Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) honoured the winners of its 2022 National Awards during a special gala dinner in Brisbane last Friday, November 25.
The evening signified a long-awaited return for the event, which hosted a full house and gave the heavy vehicle industry a chance to come together and celebrate.
At the event, HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking said, “Tonight is about you – our members – it is an opportunity to celebrate your achievements, your innovations, your commitment to community, your focus on safety both within your workplaces and in terms of the equipment and technology you supply.
“It’s an opportunity for us to continue to reflect on the importance of our industry and the work that you do each day. This is not just about getting up and going to work each day, it is about ensuring that freight continues to be delivered.”
Several awards were presented on the night. Taking the honours for the Product Innovation Award was Knorr-Bremse for its iMass product, a TCA Category B Certified SMART On Board Mass (OBM) System, which the company developed locally in Australia.
iMass utilises the already existing mass output from Knorr-Bremse Trailer EBS (Electronic Brake System), eliminating the need for additional trailer hardware and simplifying the product offering. In the prime mover, a user-friendly Driver Interface Unit (DIU) allows live mass display and troubleshooting for the Prime mover and any connected trailers.
Taking out the Safety Innovation Award was Scania Australia for its Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) Safety Management System (SMS). It’s designed to ensure employees have a safe work system when interacting with electric vehicles. Scania’s BEV safety structure details responsibilities against each staffing level within Scania Australia.
Scania has also invested in mobile gantries to permit safe access the batteries and electrical isolation points on the roof of Scania BEV buses, which protect the employee from falling from a height, and which have been designed and manufactured to protect against electric shock.
Penske Australia received the Community Leadership Award for Outback Futures, a not-for-profit organisation whose mission it is to nurture and empower the outback by renewing hope, building resilience and strengthening community.
Outback Futures routinely deploys teams of qualified practitioners to provide much-needed mental health and allied services to people living in remote western Queensland that would otherwise be inaccessible to these communities.
Brown and Hurley’s Hunter Tapping was named National Apprentice of the Year. From a young age, he liked working with his hands, so when the opportunity came up to work with Brown and Hurley, he jumped at the chance. His employer says he has been dedicated to being the best apprentice he can be throughout his apprenticeship.
Runner-up in the apprentice category was James Cohen-Campbell of MaxiTRANS. He was nominated by his employer for his outstanding attitude, work ethic and high level of skill. “James is already a highly valued member of our team, and once he has finished his apprenticeship, he is someone we will encourage to progress in a leadership pathway,” they said.
While Thomas Baggaley of CMV Truck & Bus was honoured with the Peter Langworthy Future Leader Award. He joined the company in 2018 to begin his apprenticeship and since completing it, has demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm for mentoring other young people. He is now team leader of a CMV dealership, where he positively influences senior technicians and young apprentices.
“I’m so proud to be a small part of this industry as it is indeed the central nervous system for the entire economy,” said Hacking.
“You are all celebrated because you are all demonstrating through actions, what it means to be an effective, responsible participant in an effective, responsible industry.”