7 minute read
Member News
50 YEARS: ROY WALKER REACHES MAJOR MPAQ MILESTONE
Roy purchased his plumbing business in Dimbulah west of Cairns in 1967 in partnership with Leni Buljubasich, immediately after completing his five year apprenticeship. In 1970, Roy with his wife Phyllis opened Roy Walker Plumbing at its current premises at 45 Tolga Road Atherton.
Roy realised his business future depended on the ability to understand legislation, regulations, and standards, and ultimately sought membership with Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland.
Roy said there is no doubt his MPAQ membership extends well beyond traditional day to day plumbing work and advice. It stretches to identifying issues ahead of time, notifying members of strategies to increase profitability, meeting statutory requirements, and ultimately giving members peace of mind throughout running their business. Roy said he wouldn’t be in business without MPAQ.
Roy commented about the changes in safety standards, reminiscing about the time as a young apprentice, Roy would have to hop on his push bike and ride to the hardware store to pick up a 20 foot (six metres) length of galvanised pipe and ride back with it balancing on his shoulder; roof work on three storey roofs with neither harness nor edge protection, soldering galvanised downpipes, water tanks, and gutters without any PPE; transporting water tanks with 3.7 metre diameter on its side on a one-ton ute. As his plumbing friend and previous partner Leni has said, “It’s a wonder we are still around, some of the risks plumbers took in days gone by!”
Roy remarked on the developments to the industry over the last 50 years, most significantly earthenware sewer pipes, cast iron stacks, galvanised waste pipes, lead bends under pedestals, and PVC making plumbing jobs so much easier. On weekends during his apprenticeship, Roy would dig with a pick and shovel, septic tank holes for 10 shillings and septic trenches for two shillings per foot.
Roy, believing in the ongoing development and training of the next generation of plumbers, has employed 15 apprentices, with one being named Queensland Apprentice of the Year. A large majority of Roy’s apprentices now own their own successful businesses. Individually, Roy was runner-up in the Industry Leadership award at the 2017 Plumbing and Gas Awards.
When Roy and Phyllis eventually retire, the Walker name will not be lost to the plumbing industry as their son Trevor powers on with Roy Walker Plumbing.
MPAQ congratulates Roy Walker Plumbing for reaching this milestone!
Baby News
MPAQ are excited to announce that on Tuesday 11 May 2021, our Events and Sponsorship Coordinator, Lupe Paea, and her partner Tom welcomed Spencer Watson Westerlund.
Congratulations Lupe and Tom! To celebrate Burke Constructions reaching their 10-year membership milestone, we asked Cameron Burke some questions about his business and experiences over the years.
Who founded the company and when?
I founded the company in 2002.
How has the company changed over the years?
We have learned to evolve with the new client needs and projects being constructed faster.
What does your company specialise in?
New work, industrial, commercial, new units, civil drainage, architectural homes.
What have been the company’s major highlights?
Having a group of long-term, loyal staff and clients.
Has the company/staff won any awards?
I won third and fourth year apprentice awards during my apprenticeship. third year for Redlands local area, and fourth year Queensland Apprentice of the Year. One of our current apprentice’s just won first Year Apprentice of the Year at Queensland Trade Industry College.
How many people work at the company now?
We have 20 staff now.
How do you feel the industry has changed over the years?
Projects are completed quicker as equipment becomes more modern and trades are more efficient due to new technology. Second biggest observation is communication and project information are so much more available now both onsite and office based.
How has your subscription to MPAQ helped the business over the years?
MPAQ has given us a feeling of 3rd party support, with legal or technical advice or just someone to talk to about changes in the industry.
What are your future goals for the company?
Continue to be as motivated as we are now, furthering staff training and delivering excellence for our projects for our clients.
Congratulations Cameron from everyone at MPAQ, we wish you and the team the best for the future!
10 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR MILLAR’S PLUMBING SERVICE
Kerry Hentschel from Hentschel Plumbing, celebrates 30 years of membership with MPAQ.
Kerry Hentschel started his plumbing apprenticeship 52 years ago in 1969, later opening his own small business in 1982. Today, Kerry still runs his own small business in Warwick, Queensland, servicing all aspects of plumbing and draining on new homes, commercial and domestic maintenance, and solar hot water.
Looking to the future, Kerry only has one employee as he puts everything in place for his nearing retirement.
Congratulations to Kerry for reaching this milestone, and well wishes on your future endeavours! To celebrate Millar’s Plumbing Services reaching their 10-year membership milestone, we asked Shane Millar some questions about his business and experiences over the years.
Who founded the company and when?
The company was founded by me, Shane Millar. I was working for John Britnell at Britnell’s Plumbing Service in Bulimba, and in 2010 John announced his retirement and he assisted me in commencing Millar’s Plumbing Service.
How has the company changed over the years?
The company has continued to grow, change, and thrive over the last few years. Running a business is hard and my wife has her own career, so our family has made many sacrifices. We value the lessons that being self-employed teaches our children. They witness hard work, commitment and problem-solving skills daily through being home based.
Has the company won any awards?
An accomplishment in our business is that our apprentice has won the 2020 Apprentice of the Year Plumbing and Gas for TAFE Queensland. We support many schools in their vocational programs with taking on work experience students and like to invest in the plumbers of tomorrow.
How do you feel the industry has changed over the years?
It appears that many have lots of new technology and aren’t afraid of debt! We find that competition is more and more active and, at times sadly the integrity lacking in some. Luckily, it does not have a great effect on our business as if you do things well your customers will return.
How has MPAQ membership helped your company?
We mainly joined for HR support at the beginning; however, since learning about the member benefits we became very impressed and grateful of the ways MPAQ has supported our business. Thanks to MPAQ, we can feel confident to continually grow with their support and education.
Congratulations and thank you to Millar’s Plumbing Service for 10 years of MPAQ membership!
RTO Code: 30473
This course is eligible for funding under the CSQ Small Business Program.
PLUMBING WORKSHOP FOR NONPLUMBERS
MPAQ have created a workshop that is suitable for admin or support staff to provide a better understanding of the relevant plumbing legislation, standards and practices in order to offer better customer service to your customers.
UPCOMING WORKSHOP:
Friday 6 August 8:00am - 12:00pm
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