Don Watson Memorial Award

This award is presented by Noelene Watson to the person who has given conspicuous service to the Australian trucking industry.

The winner is selected from a range of exceptional people who do not need to nominate to be considered. The Don Watson Award is generally awarded to a representative of an industry supplier. In this way, it is differentiated from the award for an Outstanding Contribution, which is awarded to individuals employed in trucking operations or trucking groups.

Winner of the Don Watson Memorial Award in 2010, Mario Colosimo from BPW Transpec. Winner in 2011, Peter Armstrong, Prime Mover Magazine. Mrs Noelene Watson, Owen Driscoll and Don's friend, Denis Robertson.

Don Watson grew up next door to the family’s Golden Fleece Service Station and served petrol and washed the trucks after school. When he took over the trucking business from his father, he grew the business from a livestock carrier to a refrigerated transport business. Don was dedicated to giving back to the industry he loved. He promoted the need for associations which would bring like-minded people together. Outside work, Don raced cars. He drove Porsches, Group E Production Sedans and Group A Touring Cars. The industry lost a great advocate and mate in Don Watson when he was competing at the 1994 Bathurst one-thousand touring car races.