National Trucking Industry Awards

The prestigious National Trucking Industry Awards recognise businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond the requirements of their role to improve their workplace and the industry. These awards are presented annually across the Australian Trucking Association’s Trucking Australia and Technology & Maintenance conferences. 

Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry

The Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry award recognises the commitment of an individual or an organisation to improving the trucking industry through their operation or their contribution to industry activities.

This award is proudly sponsored by BP, National Transport Insurance, and Volvo Trucks.

National Professional Driver of the Year

The National Professional Driver of the Year award recognises the outstanding performance of a professional truck driver, including driving skill, attitude and contribution to industry improvement.

This award is proudly sponsored by BP, National Transport Insurance, and Volvo Trucks.

National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year

The National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year award recognises the strong professional or personal contribution made by a woman within the Australian trucking industry.

This award is proudly sponsored by Cummins South Pacific.

Cummins South Pacific

TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award

The TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award recognises a TruckSafe accredited operator that has implemented and promoted the program in an exceptional fashion. This operator fosters a strong culture of safety in every part of their business.

This award is proudly sponsored by AEI Transport Insurance Brokers.

Don Watson Memorial Award

The Don Watson Memorial Award is presented to an individual who has given conspicuous service to the Australian trucking industry.

The winner is selected from a range of exceptional people who do not need to nominate to be considered.

National Trucking Industry Workforce Award

The National Trucking Industry Workforce Award recognises the strong and ongoing commitment to workplace health and wellbeing by a trucking operator, including initiatives that promote broader workforce recruitment, professional development, and a positive workplace culture.

The winner is selected from a range of exceptional organisations who do not need to nominate to be considered.

This award is proudly sponsored by Teletrac Navman.

Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence

The Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence award recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the workshop by an individual. It celebrates the professionalism of the men and women who work behind the scenes in the trucking industry’s workshops.

This award is proudly sponsored by Castrol.

Castrol Industry Achievment Award

The Castrol Industry Achievement Award recognises technical innovation and achievement within the Australian trucking industry. A recipient of this award will be a group or individual who has developed and implemented new technologies, designs or procedures to improve the industry’s safety, efficiency or productivity. Through their work, a recipient will have demonstrably improved not just their own operations, but also made these improvements available to the industry as a whole.

This award is proudly sponsored by Castrol.

National Training Excellence Award

The National Training Excellence Award recognises transport operators’ pro-active action to improve their organisation’s training strategy, and to improve their safety culture.

Select an award below for more information.

Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry

The National Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry recognises the commitment of an individual or an organisation to improving the trucking industry through their operation or their contribution to industry activities.

ATA Foundation Sponsors

Prize

The winner will receive $5,000 cash, a trophy, and will also be hosted to attend Trucking Australia the following year, including the ATA Foundation Sponsors’ Gala Awards Dinner.

Honour Roll: Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry

2025 Mark Tobin Followmont Transport
2024 Bill Manton Simon National Carriers
2023 Jacquelene Brotherton Transport Women Australia Limited
2022 Phillip Hodges Transport Certification Services
2021 Not awarded
2020 Robert Cavanagh Stockmaster / Cavanagh’s Transport
2019 Leigh Smart Formula Chemicals
2018 Ross Fraser OAM Frasers Livestock Transport
2017 Roger Pickering Pickering Transport Group
2016 Bryan Smith Rocky’s Own Transport
2015 Heather Jones Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls
2014 David Simon Simon National Carriers
2013 Mike Moylan Johnstons Transport
2012 Tony McGrath McGrath Newcastle
2011 Terry & Daphne Nolan Nolan’s Interstate Transport, QLD
2010 Jim Pearson Snr. Jim Pearson Transport
2009 Newcastle and Hunter Region Road Transport Awareness Group
2008 John Kelly
2007 Tony Conlon MJ Conlon & Sons
2006 Kathy Williams Bunker Freight Lines
2005 Brian Bertwistle Toll North
2004 Howard Croxon Croxon Management Solutions
2003 Sam Sali S Sali & Sons
2002 Phil Russell R.B Russell Transport
2001 Ian & Carol Single Single Transport Services
2000 Noel Hoare Noel Hoare Transport
1999 Jim Cooper Gulf Transport
1998 Geoff Rudd G V Rudd Transport
1997 Les & Betty Turner Turner’s Transport
1996 Doug McMillan D & P Haulage
1995 Craig Roseneder Nolan’s Interstate Transport
1994 Peter Rocke Mayne Nickless
National Professional Driver of the Year

The National Professional Driver of the Year Award recognises the outstanding performance of a professional truck driver, including driving skill, attitude and contribution to industry improvement.

ATA Foundation Sponsors

Prize

The winner will receive $5,000 cash and will also be hosted to attend Trucking Australia the following year, including the ATA Foundation Sponsors’ Gala Awards Dinner.

Honour Roll: National Professional Driver of the Year

2025 Brad Train VE Group
2024 Joshua Ulbrich Ross Transport
2023 Steven Broadbent Freestones Transport
2022 Denis Thompson Thompson Removals
2021 Not awarded
2020 Russell Lee Directhaul
2019 Bernard Forssman AFD / Directhaul
2018 Barry Fitzgerald Boral Logistics NSW / ACT
2017 Danial McFee Gilbert’s Transport Services Pty Ltd
2016 Nigel Felton All Purpose Transport
2015 Aaron Busk Tytec Logistics, QLD
2014 Tom Scotney Hardy’s Haulage, QLD
2013 Robert Schalkwyk EnergyTrans, QLD
2012 Willliam Watson Wettenhalls, VIC
2011 John Hastie Blenners Transport, QLD
2010 Simon Wynne
2009 Robert Machin Hawkins Road Transport
2008 Kevin Cartwright Whiteline Transport, SA
2007 Des Docherty Eventrans
2006 Lloyd George G R George,QLD
2005 Des Bailey Herb Blanchard Haulage, NSW
2004 Merryn Edwards Lindsay Bros Transport, QLD
2003 Brian Wettern Wettern Transport Company
2002 Vern Mildren Noelvern Transport
2001 Rod Hannifey Toll Liquid Distribution
2000 Gregory Wells J N Nicholson Transport
1999 Errol Galvin Charter Freightlines
1998 Murray Cooper Direct Fuel Supplies
1997 Lawrence Harding Leighton Contractors
1996 Max Keogh Max Keogh Transport
1995 Barry Roll Kalari Transport Services
1994 Glenn Waterreus Rocky’s Own Transport
National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year

The National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year Award recognises the strong professional or personal contribution made by a woman within the Australian trucking industry.

Sponsor

Prize

A one-week international travel package for the winner and their partner to visit the Cummins factory in the United States. Return airfares, accommodation, transfers and meals to the value of $10,000 + GST are included in the prize package.

The winner will also be hosted to attend Trucking Australia the following year, including the ATA Foundation Sponsors’ Gala Awards Dinner.

Honour Roll: National Australian Trucking Industry Woman of the Year Award

2025 Ann Lopez Lopez Bros Transport
2024 Jenny Fellows Fellows Bulk Transport
2023 Alina Hawkins Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria
2022 Leanne Dyer On The Pads
2021 Not awarded
2020 Roslyn Anderson Wales Truck Repairs
2019 Coralie Chapman Linfox
2018 Belinda Polglase All Purpose Transport
2017 Tracie Dickenson Daryl Dickenson Transport
2016 Melissa Taylor Taylor’s Removals and Storage
2015 Julie Russell RB Russell Transport
2014 Lynne Jack Griffin Motors
2013 Sharon Middleton Whiteline Transport
2012 Rosalind (Roz) Shaw Hawkins Transport
2011 Sharon Kane GMK Logistics, NSW
2010 Jan Pattison Queensland Trucking Association
2009 Carol Single Single Transport Services, QLD
2008 Helen Savage Stockmaster Livestock Transport
2007 Melissa Strong Roadmaster Haulage
2006 Liz Schmidt Schmidt’s Livestock Transport
2005 Marilyn Hams Hams Haulage
2004 Liz Martin National Road Transport Hall of Fame
2003 Merry Manton BHP Steel Logistics
2002 Kaye Whitbread R & K Whitbread Transport
2001 Phyllis Jones NJ & NP Jones
2000 Heather Burdon Argyle Transports
1999 Pam McMillan D & P Haulage
1998 Margaret Quigley John L Pierce
1997 Nola Bransgrove NJ & NF Bransgrove
TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award

The TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award recognises a TruckSafe accredited / certified member that has implemented and promoted the program in an exceptional fashion. This member fosters a strong culture of safety in every part of their business. For more information on this award visit TruckSafe.

Sponsor

Prize

A trophy, media publicity and accolades from the many industry representatives attending the ATA Foundation Sponsors Gala Dinner, where the winner is announced.

Honour Roll: TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award

2025 Jim Pearson Transport, NSW
2024 Marley’s Transport, WA
2023 SeaRoad Logistics Pty Ltd, TAS
2022 A & R Magill Pty Ltd, NSW
2021 Not awarded
2020 SRH Milk Haulage, NSW
2019 Nolan’s Interstate Transport, QLD
2018 JJ Lawson Transport, NSW
2017 Collins Adelaide, SA
2016 Fellows Bulk Transport, NSW
2015 Jim Pearson Transport, NSW
2014 Directhaul, NT
2013 De Gunst Transport, QLD
2012 Cleary Bros Pty Ltd, NSW
2011 Divall’s Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage, NSW
Don Watson Memorial Award

The Don Watson Memorial Award is presented by Noelene Watson to the person who has given conspicuous service to the Australian trucking industry.

The winner is selected from a range of exceptional people who do not need to nominate to be considered. The Don Watson Award is generally awarded to a representative of an industry supplier. In this way, it is differentiated from the award for an Outstanding Contribution, which is awarded to individuals employed in trucking operations or trucking groups.

Don Watson grew up next door to the family’s Golden Fleece Service Station and served petrol and washed the trucks after school. When he took over the trucking business from his father, he grew the business from a livestock carrier to a refrigerated transport business. Don was dedicated to giving back to the industry he loved.

He promoted the need for associations which would bring like-minded people together. Outside work, Don raced cars. He drove Porsches, Group E Production Sedans and Group A Touring Cars.

The industry lost a great advocate and mate in Don Watson when he was competing at the 1994 Bathurst one-thousand touring car races.

Prize

A trophy, media publicity and accolades from the many industry representatives attending the ATA Foundations Sponsors Gala Dinner at the ATA’s annual national conference, Trucking Australia, where the winner is announced.

Honour Roll: Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry

2025 Kathy Williams AM Past ATA Chair
2024 Denis Robertson Past ATA Chair
2023 Ron Finemore AO Ron Finemore Transport
2022 Darren Nolan Nolan’s Interstate Transport
2021 Not awarded
2020 Not awarded
2019 Not awarded
2018 Frances Ross R & A Ross Transport
2017 Ray Ablett Abletts Transport
2016 Doug McMillan D & P Haulage
2015 Paul ‘Harro’ Harrison Paul Harrison Transport
2014 Tim Wedlock Austbrokers AEI
2013 Simon Skazlic K & S Freighters
2012 Not awarded
2011 Peter Armstrong Prime Media Magazine
2010 Mario Colosimo BPW Transpec
2009 Ross McDonald Cummins South Pacific
2008 Peter Rocke Peter Rocke & Associates
2007 Andrew Wright Paccar and Kenworth brand
2006 Owen Driscoll NTI
2005 Max Winkless Max Winkless Transport
2004 Peter Lawrence Thermo King
2003 Stephen Brown 1st Fleet
2002 Bridgestone Australia & South Pacific Tyres
2001 Des Ind K & S Corporation
2000 Bruce McKee International Trucks
1999 Ron Jowett Isuzu
1998 Legh Winser K & S Corporation
1997 Bram Van der Schaar Volvo Trucks Australia
1996 Volvo Trucks Australia, International Trucks Australia and Mercedes Benz Australia
1995 Chris Davies
National Trucking Industry Workforce Award

The National Trucking Industry Workforce Award recognises the strong and ongoing commitment to workplace health and wellbeing by a trucking operator, including initiatives that promote broader workforce recruitment, professional development, and a positive workplace culture.

Sponsor

Prize

A $7K prize package that can be used towards:

  • training, expansion, recruitment or employee well-being programs
  • business services for free or discounted professional services (e.g. HR consulting, legal advice, marketing support)
  • professional certification or training to boost employees’ skills.

Honour Roll: National Trucking Industry Workforce Award

2025 Border Crane Consultants, VIC
Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence

The Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence award recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the workshop by an individual. It celebrates the professionalism of the men and women who work behind the scenes in the trucking industry’s workshops.

Sponsor

Prize

A fully paid trip to the US, to attend the US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition including:

  • Return economy airfares to the US
  • Full registration to attend the US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition
  • 5 nights premium conference accommodation
  • Partners’ program registration (if applicable)
  • Complimentary registration to the next ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference
  • AUD $1,500 spending money

Honour Roll: Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence

2024 John Jenkin Tatiara Trucks & Trailers
2023 Shane Pendergast Air Brake Systems
2022 Jason Button CHS Broadbent
2021 Not awarded
2020 Dennis Roohan AJM Transport
2019 Jason Barry Border Crane Consultants
2018 Tony Wright Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage
2017 Mark Collins Frasers Livestock Transport
2016 Cade Robinson Borg’s Manufacturing
2015 Damien Allison De Bruyn’s Transport
2014 Glenn Griffiths Ron Finemore Transport
2013 Wayne Merrick Boral Logistics
2012 John Schulze FBT Transwest
2011 Brian Murphy DirectHaul, NT
2010 Graham Nash Mountain Industries, NSW
2009 Merv Rowlands Boral Transport
2008 Tony Rawson Brisbane City Council
2007 Jeff Chandler Bunker Freight Lines
2006 Wally Cox Wimmera Truck & Bus
2005 Robert Braunberger Toll North Equipment
2004 Stephen Purser SX Trailers
2003 Lance Fisher J L Pierce Transport
2002 Alan Bold Managed Fleet Maintenance
2001 Robert Boer K&S Freighters
2000 Brian Fettell Australia Post
1999 Brian Layton Cootes Holdings
1998 Val Gomez Bunker Freight Lines
Castrol Industry Achievement Award

The Castrol Industry Achievement Award recognises technical innovation and achievement within the Australian trucking industry. A recipient of this award will be a group or individual who has developed and implemented new technologies, designs or procedures to improve the industry’s safety, efficiency or productivity. Through their work, a recipient will have demonstrably improved not just their own operations, but also made these improvements available to the industry as a whole.

Sponsor

Prize

A trophy, a complimentary registration to the next ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference, media publicity and accolades from the many industry representatives attending the Technology and Maintenance Conference, where the winner is announced.

Honour Roll: Castrol Industry Achievement Award

2024 Callum Boyce Bisitecniks
2023 Ian Thomson BPW Transpec
2022 Greg Brown MaxiPARTS
2021 Not awarded
2020 ITC Converter Dolly Project Supply Partners
2019 Phil Webb PACCAR Australia (retired)
2018 Trevor Dickson PACCAR Parts Australia
2017 Les Bruzsa National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
2016 David Coonan
2015 Tim Giles
2014 Bob Woodward
2013 Bob Pearson Pearson’s Transport Research Centre
National Training Excellence Award

The National Training Excellence Award recognises transport operators’ pro-active action to improve their organisation’s training strategy, and to improve their safety culture.

Prize

  1. Prize includes trophy, certificate and media release.
  2. $5K cash prize that may be used towards:
    • staff training in a technical, non-technical or physical or mental wellbeing area
    • a business services package with a staff training consultancy or other training-related package.
    • employee training incentives
  3. Promotion through the ATA’s owned and earned media (website, social media, Friday Facts newsletter and the trucking industry press)

Honour Roll: National Training Excellence Award

2024 Frasers Livestock Transport & South East Queensland Hauliers
2023 CMV Truck & Bus
2022 Followmont Transport
2021 Not awarded
2020 Chemtrans
2019 Australian Furniture Removers Association
2018 Brown & Hurley
2017 De Bruyn’s Transport
2016 All Purpose Transport
2015 QLD GenR8 program members (QTA)
2014 Toll Mining Services, WA
2013 Not awarded
2012 Star Track Pty Ltd
2011 Women Take the Wheel Program
2010 Get into Transport & Logistics (Road Transport) Program, QLD
2009 NQX Freight System, QLD
2008 WA Freight Group
2007 Not Awarded
2006 Border Express, NSW
2005 K & S Corporation, Vic