Madonna Hodge from O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains was awarded the Andrea Vogler Women in Business Award at the 2021 Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards, held on Friday 12 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This award recognises a female who has excelled in business and encouraged the growth of female participation in the plumbing and gas industry.
The Women in Business Award is dedicated to Andrea Vogler who was heavily involved in the plumbing and gas industry. MPAQ Executive Director, Penny Cornah, said Ms Vogler was a pioneer for women in a male-dominated industry.
“It is encouraging to see our industry recognise a strong female role model with this award,” said Ms Cornah.
Madonna became a business owner in the plumbing industry over 30 years ago when she and her husband Peter started Galaxy Plumbing, which has since grown, having joined the O’Brien Group in recent years, where they now employ 27 staff as O’Brien Electrical and Plumbing.
As a strong advocate for both the plumbing industry and female representation, Madonna loves to be engaged and strongly believes that to make an impact and have influence in the industry and her business, she can’t sit on the side lines. Madonna also believes in developing others and giving back to the industry, which is evident in her involvement in networking opportunities with other business owners, suppliers, and industry stakeholders.
Hosted by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in partnership with Event Partner Reliance Worldwide Corporate (RWC), the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards aim to highlight the hard work and dedication invested into the industry by apprentices, plumbers, gasfitters, hydraulic consultants and other industry individuals.
This year, the sold-out event recognised individuals and companies in 16 award categories, and hosted VIPs including the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement of Queensland, the Hon. Di Farmer, Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, the Hon. Scott Stewart, Minister for Resources, Tim Mander, Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works and Shadow Minister for Sports and Racing, and Gary O’Halloran, State Secretary of the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Union Queensland.
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For further information:
Contact:
Laura Allen
Events and Sponsorship Coordinator
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland
07 3273 0800
laura.allen@mpaq.com.au
Summer Adams
Projects and Events Manager
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland
0439 480 676
summer.adams@mpaq.com.au
Editor’s note: Photographs and interviews are available and can be organised with the winners.
Please contact Laura Allen or Summer Adams for more information.