Industry Leaders

Industry leader: Rachael Topp

TRAILER SAT DOWN FOR A CHAT WITH RACHAEL TOPP, A PROFESSIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER WITH LINFOX FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, WHOSE FORMER CAREER WAS MAKEUP ARTISTRY.

TM: What first drew you to the commercial road transport industry?

RT: I had been doing makeup artistry for 10 years beforehand and I felt a bit stagnant, like I needed a change. My brother-in-law, who worked for Linfox, alerted me to an ad for the Driving the Difference scholarship program for which I applied and, gratefully, was accepted. This meant that I was employed by Linfox while completing the training to gain my Heavy Rigid truck licence.

TM: What does a standard day for you look like?

RT: It was super daunting going from my previous career to this one, but I was eager to learn and in due course upgraded my licence to Heavy Combination. In the last three years with Linfox I have worked in various contracts including Target, Myer, Woolworths and Bunnings. Earlier this year I was given the opportunity to move to the fuel division which I have been doing since July and absolutely love.

TM: What has been a highlight of your career so far?

RT: I enjoy meeting people and this industry has so many good people in it. It has been wonderful learning new skills and I am particularly keen to learn all about the fuel transportation arm of the industry – there’s certainly a lot to learn.

TM: What do female-driven events in commercial road transport meanto you?

RT: I think they are vital to the future of the industry as we are facing a significant driver shortage and having more female drivers to do the work will definitely help. I certainly feel blessed that I was given the opportunity to get into the industry through the Driving the Difference

V8 Supercar driver, Garth Tander, and Linfox driver, Rachael Topp.

scholarship program run by Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) with sponsorship from Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific.

TM: What is the best thing about the transport industry?

RT: There is just so much variety. I am a person who needs new challenges to stay fresh and I don’t think I will ever run out of new challenges in the transport industry.

TM: What do you think could be improved?

RT: While at present I am thoroughly enjoying driving heavy combinations, down the track I would like to be involved in a managerial role. As I used to be a manager in the makeup industry, it kind of comes naturally to me and I look forward to having my hand in different elements, helping out with what’s going on and seeking to improve outcomes.