John Shaw Medal

Roads Australia calls for nominations each year for the award of the John Shaw Medal which recognises outstanding industry service. Nominations close on 30 March each year, and the Medal is presented at the Roads Australia annual dinner later in the year.

The John Shaw Medal has a long history and is seen as one of the most significant achievements in the Australian Road Transport Sector. An award is only made when the selection committee is satisfied that a candidate of sufficient merit has been nominated. The selection panel comprises the previous winners of the Medal.

Recent recipients of the Medal have included:

• Don Aitken, Dept of Main Roads WA
• Erik Finger, Qld Dept of Main Roads
• Geoff Youdale, RTA NSW
• Tom Wilmot, Stabilisation Services Ltd
• Maurie Benveniste, Transport SA
• John Bethune, AAPA
• Rod Payze, Department of Transport SA
• Neil Doyle, Queensland Main Roads
• Peter Balfe, VicRoads
• Dick Wharton, Qld Main Roads
• John Oliver, ARRB

The following conditions and guidelines apply in awarding the medal:

• Field of Contribution - The field of contribution must be in the area of road transport. Indicative areas of contribution include road construction, design, administration, safety, services, freight, research, and policy development. There must be a clear connection between the field of contribution and road transport.
• Level of Contribution - The contribution must be outstanding and this will be assessed on the basis of its impact on the industry and the community. The area of unique impact is to be specifically identified in the nomination, in a form which can be incorporated in the citation.
• Breadth of Contribution - The extent to which the contribution was valued beyond any one section of the Industry and beyond jurisdiction (eg State). The contribution needs to be of National or International significance.
• Personal Achievement - It must be demonstrated that the candidate's contribution significantly reflects personal endeavour, as distinct from the work of others. The John Shaw Medal is not awarded in recognition of general corporate achievement.
• Originality - Candidates will also be assessed on the originality and unique quality of their contribution. If the contribution is, for example, in a field of research, the spark of ingenuity must be identified. If the candidate's claims are in policy or management areas, the areas of leadership which distinguish the candidate must be clearly specified.
• Durability - Candidates will also be assessed on the extent to which their contribution is likely to endure and be remembered by future generations. Contribution to corporate success alone is not likely to meet this criterion.
• Further Potential - Ideally candidates for the award will still have further contributions to make to the industry and the community. It is expected that the award will recognise their achievements to date and thereby enhance the opportunity for the candidate to make yet a further contribution.

The medal will not be awarded if the selection committee believes no candidate has met the selection criteria. In exceptional circumstances the Committee may approve up to two medals in a single year.

The Committee will call for nominations from within industry, but may also consider candidates which emerge from its own discussions.

If you are aware of a suitable candidate for the award we would be delighted to receive a nomination addressing each of the selection criteria. Please confirm that the nominee is aware of and is prepared to accept the nomination.

John Shaw's Contribution to Roads

John (JAL) Shaw was recruited to the service of the then recently established Main Roads Board of New South Wales soon after graduating in civil engineering at Sydney University in 1925.

In 1928 he was included amongst the first six divisional engineer appointments made by the Board, taking up a posting at Glen Innes. He served in Newcastle and Sydney before enlisting for service with the AIF in 1940.

During his military service, Johh Shaw won the Distinguished Service Order.

He was captured by the Japanese and spent several years in Changi Prisoner of War Camp where he won the respect and affection of his fellow prisoners through his special efforts to improve their lot.

On returning to civilian life after the cessation of hostilities, John Shaw resumed duties with the then Department of Main Roads. He rose to Commissioner, holding that office from 1962 to 1967.

He was Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner during the period of reconstruction which followed the war years, and was involved in many of the exciting works such as the Gladesville Bridge which were undertaken during that time.

After his retirement John Shaw served as a Commissioner of the City of Sydney and was National President of the Australian Road Federation. He is the only Australian ever to have been honoured by the International Road Federation as "Man of the Year".

The John Shaw Award, which was initiated in the Queensland Region of the Australian Road Federation, acknowledges his outstanding contribution to roads.