General

A huge congratulations to RTSA members Dr Philip Laird and Colin Butcher who have been named on the Australia Day 2021 Honours List, each achieving a medal (OAM) of the order of Australia in the general division.

Dr Philip Laird’s OAM is for service to the rail freight and passenger transport Industry. Philip was the Inaugural Executive Chair of the RTSA in 1998-2000, a member of the RTSA Awards committee 2000-2019 and became a life member of the RTSA in 2008. Philip is also a Fellow at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and has held many Professional and Advisory roles throughout his career in rail. Philip’s interview in the Illawarra Mercury can be read in full here.

Colin Butcher’s OAM is for longstanding service to the rail industry. Colin won the RTSA Individual Award in 2018, for his lifetime achievement in providing technical expertise in locomotives, passenger cars and freight wagons, and his long service as a manager within a variety of organisations. His technical ability includes all aspects of vehicle design and performance for most Australian states, and countries in America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

For the complete list of past RTSA member award winners see our Awards and Scholarships page.