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Tribute issued for leading Qld driver Neville Thacker

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) has marked the passing of one of the state’s top truck drivers.

 

Lately with Emerald Carrying Company (ECC), Neville Thacker was a QTA Professional Driver of the Year winner in 2013 when with BP.

“His ability to engage people has been valued and appreciated by his work colleagues and all road users who come into contact with him,” the QTA citation of the time reads.

“He is highly respected for his integrity, professionalism and commitment to the importance of the road freight transport task.”

He was also shortlisted for the same accolade at the Australian Trucking Association’s 2014 National Trucking Industry Awards.

The state body quoted ECC owner Greg Haylock as saying: “Neville was a just a great person, he was one of our best, his driving ability was second to none, he was a professional.”

Thacker had been working at ECC driving aviation triple fuel tankers and prior to that, Neville worked for BP delivering bulk aviation products and driving road trains around Australia. 

“Throughout his career, Neville drove on some of the most challenging and remote roads in the country from as far as Western Australia, Northern Territory, to remote areas of Queensland,” the QTA’s tribute reads. 

“Over these years, Neville maintained an unblemished record, driving millions and millions of incident free kilometres around Australia.

Neville was a quiet deep thinker with an approachable manner.  He always demonstrated a high level of patience which attributed to his exemplary driving record.  He was highly regarded as a professional in his field by his peers and was a dedicated and loyal employee.  Neville was a genuine and trustworthy person who was always prepared to offer advice and support to those around him, especially younger drivers.

“He was extremely proud to work for ECC and prior to that BP.  He held great respect for his employers’ brand and set the highest standards for others to follow to ensure that a professional image of the company was maintained.

“Neville’s high standards also extended to the maintenance of his vehicle.  Neville was fastidious when it came to safety and he held all the essential knowledge required to ensure his vehicle was running efficiently and safely.  He was honoured when Greg Haylock entrusted him to drive ECC’s commemorative 100th Kenworth.

“Neville was highly respected for his professionalism and commitment amongst line management, peers and customers.  He was and will continue to be a role model for younger drivers.  He lead by example as a professional driver with his attention to detail and the commitment to his role as a fuel tanker driver.

“Neville demonstrated the utmost respect to his employers through exemplary conduct and a professional manner.  He had a great ability to engage with people on the road and those who met him felt privileged.

“On behalf the QTA Staff and Board of Directors, we offer our deepest condolences to Neville’s family and all at Emerald Carrying Company.”

Neville Thacker receives the QTA Professional Driver of the Year award in 2013.

The organisation notes that recognition of his professionalism and respect for the driving task is echoed by management at BP Regional Operations who say “his exemplary behaviour, his incident free driving history along with his extensive industry knowledge and skills are evidence of his dedication and commitment to the Transport industry”.

“His ability to engage people has been valued and appreciated by his work colleagues and all road users who come into contact with him,” the QTA citation of the time reads.

“He is highly respected for his integrity, professionalism and commitment to the importance of the road freight transport task.”

He was also shortlisted for the same accolade at the Australian Trucking Association’s 2014 National Trucking Industry Awards.

The state body quoted ECC owner Greg Haylock as saying: “Neville was a just a great person, he was one of our best, his driving ability was second to none, he was a professional.”

Thacker had been working at ECC driving aviation triple fuel tankers and prior to that, Neville worked for BP delivering bulk aviation products and driving road trains around Australia. 

“Throughout his career, Neville drove on some of the most challenging and remote roads in the country from as far as Western Australia, Northern Territory, to remote areas of Queensland,” the QTA’s tribute reads. 

“Over these years, Neville maintained an unblemished record, driving millions and millions of incident free kilometres around Australia.

Neville was a quiet deep thinker with an approachable manner.  He always demonstrated a high level of patience which attributed to his exemplary driving record.  He was highly regarded as a professional in his field by his peers and was a dedicated and loyal employee.  Neville was a genuine and trustworthy person who was always prepared to offer advice and support to those around him, especially younger drivers.

“He was extremely proud to work for ECC and prior to that BP.  He held great respect for his employers’ brand and set the highest standards for others to follow to ensure that a professional image of the company was maintained.

“Neville’s high standards also extended to the maintenance of his vehicle.  Neville was fastidious when it came to safety and he held all the essential knowledge required to ensure his vehicle was running efficiently and safely.  He was honoured when Greg Haylock entrusted him to drive ECC’s commemorative 100th Kenworth.

“Neville was highly respected for his professionalism and commitment amongst line management, peers and customers.  He was and will continue to be a role model for younger drivers.  He lead by example as a professional driver with his attention to detail and the commitment to his role as a fuel tanker driver.

“Neville demonstrated the utmost respect to his employers through exemplary conduct and a professional manner.  He had a great ability to engage with people on the road and those who met him felt privileged.

“On behalf the QTA Staff and Board of Directors, we offer our deepest condolences to Neville’s family and all at Emerald Carrying Company.”

The organisation notes that recognition of his professionalism and respect for the driving task is echoed by management at BP Regional Operations who say “his exemplary behaviour, his incident free driving history along with his extensive industry knowledge and skills are evidence of his dedication and commitment to the Transport industry”.

Photography: Queensland Trucking Association

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