MTAQ: 2021 Auto Award Finalists Announced

The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2021 Industry Awards have been confirmed, with some truly deserving nominees recognised for their contributions to the automotive industry.  

Returning for the first time since 2019, the Industry Awards represent an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the achievements of individuals and businesses in the Queensland automotive industry doing great things to promote the best interests of the industry. With many MTA Queensland member businesses showing great commitment and excellence in the face of adversity over the last 12 months, the calibre of nominations for the awards are as high as they have ever been.

The award categories celebrated at the Industry Awards Gala include:
• Community Award – presented to an individual or member business who is a role model in their community.
• Innovation Award – presented to an innovative individual or business that is supporting or implementing emerging technologies in the automotive or mobility industry.
• Women in Industry Award – presented to an outstanding female leader or business achieving success through their commitment to driving change in the automotive or mobility industry.  
• Apprentice of the Year Award – presented to an MTA Institute apprentice who demonstrates a dedication to learning and performs above and beyond expectations and their peers.  

Finalists for the Community Award:
Bill Robertson Toyota – Based in Gladstone, Bill Robertson Toyota has proudly supported numerous initiatives in the local community for the past 45 years, including the local AFL team, Gladstone Harbour Festival; Mt Larcom Show Society; Koolyangarra Kindergarten and more.

Filby’s Motors – Filby’s Motors takes pride in supporting the local Whitsunday community, working with neighboring businesses to source local products where possible and sponsoring a multitude of local projects including National Tree Day, Whitsunday Suicide Prevention, Bowen Tourism & Business, CQ Rescue and more.

Ireland’s of Cairns – Established in 1923, Ireland’s of Cairns has remained an integral part of the Far North Queensland community, regularly supporting local sports clubs, in addition to not for profit groups including Rotary, Advance Cairns, the Cairns Choral Society, and the Cairns Regional Art Gallery.  

Finalists for the Innovation Award include:

Australian Clean Energy Electric Vehicle Group - ACE-EV has developed three electric light commercial vehicles designed for a clean alternative for urban mobility. All three vehicles are currently available for pre-order in Australia.

Electric Mobility Solutions - EMoS is a dedicated clean energy, first and last mile transport solutions provider who have developed multiple compact, affordable urban transport models.  

Superformance - In 2018, Superformance, based in Capalaba, formulated a business growth plan to design, manufacture and market customised independent front suspension systems for vehicles. Fast forward to 2021, and the system is in production, built largely using Australian made components.  

Finalists for the Women in Industry Award include:

Fionna Blackburne (South East Auto Mechanical, Beenleigh) – For the last five years, Fionna, owner of member business South East Auto Mechanical, has delivered the ‘Women on the Move’ initiative, providing an education on basic automotive maintenance training to women  interested in exploring career opportunities in the automotive industry.  

Tania Meli (Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Group, Southport) – Tania is the Dealer Principal of Audi Centre Gold Coast and Ferrari Gold Coast. As a mentor for young professionals, Tania is passionate about women in business, regularly opening up her dealership as the host venue for the Gold Coast chapter of Future Females, and often acts as a panel facilitator for the event.  

Tracy Randall (Anzac Avenue Wreckers, Toowoomba) – Tracy is a successful businessowner and owner of member business Anzac Avenue Wreckers. Tracy also sits on the committee of the MTA Queensland Automotive Parts Recycling Division in the position of
secretary and is regularly involved in the Toowoomba community advocating for opportunities for females in the trades.  

The finalists for the Apprentice of the Year Award are made up of the 12 MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month winners from the year preceding the Industry Awards Gala and will be announced shortly. 

“It is extremely exciting to see the sheer talent, ingenuity and spirit on display from our valued members throughout the Queensland automotive industry,” said MTA Group CEO Rod Camm.

“The industry has experienced extraordinarily difficult conditions over the last 18 months at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to be able to bring the industry together to recognise our member businesses who have gone above and beyond is incredibly important. I look forward to celebrating the success of all our finalists in person at the Industry Awards Gala on Saturday 20th November.”

MTA Queensland thanks platinum event partners BUSY At Work, Spirit Super and Capricorn for their support of the Industry Awards Gala.