A tribute to Bruce Cooper
Sadly, Bruce passed away shortly before this issue of Connect was published. Bruce was a respected member of the Brisbane Motorway Services (BMS) team since December 2009.
We wish to honour Bruce and acknowledge his contribution to Ventia with this tribute.
Voted employee of the year by his peers for two years running, Toll-road Control Centre Operator Bruce Cooper was a high performer in every facet of his job. And it was in his role as mentor to new employees that Bruce really shone.
After joining the BMS team as a Motorway Patroller, Bruce worked his way up to become a Senior Control Room Operator within a relatively short period of time, undertaking an accelerated learning pathway to become the first ever fully qualified tunnel operator, and the first to win the 2015 Transport Logistics Industry Skills Council – Trainee of the Year for Roads and Transport.
Wanting to help others learn and grow in the same way, Bruce applied to become a BMS mentor and in that role helped many junior employees and workers.
Bruce’s patient and caring approach helped nurture confidence and improve self-esteem, and created a life-changing impact in everyone he mentored.
Response Crew team member Shawn Hovenden said, “Bruce gave me the confidence and belief that I could contribute to the workforce in a positive manner. This has given me and my family so many opportunities – all thanks to Bruce.”
Bruce was also part of the Toll-road Control Centre Operators team recognised for the Delivering Excellence Values Award. As an Ventia Award finalist in two categories the positive impact Bruce had on his colleagues and the wider industry will live on.
We offer our sincerest condolences to Bruce’s family, friends and work colleagues at BMS and Ventia.
Pictured: Bruce Cooper in the Clem7 Tunnel in Brisbane, Australia.
