INDUSTRY ADVOCATE RECOGNISED FOR LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO HIRE.
It’s the most prestigious award that can be presented to an individual by the HRIA — Life Member. It’s so prestigious, in fact, that the award hasn’t been presented since 2018. That all changed
at the HIRE24 Gala dinner in Brisbane this year when HRIA National President, Jeremy Shaw presented the honour to Tony Crane, a 40-year veteran of the industry.
Jeremy has known Tony personally for more than 15 years, witnessing first-hand, his commitment to advocating for the Hire industry. “Tony’s one of the biggest advocates of the HRIA
you will ever meet,” says Jeremy. “He regularly drops in to meet Hire companies and suppliers, talking to them about the HRIA, the benefits of membership,
the next convention or the next state meeting date, and personally inviting them along.” “Members tell stories of him visiting their business when he was passing through town, even
when on holidays, just to introduce himself and provide assistance where he could.”
“In the words of many, Tony is a true gentleman, respectful of everyone he meets, regardless of age, gender or the role they hold. He’s always the first to put his hand up to help in whatever capacity he can, and always offers sound business and personal advice.” Jeremy told the Gala audience that Tony’s involvement with the HRIA was long running, with committee and board roles dating back to the early 2000’s. CELEBRATING OUR NEWEST LIFE MEMBER, TONY CRANE
“As Queensland state president, he was so good at getting young people, both men and women, to join the HRIA Queensland committee,” said Jeremy. “He’s one of the main reasons why I took on the role of Queensland president.” Jeremy recalled the two of them attending a careers night at a local Brisbane school to promote the Hire industry to school leavers. Tony has also assisted in judging the Hire Company of the Year awards in the past and is a long-term mentor in the industry, informally and formally, as part of the HRIA’s development programs. “I can personally say he has been a mentor of mine, and I know I can call at any time and he’ll give me his time and wisdom,” said Jeremy. “However, it is the above and beyond support of others within the industry and the overall promotion of the hire industry that really stands out.” On receiving the award from Jeremy, Tony acknowledged the industry that he calls a family. “I was working at Flexi Hire and I asked the owner if I should get involved with the HRIA. He said, ‘if you do, just be the boss’ and I said, ‘Ok’.”
He took on the Queensland presidency saying it was the best thing he could have done. “Volunteering and being able to support people is an amazing thing,” said Tony. “It’s what I enjoy most, the mentoring programs, developing people in the industry. I’ve been driven by that and had great support from the association to do it.” “So, I’m blown away. I’ll continue to do my best and I still want to be involved.”
Congratulations Tony!