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QTA awards recognise industry effort in tough times

Queensland road freight 'champions shine through pandemic'

 

Despite the national Covid uncertainty, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) proceeded with its Road Freight Annual Industry Awards, celebrating the best of industry in the state.

With more than 350 guests in attendance, the night certainly was much anticipated after the cancellation of the 2020 event, QTA noted.  

In attendance representing government was transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey, shadow minister Steve Minnikin, Senator Susan McDonald and Senator Murray Watt.

“The awards this year are a true representation of the strength, resilience and professionalism of the road freight industry in Queensland,” QTA president Paul Kahlert said.

“Our members recognised tonight are outstanding and the QTA is proud to have them as representatives of the Association.  

“On behalf of the QTA board of directors, I offer congratulations to all who have been honoured tonight, all are very worthy winners.”


All the 2019 award winners, here


The seven industry awards presented on the night were: 

2021 Industry Excellence Award: Owen Lange, South East Queensland Hauliers 

“With over 55 years of service to SEQH, Owen has been involved in every stage of development and growth in the business during that time. Owen can definitely ‘speak from experience’ from having worked in every facet of the business. From his upbringing in Clifton, Owen was always one to have a go at anything and through the years at SEQ Hauliers, he has been instrumental in growing an innovative and dynamic road transport operation specialising in container transport.  A quiet achiever with a calm demenour, Owen’s contribution will be well remembered by those in the industry long after his retirement.”

2021 QTA Trucking Woman of the Year: Annastasia Denigan, Qube Logistics 

“Denigan is a career safety and compliance professional who has held senior roles with Toll, DGL, Cement Australia and now with Qube Logistics.  Annastasia’s career commenced as a transport clerk however she swiftly found her way into the specialised area of safety and compliance. Annastasia quickly recognised the challenges of working in the road transport sector and while learning to navigate them, was focussed on honing her skills into a safety and compliance professional. Annastasia has worked in some of Australia’s largest logistics businesses and is highly respected in her field and amongst her peers for all that she gives to industry, her dedication and commitment.”

2021 Young Achiever of the Year: Jessica Ash, The Marschall Group, Goondiwindi

“If you ask any employer, there will always be a story to tell about that one young person who just puts in day in day out, never complains and is willing to have a go at anything.  Jessica Ash is this person.  This award recognises Jessica for having a passion for the road freight industry and who is willing to go the extra mile to do her job and do it well. Having worked at Marschalls for seven years, Jess is known to be a motivated and hardworking employee.  Kind and compassionate, Jess shows great care towards her co-workers and also every aspect of her role in the general freight division. Jess’s talent for allocating, managing routes and dealing with customers shines through and is reflected in the positive feedback from the Marschall clients. Her ‘can do’ attitude and her willingness to get the job done is outstanding.”

2021 Professional Driver of the Year: Melvin (Glenn) Williams, Willows Bitumen Haulage

“Driving for over 55 years, Glen is considered a true gentleman of the industry.  Glen started out driving when he was 18 yrs old carting agricultural chemicals. He then decided to buy his own truck and became an owner driver before eventually working for a number of large employers, none of which ever wanted to let him go.  Glen has an outstanding safety record which should be commended, and a strong personal commitment to not only his job but his co-workers and is always willing to lend a hand to help a mate out.  An experienced mentor, trainer and professional driver, Glen is highly valued at Willows and they are extremely proud to have him as part of their business.”

2021 Training and Skilling Award: Followmont Transport

“Followmont Transport is one of Queensland’s leading family transport businesses with a large footprint of depots around Queensland and now interstate. In an industry where you learn on the job, Followmont saw a need to create a leadership program to increase the capability of staff to grow into new roles in a way that was practical and engaging. The development of the Front Line Leader and Safety Leadership Program has been an integral step in supporting their staff to thrive and excel and has increased attraction and retention rates in the business.”

2021 Innovation and Safety Award: Stewart Morland, IOR Petroleum 

“[Credited with] the installation of the IOR Roma Livestock Cross Loader Facility. The commitment shown by Stewart and IOR to get this infrastructure installed is a marker of the importance the company places on the role of the livestock transport operator and their health and safety as they transport livestock around the State. The IOR Roma Cross Loader facility is strategically located at the end of the triple road train route where drivers must break down and ‘cross load’ on to B-doubles. The use of the cross loader significantly reduces the risks that come with working at heights and interacting with livestock.”

2021 Daimler Emerging Leader of the Year Award – Ben Blennerhassett, Blenners Transport, Tully

 

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