For the DAF award, Andrew Patterson of Kenworth DAF Melbourne was selected from a shortlist of five DAF technicians across Australia to become 2022 Paccar Australia’s DAF Technician of the Year.
For the Kenworth award, Mark O’Dwyer of Hallam Truck Centre was named the 2022 Kenworth Technician of the Year.
The awards were presented by Paccar Australia chief engineer Noelle Parlier and Paccar Australia aftersales manager Richard Saville.
To get into the awards, service technicians from 58 dealerships located throughout Australia were invited to participate in the competition that is aimed to recognise and reward the best of the best.
Finalists for both the Kenworth and DAF Technician of the Year (TOTY) were selected and at Kenworth DAF Melbourne on Friday April 8, they were evaluated over five practical assessments measuring technical skills, product knowledge, engine expertise and professionalism.
The assignments were a combination of electrical, mechanical and system testing.
Kenworth finalists received over $30,000 worth of prizes, including a voucher for a selection of tools vital to the job.
This year there was an additional incentive, with the first-place Kenworth TOTY winner invited to join Team 18 as a garage crew member at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
In addition, the second- and third-placed Kenworth TOTY winners will have a weekend as part of the garage crew with Team 18 at an upcoming Supercars event.
(Kenworth): Paccar Australia chief engineer Noelle Parlier (L) with 2022 Kenworth Technician of the Year Mark O’Dwyer and (right) Paccar Australia aftersales manager Richard Saville
The Kenworth finalists were:
1st Place: Mark O’Dwyer – Hallam Truck Centre
2nd Place: Jason Cooper – Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Coffs Harbour
3rd Place: Lachlan Tate – Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Darra
4th Place: Michael Jones – Twin City Truck Centre Wodonga
5th Place: Jackson Langdon – Twin City Truck Centre Wodonga
Following Mr O’Dwyer in first place was Jason Cooper of Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Coffs Harbour in second place, and Lachlan Tate of Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Darra in third place.
The DAF finalists received the same prize value as their Kenworth counterparts, with a $30,000+ prize pool including tools vouchers.
This year the DAF entrants also had an incentive, with the first-placed DAF TOTY winner invited to join the Truck Assist Racing/Matt Stone Racing Team as a garage crew member at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
The second- and third-placed DAF TOTY winners will be treated to a weekend garage crew experience with the Truck Assist Racing/Matt Stone Racing Team at the NTI Townsville 500 Supercars event.
(DAF): Paccar Australia chief engineer Noelle Parlier (L) with 2022 DAF Technician of the Year Andrew Patterson and (right) Paccar Australia aftersales manager Richard Saville
The DAF finalists and the order of winning were:
1st Place: Andrew Patterson – Kenworth DAF Melbourne
2nd Place: Rudy Linders – Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Caboolture
3rd Place: Stephen Monson – CJD Equipment Hobart
4th Place: Christopher Rule – Kenworth DAF Melbourne
5th Place: Nathan Hadlow – Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Caboolture
Paccar Australia said that following Mr Petterson closely were Rudy Linders of Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Caboolture in second place and Stephen Monson of CJD Equipment in third place.
By Neil Dowling
Read More: Related articles
