2007 Awards

AfMA 2007 Annual Award Winners – Recognising Excellence

AfMA’s three annual awards, presented at the Associations Gala Awards Dinner on the 13th September 2007, recognise individuals and organisations in their achievements for best practice in fleet management.

Submissions are judged by one of three panels of peers made up of members and industry experts:

• Fleet Manager of the Year Award –
  (Partnered by Beaurepaires)
• Fleet Safety Award –
  (Partnered by Transurban and endorsed by the ATSB)
• Fleet Environment Award -
  (Endorsed by the AGO)

Only initiatives that are in addition to what one could expect as normal professional practice are accepted for consideration for an Award.

2007 Fleet Manager of the Year

This year’s recipient of the Fleet Manager of the Year award is Frank Melilli, Manager Victoria Police Transport Branch, who runs a fleet of 2,260 vehicles.



(Frank Melilli, Manager Transport Branch, Victoria Police, left, accepting his Award from Peter Woolfe, National Sales Manager, Beaurepaires)

A comprehensive fit for purpose review of the vehicle fleet was undertaken and a wide-ranging set of specifications were adopted matching varied operational needs to vehicle acquisitions.
The change program which begun in 2002 has resulted in a significant OH&S emphasis leading to a significant accident reduction, cost savings, efficiency improvements, emission reductions, as well as improving operational capabilities. 
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2007 Fleet Safety Award

Roche Australia has been awarded with the 2007 Fleet Safety award. Jann White the Fleet Manager has overseen the development of Roches’ Fleet Safety Program and the introduction in 2005 of a ‘training needs analysis’ program.



(Jann White accepting the Award on behalf of Roche Products. From left, Scott Trevena (Transurban), Piya Choudhury (Transurban), Jann White (Roche Products) and, Andrew Thornton (Transurban)

In January 2005 Roche introduced its online driving program that required its 450 employees entitled to a company vehicle, to undertake the program.
This program is part of a comprehensive and continually developing and adaptive fleet safety program which has seen the overall reduction in actual accidents and accident costs. 
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2007 Fleet Environment Award

Newcastle City Council is the recipient of the AfMA 2007 Environment award for its study and introduction of biodiesel into its fleet operations.



(Geoff Dunne, right, accepting the Award on behalf of Newcastle City Council from Stephen Woodward, Chief Executive Officer, LPG Autogas)

Newcastle City Council maintains a 228 vehicle diesel fleet. In 2003 they began a testing program for the introduction of Biodiesel into the fleet. This program consisted of emissions testing, engine maintenance and wear monitoring.
The outcome of the testing, a 20% plus reduction in tailpipe smoke and particulate matter, lead to a measured approach of the introduction to biodiesel into the fleet. 
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