Bowral, this is mild! I still wear a t-shirt in winter while everyone else is rugged up in beanies.

We’ve recently joined the Safety Beach Sailing Club, and I’m getting back into sailing after a 20-year break. It’s great to be able to share that with the family and enjoy the bay together. We also love the wineries, the local food scene, the open space — it’s all part of what makes this place special.

Q: If you had to sum up what makes the Peninsula “home”, what would you say?

It’s simple really, it just feels right. From the first moment we drove down here, it felt like where we were meant to be. The combination of natural beauty, genuine people, and opportunity, it’s a place that allows you to live fully, not just work and exist. We came here for a sea change, but what we found was a sense of belonging. That’s what makes the Mornington Peninsula so special.

To learn more about Mark’s work, visit mpmpm.com.au

Interview by Danckert Real Estate for The Local Files — celebrating the people who make the Peninsula home.