PACCAR Australia has announced the winners of its annual technician of the year award across its DAF and Kenworth brands.
From a shortlist of five DAF technicians across Australia, Andrew Patterson of Kenworth DAF Melbourne, has been named as the 2022 PACCAR Australia DAF Technician of the Year.
Mark O’Dwyer of Hallam Truck Centre was named the 2022 Kenworth Technician of the Year.
Noelle Parlier, Chief Engineer PACCAR Australia and Richard Saville, Aftersales Manager PACCAR Australia, presented both winners with their individual awards.
The search for the respective 2022 DAF and Kenworth Technicians of the Year began in October 2021.
All Service Technicians at DAF Dealerships Australia wide were invited to participate in the competition, which aimed to recognise and reward the best of the best.
The finals were held over a full day on Friday, 8 April 2022, at Kenworth DAF Melbourne (KDM).
The event consisted of five practical assessments measuring technical skills, product knowledge, engine expertise and professionalism.
The DAF finalists were as follows:
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
The Kenworth finalists were as follows:
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
Finalists received over $30,000 worth of prizes, including a voucher for a selection of tools vital to the job, and this year had an additional incentive with the 1st placed DAF TOTY winner to join the Truck Assist Racing/Matt Stone Racing Team as a Garage Crew member at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.