2026 RFIA Winners Announced

Queensland road freight excellence celebrated at 2026 QTA Road Freight Industry Awards

More than 450 industry guests gathered at the Royal International Convention Centre for the 35th QTA Road Freight Industry Awards, celebrating the people, businesses and partnerships that continue to shape Queensland’s road freight industry.

Brisbane, QLD — 19 September 2026 — More than 450 people from across Queensland’s road freight industry came together at the Royal International Convention Centre, Bowen Hills, for the 2026 Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) Road Freight Industry Awards — the Association’s 35th annual celebration of industry excellence.

The evening brought together transport operators, fleet owners, suppliers, industry leaders, government representatives and key stakeholders for a night that celebrated much more than award winners. Alongside recognising outstanding achievement in workforce development, safety and innovation, emerging leadership, professional driving, women in transport and broader industry contribution, QTA also celebrated significant member business milestones and acknowledged the enduring relationships that have supported the Association and the industry over many years.

Among those recognised were QTA’s longstanding Platinum Partners — NTI, VCV Australia, Trailer Sales and Cummins South Pacific, whose ongoing support reflects the strength of the relationships QTA has built with businesses that are deeply invested in the success and sustainability of Queensland’s road freight sector.

Member for Gregory Sean Dillon MP, Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland, attended the Awards, delivered a State Government Outlook and joined QTA Chief Executive Officer Gary Mahon in presenting awards to this year’s recipients.

The 2026 Awards were proudly supported by Event Partner NTI, a longstanding QTA partner with deep connections to Australia’s transport industry. NTI Queensland State Manager Jason Rogerson delivered the official Sponsor Welcome, reinforcing the importance of strong industry partnerships and the value of organisations that stand alongside transport businesses, not only on major occasions such as the Awards, but throughout the year.

QTA CEO Gary Mahon said the evening reflected the depth, capability and community that exists across Queensland road freight.

QTA CEO Gary Mahon said, “The Road Freight Industry Awards are an opportunity to recognise the people and businesses whose leadership, professionalism and commitment continue to strengthen our industry,”

“ Just as importantly, they give us the opportunity to celebrate the significant business milestones, partnerships and relationships that have contributed so much to QTA and to the road freight industry over many years,” Mr Mahon said.

The 2026 QTA RFIA award winners announced on the night were (read full Winners profiles):

Training & Skilling Excellence - Followmont Transport

Followmont Transport was recognised for a leadership program built specifically for the realities of the transport industry. Now reaching 69 participants across more than 20 branches, the initiative is developing confident leaders from within the business and strengthening Followmont’s future leadership pipeline through practical skills in people management, safety, compliance, commercial awareness and operations.

Industry Safety & Innovation, Joint Winners - VE Group and South East Queensland Hauliers

Two very different but equally impressive innovations saw the judges name joint winners in 2026.

VE Group turned a genuine frontline safety challenge into a smart engineering solution with its Illuminate to Eliminate initiative. Developed with Drake Trailers, integrated lighting around critical areas of its new 4x4 Deck Widener Float gives operators significantly better visibility when loading heavy machinery at night — improving accuracy and removing the need to work around equipment with handheld torches.

South East Queensland Hauliers continued its reputation for challenging what is possible in high-productivity freight. Within just 12 months, the business delivered an Electric A-Double and A-Triple — with the A-Triple believed to be the largest electric road train of its kind in the world — as well as the Super A-Double, capable of moving four fully loaded 20-foot containers in a single movement. Importantly, the innovations are not prototypes sitting on display; they are delivering practical commercial outcomes.

Young Achiever of the Year - Patrick Mahon, MJ Mahon Transport

Patrick Mahon is already showing what the next generation of transport leadership looks like. As Fleet Maintenance Supervisor at MJ Mahon Transport, he has helped transform the company’s maintenance operations, designing an integrated asset maintenance system and customer portal that are improving fleet reliability, reducing downtime and strengthening compliance. His technical ability, initiative and maturity have quickly established Patrick as an emerging leader to watch.

Trucking Woman of the Year - Samantha Mackie, Barnes Auto Co

Samantha Mackie was recognised for a contribution that reaches well beyond her own business. Appointed a Director of Barnes Auto Co at just 23, she now helps lead one of Australia’s largest dedicated heavy towing providers while contributing significant time and expertise to the wider industry. A QTA Treasurer and former Vice President, industry advocate and long-term Youth Insearch mentor and board director, Samantha has built a reputation for leadership grounded in professionalism, courage and genuine care for people.

Professional Driver of the Year - John and Matthew Olsson, MJ Mahon Transport

Brothers John and Matthew Olsson driver over 300,000 kilometres each year and have demonstrated that professional driving is about far more than kilometres travelled. Sharing the same Volvo FH780 and operating as a seamless team across time-critical Central Queensland deliveries, the brothers consistently rank among the highest-performing drivers in a fleet of more than 90 - including a number one fuel-efficiency ranking. Their incident-free record, exceptional customer service and commitment to mentoring new drivers made them standout recipients of this year’s award.

Industry Excellence — Brett Plummer, South East Queensland Hauliers

Brett Plummer was recognised for almost three decades of leadership that has helped reshape high-productivity freight in Australia. Since purchasing South East Queensland Hauliers in 1997, Brett has grown the business into a major Port of Brisbane logistics operation while continuing to push the boundaries of freight efficiency. From helping develop the A-Double - now with thousands operating nationally - to electric combinations and the latest Super A-Double, Brett’s influence can be seen in the equipment, operations and productivity of the wider industry. Just as importantly, his commitment to training people and creating pathways into transport has ensured his legacy extends well beyond the vehicles themselves.

Special Recognition — Cunninghams Gap Reconstruction Project

A Special Recognition Award acknowledged the collaboration behind the Cunninghams Gap Reconstruction Project, where government, industry, engineers and constructors worked together to ensure heavy vehicle needs were embedded into the design process. The project provides a strong benchmark for future infrastructure planning, demonstrating the value of engaging operators early and designing for the largest and heaviest vehicles on the network to support safer interaction between freight vehicles and general motorists.

QTA thanked Event Partner NTI, and all sponsors whose support helped deliver the evening, including Major Sponsor Transurban. Other sponsors included Team Super, Cummins South Pacific, BP Australia, Brown and Hurley, VCV Australia, Penske and OKORIS Active Fleet, together with the Platinum Partners sponsoring the individual Award categories.

The 2026 Road Freight Industry Awards were held on Saturday 19 September at the Royal International Convention Centre, Bowen Hills.

The evening concluded with a major announcement that QTA will celebrate 120 years as an Association in 2027, culminating in a special gala celebration with the RFIA's at the Royal International Convention Centre on Saturday 18 September 2027. Members, partners and industry supporters are encouraged to save the date and be part of this significant milestone for Queensland’s road freight industry.

ENDS

Media Contact:

Lisa Fraser, General Manager-Strategy & Engagement, Queensland Trucking Association

E  lisa@qta.com.au, M 0418 736 802