The Awards
Our plumbing awards are an important part of our history of recognising the proven skills and qualifications of hundreds of outstanding apprentice plumbers over the past 100 years. To our winners, we hand a flame to carry on the Master Plumbers' tradition of excellence, which can trace its origin back to at least 1365, through our founding Master Plumbers form the United Kingdom.
It is now over 600 years since the ordnances drawn up in London by the guild of plumbers made clear that quality of workmanship is an age-old concern. The ordnances stipulated that; "the competencies of a plumber shall be certified by assent of the best and most skilled men in the trade, testifying that he knows how well and lawfully to work, and to do his work so that his trade may not be scandalised or the commonality damaged or deceived by folk who do not know their trade."
Our centenary awards carry with them 600 years of commitment, which has sustained the indispensable role of the plumber.
The Event
In 1908, the Association presented the first Master Plumbers' Training Awards. These were the first such plumbing awards instituted in Australia. Those first awards were well received and widely recognised as an important addition to the activites which furthered the reputation of our industry and underscored the quality of the people who made their careers in its service.
The Gold Medal was first presented in 1908 remains the highest award provided by the Association. Through the years, more awards have been established, 23 in total, recognising excellent achievements of plumbing apprentices and secondary school students and to encourage them to further their education and careers. A total of 1054 individual awards have now been presented.
In 1965, awards for Aboriginal students were launched by Sir Rohan Delacombe, the then Governor of Victoria and in whose name they are carried on today.
Listing of the Annual Gold Medal and Training Awards
N.A. Smith Encouragement Award
An award in recognition of Mr Neil Smith to encourage post-apprenticeship studies in the gas industry. The winner of the Gaslink N.A. Smith Encouragement Award also receives an Industry Encouragement Award donated by Gaslink.
The Alfred Atherton Educational Award
This award is named in This award is named after George Stoner, the Victorian Plumbing Industry's first Gold Medal Winner and a member of the Master Plumbers Association for over 46 years. The award is given to students who excelled in Year 9 to encourage them to proceed to Year 10. Winners of the George Stone Educational Award also receive an Industry Encouragement Award donated by RMIT University.
The Rose Curtis Award
This award is presented in recognition of Rose Curtis a past President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Victorian Master Plumbers' Association. The award recognises the new skills and technologies of the Plumbing Industry and enables apprentices to further their studies in specialised areas, namely the Advanced Certificate Plumbing (Services Design and Supervision). Winners of the Rose Curtis Award also receive an Industry Encouragement Award donated by STRAMTT Building Products.
The Don Pritchard Award
This award is name after the late Don Pritchard, who was a member of the Executive Committee for many years. Don was involved in the administration of the Association and was a leading member of the Institute of Plumbing. The award is to encourage final year apprentices to undertake specialised studies in areas of the new technology. Winners of the Don Pritchard Award will also receive an Industry Encouragement Award donated by Incolink.
The Albert Smith Award
This award is named after Albert Smith, a winner of the Gold Medal in 1918, who played an important part in creating the status and standards for plumbers. It is given to advanced plumbing apprentices who wish to continue specialised post-apprenticeship studies in Advanced Certificate Plumbing (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning). The company established by Albert Smith sponsors the award. Winners of the Albert Smith Award also receive an Industry Encouragement Award donated by AE Smith & Son Pty Ltd.
The Frank Maskell Award
This award is named after Frank Maskell who joined the Master Plumbers Association in 1902. Frank was a keen and active member who was instrumental in helping the Plumbing industry develop. The award is to encourage honour of Alfred Atherton, Whose family has been synonymous with plumbing in Victoria since the 1880s. The award is designed to encourage students who excelled in Year 10 secondary college to proceed to Year 11. Winners of the Alfred Atherton Educational Award also receive an Industry Encouragement Award donated by A E Atherton & Sons Pty Ltd.
The George Stone Educational Award
post-apprenticeship specialised studies, particularly in sanitary design and pressure pipe welding. Winners of the Frank Maskell Award also receive an Industry Encouragement Award donated by Reece Pty Ltd.
The Sir Rohan Delacombe Educational Award
The Master Plumbers' and Mechanical services Association of Australia make this award available to Aboriginal students. It is to assist bright young students embarking upon higher education or to provide assistance with their secondary schooling. This award is named in honour of a past Governor of Victoria. Sir Rohan Delacombe, who presented the first award at Government House on the 27th July 1965. Sir Rohan Delacombe Educational Award also receives an Industry Encouragement Award donated by the Plumbing Industry Group Training Scheme.
The Andrew Letten Gold Medal Award
The Andrew Letten Gold Medal Award is the highest apprenticeship award provided by the Association. Andrew Letten was, for many years, an examiner of plumbing and it was his task to examine plumbing apprentices throughout Victoria. The plumbing industry puts a great emphasis on external examinations of apprentices to ensure that high standards of competency are maintained. The Gold Medal is presented to the plumbing apprentice who receives the highest marks in all external examinations necessary to become a qualified plumber. The most esteemed award was introduced in 1908 and the first winner was George Stone. The Association has recognised George Stone's great work in the industry by giving his name to the George Stone Educational Award.
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