The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) celebrated its 40th Anniversary in style with a gala dinner and awards night attended by more than 320 people. – including eight life members of the association.
The night involved a fireside chat with the founding legends of ALRTA. Executive Director Anthony Boyle hosted a 40-minute reflection on the creation and journey of the association and its involvement in the industry – including its role in establishing the Australian Trucking Association ATA.
Legends of the industry included Ross Fraser OAM, Gordan Martin, Peter Berwick, Gavan O’Sullivan, Joe Sepos, and the first Executive Director of ALRTA Robert Gunning. The panel described the journey and challenges they overcame to build the association into the respected organisation it is now.
The Rural Transport Rising Star Award was a tie between the two finalists. Isaac Davis, 23, from Southfork Transport in Scottsdale, Tasmania and Kyle Nicholas, 28, from Edmonds Transport in Naracoorte SA.
Both young men impressed the judges with their maturity and passion for the industry, so with the support of sponsor BP Australia, ALRTA awarded both finalists jointly. Isaac and Kyle were thrilled to share the award as they had built up a great new friendship throughout the lead-up to the announcement and solidified the decision by delivering two fantastic speeches.
ALRTA and Kenworth honoured Craig Congram from Finley NSW as the Icon of the Road for 2025. When presenting the award, Athol Carter of ALRTA likened Craig to the “modern day Swaggy” often spending days and weeks on the road just for the love of what he does. An emotional Craig was “blown away” that the industry could view him in such high regard.
“I simply love carting livestock, and I love driving trucks,” Craig said, when receiving the award.
The Bruce McIver Award for 2025 was presented Posthumously in honor of Jack Mitchell from Western Australia. Jack was the founding Vice President of ALRTA in 1985 and was a huge advocate for the livestock and rural transport industry in the association’s formative years. Jack passed away in 1989 aged 57. The award was received by Jack’s son John Mitchell, acknowledging his father’s hard work and his strong friendship with Bruce McIver.
The Rural Transport Woman of the year was awarded to Pauline Kearney from Barooga, NSW. Pauline started her journey in the transport industry at just 15 years of age, washing trucks and now with her husband Glen and three sons operates eight trucks servicing all aspects of rural transport.
To round out the Gala event the LRBCA of NSW presented Joe Sepos a Life Membership, which for Joe brought on a huge amount of emotion and gratitude for the evening, after earlier taking part in the Fireside chat. Joe heads up the JS Transport Group of companies which includes Stocktrans.
