Charity and construction focus at Dunn’s Twin City Cranes

Bridges, mobile phone towers, solar farms, 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 nine 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 20m above the field day site each year and contribute a crane for five weeks to assist with the site loading and unloading at Henty. It gives me a chance to spend a day at Henty catching up with the people we deal with throughout the year.

“There has been follow-up work from Henty, including shed construction and loads of agricultural machinery, 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 in 2022 by the Crane Industry of Australia – Excellence Award in appreciation of his significant contribution to the industry. 

He 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 celebrated 20 years in business in January 2024.

Employing up to 25 staff including subcontractors, the business operates 20 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 2.8 tonnes mini crawler and seven Franna pick and carry compact city cranes from 20 to 40 tonnes, six all-terrain cranes from 40 to 220 tonnes for construction and communication tower work.

“Last year we purchased a 220-tonne crane which reaches 96m in height and can be used for projects such as lifting precast concrete panels, modular houses, and communication towers. 

“The tight access mini crawler cranes are designed for jobs to fit through a household door.

“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 past year includes Mars Pet Care, Trinity Anglican College, Wilson Transformers, the Opal factory, Inland Rail and Snowy Hydro.

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

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, City2City Walk, World’s Greatest Shave and the Christmas Party for Special Kids.