Truckies have banded together to pay tribute to the administrator of several Facebook groups that keep them updated on road closures, traffic incidents and more.
About eight years ago, Queensland woman Leanne Dyer set up a local traffic group as a “retirement project”, initially just to share information with her longtime truckie partner and his friends.
Now, she manages a whopping 13 Facebook groups, from various “On the Pads” pages to “Truck drivers food, showers and reviews Australia wide” and “Transport jobs Australia wide”.
Always quick to share accurate updates that keep truckies’ wheels turning, Leanne puts in up to 17 hours of unpaid labour every day.
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, and Mackay driver Nick Waddell recently got in touch with Big Rigs to tell us he’s nominated her for Australian Local Hero of the Year as part of the Australian of the Year Awards.
“I’ve decided to nominate Leanne Dyer for Australian Hero of the Year for her tireless dedication to our industry, letting drivers know of road closures and anything else relevant, from rest stops to good tucker to stop for,” he said.
“She helps every one of us, every day. She’s a true backbone of our industry.”
Nick said he doesn’t know Leanne personally, but she’s had a big impact on him and countless other drivers.
“The truck I was in didn’t have a working UHF, so I got all my updates from the On the Pads Queensland page,” he said.
“A few times I was behind accidents and fatalities, and Leanne really saved me.
“So many drivers know her name despite never having met her.”
Nick is encouraging other truckies to also nominate Leanne for the Australian Local Hero of the Year award.
“It’s too late for 2025 nominations but it is early for 2026, so please take a few minutes during your rest break to vote for her,” he wrote in the On the Pads ‘QLD Edition’ Facebook group.
“It’s the least we can do because she isn’t paid to post as much as she does.
“We owe her the effort that she gives us in return.
“We can all make this happen with enough nominations.”
Other truckies flooded the comments to praise Leanne for her hard work.
Jim Gatt said: “Leanne is a bloody legend.
“Day and night, seven days a week, validating information, sharing all the council, road authority, popo and driver info to keep everyone moving and safe!
“Dealing with all the shitty information of crashes and fatalities.
“You’ve got my vote mate.”
Driver Stephen Stokes added: “Let’s get behind this initiative. Great promoter of our industry with obvious connections to what’s going on. 100 per cent for Leanne.”
“You are absolutely outstanding,” Ian Mackay agreed. “I hope you get this.
“I have often wondered how you do what you do and the amount of lives that you have probably saved with your reporting. Absolute legend.”
Leanne was shy when approached by Big Rigs and asked us not to share a photo of her, but she said she appreciated the kind gesture from Nick.
“I don’t like the limelight one bit, but it comes with the territory I guess,” she laughed.
“I just want to make sure drivers are safe and get home to their families with the least amount of complications possible.
“I just know from personal experience how hard it is for them out there.”
She said running the Facebook groups keeps her busy in retirement.
“I used to work years ago and then I had children and became pretty much a stay-at-home mum, and then they great up and I needed something to keep me entertained,” she said.
“I’m just glad that I can help truckies because they do it pretty tough and they don’t get the voice they deserve.”