Council works supervisor Sam Schobel is national Top Gun

Published on 01 May 2025

Surf Coast Shire Council works supervisor Sam Schobel has claimed the title of Municipal Works Australia’s top plant operator.

Sam piloted an excavator with precision to win a Municipal Works Australia Top Gun plant operator challenge at a field day in Bendigo.

The field day included showcasing and demonstrations of latest and emerging tools and technologies including drainage systems, street sweeping equipment, earthmoving machines and tools, street signs and road safety products.

Participating councils were invited to nominate one plant operator for the Top Gun challenge, which had competitors completing the same task against the clock using an excavator with a modified bucket.

Each started with the bucket resting inside a marked square on the ground, had to use the bucket to lift six decoy ducks – tied together – from a wading pool, place them all within a marked zone on the ground and then return the bucket to its marked square.

Early times were in the 50-second range before Sam recorded 43 seconds, sparking hotter competition.

With 15 minutes of competition remaining Sam was in second place, five seconds behind the leading time of 33 seconds.

With his final attempt he clocked an unassailable 28 seconds.

Sam’s winning effort now means Municipal Works Australia will fund a trip for him to compete in the American Public Works Association expo in Texas in 2026.

He said he couldn’t believe it when he landed the winning time with 15 minutes to go.

“Then that was the longest 15 minutes of my life waiting, because a couple of other guys stayed on the machine basically until the cut-off time,” Sam said.

He said he initially felt like playing down the Top Gun title.

“But it was a national event – Australia’s best municipal works operator. I’m taking that!” he said.

Councillor Liz Pattison paid tribute.

“We are proud of our entire municipal works team and the great job they do every day, but it is particularly exciting to now have a national title-holder in the fold. What a great show of skill, precision and cool nerves by Sam,” Cr Pattison said.

Sam has operated excavators for 20 years and worked with Surf Coast Shire Council for more than 10 years after having started as a backhoe driver.

He has filled the role of Capital and Renewal Works Supervisor for six years and while he is not regularly operating machinery, his skills remain sharp.