A new Forklift Operator of the Year has been crowned after a tightly contested grand final at the Brisbane Produce Market, with Soolefai Fale from GNL Produce taking out the top spot for the second time.

The event saw the top 10 contestants battle it out over a timed practical course.

In a close contest that came down to the wire, Fale took out the top prize of $3,000, beating Joseph Kalolo from Armstrong Bros, who scored $1,500 for his second place.

Costa Farm’s Finau brothers, Na’a and Alfred, who won in 2019 and 2021, respectively, fought it out for third place, with Alfred taking the lead on points to win the $500 prize money.

Fale last won the competition in 2018 as a plucky 21-year-old and came third in 2017 and 2019. He says he maintained his edge this year by just focusing on the task at hand.

“I feel grateful and blessed to be number one, but I think all the contestants are winners,” he adds.

The annual event is hosted by Brisbane Markets Limited (BML), home to the largest concentration of forklifts on any site in Queensland, with 365 registered forklifts and 1,030 forklift operator permits active on site.