Charity and construction focus at Dunn’s Twin City Cranes

Bridges, mobile phone towers, fish motels, solar farms, anti-tank guns, sheds, silos and multi-storey buildings have all been lifted into place around the Border region by Dunn’s Twin City Cranes.

The Albury/Wodonga based company has been a sponsor of the Henty Machinery Field Days for about eight years, with a large crane visible in the centre of the site holding aloft the HMFD public address system.

“It’s a big area between Albury and Wagga for farming and construction industries so for people to see our cranes out there it is good exposure,” principal Jon Dunn said.

“We have a crane holding up the public address system above the field day site each year and contribute a crane for 10 weeks to assist with the site loading and unloading at Henty.

“There has been follow-up work from Henty, including shed construction and loads of farm equipment and silos.”

The business, operated by Jon and his wife Melanie, services clients within a 200km radius of Albury-Wodonga and also has a strong focus on regional charity work.

Jon was honoured last year by the Crane Industry of Australia – Excellence Award in appreciation of his significant contribution to the industry. 

Jon had worked as a crane operator, rigger and dogman for Fitzgerald Constructions before establishing Dunn’s Crane and Access Hire with a single crane in 2004 in Corowa.

He is also a qualified diesel mechanic and first began operating cranes at the age of 19.

Dunn’s Twin City Cranes Pty Ltd began in 2009 with the purchase of Twin City Cranes.

Employing 16 staff, the business operates 17 cranes, four semi-trailers, a Peru (powerline construction), a heavy rigid truck and medium rigid truck.

 “Our scope of operations and diversity of equipment enables us to supply to a range of markets including shutdowns, farming needs, building and construction industries, along with transportation requirements,” Mr Dunn said.

“The vast range of cranes range from the 2.9 tonnes mini crawler and seven Franna pick and carry compact city cranes, to all-terrain cranes from 40 to 130 tonnes for construction and communication tower work.

“The 130 tonne crane reaches 92m in height, or 30 stories, and can be used for projects such as air conditioning change-out on top of buildings and factories.

“Our dedicated employees are experienced in all fields of the industry and there is a strict adherence to industry safety standards.

“We are available 24 hours seven days a week to help our clients and we always ensure the work gets completed in the minimum possible time.”

Among the major projects Dunn’s have been involved in over the years includes the Wodonga Plaza, Visy Tumut, Essential Energy, and Downer Engineering. 

Last year Dunn’s helped construct the new soccer pavilion and grandstand at Baranduda Fields – the largest regional sporting facility between Sydney and Melbourne. This year the company placed “fish hotels” in the Belvoir Lake as part of an ongoing program to protect native species and improve the health of the waterway. 

Dunn’s Twin City Cranes has a strong history of contributing to the community and were major sponsors of the Tallangatta Football League for six years. 

The company is a family orientated work environment and spends a significant amount of money annually in donations and sponsorship to sporting organisations, medical charities and community groups.

Many donations of crane hire in-kind have been made to organisations such as Give me Five for Kids, Royal Flying Doctors, and Border Relay for Life.

Monthly donations are made to the Peter Mac Foundation, Heart Research Institute and Starlight Foundation, while annual donations are given to Country Hope, World’s Greatest Shave and the Christmas Party for Special Kids.