Our Story
The inception of Ellari Homes can be traced back to Damian Kot’s early years, where he developed a deep passion for craftsmanship and building. From a young age, he eagerly assisted his dad with house renovations and outdoor activities, honing his skills and love for creating things. When Damian moved to Melbourne at the age of 12, fate brought him together with like-minded individuals, Andrew and Tom Dyduk, during church gatherings. Their shared interests, creative imaginations, and weekend collaborations led to a natural camaraderie. Throughout high school, Damian, Andrew, and Tom continued to work on various projects, fostering their friendship and cultivating their individual talents. After a short stint together doing Engineering at University, Damian pursued a carpentry apprenticeship, while Andrew ventured into web development, and Tom ventured into the restaurant business with his father.
Damian’s carpentry journey exposed him to diverse house projects ranging from $50K to $3 million across Melbourne. Shortly after, Damian’s life took a significant turn when he met Katryna, who encouraged him to pursue managerial positions in the building industry. He secured a Site Manager position at a large volume builder, initiating his rich experience in the field. He later became the first Construction Manager to be promoted within the company at Porter Davis Homes. He then played a vital role in assisting others in establishing other successful building companies.
Our Name
Ellari Homes is more than just a construction company – it’s a manifestation of our founders’ passion for creating remarkable spaces that families can proudly call their own and create their own cherished memories. Our name, Ellari Homes, holds a special significance as it intertwines the names of Damian and Katryna’s beloved children, Ellena and Arek (aka ‘Ari’). Just as we pour love and care into raising our own family, we bring the same passion and dedication to crafting homes that embody the essence of family values.
We build homes by our family, for your family
Our Motto
“We build homes by our family, for your family” isn’t just a motto; it’s a commitment to understanding and fulfilling the unique needs and aspirations of each client. At Ellari Homes, we believe a home is more than a structure – it’s a sanctuary of love, warmth, and togetherness. Join us on a journey of building not just houses but cherished homes that will become the backdrop to your family’s most precious memories.
Thank you for considering Ellari Homes for your journey in creating a home that reflects your dreams, values, and the love you share with your family.
Our Co-Founders
Ellari Homes’ foundation is deeply rooted in the enduring friendship forged during Damian Kot’s early years in Melbourne. A shared passion for craftsmanship and collaborative ventures, notably during church gatherings, brought Damian together with like-minded individuals Andrew and Tom Dyduk. Their bond strengthened throughout high school, marked by joint projects that allowed them to cultivate their individual talents.
Post-high school, their paths diverged briefly as Damian pursued a carpentry apprenticeship, Andrew explored web development, and Tom entered the restaurant industry with his father. Damian’s carpentry journey ranged from small to large-scale projects, and his encounter with Katryna propelled him into managerial roles within the building industry. Meanwhile, Tom and his father ventured into the Casual Dining restaurant industry, launching the first Schnitz store. Recognising its potential, Andrew joined forces, helping to transform Schnitz into a multi-million dollar franchise.
The collapse of a prominent builder became the catalyst for Ellari Homes and stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication and passion for crafting remarkable spaces. Damian, with over 20 years of building industry experience, joined forces with Andrew and Tom to form a unique business union, merging the Dyduk and Kot families. This fusion not only signifies a shared vision but also sets Ellari Homes apart with a robust foundation of values, collectively bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Damian’s extensive background in the building industry complements the combined business acumen of Katryna, Andrew, and Tom. Supported by the financial backing of the Dyduk Family, Ellari Homes is well-positioned to deliver excellence and peace of mind to our clients. With Ellari Homes, you embark on a journey with a team deeply committed to your dreams and aspirations. Trust and confidence are the cornerstones of our approach, ensuring that every step of the way, you feel secure in turning your dream home into a reality with us.
Damian Kot
Founder & Director
Katryna Kot
Founder & General Manager
Tom Dyduk
Co-Founder & Director
Andrew Dyduk
Co-Founder & Director
Damian Kot, Founder & Director
With over 20 years of experience in the building industry, Damian Kot has cultivated a rich and diverse career that spans various facets of construction. Originating as a carpenter, he initially immersed himself in hands-on tasks, executing the construction of new home dwellings, multi-unit developments, and renovations, with projects ranging up to $3 million.
Driven by a passion for excellence and a desire to elevate his career, Damian transitioned into managerial positions with the encouragement of his wife, Katryna. This led him to a pivotal role as a Site Manager at Metricon, where he honed his skills in project oversight. Eager to reach new heights, Damian progressed to the role of Construction Manager at Porter Davis, contributing significantly to the company’s success for several years.
Always aspiring to foster growth, Damian extended his expertise to help launch a new building company, followed by key roles in two other successful start-ups. His contributions were marked by numerous accolades, including awards, 5-star client reviews, and strong testimonials, highlighting his commitment to delivering exceptional results.
At the core of Damian’s professional philosophy are values such as a commitment to timely and high-quality outcomes, a people-centric approach to leadership, and adept management of relationships across diverse stakeholders. A natural problem solver, Damian thrives on finding solutions that elevate projects and exceed expectations.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Damian finds joy in activities like fishing, tending to his veggie gardens, and exploring the world of wine through tastings and enthusiast ventures. He embraces family time by taking camping trips and supporting his wife in the daily commitments of raising their children, including their various sports activities. When not immersed in work, Damian is dedicated to creating a balance that enriches both his professional and personal life.
Katryna Kot – Founder & General Manager
Katryna Kot brings a wealth of experience, with a career spanning over 20 years across diverse industries covering administration, account management, supply chain management, importation, marketing, brand building, advertising, promotional planning, and more. Her journey began on the front lines of a major liquor chain while pursuing her Bachelor in Business with a focus on Marketing. Upon graduation, Katryna transitioned to the support office, taking on administrative roles and providing crucial support to liquor buyers across various departments.
Her career evolved as she assumed the role of an imported wine buyer, fostering a deep passion for the world of wine and importation. Over the course of 13 years with the same employer, Katryna navigated various roles, culminating in her position as Advertising Manager. Subsequently, she ventured into an account management position at a creative agency, collaborating with prominent Australian brands while simultaneously raising her family—her children, Elly and Ari.
In recent years, Katryna embarked on an exciting winemaking journey, partnering with her father at his winery. She actively participated in two vintages from start to finish, contributing to the winery’s inaugural white wine and making her first wine, a Roussanne.
Key tenets define Katryna’s approach to her work and life—delivering tasks promptly and to impeccable standards, meticulous attention to detail, a keen eye for design, adept relationship management, and strong communication across diverse stakeholders. Known for her can-do attitude, Katryna thrives on finding innovative solutions, particularly in her love for administration, process setup, and problem-solving, leveraging her affinity for Excel.
Always empathetic, Katryna places herself in her clients’ shoes, ensuring their needs are met to the best of her ability. While her busy schedule allows little time for personal pursuits, she indulges in her love for tennis, dapples in winemaking at her father’s winery, and advocates for clean eating, instilling these values in her children for their future. Beyond work, she dedicates herself to the joys and challenges of raising her two beautiful kids, engaging in their sports activities and other family adventures.
Tom Dyduk, Co-Founder & Director
Tom Dyduk brings over 25 years of dedicated experience to his illustrious career, marked by an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence, strong stakeholder engagement, and fostering robust relationships with supply partners. For more than 15 years, Tom successfully owned and operated a business, where he played a pivotal role in the foundational stages, particularly focusing on Operations and Procurement.
As the Co-Founder of Schnitz, a nationally recognised family-owned casual-dining food franchise group, Tom’s leadership has contributed to the flourishing growth of the brand, now boasting over 75 restaurants with a trajectory of continued expansion.
At the core of Tom’s professional and personal philosophy is the emphasis on cultivating meaningful relationships, a principle that has been the cornerstone of his success. Known for his solution-oriented approach, Tom thrives on the challenges of problem-solving and consistently embraces a mindset of “continuous improvement.” His commitment to integrity is evident in every aspect of his work, where he meticulously develops systems and processes to deliver an exceptional experience for clients and stakeholders while creating opportunities for others to prosper.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Tom is a devoted father to his cherished 12-year-old son. Known for his lighthearted sense of humour, Tom enjoys sharing “Dad jokes” and puns, adding a touch of humour to his interactions. In his leisure moments, he finds joy in mountain biking, maintaining his physical and mental fitness through weightlifting, and engaging in the restoration of various objects, making the most of his spare time.
Andrew Dyduk, Co-Founder & Director
Andrew Dyduk brings over 25 years of dynamic expertise in technology and entrepreneurship, embodying innovative vision, forward-thinking, and strategic leadership skills.
As a Co-Founder of Schnitz, Andrew’s journey exemplifies a commitment to excellence and ethical business practices. Serving as CEO for the first decade and later as Managing Director, his role in Schnitz’s exponential growth underscores his business acumen and ability to scale operations effectively. Under his leadership, Schnitz expanded from a simple concept to a franchise with 75 locations, showcasing Andrew’s capacity for strategic planning and execution.
Prior to his venture into the food industry, Andrew’s career in web software development and online marketing provided a robust foundation for his entrepreneurial ventures. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics, he led Kinetic Digital, specialising in web and mobile applications. His diverse roles, including Managing Director, Senior Business Analyst, Sales Manager, and Business Development Manager, honed his skills in innovation and technology-driven solutions, aligning seamlessly with operational strategic thinking and planning.
Andrew’s unwavering commitment to quality and ethical business practices drives his hands-on approach to ensuring high standards are met. His vision extends beyond meeting client expectations to exceeding them, fostering a reputation for excellence and reliability.
On a personal level, Andrew’s passions for Star Wars, sci-fi, extreme sports, and technology enrich his life outside of work. From building LEGO Star Wars models to attending music festivals and collecting visionary art, he embraces diverse experiences and connections. Andrew’s active social life and close bond with his family, including his brother and nephew, reflect his values of exploration, camaraderie, and joy in the simple moments of life.