Monday at the 84th RWTA Conference and Exhibition brought a packed day of speakers, industry discussion, technology and plenty of opportunities to reconnect across the cold chain.

The 2026 RWTA National Conference got off to a fantastic start in Noosa, with delegates gathering for a beachfront opening lunch before coming together for a lively Welcome Reception at Peppers Noosa Resort.

Following the sudden and tragic passing of Tim Wedlock, details of his funeral service are available for those wishing to pay their respects and celebrate his remarkable life and legacy. The service will be held on Sunday, 30 August 2026, at Knox Grammar School in Sydney, with a livestream available for those unable to attend.

In this edition of Chilled Out Chronicles, Marianne sits down with Edan Shelley from Zembl to explore smarter energy procurement, market intelligence and long-term energy strategies that can help cold chain businesses better manage energy costs and improve operational efficiency.

Industry Skills Australia has released the 2026 Workforce Planning Updates and Transport Supply Chain Workforce Outlook, outlining workforce priorities, industry progress and future actions to strengthen Australia's transport supply chain.

The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) has been updated following a comprehensive review to improve safety and productivity across Australia's heavy vehicle industry. The Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2025 and associated regulations came into effect on 1 August 2026, introducing important changes for operators and the broader transport sector.

In this week's RWTA Chilled Out Series, Marianne speaks with Hamed Fararoui from Green Peak Energy about practical ways businesses can reduce energy costs, improve sustainability and access renewable energy without significant upfront investment.

The Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association (RWTA) is greatly saddened by the passing of Tim Wedlock, Executive Chairman of AEI Insurance Broking Group, former President and Fellow of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), and a long-standing supporter of Australia's refrigerated warehouse and transport industry.

RWTA has spent the past three years working with Benjamin & Benjamin and Steadfast to address the rising cost of insurance for refrigerated warehouse and transport operators. The proposed Master ISR Insurance Programme offers a practical industry-wide solution, bringing together broader insurance cover, specialist risk management and the benefits of collective buying power.

In this edition of Chilled Out Chronicles, we sit down with Grant from Kardex, RWTA's newest member, to talk automation in cold storage. He shares where the biggest efficiency gains lie over the next five years and the pitfalls to avoid when automating. Don't miss it, and catch the Kardex team at the RWTA National Conference in Noosa this August.

In our latest Chilled-Out Series, Marianne speaks with Glen Wilson from Element Logic about the unique challenges of operating in refrigerated and frozen environments.

In our latest Chilled-Out Series, ABB’s Stace Tzamtzidis explains the technologies that will shape refrigerated warehousing and transport over the next decade. Watch now to learn how leading operators can stay efficient, resilient and competitive.

RWTA’s Marianne Kintzel recently caught up with Steve Zweck, Cold Store Manager of Midfield Group, to discuss the company’s impressive multi-temperature cold storage operations and its locations across Australia.

Tying off June and the Mental Health for Men Awareness Month, Marianne is speaking with the CEO of Healthy Heads, Trucks and Sheds, Naomi Frauenfelder about looking after Mental Health, not just in June but year round.

Watch now as we introduce New Member of the RWTA, Bruce McFarlane from Energy Action explore the growing impact of energy management across the cold chain sector.