A Sizzling Tauranga Event
It wasn’t only the sausages that were sizzling at the Waikato / Bay of Plenty Section Christmas in the park on Thursday. The bay turned on its best summer weather, and the conversation was as lively.
The guest of honor was Krystal Brayshaw, winner of the 2024 MITO/CILT scholarship. Krystal, who is a driver for respected local fuel and lubricant logisitics specialist McFall Fuel, left the crowd in no doubt that she is a very worthy recipient. She aims to put her scholarship to good use in studying to become a driver trainer. This is not only a smart career choice, but allows her to make an even bigger contribution to the local community. Krystal is already a volunteer fire fighter and aims to become a driver trainer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
Thanks to CILT NZ Council Vice President Paul Koch for joining us to present the award. Thanks also to Education and Mentoring Committee Chair Jean-Paul Thull, of Thull & Associates for juggling other commitments to attend.
Members and guests were especially grateful for the shade tent that provided by the team at Truck Stops. Truck Stops went the extra mile for their event. Branch Managers Dave Bryan and Martin Violich also rolled up their sleeves to staff the BBQ and Bay of Plenty Regional Manager Simon Rose surprised everyone with a Santa Sack of goodies. Truck Stops are nationwide business that ” keep trucks moving.” They aim for more community events in 2025, so watch out for their tent in a town near you. We highly recommend their BBQ skills.
It turns out Cubro‘s Elizabeth Anderson is not only an accomplished supply chain professional, but has a hidden talent for both baking and team building. Her gingerbread decorating stand was a hit – and totally on theme with a truck, car, plane and driver shapes in the line up. Think “pimp my ride’ with an icing bag and sprinkles. If there had been a prize for the best Christmas outfit it would have gone to Kinetic Management‘s Stephen Dorrington. The award for best multi-tasker would have to go to Steven Davies from forestry logistics company C3, who photographed the event on a real camera while handling work calls on his mobile phone.
In her welcome speech, local section Chair Kiri McRae recognised everyone who helped make the event happen. Special mention goes to CILT Sponsor Port of Tauranga and their Cargo Services Manager Mark Whitworth for his strong support for CILT. Mark must have thought the venue was chosen just for him – with a view of the harbour entrance of one side of Kulim Park and the rail line pumping on the other.
It was great to share the event with some very familiar faces like Gannet Shipping‘s Jeff Davies and some new faces like Brooke Fletcher from manufacturing exporter Trimax Mowing Systems and Davin Watson from Trident Equipment & Canvas – best known in the transport and logistics sector for their curtainsiders. We look forward to seeing them again at our first event in the new year. Watch this space!