ALTHOUGH the 2020 Queensland Bus Industry Council had postponed its big annual conference this year due to the Covid-pandemic impact, it was able to hold a small gathering to celebrate its Industry Award winners, recently.
Held in November at the Norman Hotels Longhorn Room, QBIC was keen to acknowledge its “great achievers and contributors” and to “…present our awards to the winners in the year that they were recognised for their achievements and contributions to our industry,” rather than carrying them over to QBIC’s 2021 conference.
As the bus organisation explains, each year its Queensland achievers and contributors, “…raise the bar and standard on what they have done, what they achieved and how they have contributed to our great Industry,” explained QBIC executive director and association secretary David Tape.
“And I am sure that next year will be no different,” he added.
THE WINNERS
This year QBIC acknowledged the following award recipients with awards presented by Translink deputy director-general Matthew Longland and QBIC president Frank Oliveri.
* The Manmeet Sharma Perpetual Professional Driver Award – Gary Stewart (Keolis Downer/Hornibrook Bus Lines)
* Outstanding Contribution – Rolf Mitchell (Keolis Downer/Hornibrook Bus Lines)
* Achiever of the Year Award – Lachlan Craike (Caboolture Bus Lines)
* Outstanding Employer Award – Volvo Bus Australia
* Supplier of the Year Award – Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus
* Environmental & Innovation Award – CAVBUS Logan Coaches
* Apprentice of the Year Award – Jarrod Palethorpe (Keolis Downer/Hornibrook Bus Lines)
* Executive Directors Award – Scott Campbell (Transdev Queensland Bus)
LONG SERVICE
QBIC also again acknowledged members for their long service and dedication to the bus and coach Industry in the state.
The following members achieved the indicated milestones below:
Company Years of Service
Purser’s Coaches 40 years
Southern Cross Transit 40 years
Barton’s Buses 30 years
Carbridge Pty Ltd 30 years
Eurombah Creek Bus Committee 30 Years
H.I.S Australia Pty Ltd 30 Years
Hubbards Coaches 30 Years
Purple Turtle Disability Transport Pty Ltd 30 Years
Brisbane Charter Bus Pty Ltd 20 Years
Gary J Pagel 20 Years
Westside Bus Company 20 Years
L J Creevey 20 Years
Overall, the council says it was great to catch up with industry colleagues over a relaxed lunch and it again thanks Matthew Longland (deputy director-general Translink) and Graham Davis (general manager Passenger Transport Services Translink) for taking time to attend and being part of the QBIC 2020 awards ceremony.
Photography: courtesy QBIC