King’s Birthday Honours for Transport Industry leaders

The King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List, announced by the Governor General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC yesterday, recognised services to the heavy vehicle and road transport industry by a number of influential figures.

The Honourable Duncan Gay, presently Chairman of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and formerly Minister for Transport in the New South Wales Government was presented with the Member (AM) In the General Division medal.

Sal Petroccitto, Chief Executive Officer of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator was presented with Medal (OAM) In the General Division for service to the transport industry.

Julie Russell, Director of the NHVR Board, Director on the Australian Trucking Association Board and past-President of the Queensland Trucking Association was presented with Medal (OAM) In the General Division. Ms Russell is a third-generation Director of the family business head-quartered in Brisbane.

Mick Pattel is the Founding President of the National Road Freighters Association and was also with Medal (OAM) In the General Division.

HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking passed on HVIA’s warm regards to each of the medal recipients.

“It is great to see that our industry is being recognised with honours like these,” Mr Hacking said. “They recognise the importance of our industry to the community and the generous contributions so many of our industry-family make to their own communities in so many different ways.

“These recipients deserve every commendation for their work towards delivering effective reforms to the transport industry, particularly in facing down the challenges of a single national system of regulation, governance and oversight.

“We aren’t 100% of the way there yet by any stretch, but without the tireless efforts from public servants, industry advocates and passionate road transport operators we would still be stuck in reverse.

“On behalf of HVIA and all of our members, I commend Julie, Duncan, Sal and Mick for this great and worthy honour.”