Pictured - Kathy Akins, Akins Plumbing

Kathy Akins from Akins Plumbing was awarded the Andrea Vogler Women in Business award at the 2018 Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards, held on Friday 20 July at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane.

The Women in Business Award is presented by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ), 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.

Kathy and her husband, Gavin, recently reformed his family’s 40 year old business, igniting her involvement in the plumbing industry. Core values such as passion, integrity, respect, learning and social responsibility are all at the forefront for Kathy’s everyday business decisions.

The Minister for Housing and Public Works, Digital Technology and Sport, the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, acknowledged Kathy’s achievements.

“Kathy is very active in the Women's Plumbing Alliance and is an excellent role model and ambassador for women in construction,” Minister de Brenni said.

Akins Plumbing were also winners of the Cbus Domestic and Residential Technical Award for plumbing and drainage works on a new rebuild at a residence in Albion.

Pictured - Gavin Akins, Akins Plumbing and David Lutley, CBUS

Akins Plumbing used a drain camera and pipe locator to plot and determine the existing combine drain location so that minimal disruption was caused to neighbouring properties and have been praised for overcoming a number of obstacles that came up whilst incorporating some sustainable initiatives throughout the build.

Hosted by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in partnership with Event Sponsor Tradelink, 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 sell-out awards recognised individuals and companies in 17 categories and hosted VIPs including the Minister for Housing and Public Works, Digital Technology and Sport, the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, the Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works, Energy, Innovation and Digital Technology, Michael Hart MP, State Secretary for the Plumbers Union Qld, Gary O’Halloran and Commissioner of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, Brett Bassett.

-ENDS –

For further information:

Contact:

Lisa Hilton
Events & Communications Manager
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland
07 3273 0800
0439 648 164
lisa.hilton@mpaq.com.au

Ashleigh Stonehewer
Member Services and Communications Coordinator
Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland
07 3273 0800
ashleigh.stonehewer@mpaq.com.au                             

Editor’s note:           Photographs and interviews are available and can be organised with the winners. Please contact Lisa Hilton or Ashleigh Stonehewer for more information.