Latest News

Who will be the next Lifetime Achievement Award winner?

In just over a week the latest inductee will be honoured at The National Collision Repairer‘s Lifetime Achievement awards.

The list of winners of NCR’s Lifetime Achievement Award ( see below) reads like a who’s who of the Australian repair industry over the last 20 years.

It has been noted that the accumulated wisdom of all these inductees adds up to several thousand years of experience and dedication to the collision repair industry in Australia.

So, who will be the latest person honoured to join their ranks?

Join us on Wednesday May 7 in Melbourne to find out! Tickets available here.  

Here is a brief outline of our 2025 finalists for the Lifetime Achievement Awards;

Jason Trewin – I-CAR Australia

Trewin has over 35 years’ experience in the automotive industry— beginning as a panel technician and comes to the board as a seasoned leader including the continuing success of I-CAR Australia as an organisation dedicated to keeping workshops up to date in the latest techniques and skills.

Martin Dickinson – Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs, AMA Group

Martin Dickinson, Wales Heavy Vehicle Repairs general manager and formerly Area Manager for AMA Group in North Queensland, has passionately dedicated himself to community programs that empower Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander youth. Martin has helped create pathways to employment and education for disadvantaged young people. His efforts have led to inspiring success stories, including apprenticeships in the automotive industry and the growth of students into industry leaders.

Greg Tunks – PPG Businesses Development

Greg Tunks, MVP Business Solutions Manager ANZ at PPG, is dedicated to enhancing safety and operational efficiency within the collision repair industry. Recognising the critical importance of emergency preparedness, he has championed the development of tailored emergency evacuation plans for collision centres across Australia and New Zealand. His proactive approach not only boosts safety standards but also helps businesses improve overall productivity and profitability, fostering a culture of preparedness and safety within the industry.

Bev Williams – Kangan University

Bev Williams OAM, Automotive Industry Placement Coordinator at Kangan Institute, has been awarded the prestigious World Federation Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award (Gold) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to vocational education. Bev has played a pivotal role in guiding over 1,000 students from foundational studies to successful career placements in the automotive industry.

John Barry – Flagstaff Autobody

Celebrating 20 years in business, Flagstaff Autobody—led by industry veteran John Barry—stands as a beacon of independent excellence in Melbourne’s collision repair industry. With a career spanning decades, John has built a trusted, high-performing workshop grounded in quality, innovation, and resilience. John’s leadership has transformed Flagstaff Autobody into a modern, dynamic business that remains proudly independent and future-focused.

Phil Munday – Formerly AMA Group

Phil has had more than 50 years in the automotive industry. A true entrepreneur, he has built and led successful businesses from panel to motorsport (as well as businesses in other industries such as food and brewing) and partnered with insurance companies. Known and highly respected across the industry, Phil’s legacy includes building successful businesses, pioneering the PCM model, attracting Apprentices, developing tradespeople and managers, as well as supporting the local community and charitable causes.

Join us and find out who wins the prestigious accolade along with two other ghreat award The Woman in Automotive Award and the Next generation Leader award.

 Don’t miss out, get your tickets here.  

Proud supporters

The gathering each year represents a who’s who of the repair industry, including sponsors, collision repairers, suppliers, insurers, and previous inductees who gather to celebrate the people that make the industry strong, innovative and supportive.

PPG, PartsCheck, 3M, Sheen Group and Saint Gobain are just some of the major players who are supporting this special event that will feature the industry’s top award along with two other categories, including Woman in Automotive and Next Generation Leader.

Proud history

The full list of inductees is worth perusing to see how long, deep and generous the collision repair community is;

    • Craig Carey      2024
    • Ben Chesterfield           2023
    • Scott Donnelly                2023
    • Morry Corvasce             2023
    • Tony Cafasso  2022
    • Michelle Morgan            2022
    • Peter Ruggeri  2022
    • Darren Wales 2022
    • Steve Economidis        2021
    • Garry Maher    2021
    • Peter McMahon              2021
    • Rob Mildenhall                2021
    • Jeff Williams    2020
    • Brad Franklin  2020
    • Jim Vais                2020
    • Mark Czvitkovits            2019
    • Martin Stone AM            2019
    • Julie Wadley    2019
    • Walter Zuber (Int)          2019
    • Garry Clear       2018
    • Cec Simpson  2018
    • Michael Wilkinson       2018
    • Michael Killen                  2017
    • Carl Tinsley      2017
    • Per Madsen (Int)            2017
    • Rex Crowther (Int)        2017
    • Tony Warrener OAM    2016
    • Brenton Abbott               2016
    • Owen Webb OAM         2015
    • Phil Nixon           2015
    • Trevor Parkes  2015
    • Ian Wilkinson  2014
    • Julie Thomas   2014
    • Brian Johnson                  2014
    • Terry Feehan   2014
    • Tom Vukelic     2013
    • Robin Taylor     2013
    • Ray McMartin 2013
    • Colin Edwards                 2013
    • Tom Vukelic     2013
    • Tony Farrugia  2012
    • Bob Christie    2012
    • John Zulian       2012
    • Lance Weiss    2011
    • Mark Brady       2011
    • Don Wait OAM                 2011
    • Wayne Phipps                  2010
    • Richard Pratt   2010
    • Bob Rees            2010
    • Max Chanter   2009
    • John Howes     2009
    • Robert Renwick (Int)  2009
    • David Newton-Ross   2009
    • Terry Flanagan OAM   2008
    • Marshall Duncan          2008
    • Graham Winter               2008
    • Jeff Hendler (Int)            2008
    • Richard Nathan              2007
    • David Weatherall          2007
Send this to a friend