Record crowds at 2023 QTA Road Freight Industry Awards 9/9/23
We hosted our Gala Event of the Year tonight Saturday 9 September at the Royal International Convention Centre (RICC). Bowen Hills. A spectacular display of trucks and trailers were on display in the Plaza of the RICC for guests to enjoy pre-dinner drinks. The feature was the Wickham Freight Lines Maxi-Cube B-Double Safety Trailer promoting the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) striking One Barramundi, Two Barramundi, Three Barramundi livery. Also on show was the new Kenworth K220, Mack Superliner and Barnes Auto Co Heavy Haulage unit.
With over 450 people coming together to celebrate QTA's gala event of the year, numbers continue to grow as the event attracts more and more industry operators and sponsors.
QTA President Paul Kahlert said, "It is fantastic to have a record number of guests attend the event this year. This is a real reflection of the level of professionalism of the team at the QTA who leave no stone unturned to guarantee guests a memorable night that celebrates the industry. The growing numbers of operators attending is proof that we are really appealing to our membership base and have got a great formula for our Road Freight Industry Awards."
The event attracted attendance from both the federal and State Government including Senator Glenn Sterle from Western Australia and Minister for Transport, Main Roads and Digital Services. Honourable Mark Bailey.
QTA Chief Executive Officer, Gary Mahon opened the evening by soft launching the new innovative heavy vehicle driver safety videos to instruct drivers on how to navigate the complex ascent and decent of Cunningham's Gap including managing the current roadworks occurring during the Cunningham's Gap Reconstruction Project. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (South Coast) worked with the QTA to produce the videos and partnered with Wickham Freight Lines and Bill Manton who provided the driving instruction. The videos will be released to the public in the coming weeks on the QTA YouTube Channel. Mr Mahon said, "This is a great example of government working in partnership with industry to produce a tangible practical and relevant outcome for heavy vehicle drivers."
Mr Mahon also spoke about what the QTA have contributed to the shaping of the new recently released Industrial Relations 'Closing the Loop' draft legislation and why the Association has invested two years of advocacy into this reform. The QTA is an advocacy leader in the industrial relations space, and with other State Associations (VTA, WTA, ARTIO NSW and TTA) in the Australian Industrial Road Transport Organisation (ARTIO), represents the industrial interests of employers in the road freight industry.
The third area covered by Mr Mahon was the need for the Heavy Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship in Queensland to be fully funded equal to other trades currently on the Skills Priority List. He said, "The need to create pathways for professional employment and attract new entrants to the industry is critical to sustain the road freight industry into the future."
Inside, guests were surrounded by sparkling prime movers from VCV Brisbane and Brown and Hurley who provided a Volvo Globetrotter and Kenworth K220 respectively for guests to admire.
The feature of the night was the presentation of the 2023 QTA Road Freight Industry Awards. Six Industry Awards were presented on the night with the prestigious QTA Industry Excellence Award being presented to a true transport gentleman, Bill Manton. When you meet him for the first time, he'll introduce himself as 'just a truckie'. With a long history a truck driver and a career as a Senior Driver Training and Instructor, Bill has spent a large part of his career with Simon National Carriers and Volvo Australia. Despite his significant contributions, Bill humbly acknowledges that the transport industry has given him more than he could ever repay. Bill's passion for the transport industry is unwavering, and his journey serves as a shining example of dedication, expertise, and commitment. He has actively spearheaded initiatives to enhance the transport landscape, such as advocating for improved parking bays, road upgrades and safety issues. His relentless dedication has dramatically improved the working conditions and safety standards for all involved in the industry. Bill Manton stands as a humble yet inspiring figure within the transport industry. His solid passion, integrity, and commitment to the betterment of the industry make him an exceptional winner of this Award.
The 2023 QTA Professional Driver of the Year Award was won by Jay Reed from Harvey's Towing Service. Jay has been working for Harvey's Towing for over 10 years and is a specialist in the heavy haulage towing sector. He demonstrates a high level of knowledge, competence and skilled experience. Jay has extensive knowledge in logistically difficult recovery services, safety, loading and unloading procedures, route planning and navigation, securing his loads, vehicle maintenance and flexibility to adapt to any environment he comes across. Jay is an asset to the industry and possesses a high degree of knowledge and experience in route optimisation, compliance and technology.
In its 12th Year, the QTA Trucking Woman of the Year has been awarded to Bronwen Howell from VE Group. Bronwen's journey in the trucking industry began in 2006 alongside her husband Nathan, when VE Group was established. As one of the visionary founders of VE Group, she has been instrumental in transforming the industry's landscape. Over the years, VE Group has flourished with the guidance of Bronwen’s astute leadership. She has been instrumental in motivating and supporting the company's growth and improving efficiencies and systems within the diversity of the company. Beyond her role at VE Group, Bronwen has been an active advocate for the trucking industry. Her dedication to community involvement and support and her drive to further improving the industry's standards and reputation has earned her widespread respect and admiration among her peers and the wider community.
The 2023 QTA Young Achiever Award this year attracted finalists from Longreach, Mackay, Ipswich and Brisbane. The winner on the night was Stevie Ashley-Cooper from CKC Haulage. Stevie is a pocket rocket dynamo and there is nothing she can't do in her job in the industry. Since leaving Ag college where she cleaned trucks to earn some money, she has been employed in the family business based in Townsville. Stevie is a determined young person who successfully progressed her heavy vehicle licences to achieve her MC licence at 20. She drives road trains, has her DG licence, forklift licence and experience carting all sort of freight including oversize machinery loads. On top of all of that, she also has the responsibility of being CKC Haulage's Mackay Depot Manager. This talented young person one day aspires to take over the trucking business from Mum and Dad.
In this fast-paced industry, businesses are constantly under pressure to keep up with rapid technology changes, transition to low emissions vehicles, compliance requirements all the while ensuring their employees are kept safe.
The Industry Safety and Innovation Award recognises those businesses who are investing in initiatives in safety, innovation, environment, sustainability and well-being. Two Award Winners were announced for the 2023 QTA Industry Safety and Innovation Award this year.
Russell Transport was awarded the Safety Award for their CallB4 U Climb initiative is designed to reduce the risk of falls from heights by providing a process of communication between a driver or mechanic to ascertain the necessity to climb on a truck. Following a workplace incident, the CallBU Climb education campaign was designed by the safety committee. Delivered in short training bursts to achieve maximum uptake and engagement, any time a driver is required to climb on a truck, they call a supervisor to determine the need and troubleshoot alternative options. The success of the campaign has now seen it integrated into the Onboarding Training Process.
All Purpose Transport was presented with the Innovation Award for Project EV: Sparking the Last Mile - a zero emissions vehicle transition strategy. The primary goal of this project is to explore, and implement, sustainable delivery methods for last-mile operations and significantly reduce emissions from delivery activities while ensuring that APT's owner-driver business model remains intact during the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). APT was the first transport company in Queensland to commence new furniture home delivery services with an electric vehicle. At the end of July 2023 there were 10 vehicles operating in Brisbane. By the end of 2025 APT intends to have increased their EV fleet to over 30 vehicles operating around South-East Queensland.
The 2023 QTA Training and Skilling Excellence Award was presented to South East Queensland Hauliers for their Road Master Program. In the current labour market, the importance of training and skilling is crucial to attracting and retaining staff. From changes to workplace flexibility since covid to adapting to different learning styles and diversity, employers are having to be innovative in this space and SEQH are excelling at this.
The night also featured special guests from Afterburner, Daniel 'Fuzz' Walker now an Australian resident, is graduate of the prestigious United States Air Force Academy, which only accepts the top 10% of applicants where he was an Air Force F-22 Raptor Mission Commander. His passion for operational excellence, diversity, safety, and human performance will not only inspire, but also drive organisations to reach new heights in their respective industries. His achievements as an African American fighter pilot, overcoming discrimination and racial bias, speak to his determination and resilience. As a motivational speaker, Daniel has shared his story on platforms such as 60 Minutes (US) and inspired countless audiences around the globe.
His co-pilot for the evening was ex-Australian Army Commando Soldier - Chris Howell. Chris Howell has dedicated his career to public service, education, and science. After nine years in the Australian Army as a Commando, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2006 and serving in the domestic counterterrorism and hostage rescue team from 2007-2008, Chris attended Yale University, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in 2014. He co-founded the Warrior-Scholar Project—the leading US non-profit focusing on academic preparation for veterans transitioning to higher education. Christopher has Master of Computing from the ANU, focusing on planning and decision-making in artificial intelligence.
The Event was supported by Principal Event Sponsor TWUSUPER, Major Event Sponsor, Transurban. Other sponsors included BP, Cummins, Brown and Hurley and VCV Brisbane South.
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