The Livestock and Bulk Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) Young Driver of the Year Award has been announced at a ceremony in regional NSW.
The recipient of the 2022 award, James Papworth, was on hand for the presentation as part of the LBRCA Annual Conference held this year in Wagga Wagga.
Papworth is currently a valued team member at Martin’s Stock Haulage.
Based in Holbrook NSW, Papworth, 26, is responsible for the cartage of livestock from saleyards to properties and feedlots as well as exit cattle from feedlots to the many processing plants located between southern NSW and southeast Queensland.
Papworth began his career in the heavy vehicle industry as a heavy diesel mechanic and gained extensive experience working on both trucks and farm machinery.
Following a two-year stint in the Northern Territory, where he combined his time building cattle yards, transporting cattle and heavy machinery, as well as successfully completing a Certificate III in Agriculture, Papworth joined Martins Stock Haulage as a professional truck driver after obtaining his MC licence in 2019, a role he continues in today.
Despite his relatively young age, Papworth is renowned for being passionate about animal welfare and is well-respected as having a unique ability with cattle and is considered a true example of the adage, ‘stockmen are born, not taught’.
This is the sixth year that the LBRCA and SafeWork NSW have presented the award which includes a $5,000 study tour of either the United States or New Zealand.
The award recognises outstanding young truck drivers who demonstrate the best practice approach to driving and safety.