Fuel tanker drivers are the ‘pilots of the road’, held to the higher standard that their cargo demands. Despite this fact, in some circles fuel tanker driving is not seen as the true ‘profession’ that it is. Lowes Petroleum is putting their professionals into the spotlight, and consequently driving attraction and retention of talent with their annual driver awards.
Drivers are nominated by their peers across the 500 plus staff with nominations more than tripling since their inception in 2021. The company recognising drivers from five business regions for more than their transportation skills but for working towards the betterment of the trucking industry as a profession.
“The awards have lifted the company driving culture to a new level helping to recruit younger and experienced drivers to the profession”, explained HSSE General Manager Bernie Morris
As one of the judges, Mr Morris said more drivers qualified for the finals than ever before: almost every driver making a commitment to best-practice standards: going above and beyond in their day-to-day deliveries.
“It was our hardest year yet to pick the winners,” he said. “We started the awards because we understand how critical our drivers are to our industry. In acknowledging them, little did we realise the enormous and positive cultural effect (and affect) it would have.
“The trucking industry is a professional industry, and these drivers want to be seen as professionals. When we award and recognise our drivers for professionalism, it creates an awareness outside of the industry that this is a long-term career. The way to address the national driver shortage, not to mention ageing working force, is by creating a culture of professionalism which will both retain and attract people to the sector.
“These drivers are highly regarded amongst peers and customers. They are our face to not only our customers but other motorists.”
Winning Boggabilla Depot driver Jon Jon Charles was only eight when his family emigrated to Goondiwindi from the Philippines. The 39-year-old switching from driving grain tipper trucks to fuel tankers when he joined Lowes Petroleum 10 years ago.
“Every day I work to the best of my ability,” Mr Charles said. “Driving carefully and being on time – taking pride in everything I do. I love this area – the community. I was speechless when the award was announced.
“I still don’t know who nominated me, but whoever saw me do the things I do I am thankful for the recognition. I couldn’t believe I was nominated and to win was just amazing.”
Few would have blamed Mr Charles from walking away from the industry after he was seriously injured in a head on collision in 2017 which claimed three lives. Even though he wasn’t at fault, all these years later he’s reluctant to talk about it out of respect for the family and their grief.
“It really affected me personally and my whole family,” Mr Charles said. “The recovery was very long and painful: physically and mentally. It was a hard road and ‘till this day I am still getting there.
“I am better than before though; I am very thankful to the people involved in my recovery from the medical team of doctors and nurses, my friends and family to the Lowes team and of course the Goondiwindi community. Even customers would ask me how I am going with what happened, I am very thankful to everyone.
“I love driving. I love the busy periods of harvesting and talking to customers. Like any job it does come with some risks but if more people could see what a good job it is they might find they enjoy it.”
Congratulations Jon!
The other Lowes Petroleum Professional Driver winners include Bradley Cramp for Region 1 Townsville, Tamworth’s Jason Solis for Region 3, Will Hayes from Kerang for Region 4 and Darryn Hodgetts from Burnie, Tasmania for Region 5.
Honourable mentions go to David Callam from Mackay for Region 1, Wal Giddins from Miles for Region 2, Cooper Wilson from Newcastle for Region 3, Dale Pleming from the Horsham Depot for Region 4 and Mark McGovern from Tasmania, Region 5.
ACAPMA
