CEO EDITORIAL
Welcome to 2022
We are working through new initiatives constantly for access to Australian Standards, therefore it is imperative to be a Member of Master Plumbers SA.
2022 is going to bring with it new challenges and hopefully new opportunities. With State and Federal Elections knocking on the door, there could be some changes or new developments with existing Government policies.
Membership will allow you to access important information, save money and be up to date with current industry requirements.
I hope all of our members and industry stakeholders had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
MPA will be developing a number of key priorities and will therefore be seeking commitments from all parties to ensure our industry remains strong and vibrant. The plumbing industry needs more support and guidance from the Government and nothing has proven this more than the COVID-19 Pandemic. Safe drinking water and sound infrastructure around the sewerage infrastructure is paramount to the community and this message will be given high priority. Stormwater installations by licensed plumbers is another area we will be targeting, as the current situation is not sustainable. Our concern is that it will cause major costs to home owners in the future and increase problems to our state’s waste water infrastructure. MPA will be seeking input from industry during this process.
Australian Standards
MPA would like to thank Members who supported the association to gain access to the latest editions of the plumbing and gas standards. In the past, the cost of the Standards was incorporated into Membership fees, however due to excess increases and an unconventional pricing model that seemed more like the process of “the spinning of a money wheel at the casino”, we were unable to continue with that arrangement. On the upside, we were able to strike a deal which means that Members can now access the AS/NZS 3500 and 5601 standards at a heavily reduced rate. We are currently working with SA Government for better support to the industry and aim to assist in having all Standards available at a more affordable price.
Master Plumbers have constantly advocated to industry that installations that do not comply are expensive to rectify and often the work is not insured.
Jack Holder - Rest in Peace, but never forgotten
2021 ended in a very sad way, with the passing of our industry icon Jack Holder. We recently recognised Jack for his contributions to the industry and life as a whole with the renaming of our MPA Gold Medal to the “Jack Holder Medal”. More is written about Jack in this edition of the magazine. I personally wish to pass on our sincere condolences to Jack’s immediate family, who have been incredibly supportive throughout.
Don Sims – Retirement (3rd time lucky)
I think I may have written similar words a few times before as Don has retired at least twice, but we (MPA) keep pulling him out of retirement. Don is a legend of the industry and has an incredible level of passion to see young students exceed -not only in their chosen careers, but particularly in plumbing. His dedication to MPA, our VET in Schools programs and to all of the students involved has been nothing short of incredible. The programs will be changing in 2022 due to the new VET in Schools reforms, meaning MPA and Don will be stepping away in all facets of the program. I wish Don, his wife Maureen and family all of the best going forward and please enjoy what life has to offer. (P.s. You may need to leave the State, as we have some new initiatives coming that involve training the industry.)
Andrew Clarke Executive Officer
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