Honoured: AHG managing director Bronte Howson was one of the many Australians to be recognised on the Queen’s Birthday 2016 Honours List.

THE 2016 Queen’s Birthday honours list has been announced today, with four veterans of the Australian automotive industry among the total 565 recipients to be recognised for their contributions to Australia.

AHG managing director Bronte Howson, Carsales.com.au founder Walter Pisciotta, Mercedes-Benz dealer principal Paul Betar and former racing driver and long-time race official Tim Schenken are all set to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the automotive industry and motorsport.

Mr Howson has been the managing director of AHG since 2007, and before that he held the title of CEO from 2000-2007. His career in the auto industry spans back to founding an automotive parts business, which was acquired by AHG in 1988.

Mr Howson is being recognised not only for his work in the automotive industry, but also his commitment to charitable and community-based initiatives.

He has been named an honourary life member for his support of Rocky Bay Incorporated, a Western Australia-based provider of disability services that works with thousands of clients, their families and carers.

A keen football fan, he is also president and life member of East Perth Football Club, an affiliate of the West Coast Eagles.

Walter Piscotta

The second auto industry personality to be honoured – Mr Pisciotta – has built a long and successful career providing information technology services to the automotive industry, most prominently working with the vehicle classifieds website Carsales.

His first notable venture in the auto industry was with Pentana Solutions, a company that designed automotive software tailored specifically for dealerships.

He became director of Pentana in 1977, a position he still holds, was CEO from 1981 to 2000, and has been chairman since 2000.

He co-founded Carsales.com.au in 1997, and acted as chairman from its inception until August 2015. Carsales is also the parent company for other buying and selling websites including Bikesales.com.au, Trucksales.com.au, Homesales.com.au, Boatsales.com.au, Farmmachinerysales.com.au and Caravancampingsales.com.au.

Mr Betar has been the dealer principal of Mercedes-Benz Sydney since 2008, and before that he spent 20 years as director and shareholder of Trivett Automotive Group. He is also a council member of the Motor Traders’ Association New South Wales.

He has been commended for his extensive support and work with charitable organisations. He has supported food saving initiative Oz Harvest since 2010, youth cancer charity Ponting Foundation since 2008, Royal Prince Alfred Transplant Institute since 2010, and has

Tim Schenken

been an advisor and financial supporter of the Australian Medical Association NSW Charitable Foundation since 2000.

Mr Schenken crafted a career in racing which lead to a tenure as Formula One driver in the 1970s as well as a number of other racing series, which evolved into a distinguished career as a racing official.

He made his F1 debut in 1970, racing in 36 Grands Prix until 1974. His Formula One career highlight came at the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix where he placed third, making him, at the time, only the second Australian to achieve a podium finish after Jack Brabham.

After racing in a number of disciplines he turned his attention to officiating, a responsibility the 72-year-old still maintains today.

Mr Schenken has been the Australian F1 Grand Prix committee chairman since 1993, the Australian Grand Prix clerk of the course since 1988 and the V8 Supercar Championship race director since 1997, among a swathe of other behind-the-scenes racing roles over the years.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove praised the efforts of the 565 total recipients to benefit the country through their endeavours.

“We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to dedicate themselves to the betterment of our nation and it is only fitting that they have today been recognised through the Australian Honours system,” he said.

“For over 40 years these honours have helped to define, encourage and reinforce our national aspirations and ideals by acknowledging exceptional Australians. Today, we add a new group of names to those we should all admire.”

By Robbie Wallis