Industry’s Best Shine in Queensland Plumbing and Gas Awards

Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland celebrated the best of the plumbing and gas industry at the 2023 Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards on Friday 6 October. This year, Queensland-based businesses and individuals exemplified unparalleled passion, unrelenting resilience, groundbreaking innovation, inspiring leadership, and new standards of excellence as winners were recognised in each of the 16 award categories throughout the evening.

Presented by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in partnership with Event Partner Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC), the presentation dinner was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC). More than 650 industry professionals, local dignitaries, business owners, and esteemed guests were in attendance for a spectacular night of celebrations and networking.

Legendary host and sportscaster Ben Dobbin led the festivities this year, setting up the stage for some inspiring words from the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement, and the Hon. Di Farmer, Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice.

Showcasing a bright future for the industry were the five apprentices who took home the apprentice awards. Exhibiting a solid grasp of technical knowledge and highlighting their dedication to their craft, these apprentices hold incredible promise in shaping the industry: Cody Heyer of S&C Plumbing Services, School Based Apprentice of the Year; Caleb Anderson of Shaw’s Plumbing & Gas, Rheem Second Year Apprentice of the Year; Joel Murray of Honest Plumbing Solutions, Caroma Third Year Apprentice of the Year; Nicholas Anderson of Evermore Plumbing & Gas, Construction Skills Queensland Merv Harris Memorial Bursary Award; and Jack Keogh of Axis Plumbing QLD, winning both The Service Trades College Australia Fourth Year Apprentice of the Year and Reece Queensland Apprentice of the Year.

Not to be left behind are the women whose contributions to the industry are unmatched, both off and on the tools. Kirsty Train from Grace Gas Fitting, Plumbing and Home Maintenance in Toowoomba took home one of the biggest and most sought-after awards of the night – the Department of Energy and Public Works Tradesperson of the Year.In her 16-year tenure in the industry, she has carved a remarkable path, underscored by a steadfast commitment to technical proficiency and strong support for mental health and safety. Nicole Vermaak of Ryano’s Plumbing and Gas Fitting Pty Ltd also shone bright during the night as she won the Simpro Women in Plumbing and Gas Award. Her adaptability in the face of change has furnished her with the crucial attributes to emerge as a trailblazer in the plumbing and gas sector. Representing regional Queensland and the women off the tools, Lucinda Giles from James Giles Plumbing Pty Ltd took home the Austbrokers Comsure Andrea Vogler Women in Business Award for her pioneering, impactful business initiatives and dedication to championing a team environment steeped in nurturing and unwavering support.

John Franklin from Franklin Plumbing and Gas lit up the stage when he emerged victorious in the coveted RWC Businessperson of the Year award. At the helm of his plumbing and gas business on the Gold Coast, he embodies the essence of an industry luminary who recognises the necessity of adapting to dynamic business landscapes.

A first in Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards history, the MPAQ President’s Award was given to John Salmon of Salmon Plumbing Services. His exemplary contribution as a member of the MPAQ Council and his passion for growing his business and craft speaks volumes of the mark he has left in the industry.

Tropical Coast Plumbing took to the stage for the BUSSQ Service Excellence Award to receive recognition for their best practices and sterling achievements. With an unwavering commitment to cutting-edge technology, Tropical Coast Plumbing delivered top-notch customer service, fostered personal growth among their staff, and contributed passionately to local communities.

Four notable projects in plumbing and gas were recognised throughout the night, highlighting the standards of excellence set by Queensland businesses. Calibre Plumbing and Drainage brought home the Zip Water Commercial Plumbing or Gas Project of the Year for the Club House Refurbishment of Indooroopilly Golf Club. Revamping the plumbing, drainage, and fire services of Indooroopilly Golf Club’s main clubhouse marked the most substantial renovation since the clubhouse’s original construction in the 1980s. LPW Plumbing and Gas Solutions won the Plumbing Plus Domestic Plumbing or Gas Project of the Year for their exceptional venture with the installation and commissioning of the plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting of Palm Avenue, a three-level residential masterpiece in Ascot. Tru-Flow Services PTY LTD and BRW Hydraulics were awarded the AHSCA Queensland Hydraulic Consultancy Design of the Year for a landmark collaboration that realised You Foodz. A facility previously unconstructed in Australia, this pioneering project tackled hydraulic design, commission, and installation challenges that brought to life a groundbreaking design. MM Kembla Outstanding Copper Plumbing & Gas Project of the Year went to Beavis & Bartels for their outstanding work with the Logan Hospital. Throughout their commissioning and installation of a comprehensive hydraulic and gas package, they were able to ensure minimal disruption and risk to the hospital’s staff and patients and kept the hospital fully operational throughout the upgrade.

“The Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards presentation dinner stands as the pinnacle event within our field, where we gather to honour the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations who excel in the plumbing and gas industry. Every nominee, especially our esteemed finalists and winners, should take immense pride in the exceptional levels of professionalism they consistently exhibit,” said Penny Cornah, MPAQ’s Executive Director.

She added: “We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners, whose steadfast support has been instrumental in our journey. Events like these don’t just give credit and recognition, but also hope to inspire the larger industry and the next generation of plumbers and gasfitters to consistently embody excellence and innovation. We aim to celebrate the best so we can keep growing and moving forward as an industry.”

Capping the night was entertainment from the Hamilton Band and an after party with more drinks and bites at Rydges Soleil Poor Bar.

Photos and interviews with finalists and winners can be provided upon request.

2023 Plumbing and Gas Industry Award Winners

School Based Apprentice of the Year	Cody Heyer S&C Plumbing Services
CSQ Merv Harris Memorial Bursary	Nicholas Anderson Evermore Plumbing & Gas
Rheem Second Year Apprentice of the Year	Caleb Anderson Shaw’s Plumbing & Gas
Caroma Third Year Apprentice of the Year	Joel Murray Honest Plumbing Solutions
The Service Trades College Australia Fourth Year Apprentice of the Year	Jack Keogh Axis Plumbing QLD
Reece Queensland Apprentice of the Year	Jack Keogh Axis Plumbing QLD
MPAQ President’s Award	John Salmon Salmon Plumbing Services
Austbrokers Comsure Andrea Vogler Women in Business	Lucinda Giles James Giles Plumbing Pty Ltd
RWC Businessperson of the Year	John Franklin Franklin Plumbing and Gas
Simpro Women in Plumbing and Gas	Nicole Vermaak Ryano’s Plumbing and Gas Fitting Pty Ltd
Department of Energy and Public Works Tradesperson of the Year	Kirsty Train Grace Gas Fitting, Plumbing and Home Maintenance
BUSSQ Service Excellence	Tropical Coast Plumbing
AHSCA Queensland Hydraulic Consultancy Design of the Year	You Foodz By Tru-Flow Services PTY LTD AND BRW Hydraulics
MM Kembla Outstanding Copper Plumbing & Gas Project of the Year	Logan Hospital By Beavis & Bartels
Plumbing Plus Domestic Plumbing or Gas Project of the Year	Palm Avenue, Ascot By LPW Plumbing and Gas Solutions
Zip Water Commercial Plumbing or Gas Project of the Year	Indooroopilly Golf Club – Club House Refurbishment By Calibre Plumbing and Drainage