Women’s Plumbing Alliance

GAINSITE’S HELEN ROBINSON ANNOUNCED AS A PLUMBING AMBASSADOR

At the 2020 World Plumbing Day in March, Helen Robinson from Gainsite Plumbing & Gas was announced as one of four plumbing ambassadors appointed to help promote the plumbing and gas trade to school students and career seekers.

Regional Area Representation

Helen said it was important that regional areas were represented.

“I think anytime the regional areas have representation in industry it helps to highlight issues that we have with training outside of the capital cities.”

One of Helen’s main duties as ambassador will be to promote plumbing as a career.

“I would love to see high schools promote all trades at the grade 10 level when students are looking at choosing career paths. It is difficult to look at career paths after grade 10 when you have chosen subjects that you feel would aid you in your employment choices.”

Importance of Women in the Industry

Know the glow – Eli days prior to being diagnosed with Retinoblastoma - Notice the white pupil in his left eye Eli a few weeks after his operation and prior to his prosthetic eye being made

Article source: www.bundabergnow.com

HUGHES PLUMBING CONTRACTORS AND THEIR EXPERIENCE OF RETINOBLASTOMA

Image caption: L-R Kent Vickers, Ben Featherston, Dan Pasfield, Sam Hickey, Helen Robinson, the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP, Penny Cornah

Ben Hughes and his mum Sonya Hughes, from Hughes Plumbing Contractors, reached out to raise awareness for World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week by sharing the experience of Eli, Ben’s nephew and Sonya’s grandson.

Eli was looking forward to celebrating his second birthday when a few weeks prior, he was diagnosed with a rare childhood eye cancer called Retinoblastoma or RB for short.

Just over 12 months ago and within 24 hours of being diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, little Eli had his left eye removed to save his life. It was a scary and worrying time for Eli and his family.

Now 12 months later, Eli has just celebrated his one year cancerversery, as well as his third birthday on 7 May.

World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week was 13-19 May 2020.

If you have any concerns, please take your child to your family doctor or to an optometrist.

Signs and Symptoms to Look for Early Detection

• Know the glow: this is a white glow/reflect in the pupil • A crossed eye, which is an eye looking either towards the ear or towards the nose • Poor vision • A red, painful looking eye • An enlarged pupil • Different coloured irises

Helen also thinks that it’s important that women are represented.

“A lot of females are also now more accepted into trades. If you have not come from a trade-based family or had exposure to trades, it is very hard to look at this as a career path.”

If you would like more information about the work the 2020 plumbing ambassadors are doing, call MPAQ on 07 3273 0800.

Buzz Sessions The

The Women’s Plumbing Alliance Buzz Sessions are short, virtual participative sessions designed to get people involved, voices heard and ideas captured about issues affecting plumbing businesses at this time. Grab a coffee and catch up with us as we discuss relevant topics.

Find out more at www.mpaq.com.au!

Women’s Plumbing Alliance Recognise • Connect • Empower