The Australian Trucking Association has today announced the finalists for the 2026 National Trucking Industry Awards.
The ATA represents the 60,000 businesses and 200,000 people in the Australian trucking industry and each year recognises industry excellence through its award program.
“The finalists for the National Trucking Industry Awards have shown enormous commitment to their individual businesses and the community. They are examples for us all,” ATA Chair Mark Parry said.
The finalists were selected by an independent panel led by former ATA Chair David Simon. The finalists are:
Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry
Mike Edmonds, NTI (Brisbane, Qld)
Wendy Fennell, Fennell Forestry (Mt Gambier, SA)
National Professional Driver of the Year
Andrew Foster, IOR (Cannon Hill, Qld)
John Parry, IOR (Cannon Hill, Qld)
National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year
Jodie Jarratt, Jarratt Transport Solutions (Benowa, Qld)
True Ross-Sawrey, Ross Transport (Port Kembla, NSW)
National Trucking Industry Workforce Award
Formula Chemicals (West Ryde, NSW)
JATEC Transport (Stanhope Gardens, NSW)
TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award
JR Bulk Liquid Transport (Gympie, Qld)
K&S Freighters (Truganina, Vic)
The award winners will be announced at the ATA Foundation Sponsors Gala Awards Dinner, to be held on Hamilton Island on 5 June as part of Trucking Australia 2026.
The Don Watson Memorial Award, which recognises an individual who has given conspicuous service to the industry, will also be presented on the night.
“I invite everyone in the industry to join us on Hamilton Island as we celebrate the achievements and resilience of our industry, our finalists and the award winners,” Mr Parry said.
Register for the awards dinner or Trucking Australia 2026
The finalists’ details are below.
Media contact: Bill McKinley | bill.mckinley@truck.net.au | 0488 292 823
2026 NATIONAL TRUCKING INDUSTRY AWARD FINALISTS
Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry
Award sponsors: National Transport Insurance, Volvo Trucks, BP Australia
Mike Edmonds, NTI
Mike Edmonds is a well-known leader and personality throughout the trucking and insurance industries.
Mike entered the workforce in 1981 as a police officer, but has since spent 30 years working in or around the transport industry for Finemore Holdings, the ATA and then NTI.
He led the ATA’s TruckSafe program, participates on a wide range of working groups as an insurance expert and is the steward of NTI’s association strategy.
Transport operators and insurance brokers lean on Mike for advice as a respected, empathetic and calm leader. He has mentored many people; he regards watching them reach their full potential to be amongst his greatest successes.
Wendy Fennell, Fennell Forestry
Wendy Fennell is the owner and Managing Director of Fennell Forestry, a South Australian based softwood harvest and haulage company.
As a result of Wendy’s vision, innovation and respect for her people, the company’s machines and trucks are a mainstay across the Green Triangle region, South Australia and Western Australia.
Wendy is an influential forest and transport industry leader. She is a member of the SARTA board and was the driving force behind South Australia’s MC Licence Pilot Program. Through the Fennell Forestry Truck Pull Challenge, she has raised more than $200,000 for children’s charity Variety SA since the event was first held more than a decade ago.
National Professional Driver of the Year
Award sponsors: National Transport Insurance, Volvo Trucks, BP Australia
Andrew Foster, IOR
With many years of driving experience, Andrew Foster is an outstanding ambassador for IOR and the trucking industry. As a senior member of IOR’s professional driver team, Andrew is known for his reliability, professionalism and willingness to assist IOR’s customers and promote safety.
With extensive experience delivering to marinas, Andrew is a specialist in refuelling high-value watercraft. This requires specialised skills and knowledge, and he is meticulous in ensuring that zero product escapes, especially when delivering over water.
Andrew has an increasing role in coaching both experienced and new drivers after their onboarding process. He is completing a Certificate IV in heavy vehicle driver instruction.
John Parry, IOR
John Parry is a tanker driver at IOR, where he is responsible for distributing fuel to retail, agricultural, rail, commercial and marine bunkering customers.
John has more than 30 years of experience as a tanker driver, including 11 years in the army with two operational deployments. He demonstrates exceptional standards in both personal and vehicle presentation. Customers frequently request John by name for their deliveries, which speaks to his professionalism, reliability and customer service skills.
IOR’s driver base consider John to be a driver of choice for shift partnering. He provides mentoring and coaching to new drivers, drawing on his extensive industry and military experience.
National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year
Award sponsor: Cummins South Pacific
Jodie Jarratt, Jarratt Transport Solutions
Jodie Jarratt is the co-owner of Jarratt Transport Solutions, where she has a central role in business operations, people management, safety and strategy.
At Jarratt Transport Solutions, Jodie introduced TruckSafe, the NHVAS BFM, mass and maintenance modules, and in more recent years electronic work diaries, onboard scales, and PBS B-triples and road trains into Victoria.
Jodie has also focused on driver wellbeing, including by equipping trucks with microwaves, sleeper cab air conditioning and inverters.
In addition to leading her business, Jodie has served on the boards of the QTA and Transport Women Australia Ltd, where she was the Deputy Chair.
True Ross-Sawrey, Ross Transport
True Ross-Sawrey is the Business Manager of Ross Transport in the Illawarra.
True spent her school holidays in the Ross Transport yard before joining the business in 2013.
She is passionate about workforce issues. During the past five years, she has employed 14 women and supported 28 drivers to progress from HR to HC or MC licences. She is also committed to improving the perception of the industry, with media appearances on issues like sham contracting and fuel prices.
True is a former director of Transport Women Australia Ltd, where she strengthened the organisation’s digital communications.
National Trucking Industry Workforce Award
Award sponsor: Teletrac Navman
Formula Chemicals
Formula Chemicals (NSW) Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned chemical manufacturing and distribution business with more than fifty-three years of experience.
Since its founding in 1973 by Leigh and Colleen Smart, the company has grown into a nationally respected supplier of chemical products and transport services. The Smart family remains hands-on in the business.
In 2026, Formula Chemicals will expand its safety reporting and leadership programs, deliver structured driver training and bring in wellness and leadership development programs.
The company will continue to support workforce diversity, including employees from Fijian, Samoan, Indigenous, Irish traveller and other backgrounds. It will also continue its Work Release Program with Corrective Services NSW.
JATEC Transport
JATEC Transport is a family-owned company that moves empty pallets across major supply chain networks.
JATEC has a diverse workforce from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Its workforce goal is to continue building a transport company where drivers are proud to work, diversity is welcomed, and safety, wellbeing and respect are at the centre of the business.
In 2026, the company will continue delivering its JATEC Learning BBQ Program. Run every 4-6 weeks, the BBQs bring drivers and management together to discuss safety and wellbeing while sharing a meal. The business will also maintain its involvement with the ATA’s InRoads Diversity and Inclusion Program.
TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award
Award sponsor: AEI Insurance Broking Group
JR Bulk Liquid Transport
Established in 2010 and based in Gympie, JR Bulk Liquid Transport is a leader in bulk milk, LNG and sugar logistics. Operating under the 7R Logistics brand, the company integrates the ‘7 Rs’ of logistics into every movement to ensure seamless collection and delivery.
The team maintains an unwavering emphasis on strict compliance and safety, with a modern fleet positioned across Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania to support customer supply chains.
Owner and Managing Director Tim Jensen remains highly hands-on, ensuring every facet of the operation is as professional, efficient and reliable as possible.
JR Bulk Liquid Transport has been TruckSafe accredited since 1997.
K&S Freighters
Formed in 1945 as a partnership between Jack Kain and Aub Shelton, K&S (Kain and Shelton) started trading in Mount Gambier.
Since then, it has evolved to become one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest national multi-modal providers of transport and distribution services, with outstanding facilities and one of the largest company-owned and operated fleets in the two countries.
K&S joined TruckSafe in 1996 as a founding member.