Timmy Mitton, 33, says he always knew he was destined for the transport industry. Recently he was named LBRCA’s 2025 Young Driver of the Year.
“I was born and bred around trucks. From day dot, it was all I wanted to do and what I was keen on – anything with a steering wheel, anything that was burning diesel,” he told Big Rigs.
Timmy’s parents Steve and Judy Mitton ran their own trucking company for many years, based in Grenfell, New South Wales. He fondly recalled the time spent travelling alongside his father in his Ford LTL.
Sadly, Steve passed away about 10 years ago, shortly after Timmy began making his own way into the industry he loved.
“Mum and Dad had a couple of trucks over the years. Dad started driving in the 1980s when he was in his early 20s. He started out driving for a few companies, then bought his own trucks.”
And Timmy has followed those same footsteps, also taking his own sons for trips in the truck on weekends and school holidays, any chance he can.
“Growing up, if I wasn’t around trucks, I made myself be around it. I’d go and wash trucks and jump in the passenger seat with Dad and with many of his mates whenever I could.
“I count myself as lucky to have had that sort of upbringing. Being raised in the country, you get to do those sorts of things, where you learn the fundamentals of it all.”
Some of Timmy’s earliest memories include being in the truck with his father as a five-year-old, in a line-up at harvest time. “Dad would go up to northern NSW for harvest, and then Mum, my sister and I would go up there too so we could spend time together,” said Timmy.
“Dad had trucks and headers, so if I wasn’t around the trucks, I was around the headers. He used to do general freight, hay and wool, which is the same sort of thing I do now.
“I also went out with Dad’s mates, and also mates of mates. I got to get a feel for stock carting too because a mate of mine was driving. That was when I was about 14-15. I’d wash his crates for him and there were a few other guys whose trucks I would wash every week.
“Dad didn’t teach me to drive because he joked that he didn’t want me to get into trucks, but a good mate Mat taught me when I was about 15. Mat ended up being a groomsman at our wedding, and is godfather to one of our children,” Timmy added.
“He used to let me drive in the dark, on the dirt. It was generally empty but gave me a good feel for the truck.”
Though there was never any doubt in Timmy’s mind that he would end up working in the trucking field, his parents had wanted him to first get a trade, so he followed their wishes.
“I worked for Country Energy doing an apprenticeship as a linesman. I probably should have gone for a welding or mechanical apprenticeship, but I jumped on the first one I could get so I could then move into trucking,” explained Timmy.
“I used to take my annual leave from there to drive at harvest. I was very fortunate to have a local company give me a start, with no experience, to drive for them at harvest. While you didn’t do big kays, it gave you plenty of loading and unloading, opportunity to load correctly etc, all while adding to your experience.
“This highlighted my enthusiasm, and after four years I finished that linesman apprenticeship and got straight in the truck for a trip to Newcastle.
“Dad used to say don’t get into trucks, but it’s been a good career choice I think.”
Timmy spent the next five years doing tipper work, carting lime, gypsum, fertiliser and grain, before taking the plunge and going out on his own.
Based in West Wyalong, in NSW, his business is called T&N Mitton Transport, which he operates with his wife Neeka by his side. Timmy travels across the state, as well as occasional trips into Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
He’s behind the wheel of a 2022 Kenworth T909, which he’s had since new. The work is centred around the agricultural industry and includes wool, hay, general freight and farm chemicals.
“I have two drop decks with ramps, a flat top and an A-trailer so I can cater to what we need for the job,” Timmy said.
As a father of three young boys – Nash (8), Mack (4) and Lane (16 months) – Timmy had his T909 decked out with a double bunk, so he can take the kids with him where possible.
“Nash is truck-mad, he’d have his licence tomorrow if he could. We had his birthday in the truck about three years ago for a trip to Geelong. We brought the presents with us and Facetimed Mum from the truck!”
Asked what he enjoys most about the role, Timmy replied, “I get to do the driving, operate the machinery, and I get to talk to people a fair bit.
“It’s great to meet the farmers, who come from all different walks of life – and they all have different stories to tell.”