After the successful launch of National Female Truckies’ Day in mid-2023 as a virtual event, the Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA) board resolved to host an in-person celebration in 2024.
The aim was to provide women with a much-needed opportunity to come together, to network and to celebrate the considerable achievements of female truckies.
Out on the road, female truckies are competent, resourceful, lateral thinkers. They can tackle and solve most things the job throws at them and the WiTA team are no different.
A close-knit bunch, happy to roll up our sleeves and get the job done, there was just one problem – truckies we are, event planners we’re not!
I’m always in awe of those who utilise and pool cumulative skills and resources to bring about great things seemingly effortlessly and thankfully – I knew one such woman!
Reaching out to well-known and highly respected industry event planner Imelda Bergin – the board were delighted when this powerhouse of determination and resourcefulness answered our call to arms!
Hundreds of hours of meticulous planning later and with Imelda’s guidance, National Female Truckies’ Day 2024 dovetailed into our inaugural WiTA bp 2024 Toots Awards.
It was a symphony of wonderful moments that exceeded all of our wildest expectations.
“Connecting and inspiring women” was the theme of this highly acclaimed, unique event that saw female drivers converge on Adelaide to catch up, learn, explore opportunities and share their knowledge and experience with women interested in pursuing trucking careers.
The event also showcased the critical role women play – not only as truck drivers, but also more widely the work they do in their communities as the primary caregivers – keeping the home fires burning from out on the road.
The WiTA board also resolved to launch the day with a fundraising event to support children with a cancer diagnosis and their families, so there was huge excitement when Camp Quality agreed to join forces with WiTA and host their inaugural Adelaide Convoy.
Saturday July 6 dawned foggy and cold as female truckies joined their male colleagues in a 150-truck convoy through the streets of Adelaide.
The convoy obliterated the initial goal of $90,000, raising $142,000 for Camp Quality. A stunning result and an exhilarating way to start the day.
After enjoying a family fun morning, including a show and shine for big and little kids, guests gathered at the stunning Victoria Park Social Club to enjoy some informal networking over lunch before settling in to enjoy the WiTA bp 2024 Toots Awards.
We were treated to a refreshingly candid panel interview facilitated by former Australian Women’s Weekly editor-in-chief and Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas who extracted the good, the bad, and the hilarious side of life on the road from four inspirational remote area female heavy vehicle drivers.
Keynote speaker Donna Vawdrey, author and daughter of iconic female truckie Toots Holzheimer, spoke about the life and incredible legacy of her mum.
This was followed by the WiTA bp Australia Toots Awards – established to celebrate and showcase the diversity and tenacity of the nation’s female heavy vehicle drivers – with the ultimate goal of fostering a more inclusive and diverse trucking industry.
The Linde Toots Diversity and Inclusion Award went to QUBE Adelaide transport manager Matt Newman. Matt’s support of WiTA’s Foot in the Door program has resulted in an afternoon shift with eight female drivers and a 60 per cent to 40 per cent gender ratio – almost 2000 per cent above the national average.
- Lyndal Denny is a truck driver and CEO of Women in Trucking Australia.