The 2019 MTA Queensland Industry Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, 16 November at the Emporium Hotel, Southbank, in Brisbane, and it is shaping up to be another outstanding event.

The night is a celebration of our industry and training excellence, as well as the achievements of MTA Queensland members and MTA Institute apprentices throughout Queensland over the past 12 months.

The night will be hosted by Ben Davis from Channel Seven – a media all-rounder with more than 25 years’ experience in television and radio. He will be joined by special guests Craig Lowndes, a legend of Australian motorsport, and Simona De Silvestro, the first full-time female Supercar driver, for a Q&A session on the lives and experiences of both drivers.

Amongst the highlights of the evening will be the announcement and presentation of several awards recognising the remarkable work done by MTA Queensland members throughout the year.

These awards are:
• The Community award, to be presented to an individual or member business who is a role model in their community and this is evidenced by their actions.
• The Innovation Award, to be presented to an individual or business that is supporting or implementing innovation in the automotive or mobility industry.
• The Women in Business Award, to be presented to a female leader or business achieving success by their commitment to driving change in the automotive or mobility industry.

As always, those nominated for the award were all staggeringly good and the finalists this year are outstanding representatives of the industry and an example of what can be achieved through hard work and smart thinking coupled to plenty of drive and enthusiasm.

Across the state, automotive businesses work tremendously hard to service their communities and to stay ahead of an ever-changing industry landscape, challenging themselves to be creative and innovative in their approach. Recognising these amazing businesses, and the people that lead them is a privilege and highlights what tremendous work is being done.

Over the next few paragraphs, you’ll discover more about the great people and businesses that are finalists in these award categories.

The MTA Queensland Industry Dinner is proudly supported by our event partners MTAA Super, Commonwealth Bank and CORE SME.

2019 MTA Queensland Community Award

Hertz Mount Isa

Regional towns are renowned for their strong sense of community and of everybody getting stuck in when things need to be done. The team at Hertz Mount Isa know a thing or two about this and to say that business owners Terence and Alison Dowling are involved with their community would be something of an understatement.

The couple support events and activities through sponsorship, volunteering, donations and a variety of other initiatives that is almost too long to list. But we’ll give it a try.

You’ll find the Hertz Mount Isa name linked as supporters of all manner of local events, including the annual Camooweal Drovers Festival, the Mount Isa Show, the Boulia Market Day, and the Mount Isa City Council Music Festival, amongst many others. Support of other local small business comes through membership of Commerce North West, the bi-annual Minex mining and trade expo, the Buy Local campaign gift cards and Buy Local Support for Local Business television advertising, and other initiatives.

Terence and Alison are members of Rotary and active volunteers, giving up their time to support the annual Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, as well as assisting at school fetes, the School of the Air, Lifeflight, RFDS, Mount Isa Multicultural Festival, and the Regional Schools Encouragement Awards.

Alison has also volunteered to do historical research for the Mount Isa Rodeo Museum and Hall of Fame projects, and currently volunteers with the Young People Ahead project working to enable young people with a disability to build skills in creative industries.

It’s an exhaustive list of community interactions and it comes as no surprise to learn Alison has been recognised for her work in the community before – she was presented the Customer Service Hero Award Community Sector at the North West Business Awards in 2018.

“Businesses in general should look at being involved in their communities as a form of ‘reciprocity’ – to support the people who support the business, so that overall everyone in the community gains a better quality of life outcome,” said Alison.

Of being named an MTA Queensland Community Award finalist, Alison said the whole Hertz team extremely proud.

“We were absolutely thrilled and very happy to share this news with our staff those who support our business. It quite made our day!” she said. “Whilst we do not look for publicity or thanks, it is nice to know that our efforts in helping to make a positive difference in the community are recognised by others within our industry.”

Keema Automotive Group

Keema is one of southeast Queensland’s best-known dealership groups and established the Keema Children’s Foundation in 2015 with a mission to create a better life for children living in foster care who have experienced abuse and neglect.

The Foundation’s Little Stars Kids program runs two key initiatives to assist these children. The first is the Little Stars Kids Case Program which involves children living in long-term foster care attending four camps per year where they have a chance to experience a positive and supportive community, build self-esteem, make friends and rebuild trust by engaging in a variety of fun and varied experiences.

The second is called Cuddle Cases. Children entering foster care because of abuse and neglect often leave home with nothing, or a plastic bag with a few belongings, and wait to be assigned a foster family. Little Stars Kids provide a Cuddle Case to these children at this traumatic time. The case includes a teddy bear, pyjamas, activity books, a cushion and handmade quilt and other comfort items including lunch box and drink bottle for school.

“Keema has strong family values behind us which filters throughout our business and giving back through helping children is something we feel very strongly about,” said Lisa Honeychurch Van Riel, CEO and Founder of Keema Children’s Foundation.

“We believe that children who have experienced abuse and neglect are often overlooked when it comes to receiving help and assistance. The relevant government department is under-resourced and underfunded and foster children cannot be identified publicly so their needs are often hidden. These children are some of the most vulnerable members of our community and they rely on us, as adults, to keep them safe.

“As an organisation, we are committed to doing what we can to help. We see the huge difference these programs make and are passionate about continuing to grow the programs within Queensland to help these vulnerable and precious children.”

It was, said Lisa, a thrill for Keema to be recognised for the work they do.

“We were over the moon to hear that we have been named as a finalist in the MTA Queensland Community Awards, particularly because it is wonderful to be able to highlight the needs of the children in our community who have experienced abuse and neglect, and who really need a helping hand, in a public forum such as this.”

R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services

In 2016, Sharine Milne and the team at R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services in Townsville were awarded the MTA Queensland Community Award for their incredible involvement with their community.

In a career that has seen her move from pre-vocational student to apprentice to business owner to industry leader in a little over 15 years, Sharine is something of an inspiration and the level of involvement in the community is astonishing.

Sharine and her team help PTSD sufferers and veterans, organise all manner of fundraising events, offer training days on basic bike maintenance and a host of other activities. The team is known for modifying bikes for disabled riders so they can regain some mobility and independence and have built a BBQ trailer which is available for hire, with the funds raised going to local projects. Currently, those funds are used to help a local girl who is deaf and confined to a wheelchair.

RHD is also involved with Blaq Diamonds – a First Nation’s Women Empowerment business that focuses on supporting indigenous women, including those affected by domestic violence, to discover their potential. Part of this involvement involves the Leather ‘n’ Lace Ride, an event that encourages participants to step out of their comfort zone, get on a bike and enjoy the sense of freedom biking provides.

“To help those girls move towards gaining their own independence, and show they can put their trust in someone again and not even realise it because they are enjoying themselves is very rewarding,” said Sharine.

While Sharine might be surprised at the nomination, it’s little wonder that the R.H.D. team are once again finalists in the MTA Queensland Community Award category.

“Winning three years ago was phenomenal, and to be a finalist this year is incredible,” she said. “This is a lifestyle choice for me and being able to give back, to help people enjoy the lifestyle, to get back on a bike, to enjoy life again – that’s why I do things.”

2019 MTA Queensland Innovation Award

Oz-DIY Electric Vehicles

If you were able to travel back in time a few years, you probably wouldn’t find too many people talking seriously about electric vehicles playing a major role in the future of transportation. However, there were a few enthusiasts around and even one or two who could really see the potential in the technology.

One of those people was Graeme Manietta, owner of Suzi Auto Parts in Brisbane, who not only saw the potential of EVs but was prepared to take a chance and build a business around the tech.

Graeme established OZ-DIY Electric Vehicles in 2011 with a mission to recycle old cars into electric vehicles, and started that mission with three Suzuki Swifts destined for the scrapyard. He now counts some very interesting cars amongst the conversion work he has done, including a Model T ford, a VW Kombi, a Datsun 1200, a Suzuki Sierra 4WD and even a 2008 Mazda RX8 built for extreme performance.

Today, OZ-DIY Electric Vehicles does more than just conversions. The company also imports the components required for conversions and promotes the concept of owners completing their own conversions.

Given the still new status of the EV industry in Australia, Graeme also has an eye on where the industry is headed as EVs age. OZ-DIY offers servicing and repairs on factory EVs and is working on creating and collecting special tools and software with the expectation of the work that will need to done on these cars in the near future.

Other projects include a ‘module’ as a complete drop-in drive unit for common cars such as the Commodore or Falcon; a drive unit for a light aircraft, and performance ‘chopper’-style motorcycle conversions. Another area the OZ-DIY team is looking at is performance modifications, working to increase the range and performance of EVs and, perhaps, becoming the ‘hot rod’ shop of the future. OZ-DIY also supports other conversion businesses with components, batteries and technical assistance, seeing others not as competition but as partners working to promote EVs.

“We are exceptionally pleased and proud to be an MTA Queensland Innovation award finalist,” said Graeme. “We have a steep learning curve to deal with and are constantly learning more each day, so it’s great to get recognition for the effort that we put into the future of electric vehicles. Industry recognition is a fabulous way to support small business.”

Australian Electric Infrastructure Transport & SmartGEN

We all know that in some form or another our future will be electrified. Name a vehicle manufacturer and you can be certain that at least one electric vehicle is in its model range or on its drawing board.

How best to charge these vehicles in an effective and efficient manner has been a question Rikesh Ram and many other creative-thinking individuals have been working on for some years.

Through his companies Australian Electric Infrastructure Transport and smartGEN, Rikesh has been working on implementing a wireless charging infrastructure to charge electric buses and tram systems, and developing an EV charging station that is designed to generate power through renewable energy.

The wireless charging technology, developed by an overseas university, was launched in 2010 and that year was named a ‘Best 50 invention’ by TIME Magazine. It comprises 150m long electric strips embedded in the road surface that transfer energy to EVs that pass over them. Enabling EVs to charge while on the move not only means that range is no longer an issue but could see EVs use much smaller batteries as heavy, long-range batteries would no longer be required.

The smartGEN charging station is designed to use both solar and wind to generate renewable energy which it then stores in an integrated battery storage system. The design would allow the stored energy to be used to charge all manner of battery-powered items, including EVs, thanks to multiple charging connectors that include 3-pin plus, USB charge points and EV charging plugs.

“Our innovations are the key to enable the uptake of EVs,” said Rikesh. “With smartGEN we are looking to disrupt how EVs are going to be charged with renewable energy and be at no cost to EV owners except for a low annual membership fee. Imagine a world where you can buy a car and your fuel would be free forever.

“AEIT will take this further so that you won’t have to stop and plug in your car to charge – you will be able to charge it as you drive,” he added. “Imagine driving down the highway and to top up your ‘fuel’ all you need to do is drive onto the lane which has our wireless charging infrastructure. You will be able to top up your battery giving you that extra range needed, and you will be able to do this throughout your journey.

“The benefits of our technology will be to reduce transport emissions, reduce the fuel costs we all face, reduce our dependence on imported fuel, and assist in making our environment cleaner for future generations.”

Rikesh added that for both AEIT and smartGEN to be named as finalists in the MTA Queensland Innovation award was a great surprise but incredibly pleasing.

“We are definitely proud to be recognised in this way, and proud to know that industry is observing and is supporting us to break through the glass ceiling we have in terms of support for innovative technologies and innovative companies.”

2019 MTA Queensland Women in Industry Award

Andrea McCarthy

22 years ago, Andrea McCarthy joined her husband Craig in the family business, McCarthy Panel Works. At the time, Andrea admits, she knew little about the industry but took it upon herself to learn every aspect from front desk reception and accounts, to car detailer and parts administrator, and everything else short of doing a trade and becoming a technician.

Today, Andrea is a well-respected leader in the industry. In 2018, she became the first woman elected to the Board of I-Car Australia and she is also the only female repairer representative on the Committee of MTA Queensland’s NACA (National Auto Collision Alliance) division.

An industry leadership role wasn’t something Andrea thought about 22 years ago, but even back then her desire to learn and understand the business, and question the workings of the industry, were clear to see.

“It’s a little clichéd, but I married into it,” she said. “I used to sit on the sidelines at conferences and ask all sorts of questions, so I guess it was easier for Craig to just get me to join in. I have always been a keen learner and I like to understand the functionality of something. Knowing how or why another party does what they do is fascinating and there is so much to learn, even now. That’s what drives me.”

A keen student who continues to work to develop both her own knowledge and that of her staff through ongoing training, Andrea has a wealth of first-hand knowledge at her disposal. Working hard for progress in the industry, she said she was always searching for better ways of doing things so that “every person on every level can benefit from a better, safer, more effective and efficient workplace.”

As a finalist in the MTA Queensland Women In Industry award, Andrea said she is extremely proud of the recognition and would very much like to see more women come into the industry, bringing their own unique perspective with them to the automotive landscape.

“I think it is important that all individuals remember that they can have a voice,” she said. “For an industry to grow and learn we need forward thinkers who are able to set aside how something ‘is done’ for how it could potentially be done. I believe that women play an integral role in this because we see the world differently. I hope that recognition like this can encourage other women to speak up and become involved.”

Rebecca Frizelle

Frizelle is one of the best known and well-respected names in the automotive industry. That reputation found its start in 1985 when James Frizelle bought a Mazda dealership on the Gold Coast and established the James Frizelle Automotive Group. That business would grow to become one of the largest dealership groups in Queensland and today, after joining forces with the Peter Warren Group of Sydney in 2017, is the largest privately owned dealership group in Australia.

Rebecca Frizelle is a key member of the business. She is a shareholder at Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, chief operating officer of Frizelle Prestige and has been an influential voice in the industry for much of her nearly 30 years in the industry.

Her career began in 1990 when she joined James Frizelle Automotive. However, at the time a career in the automotive industry was not what she had planned.

“Life really is about sliding doors,” she said. “I was only 19 when I started in the industry and applied for the position as receptionist. It was my intention to study law and this was the perfect job to support me during this time.

“But anyone involved in the motor industry would understand that this business quickly gets under your skin. It is dynamic, diverse, constantly changing and always challenging. The people we meet, the people we work with and the constant evolution of this business keep me focused and engaged.”

Rebecca has proven to be a powerful voice on many issues, including encouraging women to consider automotive as a career choice. In 2014, the Frizelle Group stood before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and was handed a ruling enabling the company to advertise women-only positions on the sales floor. At the time, less than five per cent of the company’s sales and management staff were women. Today, that number is 17 per cent.

The plan is for more women to join the industry through a new initiative called Diverse Auto Network Inc (DANi). This will, Rebecca said, concentrate on providing dealers with the policy frameworks, skills and expertise they require to shift the balance. Diversity, she believes, is vital.

“Absolutely diversity is important. Not just in the motor industry but business in general. Balance is always better and we need to reflect the communities that we serve. Our industry struggles to attract the right talent. By encouraging women into our industry, irrespective of the discipline, we are broadening our talent pool and meeting the desires of our customer base.”

Other initiatives at the Frizelle group have seen the establishment of an industry-leading Business Development Centre and an in-house media-buying arm, both indicative of an industry leader determined to grow her business’s stellar performance and reputation.

Regarding being a finalist for the Women In Industry award, Rebecca expressed some delight at her nomination while acknowledging that such recognition should be shared with her team.

“I am honoured to have members of our business nominate me but, to be honest, a little embarrassed as we all know it’s the team that drives the outcomes,” she said. “And we have an awesome team at Frizelle Sunshine.”

Sharine Milne

The owner of R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services in Townsville, Sharine has come a long way since entering the industry as a pre-vocational student in the early 2000s – moving from apprentice to mechanic to business owner in less than a decade.

A hands-on boss who is “mechanic, bookkeeper, front of house, spare parts interpreter and modification specialist”, Sharine is affectionately known as ‘Spanner’ and her list of accolades is extensive. Amongst other things, she’s a former finalist in TAFE’s pre-vocational Student of the Year competition,
was the Ulysses Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year winner in 2004, recently completed her parts interpreter qualification, and R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services has been shortlisted for Small Employer of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards multiple times.

In 2016, the business picked up the MTA Queensland Community Award and it is a finalist in that category again this year.

Moreover, Sharine is also Vice-Chairman of MTA Queensland’s Queensland Motorcycle Industry Division (QMID), putting her at the centre of discussion and debate that affects the development of the industry.

One of nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners who were identified as part of the 100 Faces of Small Business during Small Business week in 2018, Sharine said in an interview at the time: “I didn’t really think I was boss material for a very long time prior to owning the shop and then I realised that there is no such thing as boss material – it’s whatever you are passionate about.” That passion has taken her a long way.

Modest about being named a finalist in the MTA Queensland Women In Industry award, Sharine expressed surprise at her nomination while acknowledging the recognition means a great deal.

“I am humbled more than anything,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting any recognition in this sort of way. For me, the work has been something I have been driven to do and I have always tried to do the best I can.

“I am probably one of the only female indigenous owners of a motorcycle shop in Queensland and to be recognised in this way shows my Mob that they can do it as well.

“To be a representative to young ladies who are coming up is humbling, and to be able to talk to them and let them know that they can do whatever they want to do is very rewarding.”

Original source: Motor Trader Magazine (September 2019)

10 Sept 2019