Archive, Industry News

Nolan’s beats competition to claim outstanding contribution

Respected Queensland trucking firm Nolan's Interstate Transport recognised for outstanding contribution to the trucking industry

June 1, 2011

The Queensland-based family-owned trucking firm Nolan’s Interstate Transport has beaten a field of top candidates to be recognised for its contribution to the trucking industry.

Nolan’s, which runs a fleet of 230 trucks across Australia, received the Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry gong at this year’s National Trucking Industry Awards.

The company competed against well-known trucking advocate Rod Hannifey and veteran K&S Freighters general manager Simon Skazlic.

Owner Terry Nolan thanked his wife Daphne, saying her support has been instrumental during his 44 years in the trucking industry.

John Hastie from Blenners Transport won the National Professional Driver of the Year Award for travelling more than 5.5 million kilometres without damaging a vehicle or a produce load.

“It’s been a wonderful journey. I’ve enjoyed my life on the road as a driver,” says Hastie, who has more than 43 years of international and Australian driving experience behind him.

Hastie was nominated for the award along with Hannifey and Michael Cavanagh from Whiteline Transport.

GMK Logistics CEO Sharon Kane beat Trans-Help CEO and Managing Director Dianne Carroll and Sue Rowe from Macao Consulting to claim the Trucking Industry Woman of the Year Award.

“I’m truly honoured to be receiving an award in an industry I’m very passionate about,” Kane says.

“I dedicate this award to my staff, my father who is my mentor and my husband who is probably the only man to put up with a woman whose first love is trucking.”

The Highway Guardian Award, which was created this year to recognise acts of bravery, went to Michael Munchow from Sedl Transport for his efforts during the devastating Queensland floods earlier this year.

Munchow helped a couple in their car who were caught in a torrent of floodwater in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley.

The Training Excellence Award went to those behind the successful Women Take the Wheel program, which is run by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, JJ Richards & Sons, Mission Australia and the Strategix Training Group.

The industry-based program helped 19 women obtain their HR licence and complete a Certificate III in Transport and Logistics (Driving Operations).

Nine of the participants have since gained work with JJ Richards & Sons.

“In the months and years to come, when you’re on the road and next to a heavy vehicle, the chances are there may be a woman at the wheel,” Marnie Tisot from Transport and Main Roads says.

Meanwhile, Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage won the TruckSafe Award, while veteran transport journalist Peter Armstrong took home the Don Watson Memorial prize.

Run by the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), the awards ceremony was held last week in Canberra.

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend