State's top plumbers and fire protection professionals HONOURED

The second annual Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards - a joint initiative of key industry stakeholders the Master Plumbers, the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU), the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), and the National Fire Industry Association (NFIA) - brought together the plumbing and fire industries to acknowledge excellence in training and achievements of individuals and organisations.

Ken Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Master Plumbers, said the awards program was an important initiative for plumbing in Victoria. Earl Setches, Federal president of the PPTEU said that by promoting the benefits of best practice it was hoped to inspire innovative business activity that will help grow and shape the industry in coming years.

The awards recognise plumbers and fire industry professionals at various stages of their career, across a range of disciplines, and highlights females, apprentices and indigenous workers. More than 400 people attended the event.

Among the many highlights were moving speeches by Doug McClusky and Vin Ebejer, joint winners of the William P Hite Leadership Excellence Award for their lifetime contribution to the plumbing industry, culminating in the establishment of PICAC.

The Incolink sponsored Occupational Health and Safety Award was won by Steve Rocco.

A special thanks to the event sponsors RAW Recruitment, Incolink, Windsor Management Insurance Brokers, Plumbing Joint Training Fund, Maurice Blackburn, Insinkerator, SimPro, PICAC, Reece Plumbing, Energy Safe Victoria, Victaulic, Fire Industry Training and Tradelink.