The Awards Gala was a standout moment of Advantage Conference 2026, bringing together Members, Suppliers and support office staff from across the O’Brien and Laser Electrical & Plumbing Network in Fiji. It was an opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses whose hard work, commitment and achievements continue to make a difference across our Network.
More than an awards ceremony, the evening captured what makes our Network special. From the excitement of each announcement to the applause that followed, there was a genuine sense of pride and celebration throughout the room. It was a powerful reminder of the strong relationships, shared ambition and mateship that connect our Network.
Every finalist should be proud of what they have achieved. Being recognised among such a talented group is an achievement in itself, and the Gala Awards provided a chance to shine a light on the dedication, leadership, innovation and collaboration that continue to raise the bar across the O’Brien and Laser Network.
Business of the Year
Winner Electrical: O'Brien Electrical & Solar Townsville Central
Winner Plumbing: Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central
Outstanding Growth
Winner Electrical: Laser Electrical Goondiwindi
Winner Plumbing: O'Brien Plumbing Mackay
Finalists Electrical: O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Rowville, O'Brien Electrical Adelaide North, O'Brien Electrical Underwood, O'Brien Electrical Castle Hill, O'Brien Electrical & Solar Yeppoon
Finalists Plumbing: Laser Plumbing Horsham, G F James Plumbing Services, O'Brien Plumbing Gympie, Laser Electrical & Communications Penrith
Sales & Marketing Excellence
Winner: O'Brien Electrical & Solar Yeppoon
Finalists: O'Brien Plumbing Echuca-Moama, O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Bendigo, O'Brien Electrical & Solar Townsville Central, O'Brien Electrical Winnellie, O'Brien Plumbing Sydney Central
Customer Service Excellence
Winner Electrical: O'Brien Electrical Camberwell
Winner Plumbing: O'Brien Plumbing Mackay
Finalists Electrical: O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Warrnambool, O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Bendigo, O'Brien Electrical Armidale
Finalists Plumbing: O'Brien Plumbing Tuggeranong, O'Brien Plumbing Echuca-Moama, Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central
Apprentice of the Year
Winner Electrical: Thomas Stajin – Laser Electrical & Communications Penrith
Winner Plumbing: Josh Kneebone – O'Brien Plumbing Echuca-Moama
Safety & Wellbeing Award
Winner: Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central
Finalists: O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains, O'Brien Plumbing Gumdale, O'Brien Plumbing Gympie, O'Brien Electrical Greensborough, O'Brien Electrical Mount Gambier
Networking Excellence
Winner: O'Brien Electrical & Solar Townsville Central
Finalists: O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains, Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central, CED – Cobram, O'Brien Electrical Granville, O'Brien Electrical Mount Gambier
The Women of O'Brien Award
Winner: Madonna Hodge, O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains
Finalists: Jacqui Sherriff – O'Brien Electrical Granville, Rachel Hodge – O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains, Rebecca Grayling – O'Brien Electrical Camberwell
Support Team Member of the Year Award
Winner: Ash Carter – Laser Electrical & Communications Penrith
Technician of the Year Award
Winner Electrical: Zacc Cocks – O'Brien Electrical Mount Gambier
Winner Plumbing: Michael Noonan – O'Brien Plumbing Greensborough
Finalists Electrical: Jack Dennis – Laser Electrical & Communications Penrith, Scott Nowak – O’Brien Electrical & Air Conditioning Mount Barker
Finalists Plumbing: Joseph Geary – Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central, Josh Petersen – O'Brien Plumbing Echuca-Moama
Giving Back Award
Winner: O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Bendigo
Finalists: O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains, Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central, O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Warrnambool, O'Brien Plumbing Gumdale, O'Brien Electrical Armidale
Champions of Change Award
Winner: O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing Warrnambool
Finalists: O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains, Laser Plumbing & Roofing Newcastle Central, O'Brien Electrical & Solar Townsville Central, Laser Electrical & Communications Penrith, Floyd Industries
Winner: Lawrence & Hanson
Manufacturer of Choice of the Year Award
Winner: Klein Tools
Support Office Team Member of the Year Award
Winner: Matthew McBryde
20 Year Network Anniversary
O'Brien Plumbing Lismore
O'Brien Electrical Melbourne CBD
Laser Electrical Horsham
O'Brien Electrical Mildura
Laser Electrical Swan Hill
O'Brien Electrical Geebung
15 Year Network Anniversary
O'Brien Electrical Mount Gambier
O'Brien Electrical & Air Conditioning Mount Barker
O'Brien Electrical Lake Macquarie
10 Year Network Anniversary
O'Brien Electrical Moonah
O'Brien Electrical Burleigh Heads
O'Brien Electrical Armidale
O'Brien Electrical Rowville
Laser Plumbing Horsham
O'Brien Electrical Lismore
A huge congratulations to everyone recognised at this year’s Gala Awards. Whether you took home a trophy or were named a finalist, your achievements deserve to be celebrated. We hope you enjoyed Advantage Conference 2026 in Fiji, and we look forward to coming together again next year.
