Award Recipients – L-R: Robert Massey (Recycal, TWUSUPER Every Day Hero), Denis West (NTI Industry Achievement), Thomas Dalmazzo (Veolia), Michelle Harwood (TTA), Dean Young MP (Member for Franklin), Kady Morgan (Gasllagher Young Achiever), Chris Dickinson (Veolia), Jess Hutchinson (TasRail), John de Bruyn (TTA Chair, MD De Bruyn’s Transport), Leigh Gangell (SeaRoad Logistics, TWUSUPER Every Day Hero), Belinda Clear (SeaRoad Logistics, AEI Safety, Quality & Environment), Nick Sherry (Chairman, TWUSUPER), Paul Kelleher (SRT Logistics – NTI Professional Driver).
The Tasmanian Transport Association is the peak industry body representing freight transport employers across modes in Tasmania.
Chairman John de Bruyn and the Board of Directors welcomed 230 guests to the Tasmanian Transport Association’s Gala Dinner & Awards Night, held Saturday evening at Wrest Point, Hobart. Amongst those attending were Tasmanian Liberal Member for Franklin Dean Young MP, Independent Chairman of TWUSUPER Nick Sherry, CEO of the NHVR Sal Petroccitto OAM, Vice Chair of Transport Women Australia Coralie Chapman, CEO of the Australian Trucking Association Mat Munro, CEO of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association Rachel Smith.
The 2023 Tasmanian Transport Industry Achievement Awards were a highlight, with TTA Chairman John de Bruyn and Executive Director Michelle Harwood extending congratulations to nominees and award recipients. “We congratulate those businesses and individuals who were recognised this evening for their outstanding contribution and commitment to professionalism and safety of the Tasmanian transport industry”, said Mr de Bruyn.
The Gallagher 2023 Transport Industry Young Achiever Award was conferred on two outstanding industry young achievers – Jessica Hutchinson and Kady Morgan.
Kady Morgan is a Freight Clerk with SRT Logistics at the Brighton Depot. Kady completed a Schools Based Apprenticeship with SRT Logistics as her host employer – achieving her Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations whilst also completing Year 10 at New Norfolk High School. Her trainer and assessor states that Kady was a quick learner, who worked across all areas of the business at SRT Logistics. On completion of Year 10 and her apprenticeship, Kady was offered and accepted full time work at SRT Logistics, where she is a highly valued member of the team.
Jess Hutchinson is a Train Driver Level 1 with TasRail. Jess was a successful applicant in the 2021 trainee rail operator cohort at the Brighton site, leaving a logistics role in a DC. Jess quickly picked up the rail operator requirements, gained her qualifications, and continues to excel at TasRail. Her achievement as a Level 1 train driver in October this year is seen as remarkable progress given the extent of training and engagement required. Jess currently manages trains between Boyer in the south and the TasRail Western Junction site, and has demonstrated an impeccable safety record. Jess is regarded as a person who demonstrates the values of TasRail, is safe, reliable, innovative and focussed, with a drive to succeed.
In presenting the award, William Unger and Ben Steicke of Gallagher said:
“We are sure that you will agree, both of these nominees are of outstanding quality, and we have decided to recognise both Kady and Jess, and award both the 2023 Gallagher Young Achiever Award. Please join us in extending our Congratulations Jess, Kady and to TasRail and SRT Logistics, for supporting these amazing young people.”
The AEI Transport Insurance Brokers Award for Safety, Quality and Environment was awarded to SeaRoad Logistics.
SeaRoad Logistics has a proud history in safety, quality and environmental practices, with a high level of compliance evident across all of their operations, and a deep commitment within SeaRoad’s team. SeaRoad is accredited to the TruckSafe transport industry safety scheme and has programs to manage load restraint, mass, fatigue, speed, dangerous goods transportation and delivery. Drivers complete comprehensive medicals including optional full body skin checks, and the business has an open-door approach and working consultation processes across all depots and health and safety committees. SeaRoad has a strong working relationship with Biosecurity Tasmania– contributing to Tasmania’s overall biosecurity. The nomination was endorsed by SeaRoad customers, with affirmation of support for SeaRoad’s diligent transport of ‘high consequence goods’ including dangerous goods and food products, with one customer advising that during their 20 year partnership there had been zero recordable incidents, loss of containment or injuries.
In presenting the award, Jordan Caleo of AEI Insurance Broking Group said:
“SeaRoad Logistics was the recipient of the John Kelly Memorial Truck Safe Award in 2023 – a prestigious National award recognising the commitment and achievement of the business to safety, quality and environment. We are delighted that SeaRoad Logistics is the very worthy recipient of the 2023 AEI Transport Insurance Brokers Safety, Quality and Environment Award. “
Denis West received the NTI Industry Achievement Award.
In presenting the award, Tasmanian Business Development Manager of NTI, Shane Fairhall observed:
“Since his first driving role in the 1970’s, Denis has had a long and successful career in the Tasmanian Transport Industry and has spent most of that time supporting others to develop their skills and knowledge to make professional contributions to the industry.
Denis finished School at the Hagley Farm School in Grade 9 to work on the family farm at Westbury. His first driving role was in the early 1970’s and from 1979, Denis worked with United Milk Tasmania, driving trucks for the farm milk pick up and delivery to various factories before transitioning to Linfox in 1986. With Linfox, Denis continued with farm milk pick up and delivery until 1992, when he was appointed Assistant Trainer with Linfox, responsible for in cabin assessments, induction of all employees, delivery of bulk grading courses, and employment of new personnel. In 2000, Denis was appointed Driver Trainer within the Linfox Learning and Development function.
In this role, he completed the training to become an accredited heavy vehicle driving instructor.
From 2006 until his retirement this year, Denis has provided heavy vehicle driver licence training and assessment services, in cabin mentor training, pre-employment appraisals and has been a mentor to hundreds in the Tasmanian industry. Denis’ high standards of personal presentation and conduct, highly developed interpersonal skills; calm nature and his friendly and unassuming disposition have been critical factors to his success as a driver trainer.
Denis is also a well-known and well-regarded member of the broader Tasmanian community through his recreational fishing and boating interests.”
Paul Kelleher’s outstanding safety and professionalism behind the wheel of SRT’s PBS A-Doubles and supporting other drivers were recognised in receiving the NTI 2023 Professional Driver of the Year Award, presented by Shane Fairhall.
Paul is a Multi Combination Driver who has been with SRT Logistics since 2017. His standard work involves running PBS A-Doubles into TRDC, between Hobart and Launceston, and store deliveries at either end of the day. Paul has exceptional customer service skills. His safety and professional record is outstanding with no breaches, traffic offences, incidents or accidents in his time with SRT. Recently, Paul has played a key role in mentoring and leadership with the integration of the PBS Level 3, 34 metre A-Doubles into the SRT Fleet. He has worked closely with the compliance team, DC staff, major receivers and the telematic service providers to address any issues along the way. Paul has provided familiarisation training for SRT drivers in the Melbourne DC and ensured the smooth operation of the A-Double fleet between Melbourne and Sydney. His natural charm, positive attitude and industry knowledge is welcomed and appreciated by all.
SRT Logistics, who took out the National Woolworths Carrier of the Year Award 2023, regards Paul as a highly professional driver, always fit for duty, who presents well, manages fatigue and fatigue management well whilst at work and on days off. He has completed internal SRT Logistics inductions, reinductions, workplace mental health and wellbeing programs, and workplace equality training.
In presenting the award for NTI, Mr Fairhall said “you are regarded as a true gentleman and we thank you Paul for conducting your work with pride and professionalism, we appreciate the work that you do.”
Veolia Environmental Services was recognised for a range of initiatives designed to increase diversity and inclusion within their business, including their highly successful Women in Wheels program. The award was accepted by the HR Manager Thomas Dalmazzo, and presented by Steven Dietrich of TasRail.
The Veolia Women In Wheels Program was developed in response to Veolia’s challenge to attract and recruit drivers in Tasmania. The program was trialled in-house with a current female driver, to test and refine the content and approach, before the opportunity was advertised, calling for females to apply – no experience needed. From 70 applicants, 6 women were appointed, with a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences, including aged care work, and mothers returning to work. The trainees were employed with the opportunity to complete training in industry topics including Chain of Responsibility, Fatigue Management, heavy vehicle driver licensing, and across the full range of Veolia induction and internal business operations. Except for the heavy vehicle driver licence assessments, the entire program was provided in-house. A feature of this development program was creating opportunities for the trainees to engage in structured networking with key people across Veolia operational areas, including operations, sales, customer service, and IT. Veolia kept everyone across the business informed about the program and progress through weekly internal news updates. Following the success of this program in Tasmania, Veolia has run further programs in Tasmania and both regional and metropolitan Victoria, and is confident that the approach is supporting the business to implement the diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
In presenting the award for TasRail, Mr Dietrich observed that “Veolia’s Women in Wheels program was exciting, well developed, and highly successful. It is clear that there was a great sense of energy and engagement both from the participants and key internal business stakeholders. From a pilot program in Tasmania, the business has now extended this approach to other sites across Australia. Congratulations on these positive steps to expand diversity and inclusion across your business.”
Leigh Gangell (SeaRoad Logistics) and Robert Massey (Recycal) were recognised for their contribution through the TWUSUPER Transport Every Day Hero Awards. In announcing the awards, Independent Chairman of TWUSUPER, Mr Nick Sherry, said:
“This Award recognises those “quiet achievers” in transport; the hard working, reliable people who are the backbone of our industry. The behind-the-scenes contribution by people in transport to the daily successes of businesses. The people who make it happen, and who are often taken for granted until they are not there one day, and things don’t just flow. There are so many of them – schedulers, operations staff, admin staff, forkies, loaders, team leaders, in the warehouses, rail yards, ports, shipping operations and road transport depots right across the industry.”
Leigh Gangell – SeaRoad Logistics
“One Man we can’t do without” – this is how Leigh Gangell is described. Leigh is the Operations Supervisor at the SeaRoad Devonport Logistics Depot. In this role, he oversees the entire operation and is a supervisor, mentor, and support to SeaRoad employees. He is passionate about moving freight and moving it safely. Leigh has played a large part in the safety and quality systems of SeaRoad, ensuring that compliance is maintained and that people across all areas including dangerous goods and quarantine are supported to develop their skills and knowledge to work safely. Leigh is a valued member of SeaRoad’s Health & Safety Committee and a member of the Emergency preparedness team. Leigh is a proud SeaRoad employee and has been for most of his working life.
In the words of his peers: “If we need something done, he is the go-to person, and treats the business like it is his own, with passion.”
Robert Massey – Recycal
“He goes over and above every day. He’s got his finger on the pulse everywhere, making sure everything happens” is how Rob Massey’s peers describe him.
A jack of all trades who has learnt everything in his role from the ground up, Rob started with Recycal, as a driver. Since then he learnt the business across different areas, and has been on the journey of the business as it has grown from a small factory in Youngtown to the modern metal recycling operation it is today. In a day Robert typically organises the drivers, trucks and their runs, and takes on additional roles including mass management, door trade, oversees container loading and documentation, WHS, first aid, staff well-being, office staff, working with reps for new clients, organising licences, passes and accommodation for long-haul drivers. He has been heavily involved in the establishment of the business’ PBS fleet.