We are extremely proud to announce that our very own Matt Henderson has taken out the title of PACCAR Australia’s DAF Technician of the Year for 2024!

Each year, service technicians from PACCAR dealerships Australia-wide are invited to take part in the PACCAR Australia’s Technician of the Year competition, where technicians are put to the test and recognised and rewarded for their skills and abilities, and ultimately crowned as the ‘best of the best’ in their field.

Finals took place at the PACCAR factory earlier in March over a full day, which saw the finalists undertake a variety of practical assessments. These assessments involve technical skill, engine expertise, product knowledge and professionalism.

The process started months prior, when CMV Truck Centre nominated standout technician, Matt Henderson, to take part in the annual competition. Matt, and the other technicians nominated from PACCAR Dealerships Australia-wide, were then asked to complete a series of four theory tests. These tests are put together by Product Trainers and Regional Service Managers, who then judge the results based on the technicians’ answers and the time taken to complete each theory-based test.

It came as no surprise to us that Matt breezed through this theory testing, landing him in the top 4 in Australia! This meant he moved straight into the finals, where he and the other finalists competed in a series of diagnostic challenges.

Matt has proven to be an extremely valuable and valued employee at CMV Truck Centre since he started with us in 2013 as an Apprentice Diesel Technician. Not only did he complete his diesel mechanic trade in 2017, he has also recently completed a dual trade in Auto Electrical Technology.

Taking title of DAF Technician of the Year for 2024 was a clear goal of Matts’ as he’s no stranger to the PACCAR Technician of the Year competition, landing a spot in the finals back in 2020 and ultimately placing 3rd overall that year.

After the competition finished at the PACCAR manufacturing plant in Bayswater, finalists, CMV Truck Centre representatives, and other competing dealers were invited to the awards dinner at Eureka Towers where winners were announced, and we had much to celebrate!

During the night’s formalities and celebrations, PACCAR Australia Chief Engineer, Brad May and PACCAR Australia Aftersales Manager, Steven Tomaro, presented the 2024 DAF Technician of the Year award to Matt along with a $5,000 Snap On Tools voucher, a $5,000 Visa gift card and a merch package with seats, esky, drink bottle, hat, and much more.

Congratulations again to Matt and all our participants who took part in the 2024 competition. We are extremely proud to have such strong representation from CMV Truck Centre, as well as from our sister dealerships Hallam & Bayswater Truck Centre. The professionalism that was displayed by all our technicians throughout the competition is truly admirable.

The Hallam & Bayswater Truck Centre team also took home an impressive collection of awards this year:

• Grant Brown, Bayswater Truck Centre Technician – Kenworth Technician of the Year 2024
• Shane Henderson, Bayswater Truck Centre Technician – 4^th Place for Kenworth Technician of the Year
• Inndyah Chenoweth, Hallam Truck Centre – 4^th Place for DAF Technician of the Year

Well done to all!

Find out more about being a part of our team here.