Owner-operator Hayden Bennett who runs Bennett Bulk Haulage from Portland, Victoria, has been driving trucks for a little over two years now.
Aged 24, he got his foot in the door with Kalari doing the mineral sand run from Ouyen to Portland.
These days you’ll find him behind the wheel of his Freightliner Columbia 120 with an ISX Cummins under the hood.
Hayden says he’s had a fascination with trucks since he was a kid, which led him to go up through his truck licenses as soon as he legally could. And being his dream job, Hayden didn’t want to waste any time getting into the driver seat.
His advice to other young people wanting to get into truck driving is that if it’s a career path you want to pursue, don’t be scared to give it a go – even if it’s starting in a rigid doing local work. “Everyone gets a start somewhere. Don’t give up. You will get to where you want to be if you put in the hard work!” he said.
Asked about his favourite roadhouse, Hayden said it’s the Werrigar in Warracknabeal, where he can always go for a reliable good feed and a shower.
On the weekends as a wind down, Hayden enjoys spending quality time with his partner and going camping when they get the chance to.
He also added that his dream truck would have to be a Peterbilt 379, but a more realistic goal is a Kenworth T659.