Over the weekend, Corrina Riley was confirmed as the first member-elected non-executive director of the Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA) board at its November 2021 AGM.
Based in Queensland, Riley, 44, is a foundation member of WiTA. She joins four MC drivers, chartered accountant Ros Anderson and IT specialist Darryl Bothe to make up the WiTA board and executive team.
CEO Lyndal Denny says WiTA and its members will undoubtedly benefit from Corrina’s energy, skills and insights as the organisation moves forward with its commitment to increasing the numbers of female heavy vehicle drivers nationwide.
“Corrina brings a strong sense of community to her role as WiTA director – embracing the organisation’s culture of engagement, equity, inclusion and diversity. Adding to her considerable trucking skills, Corrina will now immerse herself in the governance training and education necessary to prepare her for her new role as she strives to ensure the voices of female heavy vehicle drivers and women embarking on trucking careers continue to be heard,” said Denny.
Riley has played a significant role in increasing the profile of female heavy vehicle drivers by selflessly taking on the role of driver mentor for women finding it difficult to get that elusive foot in the door.
In October and again in November, Riley shared her knowledge, enthusiasm and love of all things trucking with drivers Kerri Avern and Joanne Boland who joined her on four-day, long-distance trips to Far North Queensland.
Avern, 64, joined Riley on a 3400km trip from Brisbane to Cairns in the flashy 2012 Peterbilt 388 Riley drives for Gaffs Heavy Diesel and Haulage – learning plenty and having a ball along the way.
Boland, a HR licenced hairdresser, is Riley’s most recent recruit. She had the opportunity to experience driving, loading and load restraint under instruction.
Having enjoyed the trip with Riley so much, Boland called her boss after the first trip to let him know she’d be doing another Far North Queensland run with Riley.
Last weekend, with the experience and confidence of both long-distance trips under her belt, Boland went for and got her MC licence and now has her sights firmly set on a remote trucking career.
“It’s been an absolute privilege driving with Corrina. What an amazing human being – giving a small-time gal a crack at what it’s like to be a big truckie gal!,” Boland said.
WiTA also farewelled foundation director and industry advocate Rachel Willmington. Denny says for the past two years, Willmington has contributed her considerable skills and industry knowledge to ensure WiTA’s success during the establishment phase.
“The board are hugely appreciative of the time and energy Rachel has contributed to WiTA and are delighted this one woman powerhouse has agreed to continue working in the background on a consultancy basis,” Denny said.