The Kenworth Icon of the Road is a prestigious award recognising a driver for their ongoing contributions to the transport/carrier industry.
The award is presented by the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) in conjunction with Paccar Kenworth.
Mr Congram received the award in the 40th year of the ALRTA.
“They mentioned my customised work on the trucks and also spoke about the work I have done remotely and rurally hauling livestock,” Mr Congram said of the awards ceremony.
“It’s funny because I really didn’t have any idea I was winning anything.
“It caught me completely off guard.”
Livestock and Beef Rural Carriers chief operating officer Bec Coleman said Mr Congram is well known in the industry.
“Unlike the early travellers and drovers that traversed the often harsh and unforgiving plains of the Riverina and south west New South Wales, Craig Congram has seen the world from behind the badge and a two-piece screen,” she said.
“Covering the trips in hours rather than days, this mechanised swaggy has traversed a few stock routes, and every one of his custom-built Kenworth’s carrying a sheep could tell a tale or two.”
“Craig is a family man at heart, based in Finley.
“He has predominantly transported sheep and cattle across Australia, but is no stranger to other rural commodities and freight.
“A stalwart member of the LBRCA, he has served in industry associations for over three decades.
“Always in relentless pursuit of improved infrastructure for the industry and access, he was instrumental in getting road trains into the Riverina and was the pioneering driver throughout the trials.”
Testament to his description, Mr Congram spoke with the Southern Riverina News from the comfort of his truck, on his way to deliver sheep to a sale.
The conference drew a bumper crowd of about 400, including some of the industry’s most well-known operators from across the country.
The two-day event held in Canberra, at Thoroughbred Park, was hosted by the LBRCA.
Guests heard from a number of guest speakers, and participated in workshops and discussions, all with the focus of improvement for the rural transport industry.
The awards were held on the Friday evening.
16°C