What the Headlines Got Wrong: A Toby McCoskers Perspective on Collapse, Loyalty, and Legacy

The collapse of Alurt and Vallec wasn’t just a business failure — it was a stress test on loyalty, pressure, and resilience. As someone who spent over two decades building systems, managing teams, and creating solutions in the construction industry, I’ve seen firsthand how headlines can miss the deeper truth.

I’m Toby McCosker. My career has spanned everything from managing $15M infrastructure upgrades to mentoring young tradespeople. I’ve handed over major builds, implemented ISO systems, and kept entire companies afloat during some of the toughest times in Australian construction.

But none of that context made the headlines.

Behind the Collapse: Cash Flow, Pressure, and the Human Cost

Construction is brutal. When the money stops — even for a month — projects fall, and companies follow. With Alurt, negative press amplified the collapse. With Vallec, a larger builder strategically withheld payments, knowing it would tip us over. It wasn’t an accident. It was a calculated move — and one the industry quietly tolerates.

I’ve been the CEO and the labourer. I’ve paid out of pocket to keep 100+ workers going when the books didn’t balance. I’ve been in courtrooms, on scaffolding, and in boardrooms all in the same week. What happened wasn’t about dishonesty — it was about endurance, and the limits of what one person can carry.

Loyalty in the Fire

During Alurt’s collapse, most people ran. But not Mike. He made mistakes — ones I didn’t condone — but he stayed when others vanished. That counts. My biggest disappointment wasn’t the chaos — it was the betrayal by people I trusted, people like Jacob, who walked away when I needed them most.

Why I’m Still Here

I’m not telling this story for sympathy. I’m telling it because the record deserves to be set straight. My name — Toby McCosker — is tied to over 20 years of contribution to this industry. I’ve built companies, supported communities, and helped others succeed. And I’m still here, still building.

I’ve kept the receipts: emails, contracts, reports, legal filings. The collapse of Alurt and Vallec isn’t gossip — it’s documented. The records speak for themselves.

Final Word

If you’re in the fight — in business, in life, or in leadership — keep going. The system isn’t built for people like us. But we still show up.

More from Toby McCosker

• Lessons from the Frontline: Leading Through Adversity
  How pressure shaped leadership beyond the job site.

• Reputation vs. Reality: What the Media Got Wrong
  Why headlines don’t always tell the full story.

  
  

Tobias (Toby) McCosker is the founder of Built By Toby. After two decades in construction and business, he now shares raw lessons from the frontline.
Explore more at BuiltByToby.com.au