Nominations for the 2013 National Trucking Industry Awards are now open. These prestigious awards honour the commitment and achievements of individuals and organisations in all fields of endeavour throughout the road freight transport industry.

The awards will be presented on Friday 21 June at Trucking Australia 2013 on Hamilton Island. This tropical island will play host to the industry’s night of nights, sponsored by the ATA’s Foundation Sponsors: BP Australia, National Transport Insurance and Volvo Group Australia.

The awards now open for nominations are:

• Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry;
• National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year; and
• National Professional Driver of the Year.

Nominations must be received by Wednesday 1 May 2013.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Trucking Association, Stuart St Clair, said the awards recognised some of the most committed individuals and businesses in the industry.

“The honour roll of the National Trucking Industry Awards showcases some of our best and brightest – those who have dedicated themselves to improving the safety, professionalism and viability of our industry,” Mr St Clair said.

“The standards for these awards are incredibly high, with the winners going above and beyond the requirements of their work. For example, William Watson, the 2012 winner of the Professional Driver of the Year Award, has over 50 years of accident-free driving to his credit – a testament to his ongoing dedication to safety and professionalism on the road.  

“With travel packages and cash prizes to be won, it’s definitely worth nominating someone for the National Trucking Industry Awards. But the value of these awards is much greater than the prize alone.”

John Schulze, winner of the 2012 Craig Roseneder Award, said winning one of the awards gave the winner an incentive to retain their high standards, as well as giving others a reason to aspire to those levels.

“To get an award like this and be recognised by the industry is great. These are your peers. It’s great that they have faith in you and the work that you do,” Mr Schulze said.

The Don Watson Memorial Award and the TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award will also be presented at the awards ceremony. The Craig Roseneder Award will be presented in October. Nominations for this award close on 20 September.