Road transport operators, suppliers and industry representatives converged on the Goulburn Valley town of Shepparton for NatRoad Connect 25, the annual industry conference, to get a grass roots approach to the industry that is going through tough, and uncertain times.
The choice of the host town was not lost on attendees, those long-time truckers, as Shepparton is regarded as one of the most important regional transport hubs in Australia.
For NatRoad Chairman, Paul Fellowes, it was like “coming back to the heartland” of Victorian trucking.
“The conference gives practical insights into the transport sector. There are a lot of skilled people who can help you, you are not alone in these tough times,” he said.
Fellowes noted that the conference venue also embodied the spirit of the association’s annual gatherings, recounting that a personal highlight is the regional forums, from Shepparton, Albury, Logan and Maitland, that allow operators to connect with national regulators and interest bodies.
The NatRoad Chairman highlighted the body’s success in the transport sector, saying that, with 2300 members, it is Australia’s largest and only national member-based road transport association.
The group, Fellowes said, has big ambitions to expand – seeking to grow to 5,000 members with a presence in all states and territories.
He noted it was the members that was NatRoad’s “most powerful element”, saying that “Our members can go to local members about issues, who can take those to parliaments to get action”.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark saw it as an opportunity for road transport operators to find out how to practically navigate the everyday challenges and opportunities of running trucking businesses. Hence, the theme addressed the topic of ‘Navigating Now – Staying ahead on the Road’.
“The NatRoad Connect 25 program features industry updates and good-sense business advice operators can use in their businesses right now,” Clark said.
PACCAR representative, Michael Long, described the Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE), the venue for the conference gala dinner, as the “perfect location to celebrate the legacy and future of the Australian transport industry, surrounded by the machines that shaped our roads and history”.
He said the PACCAR dealer network was proud to continue its longstanding partnership with NatRoad – “a relationship built on trust, collaboration and shared values”.
“We appreciate the important role that NatRoad plays in bringing together operators, suppliers and industry leaders to tackle industry challenges, navigate legislative changes and support new technologies, all with a common goal to provide a safe, viable and sustainable transport industry,” he said.
A feature of the event was the presentation of the four 2025 NatRoad Awards that recognise individuals who have demonstrated dedication, professionalism and a commitment to setting new standards of excellence in the industry.
The winners were:
- Sam Sali National Young Driver of the Year: Porcha Stafford, De Bruyn’s Transport.
- Professional Driver of the Year: David Muir, Formula Chemicals.
- Excellence in Operational Support: Heather Darrington, Hayllar Transport, Narrandera.
- Ted Pickering Memorial Award: Leigh Smart, Formula Chemicals.
“Our industry is full of hard-working people who go above and beyond to make a significant and positive impact on the broader road transport industry,” said NatRoad CEO, Warren Clark.
“This year’s award winners have all made outstanding contributions to the sector while exemplifying the kind of commitment, professionalism, and passion that drives the road transport sector forward.”
Sam Sali National Young Driver of the Year
The newly named award was in honour of Sam Sali, described by Paul Fellowes as “an icon of the industry and a partner of NatRoad”.
Sali’s commitment to the transport industry spanned almost 70 years and shaped one of the longest running family businesses in Shepparton.
“It honours his legacy by acknowledging young professionals who exhibit exceptional dedication, innovation and leadership in the road transport sector,” he said.
Sam Sali’s daughter, Linda, noted her father played an instrumental role in the creation of the National Transport Federation in 1986, which supported smaller trucking operators.
She said Sali’s courage and conviction highlighted the importance of NatRoad, which “gives us the space to listen learn, connect and continue to strengthen NatRoad and the future of the transport industry across Australia” she said.
“He was always involved, making a difference and always speaking up for the industry he loved.”
Porcha Stafford of Debruyn’s Transport Tasmania, was recognised for her positive attitude and commitment to progressing her career.
She has driven a total of 470,000km in two years in various trucks, including carrying complex loads like dangerous goods and over dimensional freight.
Regularly jumping into a leadership role whenever required, her positive, can-do attitude is appreciated by De Bruyn’s customers.
Tasmania-based Porcha started on forklifts and then progressed on to trucks, with her ambition to drive B-doubles.
She said she has always wanted to drive trucks “for as long as I can remember” as a kid in school and was grateful for being recognised for doing something she always loves.
“This award means a lot and I’m excited to keep learning and keep growing and improving and showing that us young drivers are known for more than just choosing play lists on long drives,” Porcha said.
Excellence in Operational Support Award
Heather Darrington of Hayllar Transport in Narrandera received the award for more than 20 years of dedication to the transport industry.
She started out as an office clerk, working her way up to be the Office Manager, where her commitment to staff wellbeing and training has created a positive environment at Hayllar Transport that contributes to staff retention and has encouraged former employees to return to the company.
Darrington takes on overall management of the company when required, develops strong relationships with long-term customers, and is active in the community, regularly arranging donations for local charities.
She said there were three factors that make your job easier and something everyone should have: good leadership, a good team and love what you do – and making the team feel as though they are the most important people in the world.
“Fortunately, in my last 25 years I’ve had all three.”
Professional Driver of the Year Award
David Muir from Formula Chemicals was awarded for his outstanding commitment to the road transport industry through continuous professional development with a strong focus on safety, professionalism, collaboration and efficiency.
Muir is known to lead by example, fostering teamwork and inspiring those around him with his technical and leadership skills. His outstanding driving history spans over 25 years and is distinguished by an impeccable record free of any driving infringements or accidents.
He came to Australia from Scotland in the 1990s and has never looked back. He was a bus driver in the 1980s and has excelled in his job because he loves being his own boss and says the truck is like your own office.
In thanking his employer upon receiving the award, David described Leigh Smart as “the most generous and kind-hearted man I’ve ever met”.
Ted Pickering Memorial Award
Leigh Smart of Formula Chemicals received the Ted Pickering Memorial Award for demonstrating unwavering leadership and dedication in the freight transport industry. Founding Formula Chemicals in the 1970’s, his career has been marked by innovation, safety advocacy and ethical leadership.
For more than 50 years, Smart has played an active role in fostering collaboration across government, industry leaders, and his own operational staff to tackle some of the most pressing issues the industry has faced such as driver shortages, environmental sustainability and regulatory complexity.
Starting his company in 1973 with $1000, Smart’s business is now NSW’s largest chemical transporter.
He said there were so many good people in the industry, who keep it going as the backbone of the industry.
Conference programme
Victorian Senator, Bridget McKenzie, the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and leader of National Party in the Senate, delivered the keynote speech, where she praised the NatRoad team for well-representing the transport and trucking industry and the issues affecting it.
McKenzie said the National Party fully acknowledged the trucking and road transport industries are vital for Australia.
“We know you keep our country moving and you are often the silent and unseen and unthanked component that keeps supermarket shelves stocked and makes sure our products from the regions get to where it needs to go,” she told the conference delegates.
“These events are necessary to get people from all around the country together for fellowship and also to learn from each other and experts as to how to drive opportunities in your industry forward.”
The Shadow Minister said a national plan was needed to attract young transport drivers. “We need to make sure there are jobs a 15-year-old that wants to get out of school and wants to work can do in your industry that put them on the pathway to becoming a driver.
“We need to solve that problem with age issues and women in trucking.
“We need to make a better pathway for young people who want to get into this industry earlier than they currently can and get a structured career going forward.”
McKenzie scrutinised the Albanese Government’s Transport & Infrastructure Sector Plan for Emission Reduction, which she said set aggressive targets and policies for 2035 emission reduction targets.
She noted emission targets in the mid-70 per cent region, as advocated by some members of the Government would be “catastrophic”, and loomed as the biggest challenge for the transport.
McKenzie noted that imposts would make it very difficult to operate a transport business. “The end result will be operators passing those costs on to farmers, producers and consumers – it will flow through the economy and when it touches your industry it touches everybody – everything arrives to the Australian consumer on the back of a truck,” she said.
She added that the transport sector is at the forefront of this issue as it accounts for 22 per cent of national emissions, with heavy transport accounting for 44 per cent of emissions from the transport sector.
The Shadow Minister said that while the Coalition supports emission reductions, it is not “at any cost and can’t de-industrialise our economy”.
She highlighted that biofuels could be part of the solution to what she described as the Government’s $530 billion emission reduction targets.
The conference program included an array of practical overview of recent legal changes affecting the industry and tips on minimising legal risk and insurance.
The ATO delivered a session to unpack what the TPRS means for the road freight industry and answer the key questions from operators, while the NHVR discussed real-world challenges NatRoad members are facing – from wage rates and awards to difficult staffing issues – and provided practical steps road freight operators could take to worth through them.
Other sessions included ‘Improving access certainty – Victorian and National approach to automating access assessments’, which was a joint presentation between Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning, and the National Automated Access System (AKA NAAS Program.
It looked at the work being delivered to improve the timeliness and certainty of heavy vehicle access decisions.
It included demonstrations of the Victorian structural assessment system – HVSAPS – and the national automated access system, which is powered by Tasmania’s successful HVAMS, with discussion on how they will benefit operators.
The NHVR hosted a panel discussion, entitled Safety vs Compliance, which covered the NHVR’s approach to guiding a safer heavy vehicle industry by informing, educating and enforcing.
The NHVR representatives discussed their processes, as well as the trends seen in industry as the focus shifts from being compliant for the sake of being compliant, to actively choosing to manage safety irrespective of compliance.
Another session was entitled ‘Navigating Transport Insurance in a Changing Risk Landscape’, which was a must-attend for business owners, operators, and managers looking to reduce risk exposure and strengthen their insurance strategy.
Jordan Caleo of AEI Insurance explored key insurance considerations critical to protecting transport businesses and their leadership.
Peter Anderson, CEO of the Victorian Transport Association, spoke about the Minimum standards required within the road transport industry in his capacity as Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) National Secretary.
NatRoad Connect 25 was sponsored by Ampol, PACCAR and Dealer Industry Fund, NTI, AEI Transport Insurance Brokers, Cummins, Teletrac Navman, Phillips Basile and Bridgestone.
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