14
ASSOCIATIONS
Honorary members look back
on 30 years of IOPSA
By Eamonn Ryan
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of IOPSA, Plumbing Africa
interviewed some of the honorary members of IOPSA on their
views of the past 30 years, each being asked the same questions.
IOPSA executive director
Brendan Reynolds
IOPSA executive director Brendan Reynolds, says:
“The past few years have been the most inspiring
of my 26-year career in the plumbing industry. It
has been such a privilege and an honour to serve
the industry that I am so passionate about. Being
a part of IOPSA has given me the opportunity
to make real meaningful improvements to
our industry, which is more rewarding than
anything else I have done in my career. IOPSA is
experiencing strong membership growth under
very difficult economic conditions – there can be
no greater vote of confidence from the industry
than this.
“Of course, success only comes from working as a team.
In IOPSA’s case there is an amazing group of dedicated
Q: What was your occupation at the time of being
involved with IOPSA?
A: I was a retired pool builder (Pride Pools 1961
-1984), and a technician in reinforced concrete design.
Q: What was the reason for the founding of IOPSA
(for those founders) and what is its role today
(later members)?
A: Since 1963, I was a member of NSPI (USA), and
then formed NSPI on 13th July 1972 (and was an
honorary member – SA) and it’s still going strong. My
sons, Antony and Lee, have Drips Plumbing and are
founder members [of IOPSA] since 1987.
Q: In your opinion how has plumbing changed
from a technology point of view?
A: It’s probably less hands-on, but I believe the ‘basics’
remain the same.
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“As a team IOPSA will continue to work hard for our
members and respect the legacy that we have been
given. I have no doubt that the next 30 years will be
even greater!”
Q: In your opinion how has the plumber’s role
changed since you first became involved
with IOPSA?
Q&A with Anthony Goldie (Snr):
Retired plumber
Anthony Goldie (Snr).
individuals who all go the extra mile every single day.
We would not be where we are today if not for their hard
work and dedication. However, we cannot claim this
success all on our own: we stand on the shoulders of the
giants who came before us; those who had the vision to
establish IOPSA 30 years ago; those who carried IOPSA
through tough times and stayed the course; those who
put their blood, sweat and tears into the organisation with
little or no reward; people such as: Mike Drake,
Bill Randall, Norman Fisher, Ian Fraser, Chris Burgess,
Dougie Wade, Mannie Brummer, Steve Brown,
Lea Smith, Gary Macnamara and many more have laid
the foundations of our success over the past 30 years.
A: The plumber needs to be more savvy in business,
and politically alert.
Q: Please provide one momentous event that you
experienced in IOPSA
A: The meeting with Ian Fraser in 1989 when IOP
(Transvaal), who liked what Cape Town was doing, took
over the business end of IOP and then, of course, when
Lee was chairman of the organising committee.
Q: What does being an honorary member mean
to you?
A: I am honoured. This is a great industry and I am
proud to be in it.
Q: What message do you have for IOPSA and the
plumbing sector on the occasion of IOPSA’s 30th
anniversary?
A: Train, train and train. Keep it simple and ‘be happy’
to all South Africans!
@PlumbingAfricaOnline
November 2019 Volume 25 I Number 9