Harris Refrigerated has the chance to scoop two awards at this year's NatRoad conference
July 22, 2010
Trucking operator Harris Refrigerated has the chance to scoop two awards at this year’s NatRoad conference in the professional driver and transport youth categories.
Veteran Harris truck driver Hans Lucassen has been named a finalist for the Professional Driver of the Year Award alongside Brian Dark from Lindsay Transport and Mickie Day from Hernes Freight.
An operations supervisor at Harris, Zebb McGlashan will compete with Dave Kreutzberger of Border Express and Mitchell Lindsay of Lindsay Transport.
In its submission nominating McGlashan, Harris says he is professional, willing to take on challenges and has developed a great knowledge of the trucking industry.
The company says Lucassen has not committed any traffic offences in his 40 years in the trucking industry.
He has worked for Harris for 10 years carting refrigerated and general freight in single and B-double combinations.
“Hans has always had an attitude that sets the standard for others to follow,” Harris writes in its submission.
“He never complains and has always set a good example for others to aspire to. He has been driving interstate for over 40 years, without accident, having travelled over 15 million kilometres.”
Nominees for the Professional Driver of the Year Award were cut from nine to three by the judging panel, which is made up of NatRoad member Phyllis Jones, Australian Trucking Association CEO Stuart St Clair and Owen Driscoll from National Transport Insurance.
Former school teacher turned truck driver Rosalind Darby was nominated by D&P Haulage for the award and was in line to become the first female driver to win the gong.
Darby runs linehaul in a two-up operation with her partner for family-owned Peter Stoitse Transport, which is based in Victoria.
Well-known trucking advocate Rod Hannifey was also nominated.
The NatRoad Conference is being held from August 5 to 7 on the Gold Coast.