Young truckie on the right path to a fruitful career in transport

Though 20-year-old Clare Temby admits she grew up knowing absolutely nothing about trucks, her eagerness to learn has placed her in good stead for a long and fruitful career in the industry.

Based in Wodonga, Clare spent a great amount of time travelling – and learning – with her partner Jack Milthorpe, 24, in the Mack Superliner he drove for his grandfather’s business Milthorpe Transport.

“Before I was driving trucks, I was a passenger with Jack for two years. I had no interest in trucks before I met Jack,” revealed Clare.

“I had always wanted to be a station worker – then I fell in love. 

“When I started going out in the truck with Jack, I saw his passion and that rubbed off on me.

“He taught me everything including how to drive a Roadranger and how to tie down difficult loads.”

Shortly after securing her HC licence in April 2023, Clare began working with Milthorpe Transport and was there for about 12 months.

Driving a 2002 Kenworth K104, Clare transported general freight daily between Corowa and Melbourne.

That was right up until May 2024, when the company’s owner and founder Greg Milthorpe, 74, decided to close the doors after 40 years in business, to move into retirement.

“I loved that job so much. It was the best job I’d ever had. There were a lot of tears when they closed,” added Clare.

However both Clare and Jack quickly found a new role, both driving at Dawson’s Haulage. Based at the Baranduda depot in Wodonga, they started at the company in June.

“Jack had worked at Dawson’s previously for six months, and they were happy to take us both on,” said Clare, who has gone straight into a very familiar truck, another K104.

At Dawson’s, Clare transports general freight across Victoria – and has just started on some of the longer runs interstate.

“Dawson’s has been really good to work for and very supportive. I’m their youngest driver and they’ve said I can do any training I need and they’ll help me out,” said Clare.

“The bosses are also really approachable, so you can chat with them and it’s not all about work.”

Clare says she’s grateful for the support she’s received from so many experienced drivers, who have always been willing to lend a hand.

She’s also enjoyed how friendly and helpful people have been when travelling into the more remote areas. “Other drivers are always chatting to each other and will pull up and help if you’re stuck on the side of the road.”

However she’s also had to put up with others who haven’t been so welcoming. “It’s probably at least once a day where I get asked things like: ‘Are you old enough to drive that?’ Or ‘should you be driving that?’

“Being a female and being so young, I do get lots of looks, but I’ve always liked doing things that people think girls can’t do!”

When asked if she could see herself driving trucks for many years to come, Clare responded quickly: “Yes, this will probably be my forever job.

“I’d love to get my MC licence, which I’m planning on going for very soon. As I gain more experience, I’d love to get into the longer interstate work, travelling as far as Perth and Darwin – and eventually, I’d love to get into triples too.”

Clare hopes she can inspire other young women like herself to give trucking a go.

Her advice is simple: “Don’t worry about what other people think of you, get in there and prove them wrong! I hope I can inspire other girls to get into it. I know a few other women in the industry and it’s been really good, because we all support each other.”