He became involved in the building industry and was soon listed as foreman on a number of building projects.

By 1915, he was running his own building company, advertising in The Yass Courier September 16, 1915 as 'The Home Builder' in Meehan Street Yass.

One of Lawrence's early projects was his own home in Polding Street.

His home 'Dunshee' was constructed from fibro cement sheeting and completed around 1911.

Charles Pickett in his book 'The Fibro Frontier' says that the material was invented by Austrian Ludwig Hatchek in 1900.

It is believed that the fibro cement sheeting used Lawrences's house was from Poissy, France imported by James Hardie.

The sheets were constructed from compressed asbestos and cement. It was seen at that time as a very innovative product as it withstood harsh climatic conditions and insect attack.

Another attraction was its shorter construction time, which reduced labour costs compared to more traditional building materials. So it became an increasingly popular building material.

Pickett says that its popularity as a building material is evidenced by the fact that by the 1960s one in five Australian houses were clad in these building sheets.

It was also used in the eaves of brick and timber homes and as lining for 'wet' areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

It was not until later that the risks posed by asbestos in its mining, manufacture and disposal of old fibro sheets were widely understood, and it was no longer used in production of fibro sheets.

Meanwhile DL Lawrence's business went from strength to strength. By April 3, 1919, he was advertising in The Yass Courier as a 'builder and timber merchant' at his premises in Meehan Street.

He employed more staff, and undertook construction of significant buildings such as All Saint's Church in Murrumbateman.

In the 1950s, two long standing employees became partners and his business became DL Lawrence & Co.

He began training apprentices early in his business career and continued to do so. A number of Yass tradespeople gained their training with DL Lawrence.

Davy Lawrence was involved in the Yass community in various roles.

These included as a municipal councillor and mayor, foundation member of the Bowling Club and an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

His name lives on in signage above the door of Trader & Co, and 'Dunshee', along with many other buildings in Yass, stand as a testament to his builder's skills.