This week we announce the finalists in the second of the HVIA National Awards apprentice categories – the HVIA Apprentice Technician of the Year Award.
This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated advanced ability as they undergo their apprenticeship in a discipline related to heavy vehicle service or repair.
The Apprentice Technician of the Year directly replaces the National Apprentice of the Year award, honouring final-year and graduating technicians working across the heavy vehicle industry for dealerships, OEM’s, operators and other HVIA member companies.
Congratulations to 2024 finalists:
- Rochelle Magnussen – Brisbane Isuzu (Qld)
- Angus McDonald – Penske Australia (WA)
- Thallon Peters – Western Truck Group (Qld)
- Lachlan Reeves – Brown & Hurley (NSW)
- Ronen Statham – Penske Australia (Qld)
Thanks to HVIA Principal Partner and National Awards major sponsor NTI, winners of the three apprentice award categories will each win a hosted VIP experience at the Gold Coast 500 Supercars event.
Category finalists and national winners will be honoured at the HVIA National Awards Gala Dinner in Brisbane on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Tickets are available for purchase here.
The HVIA National Awards are made possible through the support of HVIA Principal Partners NTI, Category Sponsors Caltex, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Wurth, and Event Partners Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and TAFE Queensland.
Next Week: HVIA Heavy Vehicle Apprentice of the Year Award Finalists
Rochelle Magnussen – Brisbane Isuzu (Qld)
Apprentice Heavy Diesel Mechanic – TAFE Queensland Acacia Ridge
Brisbane Izuzu say Rochelle Magnussen a great role model for young apprentices coming through.
For example, Rochelle will ask if the team’s first year can help her with a service and she will explain and guide them through carrying out the task.
Rochelle has particularly impressed in diagnostics and rebuilding Automated Manual Transmissions.
She intends to work her way up to a workshop controller where her mentoring could really come to the fore.
Rochelle has also eyed truck sales as a possible path where her accumulated knowledge would be supremely helpful to customers.
Ronen Statham – Penske Australia (Qld)
Heavy Commercial Vehicle Technology – TAFE Queensland Acacia Ridge
Penske Australia highlighted Ronen Statham’s obvious leadership potential, saying it was already apparent in his first year as an apprentice.
Apart from mirroring Penske’s values and behaviours, Ronen has shown impressive initiative. For instance, following a scheduled quarterly apprentice appraisal, he presented suggested revisions to the company’s assessment process with immediate benefits for all apprentices navigating their way through skills development and learning.
In the short term Ronen’s goal is to further his diagnostic capabilities ahead of new product launches from MAN, Western Star and Detroit – electrical and engine diagnostics having become his favourite work to complete.
“It has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for the complex systems which work together to deliver reliable vehicles,” Ronen tells us.
“Being fluent in both MAN and Western Star has enabled me to make a seamless transition into the new product lines, introducing new technologies and challenges to the industry.”
Ronen hopes to secure a position in field service/breakdown, carrying out repairs and maintenance on a wide variety of on- and off-highway products.
“Field service is a position which challenges mechanical knowledge, problem solving and customer service skills while working solo,” he says.
“My longer-term goal once I have mastered the field service environment is to become a supervisor with Penske.”
Angus McDonald – Penske Australia (WA)
Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanic – South Metro TAFE
Angus stood out from the field when he was awarded Penske Australia’s Perth Apprentice of the Year Award, reflecting the high level of respect his leaders have for his approach to his work.
Penske say Angus is admired by his peers and the management team for his strong personal drive that consistently leads him to go above and beyond.
He wants to be recognised as an extremely capable technician in all things Detroit and MAN.
“I want to be able to work on vehicles front to back and everything in-between,” Angus says.
“I also want to expand my knowledge and be able to work more effectively on hydraulic equipment and become more adept in machining and fabricating as these are all very useful skills in mechanics.
“Due to my interest in keeping a safe workplace, I will be putting myself forward to become an HSE rep and go onto the HSE committee once I have completed my apprenticeship.
“I would like to complete a dual trade qualification in auto electrical as it goes hand in hand with mechanics and will make me an overall more efficient tradesman.”
Lachlan Reeves – Brown and Hurley (NSW)
Body Repair Technician – TAFE NSW Wollongbar
Brown and Hurley Kyogle say Lachlan Reeves is dedicated to the trade and is highly skilled, having grown up in a trucking family where he would often assist in the business or with farming work.
His enthusiasm and commitment to the job has been recognised by the dealership and he is already being promoted to panel and paint foreman. He also intends to train in spray painting.
“I am currently being trained and also learning to do quotes and assessments for insurance companies and I am enjoying the challenge,” Lachlan tells us.
“With support and assistance from management and staff I plan to become a good foreman working with the team I have, and helping to train the apprentices.
“While I am still learning the role, I plan to be at Brown and Hurley Kyogle for many years, and having just purchased a house locally am looking forward to an extensive career.”
Thallon Peters – Western Truck Group Sunshine Coast
Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanic – CQU University
Western Truck Group on the Sunshine Coast calls Thallon Peters a “remarkable young man.”
Given that Thallon has managed to juggle both the completion of his apprenticeship and a semi-professional career in football – achieving accolades in both – they may be right.
“Thallon gives 100 per cent of himself at work every day regardless of what is going on with the amount of work he has to put in with the Sunshine Coast Falcons,” WTG tells us.
“The fact that one weekend he can fly to Papua New Guinea to play a game with his team, and then be at work Monday morning ready to go is remarkable. There is no level of sacrifice this man won’t give to either his work or sporting endeavours.”
As a technician, Thallon says he wants to become a more self-reliable mechanic broadening his range of knowledge and being able to manage his time better.
“Especially when working with other mechanics,” he says unselfishly.
“My career goals are to climb the ranks over time to foreman or supervisor and then potentially start my own mechanical business later down the track once I have some valuable experience under my belt.
“I am pursuing a professional rugby league career which is proving quite successful so far, however, I feel that it is important to have a skillset outside of this, which is why I have worked and studied hard to complete my apprenticeship and maintain my position with Western Truck Group.”
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