Courtnee Van Laarhoven, 26, says she had wanted to become a truck driver ever since she was a little girl – inspired by her father and uncle.
“My father had a couple of rigids and my uncle drove road trains all around Australia, including carting explosives to Mt Isa,” she said.
“I was only four or five when Dad got his first truck and I’d jump in any chance I could – I didn’t care if he was only going five minutes down the road. Us kids would sit in the back and he’d make us work. And we’d do it, because we absolutely loved it.”
Though driving trucks was always the dream, before Courtnee tried her hand behind the wheel, she worked as a cake decorator. As she explained, “I’m originally from the Hunter Valley, where my Nan and Pop owned a bakery. I worked there on and off for a number of years. I did it because I loved spending time with them and learning what they were willing to teach me. It wasn’t until after they passed away that I started working my way into what I really wanted to do as a career.”
Courtnee went for her HR licence when she was 22, which marked the beginning of her trucking journey. Though she admits that she was nervous about getting a foot in the door. “It was after Covid hit that I thought I’d finally give trucking a go. I wasn’t scared of getting into the industry but at the time I didn’t have much money and was nervous about spending the money I did have on getting my truck licence, without having a job lined up.
“My mum would always say to me from a young age, truck driving isn’t for girls darlin’, but I wasn’t going to let being a ‘girl’ get in my way. She has since changed her mind and been one of my biggest supporters.”
Thankfully, Courtnee quickly found a job driving hook-lifts, mentored by experienced driver Colin Harten, “When he trained me on the hook-lifts, one of the biggest things was knowing and being aware of my surroundings and I’ve taken that into account with every driving role I’ve had,” she said.
Courtnee soon began working at Parry Logistics at Tamworth for about 18 months, before upgrading to her HC licence and starting with McCulloch Bulk Haulage, also based at Tamworth.
She’s now been at McCulloch Bulk Haulage for about a year. “My first truck there was a 2007 Kenworth T401 with a C12 engine and 18-speed Roadranger. My boss Mick McCulloch taught me how to change gears and once I had the basics down, he sent me on my way.
“My little T401 definitely wasn’t the fastest or prettiest truck in the fleet but she was brutally honest and would make me work hard.”
Without much prior mechanical knowledge, Courtnee has also been learning that along the way too – and McCulloch Bulk Haulage has set her in good stead. “When I was in the little 401, I was always checking her over and doing all the pre-starts. I have such a good support network – whether it be my mates, our mechanics, co-workers, managers or the boss himself. Having support from all of them, on standby when I need it, is amazing.
“If anything happens while I’m on the side of the road, they’d talk me through what I had to do to get going again.”
Within 10 months of starting with the business, Mick helped Courtnee to upgrade to her MC. “I never planned on upgrading my licence that quickly as I wanted to get more experience in the semi – but I think the time was right for me to go for it,” she said.
Courtnee is now behind the wheel of a 19-metre B-double set of tippers, pulled by a 2017 Kenworth T610. “It’s such a beautiful truck to drive, very comfortable, heaps of room and it pulls hard – definitely one of the nicest trucks I’ve got to drive.
“With the 19-metre B-double, I’m longer and bigger so the reversing part of it took me a little bit to get my head around. I wouldn’t say I’ve aced it yet, but I’m getting there. Some of the places we deliver to are super tight and you might be reversing around a corner or on the blind side, but you just take your time.
“I’ve still got so much to learn. Every day I’m learning something new which makes it more interesting. I’m my worst critic. I always push myself to be better than the day before. A lot of people say I’m too hard on myself but the truth is I’m very job proud.”
For Courtnee, the runs differ every day and could see her travelling anywhere from Brisbane, Toowoomba or Dalby to the south of Sydney, Manildra and Dubbo.
“There are so many different things I love about my work, but the main thing is the freedom and getting to see so many new places,” she said.
“We live in such a beautiful country and there are places that you wouldn’t be able to see unless you were passing through on holidays – we get to do this every single day and sometimes take it for granted. I was always an outdoors kid and I seriously reckon that if I was in an office, I’d go crazy!
“I get to explore all these new places I’ve never been to before and I have met some amazing people along the way and created friendships that will last a lifetime. I wouldn’t be the driver I am today without the ongoing support from my family and friends.
“Countless people have helped me along the way and that’s what I love about this industry. We are constantly learning. We all have a job to do but the main goal at the end of the day is to enjoy what you do and get home safely.”
Looking to the future, Courtnee says that one day she’d like to get into road trains – but for now, she’s happy exactly where she is. “I’ve had the opportunity to drive a couple of my friends’ road trains and that’s my goal down the track. But for now I’ll stick to the B-doubles and keep gaining more experience,” she said.
“I’m just happy to have this opportunity and to be able to drive a beautiful truck. This is literally the position I dreamed of ever since I was little.”