The Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland (LRTAQ) has named Damian Swalling of Swalling Livestock Transport as the winner of its 2021 Young Person in Transport Award.
LRTAQ says the initiative was developed to recognise and acknowledge the contribution younger transport workers make to the sustainability of the industry.
Member businesses were encouraged to recognise excellence in their workplace and nominate outstanding individuals for this award earlier this year.
Swalling was named as the winner on the weekend, at the LRTAQ Annual Conference in Roma, which this year celebrated its 40th anniversary.
He is a senior driver, fleet maintenance manager and 2IC in his family-owned transport business Swalling Livestock Transport.
After completing a school-based apprenticeship with Byrne Trailers as a boiler maker and learning his trade, Swalling joined the family business, honing in on his passion for truck driving and carting cattle.
In announcing his win on social media, LRTAQ wrote, “Damian is respected by his work mates, who can count on him as someone to jump in and lend a hand to get the job done safely and efficiently. He is held in high regard by all companies using Swallings for sub-contracting services – knowing well that while Damian is on the job or close by it will get done right.”
LRTAQ also congratulated each of the award finalists: Jack Mailman (Martins Stock Haulage), James Scott (Scotts Haulage), Axel Oppermann (Oppermann and Sons Transport), Daniel Steel (Stockyard Transport Pty Ltd) and Jack Uebergang (Frasers Livestock Transport).