[ October 11, 2024 by masterplumbersqld 0 Comments ]

Trade Excellence Celebrated at the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards 2024

The path forward to a sustainable, progressive, and successful industry is paved by trailblazers.

On its 24th year, the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards endeavours to celebrate these trailblazers – individuals, teams, and businesses who have showcased their unwavering commitment to protecting the health and safety of our communities with passion and excellence.

Presented by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in partnership with Event Partner Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC), the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards Night was held at the brand-new Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and was attended by a record-breaking number of industry professionals and partners, local dignitaries, business owners, and esteemed guests.

Apprentice Recognition

The future of the industry is promising, with hardworking apprentices moving it forward.

Liam Winkcup won School Based Apprentice of the Year for his enthusiasm and precision in drainage work while Maxwell Gaddes from Adept Plumbing secured the Rheem Second Year Apprentice of the Year award, impressing judges with his solid understanding of plumbing advancements. Jeffrey Vaughan from James Giles Plumbing was named The Service Trades College Australia Fourth Year Apprentice of the Year for his initiative, dedication, and positive attitude. Taking home the Construction Skills Queensland Merv Harris Memorial Bursary Award was Harrison Tresider from Beavis & Bartels for his strong communication and problem-solving skills. Bradley Jolly of Tropical Coast Plumbing claimed both the Caroma Third Year Apprentice of the Year and the prestigious Reece Queensland Apprentice of the Year titles for his professionalism and valuable contributions to his workplace.

Business and Trade Excellence

Also shining bright on the night were individuals and businesses who showcased visionary leadership and exemplary practice.

Nick Day of Rivercity Maintenance Service Pty Ltd won RWC Businessperson of the Year for his unique business initiatives and strategic planning. Toni Hillman from the Logan City Council received the Tradelink Women in Plumbing and Gas Award for her proactive leadership and industry contributions. James Sharvell of 2Brothers Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd was named Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works Tradesperson of the Year for his hands-on leadership and community involvement. Brianna Baker from Tropical Coast Plumbing took home the Austbrokers Comsure Andrea Vogler Women in Business Award for being a proactive leader and role model for other females in the trade. Creek to Coast Plumbing brought home the BUSSQ Service Excellence Award for their “givers gain” philosophy, fostering reciprocal support for the local economy.

Project Recognition

Exceptional projects were highlighted during the night – a testament to the industry’s commitment to outstanding work.

Tru-Flow Services won the Zip Water Commercial Plumbing or Gas Project of the Year for their work on the Field of Dreams facility. 2Brothers Plumbing & Gas claimed the Plumbing Plus Domestic Plumbing or Gas Project of the Year for The Corso, a beautiful and complex three-story architectural home. AECOM‘s Logan Hospital Expansion project earned the AHSCA Queensland Hydraulic Consultancy Design of the Year while QLD Industrial Gasfitting Services won the MM Kembla Outstanding Copper Plumbing & Gas Project of the Year for the technical skill of their recent project, Bradnams Doors and Windows.

Industry Leadership

The Awards Night also acknowledged industry leaders who played pivotal roles in shaping the plumbing and gas industry through training, mentorship, and driving growth.

The late Trevor Morris was posthumously awarded the MPAQ President’s Award for his decades-long service and dedication to the field. Paul Beaumont was awarded the inaugural MPAQ President’s Industry Award for his significant work and contributions as principal inspector for gas work and devices at Resources Safety & Health Queensland.

“The plumbing and gas profession is crucial in protecting the health and safety of our communities, and it’s our responsibility to uphold these standards with excellence. Every nominee, especially our distinguished finalists and winners, should take great pride in the remarkable levels of professionalism they consistently demonstrate,” said Penny Cornah, MPAQ’s Chief Executive Officer.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards 2024 and thank you to everyone who came on the night to join MPAQ in celebrating the amazing achievements of the plumbing and gas industry as a whole.

Award Winners, Latest News

[ November 16, 2021 by masterplumbersqld 0 Comments ]

Plumbing Industry Goes Beyond All Limits at Annual Awards Night

PIA 2021 Winners — *Pictured – 2021 Plumbing and Gas Industry Award Winners*

On Friday 12 November, the 2021 Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards recognised the outstanding achievements, hard work, and dedication of Queensland-based individuals and companies. This year’s winners have shown innovation, leadership, and growth to go beyond all limits in their contributions to Queensland’s unrivalled plumbing and gas industry.

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). A record-breaking 630 attendees came together to celebrate the outstanding achievements made by plumbing and gas individuals and companies across 16 award categories.

Hosted by former AFL player Richard Champion, whose football career spanned fourteen years in total, including ten pivotal years with the Brisbane Bears/Lions before his retirement at the end of the 2000 season, led the celebration of this year’s apprentices, plumbers, gasfitters, hydraulic consultants, companies and other industry individuals who are leading the way in the plumbing and gas industry.

This year the plumbing industry recognised the ongoing contributions and exemplary leadership of Beavis & Bartel’s Michael Ryan with the Zip Water Industry Leadership Award. Leading a team that has delivered some of Queensland’s landmark developments across a diverse range of sectors and industries, Michael has taken his involvement in the industry even further with his role on several industry sub-committees, an active involvement in the MPAQ Major Contractor’s Group, and his role as a member of the MPAQ Council.

There were also six apprentices over seven categories who were given awards for their outstanding plumbing and gas knowledge, ability, and growth. Most notably, Drew Hughes of D and P Plumbing in Emerald took home the Reece Queensland Apprentice of the Year Award and the MPAQ Third Year Apprentice of the Year (Non-EBA) Award after beating all other apprentice winners and showcasing his natural ability to understand plumbing concepts, show initiative, and communicate.

The Andrea Vogler Women in Business Award was won by Madonna Hodge from O’Brien Electrical and Plumbing Coopers Plains who has demonstrated exceptional business acumen and encouraged the growth of female participation in the plumbing and gas industry.

AC Plumbing QLD took home the highly competitive and popular BUSSQ Service Excellence Award, havingbuilt a reputation of great service and quality workmanship with a repeat customer rate of 73% over the past five years. Director, Corey Stevens, also won the RWC Businessperson of the Year Award forthe impact he has had on the plumbing and gas industry through training, mentoring, development, and leadership.

A full list of all the finalists can be found here.

MPAQ’s Executive Director, Penny Cornah, has praised the number of nominees who applied this year and the high calibre of projects put forward.

“The outstanding achievements of all the nominees in 2021, whether they made it to the finalist stage or not, should be acknowledged, as it was challenging for our judges this year to determine our finalists and winners,” she said.

“It has been great to see the outstanding efforts and successes that the professional individuals and companies in our industry have made this year, which is a testament to the emphasis that has been put on further training and development. The advantages of this increase in upskilling is reflected in the innovative approaches to work and business operating methods.”

Ms Cornah said, “We are incredibly proud that the Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards are able to recognise a diverse range of individuals and companies, from the innovative and exciting projects that have helped to contribute to a sustainable future to the apprentices who highlight the positive future of our industry and the leaders who work hard, perform exceptional work, and inspire others.”

Further information –

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

Winner Media Releases

Award	Winner
2021 Australian Industry Trade College School Based Apprentice of the Year	Jarrod Pienaar
2021 Second Year Apprentice of the Year	Bailey Hodges
2021 MPAQ Third Year Apprentice of the Year (Non-EBA)	Drew Hughes
2021 Plumbers Union Queensland Third Year Apprentice of the Year (EBA)	Andrew Thompson
2021 The Service Trades College Fourth Year Apprentice of the Year	William Cross
2021 Construction Skills Queensland Merv Harris Memorial Bursary Award	Jack Hardie
2021 Reece Queensland Apprentice of the Year	Drew Hughes
2021 Zip Water Industry Leadership Award	Michael Ryan
2021 Reliance Worldwide Corporation Businessperson of the Year	Corey Stevens
2021 Andrea Vogler Women in Business Award	Madonna Hodge
2021 Department of Energy and Public Works Tradesperson of the Year	Luke Wren
2021 BUSSQ Service Excellence Award	AC Plumbing QLD
2021 QLeave Commercial and Industrial Technical Award	Spicers Eco Camps – Accuplumb
2021 Domestic and Residential Technical Award	Hawthorne New Dwelling – LPW Plumbing & Gas Solutions
2021 Elgas Gas Project of the Year	Australian Professional Galvanisers (Galvanising Kettle Upgrade)- Origin Energy
2021 AHSCA Hydraulic Consultant Design of the Year	Ipswich Civic Centre Project – MRP Hydraulic & Fire Services Consultants Pty Ltd

– ENDS –

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.