Women in Plumbing: Megan O’Connor

Women in Plumbing: Megan O’Connor

Throughout August, Plumbing Africa is celebrating the women making their mark on the plumbing industry. From plumbers and business owners to leaders, specialists, educators and industry professionals, this series shines a light on the women whose skills, determination and experience are helping to shape the future of plumbing. Here, we interview and shine a spotlight on Megan O’Connor, part of the Plumbing Africa and Plumbing’s Travelling Exhibitions Team. This is part three of a three-part series covering the ladies of Plumbing Africa.

Megan O’Connor, writer, Plumbing Africa and Plumbing’s Travelling Exhibitions.
Supplied by Megan O’Connor

By Megan O’Connor

What first brought you into the plumbing industry, and did you ever imagine you’d still be here?

Never. I originally worked at Interact Media Defined (IMD) during my studies as a sub-editor – a proofreader of sorts. But balancing a full-time degree and full-time job proved tricky and eventually I decided to focus on my final semester of varsity and part ways with IMD. Exactly a year later, with one finished degree under my belt, I saw an advert for the sub-editor position at IMD – one WhatsApp and two minutes later, and everything changed.

Originally, I joined IMD to continue my role as the sub-editor, but after three weeks the role for writer of Plumbing Africa magazine opened up. I was temporarily asked to look after the magazine until we could find a permanent writer, but I asked for a shot being the permanent writer – and as they say, the rest was history.

I never imagined I would still be here, but I can confidently say that every single day as a writer I learn something new and it is what keeps me going. As a writer, I never want to pretend I know everything about plumbing or that I am a plumber in any way shape or form. I simply want to be someone who listens to plumbers, and makes a positive change in the industry.

I also recently discovered that my great-great-grandfather was a plumber, so perhaps this role is a little less coincidental than I originally thought!

What was your biggest “I have no idea what I’m doing” moment when you were new to the industry?

I’d have to say that being at PIRB’s World Toilet Day 2025 event was may ‘urmm’ moment. I had only been writing the magazine for two months at that point, and because we work in advance none of what I had written had even been published yet. I vividly remember a moment where I sat there thinking “A year ago I was stressing about my final English exam – now I’m in Centurion celebrating world toilet day… Even I didn’t see this coming!”

It was my first large-scale industry event, and somehow between trying to remember the names to the faces I recognised, meeting hundreds of new plumbers, chatting to suppliers and attending talks I slowly started to find my footing. But every single minute of it was an opportunity for growth, and I am glad I was able to embrace it.

What is one thing you know about the plumbing industry now that you wish someone had told you when you started?

Honestly, be prepared to get out of your shell. I am a chronic introvert and wasn’t quite prepared for just how much networking journalism entailed.

In the beginning, I was absolutely terrified to approach people and ask for their time to either contribute to, or be part of, the magazine. I couldn’t imagine that there would be people happy to do that, but with reassurance from Rory, Sean and Mari I shakily powered through.

Fast track to a year down the line and I have met so many people – every single one of which was happy to donate their time to me for our magazine. You all sat through me trying to get my thoughts together, asking some of the strangest questions I’m sure you have ever heard, and slowly helped me find my footing with such patience and encouragement. And through it all I can honestly say that every single experience made me love this industry more and more – it is one that embraces new people with open arms and pushes them to do better work and be better people.

Have you ever had a moment where being a woman in the industry worked against you — or unexpectedly worked in your favour?

I have never experienced my gender working against me as the writer, but I have vicariously lived through others. By that I mean that while I don’t have any bad experiences myself, every single female plumber that I have spoken to about the topic has the ‘one’ person they’ve came across – the vast majority of those people are customers and not actually anyone in the industry. I truly do believe this is an industry ready to embrace anyone brave enough to be part of it, you just need to be willing to find your voice, stand your ground, and speak up – sometimes louder the second time, if you weren’t heard the first time.

What has surprised you most about the plumbing industry since you joined it?

How difficult it can be for an honest, hard-working plumber in this country to compete with those operating outside of the rules. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it. I can understand why and how it happens, but the morality behind it is a hard pill to swallow.

Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your career, and what did they teach you?

The main thing I have learnt through this role is collaboration, so it would be hard to choose just one mentor. My main mentors have been Rory Macnamara, Sean Macnamara, Mari Macnamara and Patrick Gordon.

Rory Macnamara taught me early on to always put the industry’s best interests first. He pushes for compliance and fairness, and whenever I am unsure how to approach something, he brings me back to those principles.

Sean Macnamara pushed me firmly out of my shell and taught me what kind of journalist the industry needs. From the beginning, he taught me to:

• Be proactive.
• Ask the questions, no matter how silly they sound.
• Find the issues.
• Do something about it.

Mari Macnamara showed me the industry from the inside. She introduced me to countless people, helped me build relationships and, whenever I have a question, knows exactly who I need to speak to.

Patrick Gordon introduced me to the technical side of plumbing. He was the first industry person I met face-to-face, and I was petrified. He calmly answered my questions and, more importantly, continually teaches me which questions to ask to ensure my articles serve the industry properly.

What is one plumbing term, product or technical concept that completely confused you when you first started? 

Anything standards. I had no clue what they were or why people kept mentioning them!

What do you think women bring to the plumbing industry that sometimes gets overlooked?

A personal, empathetic touch. This is not to disregard our male counterparts in any way, shape or form, but I do believe women can bring a sense of calm and empathy to certain situations. A female plumber I know put it best to me through this scenario: Imagine an 80-year-old woman who lives alone – her geyser bursts or her drain is blocked, and she panics because this is not something she usually has to deal with. She would feel more comfortable having a lady in her home calmly talk her through the issue, and understand that her panic is part of the experience.

I believe a women’s empathy is one of her greatest strengths, and it is one we should choose to be proud of – not hide away to appear more tough.