Lowes Petroleum has recognised excellence in truck driving with its annual driver awards, highlighting the professionalism and dedication of its workforce.
The awards, now in their third year, aim to celebrate drivers not just for their transportation skills but for their contribution to enhancing the trucking industry’s reputation as a profession.
Bernie Morris, General Manager of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) at Lowes, said the awards have had a transformative impact on the company’s culture, attracting younger and experienced drivers to the industry and elevating standards across the board.
“It was our hardest year yet to pick the winners. 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 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 the ageing workforce, is by creating a culture of professionalism which will both retain and attract people to the sector.”
This year, nominations for the awards more than tripled, with drivers nominated by their peers across Lowes Petroleum’s 500-plus staff. Judges noted that nearly every nominee displayed a commitment to best-practice standards, with many going above and beyond in their daily work.
One of the standout winners was Boggabilla Depot driver Jon Jon Charles, 39, who has worked with Lowes Petroleum for a decade after transitioning from driving grain tipper trucks to fuel tankers. Charles, who emigrated from the Philippines to Goondiwindi as a child, was deeply moved by the recognition.
“Every day I work to the best of my ability. 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.”
Charles’ journey in the trucking industry has not been without challenges. In 2017, he was involved in a serious head-on collision that claimed three lives, leaving him with significant physical and emotional scars. Despite not being at fault, the incident profoundly affected him and his family.
“It really affected me personally and my whole family,” he said. “The recovery was very long and painful: physically and mentally. It was a hard road, and to 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.”
Charles remains passionate about his work, especially during busy harvest periods when he enjoys engaging with customers. He hopes the industry’s growing recognition of professionalism will inspire others to consider a career in trucking.
“I love driving,” he said. “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.”
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