VTA annual awards reward Mick Vawdrey's commitment to the trucking industry
Mick Vawdrey’s “trailblazing” efforts were rewarded during the Victorian Transport Association’s (VTA) annual dinner on Saturday, with the managing director of Vawdrey Trailers taking home the Australian Freight and Logistics Personality of the Year award.
The company was recognised for its “long-standing contribution to manufacturing” as well as Vawdrey’s commitment to alleviating skills shortages in the trucking industry.
A spokesperson for the VTA says Vawdrey has played a proactive role in addressing capacity constraints by sponsoring skilled migrants.
“As the skills shortage hit, Mick personally sponsored hundreds of migrants and their families to come to Australia to live and work,” the spokesperson says.
“Many families have had the opportunity of starting a new life in Australia thanks to the trailblazing efforts of Mick”.
The awards, which have been running for 19 years, were held at the Melbourne Convention Centre where leading transport businesses were recognised for their contributions across six categories.
Toll Logistics won the Australian Best Practice Safety Award for its Flatpack 8-car vehicle transport trailer, while DECA Training won the Australian Freight Innovation-Technology Award.
The Victorian Government also featured, with the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development winning the Australian Freight Industry Promotion and Careers Award.
The Australian Freight and Logistics Award went to Australian Air Express while Kalari won the Australian Freight Environmental Award.
More than 1200 people attended the event to celebrate the industry’s achievements.
VTA Chief Executive Philip says the event’s success is a testament to the “quality of companies operating in the transport industry and (the) hard work of our people”.
“For almost 20 years companies and individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make their work more innovative, efficient and safe have been publicly recognised and honoured at the Australian Freight Industry Awards,” Lovel says.
“This year another group joins their worthy ranks.