MOVE Museum at Shepparton, Victoria, was a fitting setting for Transport Women Australia Limited’s (TWAL) 25th anniversary at the weekend.
Some 90 members, their partners and families attended to celebrate a milestone in the group’s history.
Apart from a short welcome by Chair, Jacquelene Brotherton, the March 1 evening was a casual affair with drinks on tap, excellent finger food served throughout the night by local business, The Little Gourmet Food Company and music from Dene Menzel and her band, flown down from Brisbane especially for the event. Dene is the author of the song, Living the Dream, written especially for TWAL.
Jacquelene has been deeply involved with TWAL for 21 years, having joined the group four years after its inception.
“There were eight women, I think, all based in Victoria who started TWAL,” said Jacquelene. “They were the instigators of it because they were all working in their own company, or in something to do with transport.
“They wanted to give women a voice back then because even though they were being heard in their own businesses, they weren’t being heard in the wider industry. These women wanted their voice to go out into the wider industry and have a seat at the table, so to speak.
“Three of those eight are still involved in the organisation – Nola Bransgrove, Liana O’Neil and Samantha Palmer – and still participating actively which is incredible.”
Jacquelene joined the organisation in 2003, went onto the board in 2008 and was Chair from 2009 – 2012. While leaving the board at that time due to other commitments, Jacquelene remained a member of the group and came back to the Chair position in 2017 – a role she still holds.
From those early days, the TWAL now has some 450 members, is a full member of the Australian Transport Association, a member of the National Rural Women’s Coalition (of which Jacquelene is Vice-President) and has a vocal voice in the halls of Federal Parliament.
“We are passionate about showing how great this industry is,” Jacquelene added.
“So bringing women into new careers, awarding scholarships, mentoring or helping women get their licenses – all our projects are aimed towards enhancing the careers of women in the industry and bringing new ones in, whilst recognising the ones that are here.”
Among the awards are the highly coveted Dream Maker Awards, presented each year at the Alice Springs National Transport Hall of Fame, and the Young Gunnette award, first introduced in 2024 and which is currently open for nominations.
“The awards and scholarships are the only things dedicated to women only,” said Jacquelene, pointing out that men are also welcome to become members of the organisation.
“The scholarships are not just restricted to trucking, but also include marine, rail, air and bus, so there is opportunity across a number of fields.”
Jacquelene grew up in rural NSW and has been in the transport industry for 54 years.
“I’ve been treated well, but I was a lone voice at the table back then, and very young when I joined in the family business.”
Jacquelene’s political industry involvement began with the Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of NSW when she took the place of her, then future father-in-law.
“I was welcomed, mentored and really had an easy run into the industry. I personally never came across and prejudice towards women. Of course that is not necessarily the case for every women and is a major reason for our continued existence.”
While the title, Transport Women Australia may indicate that the organisation is only open to the fairer gender, this is not the case and men are welcome to join (and do).
Mark Robinson has an unloading business at the Melbourne Fruit & Vegetable Markets and fully supports his wife, Diane and daughter, Kate who both work in the business along with son, Mitchell. Di and Kate are both members of TWAL, recognising the good work the body does for the industry as a whole.
“It’s a pleasure to come and celebrate, not only the 25 years, but also the achievements of this organisation over their time,” said Mark, who business employs close to 70 persons of both genders, and fosters equal rights throughout the company.
“Di and Kate are a lot more involved in the day-to-day operations than I am now.”
Congratulations to the TWAL for 25 years of achievement in the transport industry. They are a vital cog in the wheel that promotes and sponsor opportunities for women in largely male dominated industries and along the way have broken down many barriers that existed.