3 minute read
Women in 4W Driving
BY CHRIS MORTON
Amalia Townley
Go Camping and Overlanding
Bubbly and vivacious, Amalia Townley is usually the first person you will meet walking into Go Camping and Overlanding in Balcatta. This 30-something pocket rocket loves her job and is passionate about sharing all the hints and tips that she has picked up from her own camping and 4W driving adventures. It wasn’t always like that, however. Prior to 2015 Amalia wasn’t really sure what a 4WD was and it was only after she and her (now) husband decided that they wanted to venture out by buying a Ford Ranger Wildtrak and a camper trailer that she really discovered her love affair for the great outdoors. In 2016 she and her husband Aaron met Ronny Dahl after heading out on one of his tag-along tours. Further tours followed as they saw it as a way of learning how to operate their vehicle off-road and at the same time explore some remote places. She was hooked, quickly embracing the adventurous spirit and wanting to get out more. In 2018 she was offered an admin role to assist Ronny with his business which saw her exit the corporate 9-5 world that she felt trapped in.
For 18 months she worked for Ronny and along with admin tasks, she was quickly exposed to video and photography skills. Her social media experience grew from her updating her own social media profile so that friends and family could keep track of what she was up to. She met Aaron from Go Camping (it was only Red Roads at that time) at the 2016 Perth 4WD Show where they bought a fire pit. She later helped them out working on their stand at the Caravan and Camping Show before Aaron called her and asked her to come and work for him in his new store he was opening up. By the time this article goes to print Amalia will have been working at Go Camping for two years. Her passion is clearly evident every time you enter the store. She loves working for a small business and truly wants to see the business thrive. “There are too many big box stores that churn out mass-produced gear that just doesn’t last the distance,” Amalia says. “It is refreshing to work for someone who is truly passionate about outdoor adventure and making sure you have the right gear that will last the distance.” Amalia truly practices what she preaches, heading out bush whenever she can and using the gear that she sells. When I asked her what she loves most about her job she said that she loves talking to people and ensuring that first-time campers have a positive experience. A less-thanpositive Year 7 camp would have scared most people off camping, however Amalia uses that as her inspiration to ensure that anyone she meet's first time is a success. “COVID has seen a dramatic increase in the number of new campers coming into the store and it's exciting to help them discover the joys of camping.” When she is not out camping or serving customers at work, she likes to channel her inner creative; drawing, painting, pottery, making her own birthday cards or getting behind the camera to capture some still images. She also revealed an adrenalin junkie side, admitting to loving carving up the slopes on a snow board or sand board or wake jumping on a wake board.
