Flappers, cloches and dropped waist dresses were par for the course at the San Remo Ball Room in Melbourne last night as the Australian Trucking Association celebrated its annual awards.
The night’s host, comedian Peter Rowsthorn (think Brett from Kath & Kim) kept proceedings on track while the sounds of the double bass leading the smooth jazz tunes matched the room’s stunning chandeliers and captured the fun of a bygone era.
The evening marked the end of the two-day 2025 Technical Maintenance Conference held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, and offered the chance to shine a spotlight on those doing great work in the industry.
Four judges, former ATA Chair David Smith, Castrol Australia Commercial Manager Vanda Power, PAACAR Australia Technical Sales Manager Trevor Dickson and NHVR Senior Safety and Compliance Officer Kirstie Matthews had the unenviable task of narrowing down the field to pick three winners on the night.
The Awards up for grabs were the National Training and Excellence Award, The Craig Roseneder Award for Technical Maintenance and Excellence and the Castrol Industry Achievement Award.
Three finalists were named in the training category – Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage from Goulburn, Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Group from Wonthella, Western Australia, and Stef’s Transport from Millicent in South Australia. The win went to Divall’s.
Accepting the award on behalf of the company, Divall’s Training Manager Matt Ralph thanked his team.
“I’d like to acknowledge our workshops, our transport departments and training staff. We have a lot of dedicated mentors. We’re totally focused on our training goals and we think it’s the future of the industry,” Ralph said.
The finalists for the Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence Award were Chris Montgomery from CMV Truck and Bus, Derrimut, Victoria, Scott Gardiner from Australia Post Group, Chullora, NSW and Thomas Kenny from Multiquip, Oran Park, NSW.
Gardiner took the win in recognition of his more than 30 years of work in the Australian transport industry that has seen him rise from the workshop floor to his current role as National Fleet and Equipment Policy, Regulatory Compliance and Reporting Manager for StarTrack and Australia Post.
An excited Gardiner was surprised by his win.
“Couple of call outs here – Judy, my wife, who’s come down from Sydney to take the take the punt. The last thing I won was $14 on Powerball, So, thanks.
“And just the support from the from the business on the nomination. Super excited to have one of our senior leaders here tonight, and so very appreciative of you taking the time and doing it. So, thank you, everybody.”
Introducing the Industry Achievement Award Castrol’s Vanda Power said it was created to celebrate outstanding technical innovation within the Australian Trucking Association and to recognise individuals or teams who have developed and implemented pioneering techniques, systems or practices that enhance safety and productivity and efficiency.
“The individual we honor tonight has made contributions that extend beyond their own organisation, sharing their work for the advancement of the wider industry,” Power said.
“So, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I announce the recipient of this year’s Castrol Industry Achievement Award as Christopher Loose.”
A humble Loose, a “retired” engineer who consults with the ATA, was quick to share the glory of his win.
“I’d have to say that one thing about my success is to be honest, on a good day, I knew something. On a typical day, I knew who to call, and if I didn’t know who to call, I knew who to call, who knew who to call,” he said.
Loose also said now might be the time for him to truly retire.
In his final words on the night ATA Chair Mark Parry reminded the crowd that next year’s ATA Trucking Australia conference was already being planned for June with Hamilton Island as the chosen venue for the event.