Danyelle Haigh of Murranji Water Drilling – and of Outback Truckers fame – has been named a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Awards, which aim to celebrate Aussie mums in business.
The mother of two was nominated for both Murranji Water Drilling and her fashion stylist business The Outback Trendsetter.
She and her husband Anthony Haigh have been travelling to some of the most remote locations around Australia since they took over the Murranji Water Drilling in 2014, each steering a Western Star 4964 prime mover, pulling seven trailers between them.
Danyelle says she was ecstatic to hear she’d been nominated for the AusMumpreneur Awards. “I am actually speechless,” she said. “There are so many amazing mums out there working their butts off, running their own businesses and kicking some major goals and for me to even been nominated, I feel so honoured,” she said.
“This nomination means everything to me. To be recognised for my achievements as a business owner and a mother I am truly honoured. The struggles, the criticism and all the hurdles are made worthwhile when you receive an award such as these ones.”
For her and her family, she says the amount of travelling required for their work and the remote places they frequently visit mean life isn’t always easy. “But I have made the most of every hard and good situation I have come across. I always try to turn a negative into a positive,” she added.
“There have been days when I have felt like throwing the towel in, when nothing seems to go right but I think of how far I’ve come and what I’ve had to sacrifice along the way, so I pull up my big girl panties, thank the universe for what I have and get on with it.
“It’s all been worth it when I look at my two beautiful boys and how happy and healthy they are – and how they get to experience this life and our country from such a young age. I’m so lucky and grateful to be able to have a business that can allow me to spend every day watching my boys blossom and not miss a moment with them.”
For Danyelle, spending so much time in the most remote stretches of outback Australia means there is often very little communication from the outside world. “There’s no access to television of news, so I practically live in my own little bubble out here,” she said.
“Being part of such groups like AusMumpreneur and Women in Trucking Australia gives me the support I need, keeps me up to date with what I need to know and helps us working mums that live in these rural communities receive the recognition we deserve.”