Celebrating Safety & Skill - Forklift Operator of the Year

Sponsorship & Community Engagement for the 2024 BML Forklift Operator of the Year

Supporting safety in the workplace is a top priority for us, and this year, we had the honour of supporting the Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) Forklift Operator of the Year event—an exciting competition promoting forklift safety through skill and precision. This community-driven initiative not only showcases the incredible talents of local forklift operators but also emphasizes the importance of safety protocols and best practices, contributing to a safer work environment for everyone.

On Tuesday, October 29, the Brisbane Markets hosted a nail-biting grand finale where Nikola Ivosevic of BG Brisbane emerged victorious, taking the title of 2024 Forklift Operator of the Year. Nikola’s skills shone through as he navigated the course safely and efficiently, finishing in a swift 1 minute and 41 seconds. This remarkable achievement earned him the well-deserved first-place prize of $3,000. Runners-up Anaru Ruri from Pershouse Produce and last year’s champion, Aaron Rizzolo, also showcased impressive skills, earning second and third places with times of 1 minute and 51 seconds and 2 minutes, respectively.

This annual competition, launched in 2015 by Brisbane Market Limited ‘BML’, is a much-anticipated event within the Brisbane Markets. It has seen record-breaking participation this year, with entrants competing in a month-long observation period where they were evaluated on adherence to BML’s strict safety regulations and traffic rules. The top 10 performers then advanced to the grand final to demonstrate their skills on a challenging timed obstacle course, showcasing the precision and agility required for forklift operation. The event highlighted the skill required to operate forklifts safely, and Nikola’s win is a testament to his dedication and proficiency.

Photo Credit: Brisbane Markets Limited - Daily site operations

Nikola, a first-time participant, encouraged other forklift operators to participate in future competitions, emphasizing that improvement comes with practice. “It feels pretty good to win,” Nikola shared. “I’d encourage everyone to join and have a go; things are only hard until you get better at them.” His message reflects the spirit of the event and inspires others to focus on safety and continuous improvement in their roles.

We are proud to stand alongside fellow sponsors, including Toyota Material Handling, The Drug Detection Agency, SBP Australia, Veolia, and Brismark, in supporting this event and raising awareness of workplace safety. Community engagement initiatives like this reinforce our commitment to fostering safe and efficient work practices within Brisbane’s bustling market scene.

Congratulations to Nikola and all the finalists who competed with excellence and professionalism. We look forward to supporting more events like this that strengthen safety awareness, highlight skill development, and bring our community together to celebrate the best in workplace standards.