The Plumbing Industry Association of SA would like to pay tribute to Ron Morgan, one of our Plumbing Legends who sadly passed away on 7th May 2011.

We pass on our sincere condolences to Ron's family and friends. 

Please see below Ron's Plumbing Legend's article, from the September - October 2009 edition of Plumbing SA Magazine:

September - October 2009

Appreciating how much Adelaide has grown in the last 50 years is simply a matter of looking at the plumbing industry. Fifty and more years ago, most plumbers knew each other, now whilst still a relatively small group it is impossible to know everyone.

When identifying industry members worthy of Plumbing Legends, names like Jack Holder, Ray Hollis, Jim Hebbard, Max Perry, Bill Kavanagh, Doug Hargreaves and Ron Morgan are frequently mentioned in discussions. What is even more interesting are the dynasties with fourth and fifth generations of plumbers from the same families continuing to be a part of this industry.

Ron Morgan is yet another example. Born at Tailem Bend in 1932 one of two sons to Ron and Mayda, he lived in the town until he was fifteen when he moved to Adelaide to take up an apprenticeship with Hansen & Yuncken. After completing his apprenticeship Ron was joined at Hansen & Yuncken by his brother Alan who was five years his junior. Both brothers continued to work for the company until 1962 when they left to start R & A Morgan Plumbing Pty Ltd.

The company grew to around 10 or 12 plumbers and at one stage planned to become bigger but Ron and Alan decided that getting bigger just meant longer hours for little extra gain so settled back to a comfortable medium size commercial plumbing business. The company has operated from its Bowden premises continuously since 1962.

One area that the company has developed a strong presence in is the service station construction market where extremely demanding OH&S requirements place particular demands on all involved. Some other major projects over the years including, Wallaroo Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital and the Box Factory

Over the last 37 years the company has built a strong rapport with a very stable customer base, which has included employing two maintenance plumbers to carry out all the maintenance for their commercial clients. Staff stability has been another factor in their success with one plumber working for the family business for over 30 years.

Ron married Judith in 1955 and had three children, Sheryl born in 1957 who is a teacher, David born in 1961 and who now runs the business in partnership with his cousin Chris and Andrew who was born in 1965 and is now a motor mechanic.

David Morgan after knocking around after school for a year was given an opportunity to try plumbing and decided after some work experience that he wanted to become a plumber. Rather than working for the family business Ron organised with long term friend Jim Hebbard for David and later Chris to do their apprenticeships with Hebbard’s and for Dennis and Paul Hebbard to do their apprenticeships with R & A Morgan, a great way of exposing the boys to another work environment and finding themselves before joining the family business.

Ron is a Life Member of the PIA and served on the Executive for about twenty years and served as President. Ron was one of the founders of the Plumbing Cooperative and was fiercely protective of plumbers and the plumbing industry.

Outside of work and family Ron, who is a quiet reserved man, was heavily involved in Baseball first as a player and later in supporting his sons. Ron went on to become a Life Member of the West Torrens Baseball, the SA Baseball League and the Australian Baseball Federation after many years of dedicated voluntary service. Ron also travelled overseas extensively supporting the World Youth Baseball Tournaments. Ron retired at 55 and Alan at 50 to enjoy life beyond work, comfortable in the knowledge the business was in good hands with David and Chris. Unfortunately Ron is no longer in the best of health and in a nursing home but he has made the most of his life and can be proud of his achievements and contribution to society.