Excellence in Operational Support Award For HVIA Member

Shane Pendergast, of Sydney-based HVIA member Air Brake Systems, has been named winner of the NatRoad Excellence in Operational Support Award in recognition of his years of making trucking a safer industry.

The award was presented during a gala dinner on September 29 as part of NatRoad’s 2023 annual conference held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

As NSW Service Manager for Air Brake Systems, NatRoad says Pendergast, pictured above with NTI’s Bert Webster and NatRoad’s Warren Clark, has an industry-wide reputation for professionalism and a passion for making sure customers have fully functioning and fault-free braking systems.

It notes that hundreds of truck drivers and many more mechanics have attended workshops conducted over the past seven years by Pendergast, who is a specialist in electronic braking systems.

NatRoad’s top honour – the Ted Pickering Memorial Award – was awarded to Carol Single of Single Transport Services in recognition of her dedication to safety in the transport industry, volunteering and working hard behind the scenes to make the roads safer for all motorists and truck drivers.

Along with husband Ian, the Single’s transport business has been a fixture in Mackay since 1980, NatRoad says, and in 1997 was accredited with TruckSafe, the national business and risk management system that improves the safety and professionalism of trucking operators nationwide.”

Carol is also a life member of the volunteer non-profit Mackay Road Accident Action group, which is committed to tackling road safety issues in Mackay and the Bowen Basin.

“Carol represents the best that our industry has to offer – someone who is deeply involved in their own business but who finds time to be a champion for safer roads,” says NatRoad chair Paul Fellows.

“Much of Carol’s work is behind the scenes but she has made a life-saving difference for her peers – and indeed all road-users – on those long stretches of the North Queensland highway.”

The NatRoad Youth Employee of the Year award was presented to Stephanie Arpasi of Dubbo-based Fardell’s Heavy Haulage.

The award recognises a young employee, 30 years and under, working in any part of the road transport industry, whose positive approach, enthusiasm towards their job and demonstrated leadership attention puts positivity on them, their employer and the road transport industry as a whole.

Arpasi, 22, is said to have made a huge impact on colleagues in a short period of time.

“Stephanie is a young driver doing a challenging job but will not let anything stand in her way to get the job done safely. She is willing to share her knowledge and help others, and is always keen to learn,” Fellows says on handing Arpasi her award.

“She has made an impact on those she works with and working hard to inspire more women to get into the truck industry.

“Her professionalism, exceptional driving skills, her personality and dedication to the safer industry has earned her this award.”

Dennis Harding of JSC Concrete Canberra was named Professional Driver of the Year. A long-standing employee, NatRoad says Harding was nominated for his devotion to safety, integrity and performance on the job.