Tradies Unite to Give Back to the Port Douglas Community

AUSTRALIA’S leading Electrical and Plumbing group, O’Brien Electricians and Plumbers intend to make a life-changing impact on the Port Douglas Community Service Network through their latest TaskForce initiative.

In late June, over 200 electricians and plumbers from the O’Brien network will arrive in Port Douglas for the 2022 “Advantage” Conference.

As part of the conference event which will be held at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, delegates will unite for the pre conference “Taskforce” initiative, utilising their expertise, skills and resources to give back to the Douglas Shire. Helping the local community to achieve a sustainable future and staying connected with the communities they serve is an important part of the organisation’s core ethos.

This year, the teams will be lending their expertise to the Port Douglas Community Service Network to provide much needed upgrades to their centre facilities.

The Port Douglas Community Service Network nurtures the existing strengths and future wellbeing of the community, to relieve poverty, distress and misfortune as well as advocate for those with limited opportunities and choices. In the past year alone, the centre has provided emergency relief, advice, information and referral services to approximately 1,700 local people.

The O’Brien teams will perform much needed electrical and plumbing upgrades as well as general maintenance on the two buildings which comprise the Family Hub and the Neighbourhood Centre. A number of external service providers also use these premises, including the Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service, Uniting Care financial counselling, Australian Hearing, Cairns Regional Women’s Legal Service as well as Child and Maternal Health Nurses and ATODS (alcohol and other drugs counselling).

The O’Brien electricians will provide the facility with a much needed LED lighting upgrade in order to improve energy efficiency and security at the premises, as well as new data communications infrastructure upgrade to build seamless digital ecosystems. While the plumbers within the Group will spend considerable time upgrading the facilities by proactively replacing products as part of a preventative maintenance program, reengineering the drainage, guttering, downpipes and other fixtures at the centre.

Donating their time and expertise, the Taskforce is now in its 14th year of operation and is an initiative that Chris Leslie, O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Director, is extremely proud of.

“The Port Douglas Community Service Network is both an incredible and pivotal service provider within the community. We are honoured to be helping such a worthy cause to make a real difference in the lives of those in need”.

Chris Leslie, O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Director


Managing this year’s Taskforce project is Gary Larkin, Head of National Operations at O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Group, who has coordinated with the Group’s key suppliers to donate a significant amount of materials that will be used onsite.

“It’s been a very tough environment for everyone over the past couple of years and our electricians, plumbers and their staff all looking really forward to having the opportunity to come together to make a real difference for such a worthwhile cause, they all get a real buzz out of giving back to the communities in which they serve by utilising their skills in a project that can have such an impact.”

Gary Larkin, Head of National Operations at O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Group

Emma Travers, Port Douglas Community Service Network Manager is very excited to hear that after the O’Brien team are coming to Port Douglas in June as part of their National Conference.

“The work being undertaken by the O’Brien Group will give our Centre a welcome refresh and will allow us to use more of our funds for programs that connect and support our beautiful community”.

Emma Travers, Port Douglas Community Service Network Manager
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