The Australian Trucking Association has today announced the finalists for the National Trucking Industry Awards to be presented at its 2026 Technology and Maintenance Conference in Melbourne next month.
New to the awards this year is the National Sustainability Award, sponsored by Michelin Australia, which will recognise trucking operators with a demonstrated commitment to reducing their environmental impact.
“Sustainability is an increasingly important part of how trucking businesses operate, and the people and businesses leading the way deserve to be recognised for their efforts,” ATA Chair Mark Parry said.
“From the workshop to the office, the finalists for all our awards have shown initiative in looking for ways to do things better. Their expertise, commitment and willingness to share what they’ve learned helps strengthen the industry for everyone.”
The 2026 finalists are:
Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence, sponsored by Castrol
- Russell Borchard, Borchtrans (Yelta, VIC)
- Thomas Kenny, Multiquip (Oran Park, NSW)
TRUCK TECH Training Excellence Award, sponsored by TRUCK TECH
- Border Crane Consultants (Baranduda, VIC)
- Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Group (Geraldton, WA)
National Sustainability Award, sponsored by Michelin Australia
- Formula Chemicals (West Ryde, NSW)
- Ron Finemore Transport (Derrimut, VIC)
The Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence recognises and celebrates the men and women who work behind the scenes to keep the industry’s workshops running.
The award is sponsored by Castrol and includes a prize trip to attend the 2027 US Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, in Orlando, Florida in March 2027. The prize includes full conference registration, return airfares, 5 nights premium accommodation and AUD1,000 spending money.
The TRUCK TECH Training Excellence Award recognises transport operators with a strong and demonstrated commitment to training and development, thereby improving safety for all.
The winner will receive an AUD5,000 prize package to be used toward staff training initiatives or a business services package with a training consultancy.
The winner of the National Sustainability Award, sponsored by Michelin Australia, will receive an AUD7,200 cash prize to fund a new or ongoing sustainability initiative.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 14 October 2026 at the Castrol Awards Dinner to be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, as part of TMC 26.
The Castrol Industry Achievement Award will also be presented on the night. This award recognises exceptional technical innovation and industry achievement.
Past winners include Les Bruzsa from the NHVR, Ian Thomson from BPW Transpec and the late David Coonan from the ATA.
Tickets for TMC 26 and the Castrol Awards Dinner close on 27 September. Register now
The details of the 2026 finalists are below.
2026 TECHNICAL, TRAINING AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FINALISTS
Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence, sponsored by Castrol
Russell Borchard, Borchtrans, Yelta, VIC
Russell Borchard has been around trucks since he was in nappies. A third-generation truckie, he started his heavy vehicle apprenticeship at 17 before establishing Borchtrans in 2010, where he remains hands-on as owner and mechanic.
When Russell heard the livestock industry needed to do better on trailer braking, he acted. He was one of the first to invest in EBS diagnostic equipment, putting safer braking technology into practice across his fleet.
As President of the LRTAV, Russell champions safety, training and fostering the next generation, while giving back to rural communities by supporting events such as the Wentworth Show and Pooncarie Races. He’s also an advocate for education, taking trucks to Coomealla High School and donating subscriptions of Little Trucker Magazine to local schools.
Thomas Kenny, Multiquip, Oran Park, NSW
Thomas is a highly respected professional across multiple facets of the transport and poultry logistics industry, known for his technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to safety and innovation. As National Maintenance Manager of Multiquip, he has led major engineering and fleet optimisation projects, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, safety, and compliance.
A champion of safety technology, Thomas spearheaded the rollout of Guardian by Seeing Machines across the truck fleet and Seen Sensors on forklifts, along with the introduction of key initiatives like park brake alarms, seatbelt interlocks, speed-limiting systems and remote PTO operations to save driver time entering and exiting truck cabs.
His leadership in adopting these technologies has enhanced employee safety and reinforced the company’s commitment to proactive risk management and industry best practice.
TRUCK TECH Training Excellence Award, sponsored by TRUCK TECH
Border Crane Consultants, Baranduda, VIC
Founded in 2010 with one employee, Baranduda-based Border Crane Consultants has grown into a 37-person regional business with training at the heart of its success.
The company recruits for attitude and potential, then invests in structured learning, hands-on experience and ongoing development.
Its results speak for themselves: 23 apprenticeships and 12 traineeships have been completed, with 11 apprenticeships and two traineeships underway.
BCC’s impact extends beyond its current workforce. More than 15 former employees have established businesses of their own, with many now employing and training others.
Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Group, Geraldton, WA
Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Group (PHHGG), founded by Heather Jones, is a women-owned organisation based in Western Australia, committed to inspiring women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in the transport industry.
PHHGG was born out of Heather’s personal experience as a single mother entering the trucking industry.
The organisation offers comprehensive driver training programs, including new-to-the-industry courses, licence upgrades and refresher training, all with a strong focus on safety, compliance and practical skills development. PHHGG has successfully trained more than 350 drivers.
National Sustainability Award, sponsored by Michelin Australia
Formula Chemicals, West Ryde, NSW
Formula Chemicals (NSW) Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned chemical manufacturing and distribution business with more than fifty-three years of experience.
Since its founding in 1973 by Leigh and Colleen Smart, the company has grown into a nationally respected supplier of chemical products and transport services. The Smart family remains hands-on in the business.
Formula Chemicals uses Teletrac Navman telematics to monitor fuel use, idling, driving behaviour and vehicle utilisation, identifying opportunities to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The business evaluates tyre performance and integrates tyre management with its Teletrac Navman fleet data to reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and extend tyre casing life to minimise waste.
They company has also reduced its environmental footprint significantly by installing solar energy systems across all company buildings and establishing a comprehensive recycling and scrap metal recovery program.
Ron Finemore Transport, Derrimut, VIC
Ron Finemore Transport (RFT) is a family-owned and operated business, re-emerging in 2004 to continue a transport legacy that began in the 1960s. RFT has made sustainability part of everyday trucking, using technology, data and long-term investment to reduce its environmental footprint.
By combining real-time data, advanced fleet systems, operational expertise and employee engagement, RFT has reduced its diesel burn rate by more than 22 per cent over the past decade.
One of its standout initiatives is its Derrimut, Victoria tyre retreading facility, which has operated for more than 26 years. RFT runs around 75 per cent retreads across its fleet and produces about 16,000 retreads annually, extending tyre life and reducing waste. Its approach has twice been recognised with Michelin Factory of the Year awards, in 2023 and 2026.
Across its fleet, RFT uses telematics, tyre monitoring, renewable energy and water recycling to deliver measurable sustainability improvements.
