Penny Cornah, Executive Director of the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland has taken out the Civil Contractors Award for Construction Professional of the Year at the Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards Night on Friday 25 November.

This prestigious award was presented to Penny in front of a crowd of over 600 industry peers, recognising her as a leader in Queensland’s construction industry.

The Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) is a peak industry body representing plumbing contractors throughout Queensland from sole operators to medium sized plumbing businesses through to large contracting firms. MPAQ represent over 1300 members organisations across Queensland, which equates to around 4,000 plumbing professionals.

MPAQ is one of Queensland’s most influential trade associations representing an industry estimated to be valued at in excess of $11 billion with more than 16,000 individual licensed plumbers.  MPAQ is in a position to highlight the pivotal role that plumbing professionals play in the living standards of all Australians.

MPAQ President, Kelvin Slade said “Penny is clearing the way for many women to follow in her footsteps, and she should be proud of what she has achieved for herself and all women in the industry”.

“Penny has been employed with the Association for more than ten years and has overseen its growth, development and rapid evolution to meet changing industry, community and technology demands”, he said.

With such a pivotal and high profile role, Penny identifies her key responsibility as heading the organisation that is the conduit between protecting community health and the environment. Penny is a strong leader in a male dominated industry and has earned respect throughout the plumbing community. She has developed strong relationships within the Queensland Government ensuring the industry’s voice is heard at the highest levels.

Penny was appointed as a Director to Master Plumbers Australia Ltd in 2012 and has recently taken over the Secretariat role for Master Plumbers Australia. Penny has recently been appointed as a Director of QLeave and also the Chair of the newly formed Service Trades Council, a role in which she is humbled to be given.