INDUSTRY LEADERS
Industry leader: Lisa Fotheringham TRAILER MAGAZINE SPEAKS WITH LISA FOTHERINGHAM WHO CURRENTLY SPLITS HER DRIVING TIME BETWEEN HER PARTNER’S TRUCK AND GRANITE DOWNS TRANSPORT. LISA PRIDES HERSELF ON HAVING AN UNDYING PASSION FOR THE JOB AND HER ABILITY TO CAPABLY PERFORM ANY TASK WITHIN HER REMIT AS A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL OPERATOR. Q: What has been a highlight of
Lisa Fotheringham.
your career so far? A: Highlights of the job are that I started out passionate and can honestly say I still am; employers have commented that I’ll always have a go and never give up. Also driving flash blinged-up trucks in the bush in pitch black dark at any given time. Feeling your way on roads that are buried in bull dust or sliding in the mud on remote winding mountain roads – definitely a game-changer from interstate work. Q: What do female-driven events in commercial road transport mean to you? A: It’s important to let women know that they can do this job. Over my years of driving I’ve had women approach me in awe and praise me for even attempting to drive a semi. My response is if I can do it anyone can. While it’s not for everyone, if you’re cut out for it the job can be rewarding mentally and for your purse.
Q: What first drew you to
the truck. As a woman, I don’t feel
Q: What is the best thing about the
the commercial road transport
I’ve really had it easier than the guys –
transport industry?
industry?
spoilt maybe just a fraction; I’ve always
A: If I had to narrow it down to just one
A: The first thing that drew me to the
done my fair share of multiple drops
transport industry was the freedom
and pick-ups.
thing, it’s the drivers and their resilience. The industry is full of great hard-working
of the job. I derive a great deal of satisfaction from being charged with
My first trucking stint was with Flynn
guys and girls who always seem to put a
Transport. Being green at the job
smile on my face.
the responsibility of operating and
they put me through the right steps –
taking care of valuable machinery, not to
firstly in a body truck running around Brisbane then came the trailer. Stepping
Q: What do you think could be
it up to interstate – Brisbane-Sydney-
A: Where do I start? I believe allowances on
Q: What does a standard day for
Melbourne-Adelaide – the job was never
axle weights should be more lenient when
you look like?
about just driving; it was unloading
your gross weight is correct. Also, my pet
A: My working days are always full of
and loading with pallet jacks, throwing
hate as a truck driver is being limited to two
long and sometimes trying hours either
straps, washing the machinery, fuelling,
left lanes on a four-lane motorway – it causes
behind the wheel or loading/unloading
paperwork – all the good stuff.
more problems than it solves.
mention earning a good living.
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Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 20
improved?
