21 Years of Service at Topline
Date: 17 March 2023
A 21st is always reason to celebrate! This was certainly the case as we celebrated 21 years of service for one of Topline’s most valued, longest standing team members, Willie Downie. It was a happy occasion tinged with sadness as our tightknit team farewelled Willie, as his chapter with Topline draws to an end and he embarks on his next exciting new chapter, retirement.
Willie has been one of the key members of Topline’s hardworking and highly skilled plumbing, gasfitting and drainage team since 2001, adding value in every way possible. As Operations Manager Willie was responsible for overseeing the trades team, along with quoting, tendering, certifying gas and plumbing installations, supplying technical advice, and upskilling staff.
Before Topline, Willie originally trained as an apprentice in the UK where he became a certified plumber and gasfitter. He gained a wealth of knowledge working on a range of projects, including many large-scale construction and commercial sites in the United Kingdom and Perth, Western Australia, before arriving in Auckland in 1978.
Since then, he worked for a range of companies, with an impressive 22 years working at Auckland Healthcare. Initially involved in being on the tools looking after the plumbing and gas fitting requirements, his role evolved to overseeing the service and maintenance requirements for Auckland and Greenlane hospitals, further extending his knowledge and experience.
As we marked this special occasion, by means of a staff morning tea, it was apparent how much respect we all have for Willie and how much of an asset he is, and will continue to be, long after he has left Topline. It is with great confidence we can say he has really made a huge contribution to Topline and our clients, making his mark. Always freely offering expert advice, not just to clients, but also to other trade professionals.
Thanks to our in-house training scheme, SO many other plumbers and gasfitters have benefitted from the incredible knowledge and experience Willie brought to the team. Topline is well known for its long history of support for apprenticeships and for its cultivation of award-winning apprentices and Willie played a leading role in this.
Loyalty is something to be treasured, and for the Topline family it’s bittersweet to wish a heartfelt farewell to someone who has represented Topline so well, an embodiment of our values – quality, reputation, respect, and reliability.
We wish you well Willie Downie – you have every right to feel proud of your hugely successful career as a certified plumber and gasfitter. We will forever be grateful you chose to be part of the Topline team for so long.
a snapshot of willie's farewell...
 Brian Glucina (Rheem), Robert Grundy (A.L. Byrne Waterways), Willie Downie, Bob Clarke (Hydraulic Consultant) |  Topline Team Members: Nish Patel, David Webb, Willie Downie, Labnesh Pillay, Irshaad Ahmed Shah |
 Jolene Gill (Mico), Willie Downie, Nola Efaraimo (Mico) |  Willie Downie, Jennie Gillespie |
 Jennie Gillespie, Willie Downie |  Neil Gillespie, Karl Symons, Kerry Wu, Nichole Cuff, Willie Downie, Jennie Gillespie, Baz Barzandeh, Kimberley Blignaut, Stephen Selwyn |
 Willie’s favourite black forest cake |  Willie conversing with friends in the industry |
