Plumber gets winning plug

By Tania Martin
TAKING a new direction in life was a winning move for Mark Mullinder after he was named as an apprentice of the year.
The Monbulk plumber changed career paths four years ago but never expect it would lead to winning an award.
Mr Mullinder swapped his Bobcat for a plunger after making the decision to trade in his job as an earthmover to become a plumber.
He has now proved that it was the right decision to make after being named the winner of the Don Pritchard Award.
He received the award at the Master Plumber Association’s 100th year celebrations at Government House on Wednesday, 25 July.
The award encourages plumbers in the final year of their apprenticeship to undertake specialised studies in areas of new technology.
Mr Mullinder never expected to win the award because there are so many other people who study plumbing.
“It was a shock. I didn’t think I would win but it’s great to be recognised,” he said.
Mr Mullinder has now finished his apprenticeship and has just opened his own plumbing business called Skilled Plumbing.
He is glad he made the move to change careers and said he is looking forward to the new challenge of running his own business.