Working at a law practice or playing bassoon in an orchestra might seem like somewhat lofty endeavours compared to carting lime and fertiliser across Western Australia in six-wheeler C-trains.
But for former apprentice lawyer and professional musician Julie Gooch, the transition to trucking came naturally – and now she’s just as comfortable in the paddocks as she is dealing with the bureaucrats at Main Roads.
Julie, 53, had completed a law degree and was in the process of undertaking an apprenticeship with a law practice when life took an unexpected turn.
“My late husband and I had a farm, and he needed a truck driver for the harvest,” she said.
“So, he taught me how to drive a truck, but I never thought I’d be driving for more than a few weeks each year.
“I had just started an intense law apprenticeship when my husband decided we were selling our farm, buying a yacht and sailing the world.”
Despite the tragic loss of her husband, she never gave up on trucking.
In fact, she decided to jump in at the deep end and buy her own rig – a Mack Super-Liner.
“It was really exciting, buying my own truck,” she said.
“It was a big purchase for a woman on her own, but many truck drivers say you’re buying yourself a job – and that’s what I did.”
Julie then started subcontracting for a local company called Broomehill Bulk Haulage, after meeting the owner Barry Baynes while running the farm with her husband.
“Barry, the owner, gave me the opportunity to drive the largest vehicles allowed in our area – six-wheeler C-trains grossing up to 118 ton.
“And so began my huge learning curve.”
Initially, Julie found trucking physically challenging – but she’s figured out her own ways of doing things.
“The hitching and unhitching of trailers was tricky, as the hydraulics and airlines for the dog trailer were recessed at the back of the lead trailer,” she said.
“This was when I discovered I needed much longer arms and a truck load of strength.
“Instead, I used my brain and invented a tool that enabled me to use both hands to take the hydraulic in and out. Bliss!”
Another issue she has come across is sexism in the transport industry – especially as there are so few female truckies in her area.
“Most of the men were wonderfully supportive, keeping a close eye on me as I honed my skills and gained the confidence to do things on my own.
“The flip side, of course, were the minority who didn’t believe women should drive trucks, and these blokes had no problem saying so.
“Instead of swearing, I’d hit them with lawyer speak and walk off leaving them standing there scratching their heads. I always knew that law degree would come in handy!”
Julie also audits transport companies for Main Roads, and her law experience serves her well there too.
“Coming from the ‘white collar’ world of law and music, to then going across to what would be considered the blue collar world, it certainly opens your eyes to everybody’s point of view.
“The heavy vehicle section of Main Roads – none of them actually know how to drive a truck,
“So I can speak to them in a language they understand, but I also understand the truck driver’s point of view.”
Over time, Julie’s professional relationship with Barry, the owner of Broomehill Bulk Haulage, blossomed into a romantic one and the pair now run the business together.
Julie admits she never expected to end up in the transport industry, but she absolutely loves it.
“I think trucking appeals to the perfectionist in me,” she said.
“When I was a musician in the orchestra, if you made a mistake, you were seriously frowned upon.
“Make too many mistakes, you might get the sack.
“You can’t really afford to make a mistake in a truck, because people’s lives are at stake.”
Sharing her advice for other women who might be interested in entering the transport industry, she said: “If you have a burning passion for something, nothing should hold you back.
“I lost my mother and my husband when they were both quite young, and it taught me to just go for what you want.
“There’s no sequel to your life – you only get one shot.”