ATA industry awards announced

The 2014 National Trucking Industry Awards were announced at the Australian Trucking Association's recent Trucking Australia 2014 conference

The Australian truck industry celebrated some of its most outstanding members and organisations on the night of Saturday, June 7, when the winner of the 2014 National Trucking Industry Awards were announced at the ATA's Trucking Australia conference in Hamilton Island, Queensland.

With top billing at the conference's ATA Foundation Sponsors Gala Awards Dinner, the evening saw conference delegates introduced to the finalists in a variety of categories, before the winners were announced towards the end of the night.

Sponsored by BP, NTI and Volvo, the Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry award went to David Simon (pictured, far right) of Simon National Carriers of Toowoomba, Qld, who edged out John King of Toll NQX and Phillip Crook of Toll Group.

Mr Simon, who is a former ATA Chairman and who has represented the Australian truck industry through a number of senior and influential roles, underlined the greater meaning of his award.

"The awards are about recognising those who contribute to the industry – there are many in this room who have given much of their own time and money," he said.

Also sponsored by BP, NTI and Volvo, the National Professional Driver of the Year award went to Tom Scotney (pictured, second from left) of Hardy's Haulage in Warwick, Qld, ahead of Neville Thacker of BP Regional Operations in Townsville, Qld, and Barry 'Sleepy' Grimson of Unanderra Tanker Hire in Shellharbour, NSW.

Mr Scotney, who has travelled over 6.3 million kilometres and who hasn't received an infringement notice in the last decade, was humbled to receive the award.

"I feel privileged to receive this award, and I hope to be a worthy ambassador for the transport industry," he said.

"I’m very proud to be up here representing the industry I love."

Sponsored by Cummins, the National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year award went to Lynne Jack (pictured) from Griffin Motors in Newcastle, NSW, ahead of Dianne Carroll OAM of Trans-Help Foundation in Tarcutta, NSW, and Teresa Arnesto of Arnesto's Transport in Beerwah, Qld.

A founding member of the Newcastle and Hunter Road Transport Awareness Day, Lynne took over the running of her father’s Volvo dealership in 1984 and was elected as a member of the Volvo Dealer Council six years later.

Sponsored by Austbrokers AEI Transport, the TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award – which recognises excellence in the TruckSafe program – was given to Directhaul of Berrimah, NT, ahead of Rocky's Own Transport in Rockhampton, Qld, and Sunchip Group in Maryborough, Qld.

Brian 'Spud' Murphy (pictured, far left) of Directhaul said the award recognised the dedication of the entire Directhaul team.

"It’s great for this award to keep recognising the dedication and passion of John Kelly," he said.

"I’d like to thank my people and my management for understanding the importance and the value you get out of maintenance."

Sponsored by DECA, the National Training Excellence Award was given to Toll Mining Services in Newburn, WA, which edged out Ostwald Brothers of Dalby, Qld.

Toll Mining Services Regional HSE Manager, Geoff Massey (pictured, second from right), said it was taking a variety of steps to improve safety.

"Our aim over the next six months is to put MTData, EBS, 90km/h speed limiting and DSS to detect fatigue into every truck – it’s a big task," he said. The measures will see between $25,000 and $30,000 spent per truck fitted with the upgrades.

That left the Don Watson Memorial Award for conspicuous achievement in furthering the industry's objectives, which went to Tim Wedlock of Austbrokers AEI Transport Insurance Brokers of Gordon, NSW.

Mr Wedlock (pictured, third from left) was elated to win the prestigious award.

“I sit here, like all of us, trying to work out who the winner is – and this year it’s me! Goodness me,” he said.

The naming of the finalists effectively brought the Trucking Australia 2014 conference to a close, although many a delegate opted to enjoy the camaraderie of the evening into the small hours.

After two years of tropical breezes at Hamilton Island, next year's annual ATA conference will enjoy an altogether different backdrop, when it heads south to Hobart, Tasmania, over March 27-28.

ATA industry awards announced

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