The National Road Transport Operators Association (NatRoad) recognised the cream of the industry at a special luncheon sponsored by National Transport Insurance (NTI) during its annual conference held recently on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Phillip Southwell who drives for SRV Roadfreight Services took out the Professional Driver of the Year Award. Having driven trucks for the best part of 32 years, Phil was involved in a family transport and distribution business and then worked as an owner-driver for six years. He has worked with SRV Roadfreight Services for the past 10 years as a driver and within operations. Over the course of his career Phil has driven an impressive six million kilometres without a single accident.
Troy Cook of Divalls Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage won the inaugural Excellence in Operational Support Award. The transport manager of Divalls, last year Troy was instrumental in the company being crowned inaugural TruckSafe Operator of the Year. A long-time supporter of community causes including Rotary, a life-changing accident has seen Troy’s community activities increase, having been sought out by the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney to motivate other spinal injury patients with his positive outlook on life and remarkable recovery.
Brett Simcoe of Lindsay Transport was awarded the Transport Youth Award in absentia, his trophy received on his behalf by colleague Ken Stehbens. Brett came to Lindsay Transport after serving with the Australian Army as a decorated sniper and paratrooper. He participated in five overseas tours of duty. Working as a linehaul driver with Lindsay’s, Brett’s standards of presentation, capacity and willingness to learn from senior colleagues, in addition to his goodwill towards co-workers and drivers from other companies, made Brett the clear winner of this award.
The inaugural Ted Pickering Memorial Award for Outstanding Involvement in the Road Transport Industry was awarded during the gala dinner on August 4. With Ted Pickering’s sons Roger and Daryl looking on, the award was presented to Noelene Watson, managing director of Don Watson Transport. The award provided a special tribute to both Ted Pickering’s legacy and Noelene Watson’s long-term and substantial contribution to the Australian road transport industry.
