The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) hosted its National Awards Gala Dinner on December 5, and it was the biggest yet with 270 attendees turning up to celebrate the industry’s success across the past 12 months.
This year’s event was again held at the home of the Brisbane Truck Show, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, attracting a cross-section of industry figures, from key decision makers to an impressive number of up-and-coming young apprentices and future leaders.
HVIA Chief Executive Officer Todd Hacking says the event was a fitting celebration of the heavy vehicle industry’s leading innovators and innovations in 2024.
“Every year we’re honoured to witness more of our members’ extraordinary innovation and ingenuity being revealed,” he said.
“That is along with the joy it brings us to recognise some amazing young industry people at the start of what we expect to be a long and fulfilling career in the heavy industry.”
Winners were announced across eight award categories on the night, following a careful judging process for the impressive line-up of finalists.
“Being a finalist in HVIA’s prestigious national awards is a great accomplishment and to be in that position you must be really doing something right,” said Chairman of Judges, Bob Martin.
“The judges enjoyed reviewing the impressive innovation and leadership showcased by HVIA members in their nominations for the product, safety and community awards.”
Mr Martin paid special tribute to the finalists of the apprentice awards, which this year were expanded to include four categories.
“It was the actual Apprentice of the Year (AOTY) awards that caused the most amount of discussion and head scratching,” he said.
“This was due to the very high skill level of all of the apprentices and the outstanding nominations and interviews that were received.
“The new three-step process – including interview and exam– for the three new apprentice award categories really highlighted the depth of talent coming through, all of whom will make great ambassadors for careers in the heavy vehicle industry.”
2024 HVIA Award Winners:
- Community Leadership Award (sponsored by HVIA and Caltex Australia): Eurocold Refrigerated Vehicles’ FareShare food charity partnership
- Product Innovation Award (sponsored by Wurth Australia): SAF-HOLLAND Group’s TRAKr E-axle
- Safety Innovation Award (sponsored by NHVR): NTI’s ‘Spilt Milk’ dairy tanker rollover project
- Apprentice Technician of the Year Award (sponsored by NTI): Angus McDonald – Penske Australia & New Zealand (WA)
- Apprentice Trailer & Body Builder of the Year (sponsored by NTI): Samantha Hall – The Drake Group (Qld)
- Outstanding Apprentice Achievement Award (sponsored by NTI): Ronen Statham – Penske Australia & New Zealand (Qld)
- Apprentice of the Year Award: Angus McDonald – Penske Australia & New Zealand (WA)
- Industry Recognition Award: National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chief Engineer Les Bruza
