The Australian Trucking Association has today announced the three finalists for the 2013 Craig Roseneder Award.
The Craig Roseneder Award recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the workshop by an individual, and celebrates the professionalism of the men and women who work behind the scenes in the trucking industry’s workshops.
ATA Chairman David Simon said nominees for the award needed to have at least five years of experience in their field and a high level of skill, aptitude and dedication to the industry.
“The 2012 winner of the award was John Schulze, who was at the time the Mechanical Services Manager of FBT Transwest in Victoria. He had been with FBT Transwest since he was an apprentice motor mechanic, and in that time had developed unique processes and equipment, including a quad axle side loader,” Mr Simon said.
“The three finalists for the 2013 award are all outstanding, and have all demonstrated a high level of expertise and professionalism.”
The 2013 Craig Roseneder finalists are:
• Tony Hardman (South West Freight, Mt Gambier, SA)
• Laeton Hardy (Hardy’s Haulage, Pottsville, NSW)
• Wayne Merrick (Boral Logistics, Prestons, NSW)
The winner of the 2013 award will receive a trip to the American Trucking Associations’ 2014 Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee and $A1,500 in spending money.
The winner will also receive complimentary registration to the Australian trucking industry’s premier technical event for 2014, the 2014 PACCAR and Dealer TMC, presented by the ATA and the Australian Road Transport Suppliers’ Association.
The award winner will be announced on Monday 28 October 2013 at the Castrol Vecton Awards Dinner, part of the 2013 PACCAR and Dealer TMC. To purchase a ticket for the dinner or to register for TMC2013, visit www.truck.net.au/tmc.
2013 CRAIG ROSENEDER AWARD FINALISTS
Tony Hardman – South West Freight
Mt Gambier, SA
Tony is the Maintenance Manager of South West Freight, which is based in Mt Gambier and operates 30 prime movers. Under Tony’s leadership, South West Freight has switched from reacting to maintenance problems to emphasising preventative maintenance and servicing – every service at South West Freight is a roadworthy. Tony also has a strong commitment to staff training and safety, with regular toolbox meetings and courses in welding, gearbox programming and other skills. South West Freight was a finalist for the 2013 TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award. Tony’s meticulous approach to maintenance was one of the reasons the judging panel recognised the company as one of best TruckSafe accredited businesses in Australia.
Laeton Hardy – Hardy’s Haulage
Pottsville, NSW
Laeton grew up around trucks, front end loaders and farm tractors. As a result, no-one was surprised when he started as an apprentice mechanic at Hardy’s Haulage straight after finishing year 10. Laeton is now the company’s General Manager and Workshop Manager. He insists on the highest technical and maintenance standards, with new equipment undergoing up to three weeks of improvements – such as the installation of safety steps – before it enters service. Laeton’s expertise means he is also able to offer insightful suggestions to his equipment suppliers. A number of his proposals have become standard or optional across the Kenworth range: most notably, his proposal that all electrical relays and circuit breakers should be relocated to one central and easily accessible location behind the dash in the cab.
Wayne Merrick – Boral Logistics
Prestons, NSW
Wayne is the NSW Senior Asset Supervisor for Boral Logistics, and is responsible for managing the complete lifecycle of 130 trucks and more than 300 trailers. It is said in the industry that he could rebuild a truck himself from the crankshaft up. In his role, he has introduced a number of important safety features to the Boral fleet, including tailgate lock indicators for tipper bins and LED undersill door lights. As well as supervising Boral’s own vehicles, Wayne is responsible for ensuring that the trucks and trailers used by the 93 hauliers and 32 owner drivers that work for Boral in NSW are safe and roadworthy. As a result of Wayne’s efforts, Boral Logistics NSW can be proud of the quality of the vehicles it has on the road.
