Regional fuel distributor and transporter Lowes Petroleum has celebrated its top performing drivers through its annual Professional Driver Awards.
Lowes employs over 250 drivers across the country, delivering millions of litres of fuel a year to regional Australia.
This is the fifth year the company has held these awards.
General Manager of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Bernie Morris said that while all company drivers made a commitment to best-practice standards, it was important to recognise those going above and beyond in their day-to-day deliveries.
Measures such as drive-cam reviews and fatigue-management compliance were incorporated into the judging criteria.
“Our Professional Driver Awards also shine a light on the commitment of the drivers working to the betterment of the trucking industry as a profession,” Bernie said. “They put in long hours and face the realities of rural roads, along with interacting with our customers, so they are very much ambassadors for our company.”
Drivers are nominated by their peers across the 500 plus staff with nominations more than tripling since the awards began in 2021, recognising drivers from the five business regions.
Hillston driver Chris Rhodes (Hillston depot) received an honourable mention in 2022, but took top honours this year, being named Professional Driver for region four.
“I was very happy to win the award. I do like to go above and beyond – doing things outside just my truck driving,” Chris said.
“I love driving. I enjoy meeting the customers and if there’s time have a chat, but I really love that the land is always changing. There’s always something new to see, so it’s never boring. This crop might be ready for harvest, or another paddock might have planting underway – it’s great to see.”
Going above and beyond in his work, Chris has even been helicoptered across flood waters, to take over from another driver to ensure fuel continues to be delivered, and local farmers were able to continue operating when roads were cut for a month.
Winner for region one was Lincoln Moloney (Cairns depot). He began in rigids in 1996 and upgraded to his HC in 2001.
Driving for Lowes, he now covers some of the state’s most remote routes supplying fuel to distant cattle stations and western service towns along with airports in the Far North, often navigating long and isolated runs.
His calm professionalism and safety focus that have become his trademark.
“I also deliver aviation fuels, Jet A-1, to Cooktown and then further north towards the Cape to Coen,” Lincoln said.
“Delivering aviation fuel is more involved than ground fuels. There’s lots of checks and balances, dedicated equipment (barrels, hoses and fittings) and extra training involved. We often must test the product when we load it out at the terminal.”
Travelling tens of thousands of kilometres a year, Lincoln says he loves his job and was
“gobsmacked” to receive the award.
“Usually, I’m not lost for words and say what I say, but this time my tongue was stuck in my mouth. On any given day I could be heading inland to Croydon or Hughenden, north to Weipa and Cooktown and Coen.
“I get to be out and about and love it – it’s like having a paid holiday.”
When it comes to safety, Lincoln said he’s always alert not only within his rig but also on what other drivers are doing.
“I had a near miss in February, so you have to stay switched on, keep your distance, and stay aware of what’s coming at you and what’s happening around you,” he said.
“Night driving is when the real danger shows up. Cattle or roos can appear out of nowhere, especially when there’s dust hanging in the air. One second the road’s clear, the next there’s an 800-kilogram bull standing in front of you. That’s not something you ever want to hit.
“It’s on the main highways where you see people taking the most risks. Road safety campaigns aimed at caravanners, and grey nomads are helping out on the remote roads. They’re often dirt roads and single-lane: not designed for 100 km/h, so you’ve got to slow down, be patient, and take your time.”
Other 2025 Professional Driver Award winners are Scott Thorne from the Bundaberg depot, Steven Mason from the Newcastle depot, and James Kerr from the Burnie depot.
According to Bernie, the awards continued to have a positive impact on Lowes.
“The transport sector is working hard to create pride in this industry as a profession,” he said. “Collectively the winning drivers chalk up over 100 years of truck driving experience. We see them as role models for younger drivers who can see they have made a good career out of driving.
“We have noticed over the last four to five years not only has the professionalism of our drivers increased but the average age of our driver’s has decreased, which is incredibly important to our business.
“The transport industry faces an ageing workforce nationally. Bringing in younger drivers helps secure long-term capability and reduces the risk of future driver shortages as older drivers retire.”
Bernie believes that lowering the average age of Lowes’ driver workforce is a significant step in securing the future of the company’s transport operations.
“By bringing more young drivers into the industry, we’re building a sustainable pipeline of talent, strengthening our safety and compliance performance, and encouraging faster adoption of new technologies.
“It also reflects positively on our reputation as an employer that offers strong training pathways and long-term career opportunities. Ultimately, a younger, more diverse driver cohort positions us for greater stability and capability in the years ahead.”