National success: Quenten Shepherd (2nd from left) is congratulated by (left to right) Michael Mitrovits – Interleasing, Jim Cock – Custom Fleet, Donna Robertson – AfMA President and Neil McKay - sgfleet

The Australasian Fleet Managers Association (AfMA) three annual awards were presented at the Associations Gala Awards Dinner in Sydney on 17 September 2009.

These awards are a celebration of best practice in Fleet Management and recognise individuals and organisations for their achievements.

Quenten Shepherd, Manager Property & Procurement for Centacare Brisbane, is the recipient of the 2009 Australian Fleet Manager of the Year Award. Quenten runs a fleet of 500 fleet vehicles, comprising of 355 sedans, wagons & SUV’s and 150 commercial vehicles.

A significant factor in Quenten’s success was his developing of a unique fleet management system. The outcome was a vehicle database that is accessible via intranet/internet shareware and with the ability to review overall fleet portfolio. It captured and enabled review of supplier details for existing and potential suppliers in the market and to identify opportunities for lower costs giving an instant snapshot of fleet assets and financial obligations to assist with financial planning and budget development organisation wide.

Centacare Brisbane has realised significant savings of over an estimated $100,000.00 pa as a result.  In addition the organisation has also made significant savings on RACQ, fuel, servicing and insurance costs.

These annual awards are judged by a separate panel of peers made up of AfMA members and industry experts. Only initiatives that are over and above what one could expect as normal professional practice are accepted for consideration for an Award.

Released by Catholic Communications Office from an original media release provided by AfMA