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Shane Webcke Appointed Ambassador

Wednesday, 10 November 2010 14:00

At a launch function held on Wednesday 10 November at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, it was announced that Rugby league legend Shane Webcke has been appointed official ambassador for the 2011 Brisbane Truck Show.

Webcke, veteran of 21 State of Origins and 263 first-grade games for the Brisbane Broncos will become the ‘public face’ in all print, radio and television commercials and pre-show promotional events for the biennial Brisbane Truck Show.

The Brisbane Truck Show is owned and run by the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland (CVIAQ) and with a 40 plus year history it now ranks as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier commercial vehicle event.

Brett Wright, Chief Executive of the CVIAQ says the first-time appointment of a show ambassador was driven by the need to communicate the move to a new venue and the fresh focus on a transport-only event.

After many years at Brisbane’s RNA showground, the 2011 show will be staged at the world-class Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"It is a very important, very exciting move for us and we needed someone who we could entrust that message to and Shane became the obvious choice for us as show ambassador, Wright adds.

His high public profile, both through sport and now as a TV presenter together with the fact that Webcke is involved in the transport industry, makes him a powerful advocate for the event, says Wright.

He has a direct interest in the transport industry through his part ownership of a small transport haulage business. The company specialises in a range of services such as stock and grain carrying, general haulage and deliveries of landscaping materials. In addition, Webcke has other business interests in earthmoving and general haulage services across greater Brisbane.

"Shane stood out because he is very well respected in all aspects of his life, not just football, he is a very competent speaker, he is an intelligent man, and he has real experience in our industry," Wright says.

"He is a Queensland statesman. That was what the CVIAQ was looking for and Shane fits the bill perfectly."

Webcke, a dual premiership player and Dally M Prop of the Year, says the ambassador role represents a "dream job".

"Growing up on a farm around machinery and trucks I’ve always loved that sort of thing. I’m involved in television and promotional work at the moment, but part of my strategy in moving forward with my life is to also have other business interests, and machinery, and especially trucks, will definitely be part of that," he says.

"I attended the show two years ago and know first-hand how good it is, so when I was asked the decision was easy for me. From my point of view it is a dream job as it involves what I love.

"I’m thrilled to be involved and thrilled to be asked."

And Webcke sees the event as more than simply a showcase of new transport equipment.

"For the transport industry it really is a showcase for what’s happening in the industry now and what’s coming – I was amazed that studies indicate recent shows have generated over $58 million in additional expenditure in the Queensland economy not including product sales estimated to be in excess of $400 million! It says a lot about its significance.

"But through initiatives such as the Industry Career Centre and Apprentice Skills Competition it also plays an important role in improving workforce participation, in highlighting potential career paths for kids, and in showing the wider public what’s going on in the industry and its importance to lifestyles in Queensland," he says.

Brett Wright, concluded by stating that in addition to having Shane as official Ambassador, The CVIAQ will also receive support from the Queensland Government with Transport Minister Rachel Nolan MP formally agreeing to open the show on Thursday 5th May 2011.

"We are honoured that Minister Nolan will make the official opening address next May, and today, some six months out with all the major truck manufacturers having secured space we can confidently forecast we will fill all three levels of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and be the first event of any kind to do so in the BCEC’s 15 year history" says Wright.

Seen in the photo from left to right are Bob Martin President of CVIAQ, The Honourable Rachel Nolan MP Minister for Transport and Shane Webcke the Ambassador for the 2011 Brisbane Truck Show.