2015 NatRoad Awards unveiled

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has honoured three exceptional members of the road transport industry, with the naming of the three recipients of the 2015 NatRoad Awards.

Announced at the National Transport Insurance NatRoad Awards 2015 Luncheon, held yesterday (August 14) in Brisbane as a part of the 2015 NatRoad Conference, the titles recognise excellence among industry members "whose stars shine brighter and whose commitment to the industry warrants special recognition".

The winner of the Transport Youth award went to 25-year-old Chloe Rimmington, a multi-combination driver for Toll NQX in Mackay, Queensland.

Choe began work with the transport industry at the age of 17, and progressed from administrative assistant to eventually driving singles and B-doubles for Toll NQX, after gaining her HR licence at 19 and later gaining her MC licence.

Her work has previously seen her complete a return run to Perth and she has completed her driver training and assessment certificate, while she is also an active community volunteer.

NatRoad President Geoff Crouch said Chloe's values and commitment made her a thoroughly deserving recipient.

"Chloe has proved to be an exceptional team player," he said.

"She has a lot of energy and shows genuine enthusiasm to improve the transport industry."

The winner of the Operational Support award went to Kerry Sheehan of Divall's Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage, based in Goulburn (NSW).

Kerry (pictured, shaking hands with Mr Crouch) started with Divall's in 2008 as a receptionist and weighbridge attendant. She was heavily involved in the rollout of MT Data telematics across the firm's bulk haulage fleet and then stepped up to aid in the smooth running of Divall's after the company's Transport Manager suffered a serious accident.

She now assists with the daily management of the fleet and is an integral member of the business.

"Kerry's commitment to Divall's can only be described as impressive," said Mr Crouch.

The winner of the NatRoad Professional Driver of the Year Award went to owner/driver Garry McVey of McVey's Transport.

Running a small fleet of trucks out of the NSW South Coast, Garry has been driving for 41 years and holds an unblemished record. He also regularly assists new drivers and those returning to the job after an extended break, and has an unwavering commitment to safety, vehicle maintenance and fatigue management.

Mr Crouch said Garry's approach to driving and the industry in general was exemplary.

"It's fair to say that Garry has given his working life to driving in the road transport industry," he said.

"He is positively committed to the industry and always strives for the highest standards and the creation of a safer workplace."

Garry said he was honoured to receive the award.

"Once it's in your blood, it's in your blood," he said.

"You just do the best you can and, like everyone else, you just want to get home safely at the end of the week. Keep on truckin'!"

With Garry's NatRoad award comes automatic nomination for the Australian Trucking Association's National Professional Driver of the Year Award, which will be announced at next year's Trucking Australia conference on the Gold Coast.