Continuing the family transport business a focus for young award winner

Two-generations of the Scully family were recently recognised at the Groundspread NZ annual awards gala. Brent Scully received honorary life membership of the organisation while his son Matthew won the Graymont emerging talent award. Scullys Transport was established by Hugh Scully in 1945 with one truck and a focus on serving Southland’s farms. The citation said Matthew was recognised for his maturity, strong values and emerging leadership within the family business and wider transport industry. "At just 23, Matthew has demonstrated a commitment to learning, building strong relationships and leading by example.” His experience working in Western Australia before returning to Southland had given him a broad perspective which he now brought to his role at Scullys Transport. His genuine respect for others, focus on his team and willingness to contribute his own ideas, while building on the foundations of the family business, made him a deserving recipient. Matthew said the father-and-son acknowledgement topped off a “pretty cool weekend”. The transport business had been a big chunk in the lives of him and his brother Cameron, who was soon to finish his studies at Lincoln University. After leaving Central Southland College in Winton, Matthew completed an agricultural commerce degree at Lincoln University before heading to Perth for a year working in the mines. That was a great experience and a chance to get away and do something different before returning to the transport at the beginning of last year. He then spent last winter in the mines before returning home in September last year and he had been full-time at the transport since then. Initially he went straight into dispatch and he did that role until about two months ago. A new dispatcher had been employed and he was now managing and overseeing the business. While it had been a fairly fast progression up the ranks, he “wouldn’t have it any other way”, he said. "Being thrown in the deep end has been awesome, I love pressure and challenges,” he said. His father was still at the yard most days and the pair had a very good relationship. Scullys Transport undertook a variety of work including livestock cartage, bulk cartage, fertiliser spreading, water delivery, baleage and silage cartage, log cartage and bobcat hire, and employed about nine staff. As children, he recalled he and his brother attending groundspread conferences in what was “a bit of a family holiday’’, and friendships were forged at a young age. It was the people aspect that he enjoyed through his involvement and it was also an opportunity to keep up with rules and regulations. “I want to build a reputation not just for myself but for Scullys Transport. I like to think I’m heading in the right direction of becoming a good leader . . . I definitely think there’s no ‘i’ in team.” Meanwhile North Otago’s Matt Campbell received the Ravensdown Young Achiever’s Award. The citation said Mr Campbell was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the ground spreading industry, demonstrating strong leadership, a commitment to customer service and significant business growth at a young age. "His willingness to take an active role within his branch, champion driver training and encourage the development and involvement of others demonstrated a commitment to the wider industry beyond his own business. Mr Campbell established Campbell Spreading with his partner Hope, after working for Scott Simpson Contracting for more than a decade. Covering the North Otago district and Hakataramea Valley, he said there was “heaps” of work in the area and he was getting new clients all the time. When Mr Simpson gave him the opportunity to buy the spreaders off him, he saw it as a chance to do something himself. His partner was looking after the administration side while he sorted jobs and dispatch, and he enjoyed driving. One staff member was employed. He enjoyed travelling to different farms, many of the farmers whom he already knew. The ground spreading community was a collegial environment, he said. [Missing Credit][object Object] The Jim Laird Spreadmark Trophy, donated last year by life member Jim Laird, was awarded to John Schultz of Mainland Spreading. Mr Schultz and his wife Nivonne established the North Otago business in 1999.

Continuing the family transport business a focus for young award winner

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