Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA) marked a July 5 milestone National Female Truckie’s Day with an online TOOTS Awards celebration that united drivers, companies, families and supporters nationwide.
WiTA CEO Lyndal Denny said this year’s event capped off one of WiTA’s most successful months to date, with female truckies from across Australia contributing videos, photos, nominations and stories that showcased their strength and professionalism.
WiTA also recognised the Holzheimer family, whose ongoing support honours the legacy of female trucking industry icon Toots Holzheimer and keeps her pioneering spirit alive.
“The TOOTS Awards and our National Female Truckie’s Day celebrations show exactly what happens when an industry chooses to lift women up instead of leaving them behind,” Denny said.
“We are proud of every woman who steps up, every company that backs her and every man who stands beside her. This is what real industry change looks like and we’re only just getting started.
Notably, Queensland and the Northern Territory dominated this year’s TOOTS Awards, reflecting the exceptional calibre of female drivers emerging from Australia’s northern regions.
The 2026 TOOTS Award winners are:
1,000,000km Club Award
Kay Ballard – MC Driver, QLD
84-year-old female driver trailblazer Kay Ballard from Ballards Transport is the worthy recipient of this years’ 1,000,000km Club Award. The first female to drive a triple road train of 1750 head of cattle on the Barkley Highway from Camooweal to Darwin in the 1960s – Kay well and truly earned her trucking stripes across an exemplary five decade career.
Safety Leadership Award
Hard Hat Sisters, founded by Jacqui McCandlish – HC driver, VIC
A survivor‑led, peer‑support private Facebook community providing a soft landing for women in male‑dominated workplaces who have experienced hostile or harmful environments, Hard Hat Sisters offers a safe space for debriefing, sharing experiences and exploring mental‑health and workplace‑support options – a critical resource that previously did not exist.
Female Driver of the Year
Tash Hughes – MC driver, NT
In the words of her employer – Stanes Transport, “Tash continues to prove time and again her commitment to high professional standards, safe driving and operational excellence in every aspect of her work. Tash’s resilience, resourcefulness and unwavering dedication to safety make her an outstanding representative for our industry.
Finalist: Renee Cullen – MC driver, NT
Renee’s commitment and visibility in sharing her on-road experiences offers realistic insights for women considering trucking as a career. Competent, capable and professional, these outback truckies are a breed of their own in terms of resourcefulness and resilience.
Young Female Driver of the Year
Courtnee Van Laarhoven – MC driver, NSW
A young woman who embodies everything the Young Driver of the Year Award stands for – skill, humility, courage and leadership – Courtnee is exactly the kind of young role model the industry needs.
People’s Choice Award
Tracey Madden – MC driver, VIC
An award that makes a powerful statement by women watching, learning and often imaging what their own future behind the wheel might be like. Tracey’s story, her presence and her example to others show that she is not just doing the work – but also shaping the future of an industry suffering under the weight of critical driver shortages.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Cleanaway
Recognised for its outstanding and genuinely sector-leading work increasing the numbers of female drivers through structured heavy vehicle training programs across four states with real employment outcomes.
WiTA also extended a heartfelt thanks to the transport companies who champion female participation, the women behind the wheel who continue to elevate industry standards and the male drivers who actively support and mentor their female colleagues.
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Lyndal Denny also thanked MC driver and WiTA Ambassador Gail Ritchie for her extraordinary dedication, generosity and focus in bringing together Australia’s largest online female driver community – now nearing 100,000 followers – to deliver this seamless, vibrant national event.
A special acknowledgement goes to TOOTS Award sponsors – QUBE, HVP, the NHVR, Sutton Road Training Centre, Billirrawarra Truck & Training and Recharge Petroleum whose generosity and belief in female driver advancement made this year’s TOOTS Awards possible.