The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 National Trucking Industry Awards which recognise outstanding achievement and leadership.
The awards were presented at the ATA Foundation Sponsors Gala Awards Dinner on Hamilton Island on 5 June during Trucking Australia 2026.
ATA Chair, Mark Parry, said this year’s recipients had demonstrated exceptional commitment to their businesses, employees and the broader community.
“The recipients of this year’s awards have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their businesses and the wider community,” said Parry.
“Their achievements reflect the very best of the Australian trucking industry.”
The 2026 award winners are:
- Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry: Michael Edmonds, NTI.
- National Professional Driver of the Year: John Parry, IOR.
- National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year: Jodie Jarratt, Jarratt Transport Solutions.
- National Trucking Industry Workforce Award: Formula Chemicals.
- TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award: K&S Freighters.
- Don Watson Memorial Award: David Simon.
Among the individual award recipients, Michael Edmonds was recognised for more than three decades of service to the transport and insurance sectors, including his leadership of TruckSafe and ongoing industry advocacy through NTI.
John Parry, a tanker driver with IOR, received the National Professional Driver of the Year award in recognition of his 30-year driving career, strong safety record and commitment to mentoring younger drivers.
Jodie Jarratt was named National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year for her contributions to safety, compliance, technology adoption and workforce wellbeing at Jarratt Transport Solutions, as well as her involvement with industry organisations.
Formula Chemicals was recognised for its workforce development initiatives, including structured driver training, leadership programs and diversity initiatives.
K&S Freighters received the TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award, acknowledging its long-standing commitment to safety and operational excellence since becoming a founding TruckSafe member in 1996.
The Don Watson Memorial Award was presented to David Simon, Executive Chairman of Simon National Carriers, for his longstanding contribution to industry advocacy, regulatory reform and safety leadership.
Trucking Australia 2026 featured 13 conference sessions and 39 presenters and panellists, bringing together industry stakeholders from across the country.
In other news, Toll recently appointed a new executive.
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