Record nominations and diverse winners list highlight influential Queensland award ceremony
The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) has highlighted business owners, innovators and apprentices in its 2021 Industry Awards Gala.
A record number of award nominations were submitted, demonstrating strong resilience in an industry faced with sustained pressures.
MTA Group CEO Rod Camm said, “As an industry we have faced, and indeed continue to face, shortages in both skilled labour and parts and supplies, and challenges with the pace of new technological advancements.
However, we continue to face these head-on led through individuals like those recognised in the 2021 Industry Awards. I sincerely congratulate them all and look forward to following them as they continue to lead the industry into the future. I also applaud the field of strong candidates who made the finalist group,” Camm said.
Fionna Blackburne, who owns Southeast Auto Mechanical in Beenleigh, won the Women in Industry Award in 2021, after taking out the Community Award in 2018.
Blackburne’s work in educating women on basic vehicle maintenance through the ‘Women on the Move’ program was catalyst for this award.
Fourth-year light vehicle mechanical apprentice Joshua Frampton, from Cricks Maroochydore, took out MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year against strong competition. The final-year apprentice dreams of opening his own mechanical and restoration business in future; a goal he’s dreamed of since high school.
Other awards fell to Bill Robertson Toyota in Gladstone, who raised the Community Award for its long-standing support of local communities, while Electric Mobility Solutions Australia won this year’s Innovation Award for its range of electric urban mobility vehicles.
