Flashback: 2020 Community Leadership Award

HVIA’s Community Leadership Award (sponsored by Moreton Hire) recognises Members which have engaged positively with the community either directly by undertaking community engagement, education, or some other community support initiative, or indirectly, whereby the community gains a benefit from a new innovation with tangible community benefits.

The 2020 Community Leadership Award was presented to MaxiTrans Industries Pty Ltd for their R U OK / Drought Aid nomination.

Nominations for the 2021 Awards are now open – closing Friday 27 August.

Read the 2020 winner and finalists profiles below

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MaxiTRANS provided assistance to various organisations to assist in the drought event that swept most states within Australia.

MaxiTRANS trailers from across the company network have assisted farming communities with supply of much needed stockfeed and hay bales.

MaxiTRANS and its staff, in conjunction with our longest standing dealer partner Mildura Truck Centre, joined together to support this great cause, with 1% of the purchase price from all new trailers, truck bodies ordered, and parts purchased from participating outlets.

In 2020 MaxiTRANS commissioned a Freighter T-Liner semi-trailer with ‘R U OK?’ branded curtains. The trailer will continue to create awareness for ‘R U OK?’ throughout the year.

A company-wide campaign was held on the day for its staff, which included donations, wearing yellow, taking time out to ask each other about their own welfare, as well as internally promoting discussion around mental health prevention. Sites also had speakers sharing personal experiences about their own mental health.

MaxiTRANS’ has donated almost $45,000, since its first ‘R U OK? Day’ campaign in September 2017.

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Watching the effects the bushfires were having on Australia was heartbreaking and something close to home for the team at Barker Trailers.

Barkers have felt the effects of bushfires before, notably the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983, and felt the need to bring the industry together to support those affected in some way.

The team at Barker’s set a goal to sell ten trailers with each trailer sold providing funds to bushfire appeals specifically set up to help the farmers and communities affected by the bushfires.

The Barker Bushfire Relief has been a huge success with the last of the trailers recently sold and a total of $57,000 being raised.

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In 2018, Glenala State High school in Brisbane formed a collaboration with Scania Australia at their Glenala Trade Skills Centre (GTSC).

Some of Scania’s subsequent contributions have included Scania providing heavy vehicle mechanical components, allowing students to obtain practical hands on experience.

Scania supplied work shirts for students and have supported students with work experience opportunities. Scania Technicians have volunteered their time to work with GTSC trainer and students in practical learning.

Scania meets with the GTSC Manager & school principal to review activities & discuss opportunities to better support students.

A highlight has been hosting the “Women in the Workshop” day for 40 students from GSHS and GTSC in 2019. The day coincided with International Women’s Day, showcasing career opportunities for women in the heavy vehicle industry.

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Morris Finance we support a number of community activities, events and programs to connect, support and enable people within the community Australia wide.

Community programs benefitting from Morris Finance’s support include Food Bank Australia, genU Inclusion, Daniher’s Drive, Headspace, No Second Chance, Geelong Connected Communities, Hearts to Harmony, Bethany Giving Tree, numerous fundraisers and young and upcoming sporting talent through our sports ambassador program, in place for over 10 years.

Morris Finance’s national partnership with Food Bank Australia has proven to be extremely rewarding, through weekly staff participation at Northern Bay College’s Breakfast in Schools program and volunteering days at their Yarraville warehouse.

The Breakfast in Schools program allows underprivileged students the opportunity to eat a wholesome, nutritious breakfast that they are unable to receive at home. Foodbank sources more than 40 million kilograms of food annually for its networks of 2,400 charity partners and 2,000 schools.

By providing our staff members the opportunity to get involved with these rewarding initiatives has seen improved employee morale and sense of goodwill. The Morris Finance mantra is that it is one thing to do business within a community and another to give back and participate.