Leading industry figures recognised for commitment to trucking sector, with one winner featuring an unblemished driving record spanning 60 years
Leading industry figures have been recognised for their commitment to the trucking sector, with one winner featuring an unblemished driving record spanning 60 years.
Robert Machin from Hawkins Transport in Queensland took home the National Professional Driver of the Year Award in recognition for a career stretching back to 1949, which includes no traffic offences.
Machin took home the trophy as part of the 2009 National Trucking Industry Awards, which were held during the Australian Trucking Convention.
Carol Single from Single Transport won the National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year for her work in trying to improve safety on the Eton Range, a notorious stretch of road in Mackay, northern Queensland.
The Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry Award went to the Newcastle and Hunter Region Road Transport Awareness Group, which runs the annual Newcastle Truck Show.
“Now in its 15th year, the show continues to be a great success and has helped raise $720,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter,” the ATA says.
In announcing the winners, Australian Trucking Association (ATA) Chairman Trevor Martyn told convention delegates it was not hard to see why they won.
“Listening to the winners speak on the night provides a strong indication of why they won—they all have tremendous passion for our industry and an uncompromising commitment to its improvement,” Martyn says.
The Toll-owned NQX was also recognised during the award ceremony for its in-house training program. Bill Potter from NQX accepted the Training Excellence Award.
The company has become a registered training organisation (RTO) to develop and train staff to NQX standards. Due to the program’s success, NQX has implemented it across its depots nationwide.
Former Cummins employee Ross McDonald was another award winner, recognised with the Don Watson Memorial Award for his engineering work for Cummins.
“During this time, he developed and patented a dual fuel control system to enable diesel engines to run on CNG/LPG,” the ATA says.
“Working in the United States and UK, Ross was involved in the establishment of service support with distributor and truck dealer networks.”
The National Trucking Industry Awards caps off the four-day Trucking Convention, which ends on the Gold Coast today.