Ray Taylor also recognised for industry contribution in Queensland Transport Association awards showcase
South East Queensland Hauliers took out two of the top honours at the 28th Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) awards, held on the weekend, as Toowoomba’s Ray Taylor was honoured with its Trucking Industry Excellence Award.
Over 350 people attended the annual awards showcase, which recognised a range of companies and individuals for their contribution to the transport and road freight industries.
QTA president Julie Russell says she is delighted to help recognise the best within the industry.
“Sincere congratulations to all who have been judged to be examples of excellence in our industry by the awarding of special recognition in their particular award category,” she says.
Check out our story on the 2017 award winners here
Container carrier South East Queensland Hauliers took out both the young achiever award – which went to business development manager Nathan Craner – and the QTA Innovation award, which recognises operators whose investment in vehicle design innovation has improved business productivity.
SEQ Hauliers owner Brett Plummer was awarded the prize following his most recent partnership with Haulmark Trailers – designing a single axle A-double for carting empty containers and a tri-axle dolly A-double for its log export business.
“This significant investment and commitment to high productivity vehicle design has paved the way for other companies to follow and change the way container freight is being moved on the roads today,” the judges said.
Taylor won the QTA Trucking Industry Excellence Award for his long-time contribution to furniture removalists – having previously been awarded life membership of the Australia Furniture Removers Association.
Taylor is one of the founders of Chess Removals Australia and previously served as President and director of the QTA’s predecessor organisation the Queensland Road Transport Association.
The 2018 QTA Trucking Woman of the Year is Melissa Strong, the people, safety and culture manager at Lindsay Australia.
Since starting with Lindsay as human resources manager in 2009, Strong has been instrumental in leading significant changes to the business, the QTA says.
Melissa freely gives her time to mentor and support staff , aiming to instil in them the same passion she has for the industry.
The QTA Professional Driver of the Year is Goondiwindi-based Marschall Group driver Mark Johnston, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry.
Johnston drives a cab over twin steer prime mover with a vehicle loading crane – holding a high risk work licence and numerous other crane and machine operator licences to fulfil his diverse role while maintaining an impeccable driving history and clean safety record, the QTA says.
Scholarship winners
The QTA also announced the five winners of the Emerging Leader Scholarship it has founded alongside Daimler to identify emerging leaders in the industry and help them better contribute to its future.
The winners were
- Athol Carter – Fraser’s Livestock Transport, Warwick
- Ben Colvin – Prochem Haulage, Mackay
- Brenden Giuffrida – CHS Broadbent, Toowoomba
- James Henderson – Followmont Transport, Townsville
- Thomasin Keogh – Wickham Freight Lines, Warwick
Each recipient will be provided tailored coaching sessions that will encompass business management, leadership, personal branding and marketing, communication and social media needs analysis.
Support will also include mentoring by industry leaders and professional stakeholder engagement and networking opportunities. In addition, each will be given $1000 cash contribution towards their leadership development.