Why did you become a truck driver and how long have you been driving for?

When I was about 5 years old, I can remember one of my uncles turning up to our place in his Kenworth, I would round up all the in our street and we would climb into the cab and he would take us for a drive around the block a few times.

I first got my truck license when I was about 19 years old, I was allowed to obtain my truck license early as I was a volunteer firefighter and they were short on daytime truck drivers. So it’s been on and off for about 28 years. In my early 20s, I was driving tour coaches from Sydney to Cairns and Sydney to Adelaide.

What’s the best part of your job?
I think the best part of my job is meeting up with good clients and the guys working at some of the places I deliver and pick up from, its always good to see someone you know and, have a chat and a laugh with. I believe sometimes it’s the small things in your day that can make a huge difference.

What is the most significant positive change you have seen across the industry since
you’ve started driving?

I would have to say the safety and technology at some of the depots that we pick up from.

What makes you happy inside your truck?

A clean cabin, I’m a big believer that a clean cabin equals clear headspace. The other thing is good music and good podcasts, I try not to listen to the news on the radio. But I do have one little favourite thing… in my cup holder I have a stack of Chupa Chups lollypops, I quite often hand them out when I see someone having a bad day or just needs cheering up. Or have one to help me
deal with a tough day.

What makes you happy outside of your truck?

I’m a bit of a perfectionist and need my load on the trailer square and even, yellow ratchets at the front, red ratchets at the rear of the load. But I think all drivers are the same.

Most of all is meeting up with other drivers/mates on the road or at jobs. It’s really good to catch up, have a chat and help each other out, whether it’s loading or unloading each others trailers or sitting down and having a bite to eat.

What’s the most important thing you do that improves your wellbeing on the road?

I try and ring my mates when I can, and also my kids. I drink plenty of water. One thing that I have learned to do which I found hard, was to say no. If the boss asked me to do some overtime and I was not in the right headspace or I had personal things to do I would always put work first, but now I put me and my family first.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not driving your truck?

I really like to swim, and now I’m lucky that most of my work is now local and not interstate driving. So I’m able to go for a swim in the morning before I start work. Some days it’s a struggle to get up at 4:30 am for a swim but once I’m in the water I feel so much better for it.
I coach U15’s AFL football team which I’m really passionate about, spending time around a great community group is a good way to turn off from work. Some game days I’m down early cooking the BBQ and talking and meeting new parents. Both my wife and I love it as it’s a great day out we can have together.