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Archived News
August 2002
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WPC Review July 2002 (PDF: 293K / 4 pages)
Australian To Lead World’s Plumbers to Safer, Greener Future
An Australian has recently been elected Chair of the World Plumbing Council (WPC) and plans to help the industry contribute to improving global health and environmental problems.
At the recent 6th World Plumbing Conference in Berlin, Germany, West Australian Stuart Henry was elected as chair by delegates representing 26 countries. This is the first time in the WPC’s 12-year history that an Australian has been elected to this position.
Mr. Henry plans to give top priority to environmental and public health issues. He points out that modern civilisation would not be possible without plumbing and it is one of the few technical fields to work simultaneously on the biggest challenges facing humanity: public health, the future of food supplies and our environmental impact at both local and global scales. He says that the World Plumbing Council has already made significant progress on involving developing countries and plans to expand its efforts to support the development of strong plumbing industries in South America, the Subcontinent and Africa. “These days, it is easy to think of technology as being only electronics and to think that all solutions can come from a silicon chip,” said Mr Henry, “but rather than looking for a quick fix magic bullet we should also be looking at our existing technologies. The way we adapt and share them in sustainable ways will determine much of the world’s future.”
“With less than 1% of the world’s water being available for human use and a growing world population, all countries share the urgent issue of safe water supply and waste water management” he said. “Water is also closely linked to energy use and plumbers are experts in the integrated application of water and energy resources, especially the low-carbon emission natural gas. There is no nation on earth untouched by worries over the water supply and safety and the greenhouse challenge. Training within the world wide plumbing community will be essential in addressing these issues.”
In 2003 the WPC will be establishing exchange programs for students, lecturers and training professionals with relevant vocational training providers around the world. They will also create alliances and partnerships with other industry groups to assist the WPC in playing a crucial role in the global change process as it happens. For example, a project currently under way by WPC is the rewrite of the World Health Organisation’s publication ‘Guidelines on Health Aspects of Plumbing,’ an important reference text for developing countries striving to meet the their communities’ demands for potable water and plumbing services.
“I see the WPC’s role as being the training and technical leader in improving plumbing for people all over the world. Our purpose is to advance the global plumbing industry by promoting a sustainable environment using effective plumbing systems in all countries" he said. “Water, energy and training are all important areas of Australian expertise and it is exciting to have an opportunity to share our experience with the world.”
Stuart Henry
Stuart Henry has had a long and successful career as Executive Director of the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia and as CEO of the award winning Plumbing and Painting Training Company (PPTC SKILLS), a recipient of the WA Training Provider of the Year. He has served for the past three years as Vice-chairman of the World Plumbing Council.
Stuart Henry, age 55, was born and educated in Sydney and has lived in Western Australia for the past 30 years. He came to plumbing after a career varying from stockman and jackaroo, building and construction services, and the oil and gas sector in the USA.
He is married with four daughters.
The WPC mission is to unite the world plumbing industry to safeguard and protect the environment and the health of nations, for the benefit of all. It is incorporated in Geneva.
For more information contact Liz Lester on +61 (8) 9271 3200 or lizl@pptc.com.au
