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Truck tech professionals honoured: 2020 Craig Roseneder award finalists

16 November 2020
Three exceptional workshop professionals have been named finalists for the Australian Trucking Association’s 2020 Craig Roseneder Award, recognising their technical and maintenance excellence in the trucking industry’s workshops. 
 
Jason Button (CHS Broadbent, Wendouree VIC), Phil Cook (Whiteline Transport, Greenfields SA), and Dennis Roohan (AJM Transport, Beresfield NSW) were selected as finalists for their dedication to industry improvement and technical skills. 
 
“For more than 20 years, the Craig Roseneder award has highlighted the outstanding calibre of the professional men and women who work behind the scenes in Australia’s trucking workshops,” ATA Chair David Smith said.  
 
“Jason, Phil and Dennis have each demonstrated strong technical skill and a dedication to our industry that goes above and beyond,” he said.  
 
Proudly sponsored by Castrol Vecton, the award winner will receive a fully paid trip to the US to attend a US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition including full registration, partners’ program, return airfares and accommodation, AUD $1,500 spending money and complimentary registration to the next in-person ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference. 
 
“2020 has been a challenging year, and it has never been more important to recognise those who work behind the scenes to keep our industry and Australia moving,” Mr Smith said. 
 
“I congratulate our award finalists and commend all award nominees for the important work they do,” he said.  
 
The winner of the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award will be announced on Tuesday 24 November on the Castrol Vecton Awards live broadcast, part of the TMC Online conference.  
 
“The awards ceremony will be broadcast online for free, and I encourage all industry members to join us as we celebrate industry excellence,” Mr Smith said.  
 
 
Details of the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award finalists are below. 
 
 
 
Jason Button 
CHS Broadbent, Wendouree VIC 
 
Jason started his career in the transport industry more than 30 years ago and has since worked as an auto electrician, a qualified diesel mechanic and has run maintenance operations on transport for more than 10 years, working on truck and dogs and interstate transport. Jason is also an active member of the ATA’s Industry Technical Council. 
 
At CHS Broadbent, Jason runs a maintenance team of 10 staff and leads with a strong focus on learning, development, process, innovation and safety. Jason has high professional standards and, pre-COVID19, arranged for company suppliers and partners to visit the workshop to demonstrate best practice processes. This has continued during COVID19 through electronic platforms, as Jason’s key focus is ensuring the team and partners are providing the relevant training and best work practices in a safe environment.  
 
In his time at CHS Broadbent, Jason has transformed workflow management, implementing an automated safety management system that has seen the company achieve a ISO45001 standard and reduce truck downtime by 50 per cent. Jason is a key representative for OH&S initiatives and has excellent safety practices in place which are supported by daily toolbox talks. Under Jason’s leadership, there has been no lost time injuries in the workshop for many years.  
 
Well respected by colleagues, management and the wider industry, Jason is known for his interpersonal approach and passion for innovation, people and safety – something that has cemented his statesman reputation and impeccable staff retention.  
 
 
Phil Cook 
Whiteline Transport, Greenfields SA 
 
Phil is Workshop Manager at Whiteline Transport and has been with the company for 20 years. Maintaining 35 linehaul trucks and more than 100 pieces of trailing equipment, utes, forklifts and local vehicles, Phil is well-known for his dedication to his work and willingness to share his knowledge with others. 
 
Phil is an extremely dedicated and effective manager, in constant contact with drivers who are travelling one of the most challenging and remote routes – the Nullabor to Perth. Phil is often required to diagnose on-road issues over the phone and determine whether a driver can be talked through a fix or if a call-out is needed.  
 
Over the past 12 months Phil has been instrumental in a major refurbishment of the Whiteline Transport Adelaide workshop and is always looking for ways to improve safety and productivity. Phil has engineered several devices including a road train dolly landing leg, a modified trailer tyre carrier, T-bar locking bars and a dolly locking mechanism. Phil has also designed kits for Whiteline drivers for use in remote places that include fittings, plugs and screws should they run into trouble.    
 
Phil is actively involved in daily compliance procedures and has a strong understanding of heavy vehicle accreditation schemes, as well as the importance of thorough and accurate reporting. Phil was a finalist for the 2019 Craig Roseneder Award, recognising his technical and maintenance expertise and dedication to the role. 
 
 
Dennis Roohan 
AJM Transport, Beresfield NSW 
 
Dennis is General Manager of AJM Transport, overseeing 150 pieces of equipment and 100 staff members. Dennis has been involved in the transport industry for more than 25 years, starting an apprenticeship in 1994 with John Farragher Transport Group in his hometown of Newcastle. Just months after completing his apprenticeship, Dennis’ knowledge, ability and leadership qualities saw him promoted as the company’s fleet maintenance manager. 
 
In his time at AJM Transport, Dennis’ fleet management has seen the company’s uptime rise to 99 per cent per month, reduced vehicle defect numbers by more than 73 per cent, led the charge for AJM Transport into PBS units, rolled out a new GPS system and a specialised workshop software package, and is currently in the process of enabling the Seeing Machines system in the fleet. 
 
During his career, Dennis has employed approximately 20 apprentices and believes the secret to developing hard workers and building team learning is proper mentoring and development opportunities. Dennis is well-known for his expert technical knowledge and hands-on approach to workshop management. 
 
Dennis is Vice Chair of the ATA’s Industry Technical Council, joining the council more than 15 years ago. Dennis is Chair of the ITC Productivity sub-committee and an active member of the General Working Group. In 2018, Dennis was a finalist for the Craig Roseneder Award.