2026 NatRoad Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 NatRoad Awards
Sponsored by NTI, the annual NatRoad Awards recognise the hard-working operators, support staff and up-and-coming young people who keep our industry moving forward.
In 2026, the awards will be presented during NatRoad Connect 26, at the Industry Gala Dinner on Thursday 5 November 2026 at The Star, Gold Coast QLD.
Award category finalists will receive complimentary tickets and travel to attend NatRoad Connect 26 at The Star, Gold Coast on 5 and 6 November 2026. The award winners will receive a cash prize.
List of Awards
Sam Sali National Young Driver of the Year
This Award recognises an inspirational young professional (30 years and under) working in any part of the road transport industry. The award is named in honour of Sam Sali, one of NatRoad’s founding fathers and a passionate champion of our industry, who passed in January 2024.
Sam and his family were Albanian immigrants who moved to Shepparton in 1937, establishing S Sali and Sons in 1956. He spent many years driving trucks before moving to the management side of the business and becoming heavily involved in industry advocacy. Sam was a driving force behind such initiatives as the restructuring of the Long Distance Drivers Award and the introduction of enterprise bargaining to the industry.
If a young team member has performed beyond your expectations, contributed to your business or brought a new way of thinking, nominate them today.
Sponsored by NTI
Professional Driver of the Year
This Award recognises the achievements of a driver and acknowledge the professionalism with which they carry out their work, in particular an exemplary safety performance, commitment to excellence, customer service and who has worked to promote the industry as a whole.
Sponsored by NTI
Excellence in Operational Support of the Year
This Award recognises an individual with a demonstrated commitment to the road transport industry and outstanding customer service, whose positive approach, enthusiasm towards their job and demonstrated leadership potential, reflects positively on them, their employer and the road transport industry as a whole.
Sponsored by NTI
Ted Pickering Memorial Award
The prestigious Ted Pickering Memorial Award is awarded each year to an individual for their outstanding contribution to the Australian Road Transport Industry.
First awarded in 2012, this award was named after one of the founding members of the National Transport Federation – Ted Pickering. Ted was an icon of the industry and a true gentleman. Universally liked and respected for his honesty, integrity, ethics and overall commitment to the industry. The Ted Pickering Memorial Award is selected by the NatRoad Executive Team and awarded at the NatRoad Conference Gala Dinner.
Past Winners
2025
- NTI NatRoad Professional Driver of the Year Award - David Muir, Formula Chemicals
- NTI NatRoad Sam Sali National Youth Employee of the Year Award - Porcha Stafford, De Bruyn's Transport
- Ted Pickering Memorial Award - Leigh Smart, Formula Chemicals
2024
- NTI NatRoad Professional Driver of the Year Award - James Ellison
- NTI NatRoad Sam Sali National Youth Employee of the Year Award - Jade Harney
- Ted Pickering Memorial Award - Tim Giles
2023
- NTI NatRoad Professional Driver of the Year Award - Dennis Harding
- NTI NatRoad Youth Employee of the Year Award - Stephanie Arpasi
- NTI NatRoad Excellence in Operational Support of the Year Award - Shane Pendergast
- Ted Pickering Memorial Award - Carol Single (pictured)