The industry comes together to recognise longevity and excellence

The fuel industry is the last to close in an emergency, the first to open and always there for the community. Providing an essential service, fuel distributors and retailers, and the businesses that support them, are key to their communities. From supporting the local footy team, to ensuring that local businesses and families can fill up and get to work, school, family and fun – fuel moves this country. At the annual ACAPMA Conference Gala Dinner, the ACAPMA Fuel & Convenience Awards are presented to recognise excellence, innovation, compliance and community spirit.

At the 2026 Gala Dinner delegates came together in the historic Plaza Ballroom to honour excellence in the industry, and celebrate 50 years of ACAPMA serving the industry.

Recognising Lifetime Achievement

2026 is a very special year for ACAPMA, and this had an impact on the Gala Dinner. In 2026 the association is celebrating 50 years of ACAPMA informing, guiding and representing an industry that is “essential” to the day to day lives of all Australians at home and at work, but an industry that it often misunderstood.

This was an opportunity to recognise a few more individuals with the presentation of some special ACAPMA Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Last presented in 2012 the ACAPMA Lifetime Achievement Awards are a rare recognition of exceptional service to the industry.

Previous recipients include;

Marg Taylor
Grant Stillman
Grahame Andrewartha

As the association celebrated 50 years three industry giants were added to this list;

The first 2026 ACAPMA Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Kevin Hughes.

Kevin commenced in the industry in 1961, working for Shell corporate in sales. After 16 years on the corporate side he stepped out into his own fuel distributorship in 1977. In 1979 he stood for, and was elected to, the board of ACAPMA, which was called APADA at the time, and in 1981 he was elected as President, a role he held for 6 years. Concurrently Kevin also served on the OAMPS Insurance Board from 1980 to 1994.

From distributor, to consultant, to distributor, to consultant again, Kevin has held a raft of roles in the industry including CEO of the Service Station Association in NSW from 2001 to 2003. In 2006 Kevin was elected as the inaugural chairman of the OOFERS, the Old Oilies Federation. In addition to his service to the fuel industry Kevin has had a long and detailed history of community service

ACAPMA is proud to recognise Kevin Hughes for 65 years of service to the Association and to the industry.

Kevin was unable to join us on the night, however his son Mark Hughes (an industry legend in his own right) was on hand to accept both the ACAPMA Lifetime Achievement Award and a special award from the OOFERS, presented by Ben Guzzardi.

The second of the 2026 ACAPMA Lifetime Achievement Awards goes to Garth Symington.

Gath commenced his service in the industry in 1969, working for Mobil a variety of senior positions in Australia and the Pacific over almost 3 decades. After 27 years on the corporate side he stepped into the Association as General Manager in 1999, a role he held until 2008.

Garth served as the APADA General Manager during a time of dramatic change and consolidation in the industry and was charged with halting the decline of the association, a charge he met head on, including serving on the Federal Downstream Petroleum Marketing Reform Committee within government. Garth was at the helm as the association transitioned from APADA to ACAPMA and stepped up when the association called on him to come back to the General Manager role after the departure of David Killeen.

ACAPMA is proud to recognise Gath Symington for 57 years of service to the association and to the industry.

The final ACAPMA Lifetime Achievement Award for 2026 goes to Ross Lake.

After graduating with a Bachelors in Economics with a Diploma of Education and later a Bachelor of Law, Ross was first a teacher and then a lawyer, before he started his career in the fuel industry working in the family distribution business in 1983.

Ross is still there 43 years later, at the helm of Tasco Petroleum and is an active and engaged ACAPMA member. Ross has an extensive history of community service and engagement that resulted in him being awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2012.

ACAPMA is proud to recognise Ross Lake for 43 years of service to the association and to the industry.

Recognising Excellence

The ACAPMA Fuel & Convenience Awards are merit based awards designed to recognise excellence in safety, compliance, innovation and service.

Applications for the Awards are received and processed by an external consultant and then judged by Executives external to the fuel industry on the merits of the application. Following this rigorous process the Award winners and finalists represent and demonstrate excellence.

In 2026 the Judging Panel included;

Bruce Billson, former Australian Small Business & Family Enterprise Ombudsman
Jayson Westbury, CEO, Franchise Council of Australia
Vanda Fortunato, CEO, Industry Skills Australia
Kerri Wayne, CEO, Schnitz
Timothy Symonds, Interim Victorian Small Business Commissioner

ACAPMA offered sincere thanks to the Judges for giving their time to this process.

The following businesses are finalists for the 2026 ACAPMA Fuel & Convenience Awards;

Community Spirit

Margaret Taylor passed away in December 2023, and those who know the name know the debt the industry owes Marg, and the extent to which her skill, effort and commitment shaped the industry.

Marg Taylor served, guided, protected and defended the APADA and ACAPMA members for over 35 years (from 1979 to 2014).

An expert with a sharp wit, a fast laugh and a passion for her beloved Sydney Swans, Marg was instrumental in shaping the operation of employment and trade practices law in this country.

A powerhouse of knowledge and experience, but more importantly, a wonderful human being, someone who gave their all in supporting the members, Margie is rightly remembered as a workplace relations powerhouse, but her legend lived not just in her knowledge of the laws, or even in her role shaping the laws of the land, though that role was considerable.

But what made Marg truly great was the care for her members and her strong sense of community.

This commitment to community endowed Marg with a special standing, particularly in the halls of power, where her open, human, no nonsense approach was a hallmark. It was the industry and community that benefited.

ACAPMA feels the loss of Marg from the industry, particularly as we celebrate 50 years of ACAPMA, but were very pleased that Margs godson Peter, and his husband Heath, were able to join us on the night as this award was presented in her name.

…and the winners are…

Dover Fueling Solutions has been recognised for its outstanding

contribution to the Australian fuel industry, demonstrating excellence across safety, compliance, innovation and sustainability.

Its industry-leading Zero Harm culture places employee safety and wellbeing at the heart of the business, supported by internationally recognised management systems and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

Dover Fueling Solutions continues to invest in next-generation forecourt technology, digital engineering, remote monitoring and advanced fuel management solutions that deliver measurable benefits for customers.

Combined with its significant commitment to energy efficiency and environmental management, Dover Fueling Solutions continues to set an outstanding benchmark for equipment and technology suppliers across the fuel industry.

Congratulations Dover.

Octane Systems has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to the Australian fuel industry through technology, innovation and operational excellence.

With independently certified compliance systems, a highly engaged workplace and a strong focus on continuous improvement, Octane has established itself as a trusted technology partner to fuel retailers and distributors.

Its extensive suite of digital solutions is helping businesses improve pricing, logistics, compliance, productivity and decision-making, while also supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.

Through its commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the downstream fuel industry, Octane Systems continues to deliver measurable value and help shape the future of fuel industry technology.

Congratulations Octane.

Bennetts Petroleum has been recognised for its outstanding performance across compliance, workplace safety, innovation and sustainability.

The business has embedded a strong culture of compliance and safety throughout its operations, supported by robust governance, comprehensive workplace systems and a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing. Bennetts continues to embrace innovation through investment in digital technology, automation and data analytics, improving both operational efficiency and customer service.

Its commitment to sustainability is equally impressive, with ongoing investment in lower-emission vehicles, EV infrastructure and environmental initiatives.

A trusted and progressive regional fuel distributor, Bennetts Petroleum continues to set a high standard for the industry.

Congratulations Bennetts.

Tasco Petroleum has been recognised for its outstanding performance as a leading multi-site fuel retailer, combining operational excellence with a strong commitment to its people, customers and regional communities.

Tasco has demonstrated an impressive culture of compliance and workplace safety, supported by robust governance, dedicated safety programs and continued investment in its team.

Innovation remains central to the business, highlighted by the development of The Cliffs Roadhouse, ongoing network revitalisation and the adoption of new digital technologies.

Together with significant investment in solar, energy efficiency and modern infrastructure, Tasco Petroleum continues to set an outstanding benchmark for fuel retailing in Australia.

Congratulations Tasco.

For more than 60 years, Riordan Fuels has understood that being part of a regional community means much more than simply doing business there – it means standing alongside the people who call it home.

Through its Fuelling Your Community program, support of local sporting clubs, regional employment and youth pathways, Riordan Fuels has made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to communities across Victoria and Southern New South Wales.

And when those communities have faced their toughest moments – through drought, bushfires and fuel supply disruptions – Riordan Fuels has been there, providing practical support when it mattered most.

With more than $900,000 invested in community initiatives, Riordan Fuels truly embodies the spirit of community.

Congratulations Riordan.

Coming Together

The whole industry coming together, across brands and networks, is a rarity, so it is a joy to see colleagues and old friends come together for a meal and an opportunity to catch up as people and the attendees went all out.