Directors – Scott & Chadd
FROM THE DIRECTORS Well just like that, 2021 is nearly over and what a challenge it has been – COVID-19 related issues, construction industry lockdowns, mandatory vaccinations, riots and an earthquake just to top it off. It has been encouraging and personally rewarding to be part of such a great team witnessing everyone step up where needed, being mindful of others, working together with our clients, supply partners and industry stakeholders to achieve the Group’s objectives, all of which contribute to our successful business. Well done to all, as much as Teams and Zoom meetings have served their purpose you can switch us off for the Christmas period and enjoy some personal and family time. Hopefully early in 2022 the borders will open and we will be able to travel free without restrictions to catch up in person. We are looking forward to visiting the sites and State offices. There have been several highlights from the past few months that we would like to acknowledge; the introduction of Pathway Plumbing Services to the Group, including the very special Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and Cultural Awareness morning hosted by Ricky Morris & Kaelun Brown. The event was enlightening and enjoyable and has already had a positive impact on our team. Our long-term commitment and objectives towards Aboriginal employment and training has been strengthened and forms an integral part of the Group’s strategy towards achieving our social procurement objectives.
It also gives me great pleasure to congratulating and acknowledging the following employees for their individual outstanding achievements this year; • Blake Bin Swani (NUDJ Plumbing Service) on the successful completion of his plumbing apprenticeship. Blake who works and lives in Broome had to travel to Perth for his trade school and exams in these trying times. Blake never gave up and to see him cross the line is very rewarding to all involved, in particular his mentor and Manager, Ethan Corpus. • Congratulations to Niki Fischer (Cooke & Dowsett Rosetta Plumbing) for taking out the “Achievement in Construction” award, at the Tasmanian NAWIC 2021 ceremony held at Wrest Point Casino. • Paul Harrington (Cooke & Dowsett Albury) for is professionalism in providing technical knowledge in hydraulic design for the IWSH Project (International Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) who had teamed up with the Rwandan Plumbing Organisation (RPO) in Central Africa to deliver a new toilet block to the Munazi Primary School in the Gisagara District of Southern Province, Rwanda. (Refer trailing article for further info). Such a great cause to be involved in. • Andrew Thompson (Cooke & Dowsett) who won the Third Year Apprentice Award of the Year (EBA) at the Master Plumbers Queensland Awards night. • Project Manager Mark Dalton (Cooke & Dowsett) for riding with Wayne Schwass` s recent “PukaUp” foundation bike ride which raised an amazing $617,000 - PukaUp is a cause-driven organisation established to achieve their vision of ending suicide. As mental health advocates and storytellers, they believe education and facilitating open conversations about mental and emotional wellbeing is the key to keeping people healthy and ultimately preventing suicide. • All Cooke & Dowsett Plumbing Group Apprentices, a very warm welcome and congratulations to all our new first year apprentices. We would also like to give a special mention to all the female apprentices we have had the privilege of hosting recently from the Master Plumbers Association.
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