By Seán Kearney
In a powerful collaboration between global plumbing leaders, local industry partners and a trusted community organisation, another IWSH Foundation Plumbing Champions project has delivered critical upgrades to the ADRA Logan Community Care Centre in Queensland, Australia – creating a legacy of the WorldSkills Australia National Championships 2025 (WSAU2025) and delivering lasting benefits for the Logan community.
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In the spirit of the sharing of unique experiences that shape the plumbing industries in our respective nations, the following article looks at whether gender friendly restrooms are becoming more common at construction jobsites. Written by IAPMO staff writer Mike Flenniken, it is the next in a regular series of similar articles that will run in this magazine.
Dave Viola IAPMO CEO |
Following the successful staging of WSAU2025 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on 12–14 June 2025, plumbing competition materials were repurposed and transferred to the ADRA Community Care Centre in Logan Central. The practical reuse of materials represents the foundation of the broader social impact projects undertaken through IWSH Plumbing Champions initiatives – programmes designed to highlight the role of plumbing in public health while inspiring the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
The ADRA Logan project is the first site to undergo renovations as part of this post-WSAU2025 initiative. A second site, the Beenleigh Housing Development Company (BHDC) Jinndi Hall, will also benefit once local planning approvals are finalised.
The ADRA Logan Community Care Centre has served the community for more than 30 years, offering emergency relief, food parcels, counselling, clothing and furniture to those in need. The centre manages more than 40 000 client interactions annually and distributes more than 300 food parcels each week. For years, however, the centre has struggled with outdated toilet facilities and lacked a shower – a serious limitation, especially when assisting individuals experiencing homelessness or crisis. IAPMO Oceania managing director Paul Bonsak and IAPMO director of international projects Grant Stewart were instrumental in the selection of ADRA Logan as recipient of the project’s work.
With the support of the Plumbing Champions initiative, these vital amenities have now been significantly upgraded, bringing improved hygiene and sanitation facilities for ADRA’s staff, volunteers and the people they serve.
“ADRA Logan is grateful for the relationship which was initially brokered through Paul Bonsak and Grant Stewart and will provide a wonderful legacy from WorldSkills Australia to our local community,” said Sam Luteru, ADRA Logan manager. “Collaborations and relationships such as these enhance community efforts, and community groups and charities such as ADRA Logan benefit for the good of all peoples whom we serve.”
IWSH International Program director and long-time WorldSkills Australia ambassador Grant Stewart lead
volunteers in demolition works. Supplied by eofficial.org
IWSH worked closely with PICAC (Plumbing Industry Climate Action Center) to facilitate the logistics and labour for the upgrades.
Project co-ordination was led by Stewart and Rob Gilman, who have engaged PICAC Beenleigh apprentices in delivering the renovations – providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities in a real-world environment.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the Reece Foundation played an instrumental role throughout the project, showcasing the power of skilled tradespeople giving back to the community.
Although ADRA Logan had not previously been involved with WorldSkills Australia, the partnership has opened new avenues for collaboration. The success of this initiative has already sparked interest from institutions such as Swinburne University of Technology, Canberra Institute of Technology and the BKI Group, who have expressed interest in future Plumbing Champions projects.
Beyond Australia, the Plumbing Champions model is gaining momentum globally. By aligning trades training events with tangible community benefits, IWSH continues to shift perceptions of plumbing – not just as a trade, but as a critical profession protecting public health and improving lives.
The Plumbing Champions project is a powerful reminder that every sink, pipe and fixture can be part of something much bigger – a solution for real community needs. This is plumbing for purpose, and the legacy left behind at ADRA Logan is only the beginning.
With the Adelaide edition of WorldSkills Australia now confirmed for June 2027, the IWSH Plumbing Champions initiative is poised to continue this powerful tradition of linking skilled trades with community transformation – ensuring that the impact of competitions extends far beyond the arena floor.
