MIX AND MATCH: REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF TRUCK DRIVING

There is a stereotypical image of what a truck driver is, which unfortunately can at times reinforce the idea of what they are not. Whether that image has reached us through film and TV depictions, or stereotypes over-played in news media, it can give Australian truck drivers a poor name while limiting the idea of who Australia’s truck drivers are. From strong Aussie women to newly-arrived Australians who are making a fresh life in this beautiful country, to food aid workers and businesses focused on waste prevention – there are many kinds of diverse people finding a place in this industry. This blog explores the lives and businesses of some of the diverse mix of people that are Australia’s truckers.

EMMA NEWELL-COURTNEY

Emma Newell-Courtney is a proud Kamilaroi and Bigambul woman, who first entered the world of trucking by tinkering with engines on her family farm as a young woman. This led to Emma diving headfirst into completing her Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Mechanical Techniques, and a Certificate IV in Mechanical Engineering (Diesel Fitting). Nowadays Emma is a Snap-on Tools franchisee with a hugely successful Snap-on business. She drives throughout her south-east Queensland beat, delivering tools and diagnostics equipment to her customers. With a local job that still revolves around her truck passion, Emma has time for flexibility with her family and young kids, as well as all the perks of being her own boss.

HENRY WABWILE

Henry Wabwile is a jack-of-all-trades with carpentry and joiner qualifications. He applies these skills to handmade furniture, brickwork, carpentry, tiling, house painting, bathrooms, kitchen installation, renovations and extensions, landscaping and more! Born in Kenya, Henry worked as a builder there for six years prior to relocating to Australia. He then jumped into trade certificates so he could be qualified at doing what he loves best, driving around Australia in his truck to tinker and build a range of projects. Built By Henry is the name of his successful business, which lands him all kinds of jobs that keep him behind the wheel and in high demand. Henry understands how difficult it can be to access specialised skills and builders in remote or rural locations. With that in mind he travels to where he is most needed with business driven by word-of-mouth recommendations so good, he doesn’t even need to advertise.

OZHARVEST

Food security, mutual aid and trucking aren’t normally found in the same sentence. Yet that’s the best way to describe what the OzHarvest team does. Travelling throughout Australia in big yellow trucks, OzHarvest collects food that’s unsold or in excess at grocery stores. The large, refrigerated trucks then gets this food surplus to those most in need in the nick of time. Food insecurity is a huge issue in Australia that impacts more than four million people per year, and with astronomical amounts of food waste, something needs to change. That’s why OzHarvest are behind the wheel and making sure that food doesn’t get dumped needlessly in landfill when there are so many Aussies who need access to fresh produce.

BELINDA MCKIMMIE

Belinda McKimmie co-manages and owns a Black Angus cattle farm in Victoria’s Snowy Mountains with her husband. Their successes with stock prompted the duo to establish and expand what is now a successful livestock transportation business. With so many tasks involved with farming and transportation of livestock, Belinda made the choice to pilot the heavy-duty truck and ensure the animals had the best of conditions and safety during transit. Learning trucking and farming at the same time was a fair bit of work but Belinda’s background in business gave her a leg up into the driver's seat when it came to understanding the ins and outs of managing a farm and transport business. Belinda’s innovative outlook and willingness to not let gender roles stand in the way of farm work and trucking means she will be able to stay in the driver’s seat for the long haul.

FACES OF THE FUTURE OF TRUCKING

Australia relies on trucking to not only move goods throughout the states and territories but to get most jobs done, in rural, metro and suburban settings. It’s important to make sure anyone interested in trucking feels welcome to the community. Getting a truck license can be a career-changing experience as well as loads of fun. Through acknowledging the different voices and faces that are already in the industry, more Australians of all backgrounds and cultures can feel welcome to enter the exciting world of truck driving. Interested in more stories about trucks that make a difference? Check out trucks for the people, by the people.