As we are well into the first month of 2022 it is difficult to do so with a huge amount of optimism. After the past two years of lockdowns, being isolated, divided and unable to travel it is difficult to imagine a return to any type of normal in the short term.
However, we are trying to become enthusiastic and have begun to plan accordingly. We’re planning to travel to visit family and friends, hoping the border stay open. Although international travel still seems a long way off.
Transport Women Australia Limited is planning a host of International Women’s Day events in early March in most capital cities and in several regions following on from the successful Illawarra EOY event in December.
As our member base has grown dramatically and those members are participating in the planning and hosting of these events, we are hoping to hold more regional events as the year goes on.
We are also holding out Driving the Different Conference on June 3-5 after a delay from May 2021, we are so looking forward to this event at the Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields.
We have planned a great programme with wonderful speakers and sponsors, and everybody has stayed committed so it’s going to be fantastic. Also, with the easing of restrictions, we will also return to our Learning Initiative Breakfasts throughout the year.
If anyone has a topic, they would like to cover at these breakfasts or would like to sponsor them, please feel free to contact me.
We will be increasing our participation in regional truck shows, in the high schools’ programme, grow our participation with Inspire Australia.
We look forward to forging more partnerships with schools and colleges to promote the transport logistics industry to young people, to show them that it’s a great career opportunity and share our passion with the next generation.
We are working on several new initiatives which will be announced after the February board planning weekend, we will also be forming new subcommittee to assist us with some programmes.
So, in the near future, we will be calling on our members and some learned industry friends to work with us on these initiatives. As we now have the largest board since the association began, we hope to continue to bring you bigger and better programmes and events as we move forward to 2022 and beyond.
On a personal level, returning to the trucking side of the supply chain, after many years in 3PLs and warehousing, has been quite a transition. When last working for a trucking company, I was not in compliance and I am sure that we didn’t have to worry about Standard Hours, BFM, AFM, long/night work, night rest, etc.
The poor truck drivers who have to manage their work diary, not to mention their fatigue as well as all the other requirements of the regulations and customers must be so frustrated that truck driving is not regarded as a professional job when you have to be a competent in so many different tasks to complete the job.
Definitely not JUST a truck driver!
Jacquelene Brotherton is the chair of Transport Women Australia Ltd.