Geelong’s best plumber has three decades of experience and volunteers in his spare time

A plumber who helps fundraise for local community groups has been crowned the best of his trade in Geelong.

Colin Sharp of Pascoe Plumbing Services has been named the best plumber in the Geelong region for 2024. Picture: Alison Wynd

It was a tight race at the top in the Geelong Addy’s best plumber vote but Colin Sharp of Pascoe Plumbing Services has been crowned the best in the region.

Mr Sharp received 35 of more than 230 votes in the Addy’s most recent Best Of competition.

He said he was very grateful to be nominated.

“There was a lot of competition out there and there’s a lot of aspects to plumbing to make someone the best,” he said.

“I have had a lot of good feedback.”

Mr Sharp said he started his apprenticeship at 18 and had now been a plumber for almost 32 years.

He said his services covered mostly domestic, commercial, community facilities like kinders, churches and some mobile shower work.

“Some people probably call it emergency plumbing but I don’t call it that, people ring up because something has happened, now or yesterday or a couple of weeks ago and they want to get it sorted,” he said.

“I am passionate about what I do and try to help people as much as I can and try to think what is best for what the customer is trying to achieve.

“I also try and keep the cost down as much as possible because people have lots of expenses.

“It is a business but try to help people with their problems or point people in the right direction if there’s something I don’t do.”

Mr Sharp said his favourite part of being a plumber was meeting new people and interacting with customers.

“I enjoy the friendships you make,” he said.

“I try to improve their life by the plumbing I do so things are easy to use, or more efficient, like hotter water or a better heater.

“Everyone has a story to tell and you learn a lot about life and people when you’re out working with people.”

In his spare time, Mr Sharp is involved with a Grovedale Scout group.

“I support a scrap metal fundraiser as a hobby for the group,” he said.

The group collects and sorts scrap metal and e-waste, donating some products and fundraising to local charities and community groups, and also themselves.

The top five plumbers, as voted by Addy readers:

1. Colin Sharp, Pascoe Plumbing Services

2. Tom Schwab, Elite Plumbing, Roofing and Gas

3. Hayden Strom, HJS Plumbing

4. Mark Gudasic, Local Plumbing Group

5. Chris McAuliffe, Serendip Plumbing and Gas

Originally published as Geelong’s best plumber has three decades of experience and volunteers in his spare time