LRTAWA – The sky is the limit and never pass up an opportunity

LRTAWA byJan Cooper, CEO, Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia (Inc)

The sky is the limit and never pass up an opportunity

In the second part of our series of interviews with young committee members we talk to Matt Henderson, LRTAWA Vice President of the Rural Division whose motto is ‘the sky is the limit and never pass up an opportunity’.

Tell us about yourself

I am 35 years old, born and bred in Busselton, WA. I attended school in Busselton and graduated from Harvey Agricultural College where I concentrated on viticulture. I had hoped to be a viticulturalist, but the industry took a turn for the worse. After leaving agricultural college I worked on a local farm before moving to the North West as an all-round machine operator in earth moving. My father had an earth moving business and I’ve always been around trucks, so it was natural for me look towards transport. I distinctly remember sitting on the steps of the Busselton Post Office on my 20th birthday waiting for it to open so I could get my MC permit. By the afternoon and after a trip to Bunbury, I had my licence.

My partner Hannah and I have two children. When I have spare time, I indulge in my hobby of training for, and participating in triathlons.

Tell us about your business

I bought my first truck in 2011 when I was 26 years old and sub-contracted as a civil mining tow haulier in the North West. My

business grew from there into my second prime mover concentrating on grain and agricultural commodities. Currently I run nine prime movers and several sets of trailers with thirteen employees including office support. The business is now spread across civil mining, agriculture and linehaul into the Northern Territory. Altogether I have twenty-three trucks working under the company banner. I couldn’t have done what I have without Hannah’s support in running the administration side of the business at the same time as looking after the children – it really is a joint effort.

What attracted you to rural transport?

Being a country boy, I find rural work a natural fit. Rural transport is also a reasonably reliable source of work.

What advice would you give to other young people starting their own business?

Learn from other people’s mistakes by listening and learning from the successful people. They have made mistakes - everyone does. Young people have to realise that if you want success, the only way is through hard work and dedication and you have to take risks. In everything you do there is a level of risk. It is just a matter of how much you are prepared to take.

I would also tell them to be careful who they trust, do their due diligence and get advice about how to protect their business. I learned a valuable lesson in the early days of my business career by being too trusting. Unfortunately, I was working with a company that went into voluntary administration owing me hundreds of thousands of dollars. Through hard work and determination, I paid all the money I owed other people. I’ll never get the money I’m owed but I have come out the other side bigger, stronger and wiser.

Have you had any mentors?

Although I have never had any financial backing there have been many people along the way who have helped me either with advice, opportunity or simply by observing what successful people do. Some of these mentors are Murray Lumsden and Des Johnstone from Earthex Logistics who helped me in the early days and the Marley family. My father taught me the value of hard work which is one of the foundations of what I do.

What do you like best about being a transporter?

I guess I have a bit of a passion for the industry. It is good to be involved in one of the strongest industries in Australia if not the world. Most commodities have spent some part of their life on the back of truck. You also get to see the countryside and get paid for doing it. What kid growing up doesn’t like trucks?

What is the worst thing about being a transporter?

Chasing clients for money and sacrificing time away from family. Sometimes the phone never stops which can get you down. Changing tyres and washing trucks on the weekend especially when you are OCD like me is not fun.

Will you encourage your children to do the same as you?

I’ll encourage them to do whatever they want. It’s not that I wouldn’t encourage them to do what I do but it will always be up to them. They will be involved in the industry whilst I am anyway.

If you were captain of the transport world what changes would you make?

I’d like to see the industry become recognised for its professionalism and the people working in it treated with respect. The job is not just truck driving and we should have a recognised qualification rather than it being viewed as a fall-back option. This would flow through to things like decent facilities and the industry would attract both men and women on an equal level.

How do you think we can attract young people to the industry?

school. The gap between kids coming out of school and being able to obtain an MC licence is too far. The gap needs to be closed by having them involved in the industry and taught the right way. I’m also concerned that the regulation of the industry puts young people off. The prospect of hefty fines for minor things doesn’t appeal to any young person. We also need better facilities if we are to attract young people, especially women.

Why did you put your hand up for the LRTAWA Committee?

Basically to help improve the industry I’m involved in. The people you meet are all faced with the same problems and it is good to get together to try to come up with a resolution. There is no point sitting on

I’d like to see the industry become recognised for its professionalism and the people working in it treated with respect

your hands and whinging on social media

unless you’re prepared to try to fix the problems.

What have you got out of it personally?

I’ve developed a bigger business network and I’ve extended my participation into involvement at the national level. I learn more about the industry as it evolves - new technology, new laws, reforms. Being involved has boosted my confidence and I’m proud to be part of it. I will make sure that I pass on what I have learned to younger people coming through.

The LRTAWA nominated you for the Daimler Future Leaders’ Forum. What have you got out of that so far?

Definitely a massive achievement for me to be recognised as a young leader in the industry. I’ve observed first-hand decision making in Canberra and had the opportunity to study leadership values. I have met some very impressive people through the forum and you learn something from all of them.