Plumbing & Fire Industry Awards 2017

On Saturday August 5, the Plumbing and Fire Protection Industry came together for the third annual Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards (PFIA).  

Held for the first time this year in the very sophisticated and glamorous Grand Hyatt Melbourne, the PFIA is a joint initiative driven by key industry stakeholders -the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union, the Master Plumbers, the National Fire Industry Association, the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, the and the Association of Hydraulic Service Consultants Australia, which was a presenting partner for the first time in 2017.

The aim of the Awards is to recognise excellence in the training and development achievements of individuals and companies, and acknowledge professionals at every stage of their career and across the various disciplines.

This year over 500 people celebrated the achievements of their peers at the sold out event. Guests were entertained in style by polished stage performer and MC Tim Campbell, and later in the night Joe Camilleri and his band the Black Sorrows belted out some crowd favourites.

In attendance at the gala event were several high-profile guests, including Labor Senator Kimberly Kitching and the Hon. Senator Kim Carr, who was there representing the Leader of the Opposition, The Hon Bill Shorten.

Senator Carr drew on the regulatory failings around the Grenfell tragedy, and the near tragedy at Melbourne’s Lacrosse Tower, to make some important points about the vital role strong regulations, including things like our licensing and registration system, plays in ensuring public safety.

Also present were the Member for the Federal seat of Wills, Labor’s Peter Khalil, and Victorian Upper House Labor MP Shaun Leane, Parliamentary Secretary to the Special Minister of State and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, and Councillor Oscar Yildiz of Moreland City Council and Founder and CEO of Bully Zero Australia Foundation.

The Awards cover a broad range of industry activities and contributions, and recognise Indigenous and female industry professionals, excellence in OHS, education and sustainability, and outstanding contributions from the fire protection industry.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners, especially to Lou Maglio who received the prestigious William P Hite Leadership Excellence Award, the most prestigious award in the industry. The contribution to the industry made by Lou, along with several other Award Winners, like RAW Recruitment’s Robbie (Bomber) Peden, will be featured in the Spring edition of the Journal.

Thank you to all our members that supported the event and to all those who worked hard to ensure it was a stunning success. You can see all the photos from the event on the awards Facebook page as well as in our own album which also has links to the award presentation videos.

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