Honouring the legacy: Celebrating ECA WA life members
Celebrating those who built the foundations
As the industry moves into an exciting future, it’s important to recognise the people who built the foundations we stand on today. Nearly a century ago, a group of electrical contractors came together with a shared vision to support one another, lift the standards of their trade, and strengthen their voice in a growing industry. What they built was an organisation created by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors, and that founding spirit still drives us today.
From those early beginnings in 1927, what was then known as the Electrical Contractors Association has grown into one of Australia’s most respected and comprehensive industry bodies, supporting every part of the electrical profession in Western Australia.
If it wasn’t for the Life Members and industry legends, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Their contributions to their businesses, to their peers, and to the wider industry have shaped the evolution of our trade through every generation. The success of ETI, ECA WA, CET, EGT, and Equip-Safe rests on the foundations they helped build, and for that we owe them our deepest gratitude.
ECA WA Life Members Luncheon
On Friday 14 November, ECA WA life members and their families, industry legends, industry sponsors, the ETI Board, and ETI staff gathered at Matilda Bay Restaurant for the ECA WA Life Members Luncheon to honour and celebrate our Life Members.
The event served as both a celebration and a reflection, recognising those whose leadership, dedication, and craftsmanship have shaped the Western Australian electrical industry for nearly a century.
Life members and representatives in attendance
The luncheon acknowledged and celebrated the following Life Members and representatives:
- Nini Cook, attending on behalf of Bruce Cook
- Margaret Nichol, attending on behalf of Mike Nichol
- Brian Cooper OAM
- Brian Tilbury
- Bob Hatherley
- John Sweeting
- Wayne Carter
- Stephen Cole
- Frank Tomasi AM
- Peter Kim
- Garry Itzstein
Those unable to attend included life members Ian Swain and Alan Charlton.
We also acknowledge the memories of Terry Smith and Mike Green, whose contributions continue to be remembered and valued.
Pictured left to right: Kayne Gordon, Brian Cooper, Wayne Carter, Carl Copeland, Frank Tomasi, John Sweeting, Bob Hatherley, Oliver Forster, Garry Itzstein, Brian Tilbury, Stephen Cole, Peter Kim, Vivienne Mossman.
Garry Itzstein recognised as ECA WA Life Member
ECA WA is proud to welcome Garry Itzstein as our newest Life Member. Over the past 27 years, he has made an outstanding contribution to the industry, serving on the EGT and ECA WA/ETI boards, as ECA WA President, and as EGT President. Garry was instrumental in the early success of CET, alongside Gus Fergason, John Sweeting, Brian Gray, Steve Cole, and Bob Hatherley.
Pictured left to right: Oliver Forster and Garry Itzstein
Looking ahead to a new chapter
Nearly 100 years on, the principles that inspired the contractors who founded the organisation in 1927 continue to guide its mission. The Life Members honoured at this year’s luncheon are a testament to the impact that commitment, expertise, and community leadership can leave on an industry. Their legacy continues, and the future they helped shape has never looked brighter.
