Tanker driver diversity

Hillary Moffat with some of her workmates - (from left): Prince Chohan, Karl Aitken and Jimmy Braithwaite

ILLARY MOFFAT WAS INSPIRED BY HER LATE FATHER TO

become a milktanker driver and says she “absolutely loves” her work as a Fonterra tanker operator, based in Reporoa – in the central North Island.

“My heart and passion are behind the wheel of a truck and I know Fonterra are a great company to work for,” she says.

“Having that passion and also the dedication to carry on the legacy of my father is what makes me love coming to work.”

Hillary did decide to try something else about 10 years ago – and duly became a qualified diesel technician.

But, says Fonterra, “she couldn’t stay away….now she’s back driving with us as a L5b tanker operator.”

The attractions, says Hillary, include working “with a great team of people” – plus she “always enjoys having the opportunity to have a chat with the farmers while collecting their milk.”

She says her Fonterra fellow-workers and bosses have always been 100% supportive of her: “I can’t say I’ve ever felt out of place. I’ve always felt welcome.

“I’ve been ‘one of the boys’ since I can remember. The guys I have worked with and work with now have all been great.”

Fonterra, she adds, has “the Kiwi attitude when it comes to its people and their families: They make you feel welcome and part of an extended family.”

Her advice to other women interested in pursuing a job as a milktanker driver is simply to “go for it! There is nothing stopping you. The training is amazing and you’re not alone – there’s always someone to help if you get stuck. It’s awesome.”

Fonterra says diversity is very important to its operation – and Hillary is one of 66 female tanker operators in NZ, with another two in Australia. Plus it has 32 women employees in its national transport and logistics operation.

“But we know we can always do better,” says the dairy cooperative – adding that it is “always on the lookout for more women to get behind the wheel of our tankers.”

“We recognise the benefits of having a diverse workforce. It’s what our people deserve – diverse thinking, diverse ways of working, more opportunities for creativity and an environment that is inclusive of everyone,” says Kate Shirley, HR business partner COO.

“Diversity for national transport means we’re well rounded, have higher prospects for innovation and a greater diversity of skills,” she adds.

Debbie Harding has been a trendsetter during her 25 years as a tanker operator – starting out driving at the Whareroa site, in south Taranaki, in 1996….before Kiwi Co-operative Dairy was amalgamated into Fonterra.

Says Debbie: “I drove tankers until 2018 and then became a lead driver. With this job I ran the shift.

“Then, in 2020, I became a team manager (for Pahiatua and Longburn) and now I look after 55 guys and one female.

“As far as I know I was the first female tanker driver to become permanent, the first woman permanent lead driver and now the first permanent (woman) team manager….NZ wide.”

Debbie has been around trucks as long as she can remember: “My father was a truck driver and, as a kid, I used to go out with him as

Above: Paula Crawshaw insists that women don’t have to be “tough” or “thick-skinned” to be a tanker driver – “because you don’t” Right, both pictures: In her 25 years as a tanker driver, Debbie Harding has been a trendsetter

much as I could.”

She has spent most of her working life in the dairy industry – initially working at Mainland and Pastoral Foods in Eltham.

“Next, I started farming. I remember saying to a tanker driver when he came to pick my milk up: ‘I’m going to be a tanker driver one day.’ He looked me up and down as if to say: ‘Yeah right!’ ”

She is justifiably “very proud of myself – at what I have achieved. I would like to thank all the guys I have worked with, who accepted me as a female working in a male-dominated world. I have enjoyed every minute….and still do. I know my boss is very proud of me, he encourages me all the time.”

Another of the 66 women tanker operators is Paula Crawshaw, based at Clandeboye, South Canterbury.

She’s only been with Fonterra a few months – but has had a connection to the job for years, as she explains: “My husband has been a tanker driver with Fonterra for 17 years, so I always had an interest in tanker driving.

“I got my Class 4 licence in 2016 and started a job in 2020 driving a tanker (truck-only) for a cheese company. A step up to Fonterra was my next goal.”

Since joining the co-operative, she says, “my favourite part so far has been the learning. There’s so much to learn – and I’ve enjoyed that.

“I also enjoy being out in the country, seeing parts of Canterbury I’ve never seen before and never would have.”

Being in a male-dominated environment is nothing new to Paula: “I spent seven years as a volunteer firefighter – and I ride motorbikes.

“I’m really happy to see Fonterra making a real effort to employ more female drivers: Every workplace benefits from gender diversity.”

Being a tanker operator is, she says, “a great career – with great training, modern equipment and job security.

“I don’t want any woman thinking you have to be ‘thick-skinned’ or ‘tough’ to be a tanker driver, because you don’t: You just have to have the right attitude and desire to do the job well.” T&D