Pipe dream comes true for Thomas

Thomas Dunn. Photo: Supplied/Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards

By Alesha Capone

Truganina’s Thomas Dunn has taken out two major gongs at this year’s Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards.

The awards, held last week, recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies in Victoria’s plumbing and fire protection industries.

Mr Dunn, 24, was awarded the Andrew Letten Gold Medal provided by the Master Plumbers Association.

The prize is the highest industry award for apprentices and was first given out in 1908.

Mr Dunn also received the Frank Maskell General Plumbing Award, which is awarded to a fourth-year apprentice who has excelled in the area of sanitary, drainage or roofing plumbing.

“I feel like I’ve just won the Brownlow Medal of the plumbing industry,” Mr Dunn said.

Mr Dunn completed his apprenticeship with the family-run David McCarthy Plumbing (DMP) in Laverton North and now works as a sub-contractor for the company.

He was nominated for the industry awards by his employers, including DMP director David McCarthy.

“We knew very early on that Tommy was a rare find, a mature, level-headed young person with old-fashioned values, delivering top-quality customer service and superior plumbing work in every role he performs,” Mr McCarthy said.

“We’re so happy for him taking out these two distinguished plumbing awards.”