I was not going to do another column about Covid and all its implications, however, I am sure everyone is feeling the same effects of lethargy and depression and is so over the snap seven-day lockdown which is now into 60-plus days in Victoria, as I am.
I was made redundant on the day the lockdown commenced so for the first time felt the effects of those who have had to stay at home alone for previous lockdowns.
Of course, during this lockdown, I had to move house without the help of family or friends which would normally have made the moving work so much easier and much more fun.
Fortunately for me, my mates in the trucking industry did come through as they are essential workers and were still going to and from work so were able to do coffee drop-offs.
Also, as I am allowed to have a bubble buddy, my Transport Women Australia Limited vice-chair was able to help move the TWAL office into the new house.
Plus, a shout out to people who have been friends for years like Rod Pilon of Rod Pilon Transport at Dubbo who took some of my belongings back home and Sandhu Pannu Transport of Truganina who are holding others in storage.
This is why I love this industry so much; your mates are there for you, especially for me as my family are so far away. I want to get rid of the closed borders, I have been unable to get home to see my older mum and siblings and I am over it!
During the move also I had to give some attention to Transport Women Australia Limited, we had to make the unhappy decision to postpone the Driving the Difference conference until June 3-5, 2022.
We also released the 2021 Driving the Difference scholarships with our sponsor – Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific. We have a lot of interest so far and encourage interested parties to get their applications in early. We hope to get a good cross section of the industry as in previous years.
We launched the new Instagram page with a photo competition and will shortly be launching a YouTube channel. The new website will be ready for launch before the end of the year, we are extremely excited about that as well. We have been getting ready to relaunch our Women Driving Transport Careers programme and our Learning Initiatives breakfasts as soon as we have a clear pathway out of the covid restrictions.
We are going ahead with organising our end of year functions even though I may not be able to do the coast-to-coast trip that I managed between lockdowns last year to see members and sponsors.
We have our fingers crossed that at least local members will be able to attend in the cities where they can be held. So, look out for the information and invitations on our social media and in your inbox if you are a member.
If you require any information about Transport Women Australia Limited, or any of our programmes, email chair@transportwomen.com.au or phone 0417 422 319.