When Sue Hart chose to build her home with Southern Vale Homes, she had no idea that she’d end up part of the family.

“We went to all the different builders around Albury-Wodonga, but after talking to Graham for a short space of time we were very happy,” she said.

Graham Searle is Southern Vale’s owner/founder and managing director.

After researching her options, Sue became Southern Vale Homes' first customer in 1994.

“He gave me a good deal – the price was good and he was very helpful with creating a package that suited me,” she said.

In the very beginning, Southern Vale Homes only had four employees including Graham and his wife, Necia.

Sue took on the task of colour selections herself.

“I picked all the colours, products, finishings and fittings," she said. 

Mr Searle was so impressed with the final product he offered Sue a job.

“After I moved in Graham came to visit me and see the finished house," she said.

"He asked me if I would work for Southern Vale as a contractor doing colours and that my first project would be their very first display home in Albury-Wodonga, to open later that year,” she said.

“I told him I had no experience, but he said ‘I’ll help you through it,’ and he did.”

Sue went on to stay with the company for 18 years, working as the Southern Vale Homes colour consultant and interior decorator.

"We won awards left right and centre, all around Albury-Wodonga, and we also submitted our homes into Melbourne awards and won them too," she said.

Last week she was a guest at the VIP opening of a new Southern Vale display home, the Solace 32+, in Killara, and has given the house her “tick of approval”, saying everything in the home was exactly what she would’ve chosen.

This advertising feature is sponsored by:  Southern Vale Homes.

Mr Searle attributes the company’s continued success to strong community ties.

“Southern Vale has always been a family owned-and-operated company,”  he said.

“That’s why we believe in building homes that stand the test of time.

"We pride ourselves on our quality construction and looking after our clients. We’ve built homes for so many families over the last 20-odd years, and hence that’s why all the children come back to build with us as adults, naturally promoted by mum and dad – and because we built their family home all those years ago.”

It was that approach that made Sue feel right at home. “I felt very much like I was part of the family – and still do. I feel very privileged.”

​Southern Vale Homes' head office in Wodonga has only ever had two colour consultants – Pauline Hall took over in 2013.