A Mackay-based transport company owner has been recognised with the Ted Pickering Award by the National Road Transport Association on the Gold Coast.
The co-owner of Single Transport, Carol Single was acknowledged for her Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Road Transport Industry.
As a passionate advocate for road safety, Single has worked tirelessly with the Mackay Road Accident Action group, a volunteer non-profit association committed to tackling road safety issues in Mackay and the Bowen Basin.
She is a previous recipient of the National Trucking Industry Women of the Year award.
“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,” said NatRoad Chair Paul Fellows.
“Road freight arteries like the Peak Downs Highway are the lifeblood to the Mackay Region and the Bowen Basin, with thousands of vehicles using it daily.
“Fuel trucks alone are using it to move approximately six million litres of bulk fuel each day.
“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 North Queensland highway.”
Single with her husband Ian operate a business with five specialised crane trucks and service most of Central Queensland.
Their company, Single Transport Services Limited, has been a fixture in Mackay since 1980.
In 1997, Single Transport Services was accredited with Trucksafe, the national business and risk management system that improves the safety and professionalism of trucking operators nationwide.
At the annual NatRoad Conference held this year at the Royal Pines on the Gold Coast,
Dennis Harding of Beck’s Transport Training in Canberra was named NatRoad’s Professional Driver of the Year.
Harding is a long-standing employee of Beck’s who was nominated for his devotion to safety, integrity and performance on the job.
Beck’s is a family-owned business specialising in providing heavy vehicle licence upgrades for ACT and NSW licence holders, looking to up-skill their career.
“Dennis is a company man who puts in long hours despite juggling commitments with a young family,” said Fellows.
Stephanie Arpasi of Dubbo firm Fardell’s Heavy Haulage was named the National Road Transport Association Youth Employee of the Year.
A 22-year-old driver-operator, Arpasi has made a huge impact on colleagues in a short period of time.
Established in 2014, Fardell’s Heavy Haulage provides heavy haulage, general and bulk freight services, wet and dry plant hire and earthmoving solutions for the New South Wales Central West.
Arpasi’s skills in safely securing heavy equipment for long haulage, according to colleagues, is meticulous and she applies the same approach to driving.
Shane Pendergast of Air Brake Systems in Hornsby, New South Wales was named winner of the National Road Transport Association Excellence in Operational Support Award for his years of making trucking a safer industry.
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.
As NSW Service Manager for Air Brake Systems, he has an industry-wide reputation for professionalism and a passion for making sure customers have fully functioning and fault-free braking systems.
