THERE’S no more iconic an Australian image as a party on Sydney Harbour and this year was no exception. Svitzer tugs were again on display on Australia Day, cutting moves through the water for the ‘tug and yacht ballet’ accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and televised live.
As part of this favourite event an eclectic company of Svitzer tug boats, yachts, jet skis and ferries ‘dance’ effortlessly across the harbour in a magically choreographed show.
Leading the performance on 26 January were the crews aboard two classic tug boats, Svitzer Bondi and Svitzer Waratah, which can be spotted regularly at home on Sydney Harbour.
Svitzer Australia has participated in Australia Day celebrations on Sydney Harbour since 1988 for the bicentenary.
For the eighth year running, P&O Cruises also celebrated Australia Day on Sydney Harbour with nearly 2000 guests onboard Pacific Explorer enjoying a giant deck party. The event was jam-packed with Australiana-filled activities including the cruise line’s annual ‘Look Like an Aussie Legend’ competition, thong throwing contests, meat pie eating championships and an Australian national anthem sing off.
A number of industry luminaries were recognised in the Australia Day 2020 Honours List for their services to the transport industry and the community – namely, Paul Freestone, Thomas Lindsay, Nigel Porteous and Vincent Tremaine.
Paul Freestone OAM is the founder and managing director of linehaul carrier Freestone’s Transport which has been trading successfully and employing hundreds of transport workers since 1981.
Thomas Lindsay OAM co-founded Lindsay Brothers Transport, now Lindsay Australia, in 1953 and remains a major shareholder in the business today, after serving as a board member from 2003-10.
Nigel Porteous OAM has been an active participant of the shipping transport industry for decades as director of various ASP Ship Management, Darwin Clean Fuels and, most recently, Secure Seas.
Vincent Tremaine OAM has had a long and distinguished career in ports and logistics management, as CEO of Flinders Port Holdings from 2002-2018 and director of Ports Australia over the same period, serving four of those years as chairman.
“[They] have each made enormous contributions to the Australian transport industry and to their local communities and are deserved recipients of Australia Day accolades,” said VTA CEO Peter Anderson.
“We congratulate them on their achievements over many decades of service to our industry.”
