What’s been happening…
Yarns from the feather trail
This year’s WiTA Toots Awards marked a special milestone for Billirrawarra, as we proudly presented our very first Billirrawarra Trucking & Training Million Km Club award.
This award was created to recognise and celebrate the incredible dedication of female drivers who have achieved extraordinary milestones on the road.
We were honoured to present the inaugural award to Amanda Mackenzie – a truly remarkable woman, a trailblazer, and an inspiration to so many across the industry. With a career spanning close to three million kilometres behind the wheel, Amanda’s story is one of resilience, skill, and unwavering passion for the profession.
Amanda grew up in a family transport business and started driving at just 14, gaining experience on a variety of trucks from a Bedford with a Detroit engine to White tippers. She went on to achieve her MC licence, becoming the first female to do so at DECA Shepparton, and has held multiple qualifications including a Certificate II in Warehouse & Logistics and a Certificate III in Driving Operations. Over the decades, Amanda has driven everything from milk tankers and road train tippers to freight trucks, and has trained and mentored other women entering the industry, especially in challenging skills like vehicle backing.
Her career has been extraordinary not only for the distance she has covered, but for the barriers she has broken and the people she has inspired. Amanda has worked across numerous companies, managed transport operations, and even driven as a tour driver, sharing her knowledge and love for the road with passengers and peers alike. Her dedication, expertise, and trailblazing spirit made her the perfect recipient for the Billirrawarra Trucking & Training Million Km Club.
Acknowledging Amanda’s achievements at the Toots Awards was not only a highlight for Billirrawarra but also a powerful reminder of why celebrating women in transport and their contributions is so important. The Billirrawarra Trucking & Training Million Km Club is about more than numbers – it’s about the journeys, the challenges, and the trailblazers who open doors for others.
We couldn’t be prouder that Amanda Mackenzie is the first name in the Billirrawarra Trucking & Training Million Km Club, and we look forward to recognising many more extraordinary drivers in the years ahead.
Kattie Risk, Billiarrwarra Managing Director
Billirrawarra Million km club award
Amanda Mckenzie, award winner
Left to right: Nat Kascak, WiTA Chair; Amanda McKenzie, proud recipient of the Billirrawarra Million Km Club Award; Suzette Byrnes Stratham O’Reilly Award finalist; and Kattie Risk, Billirrawarra Managing Director
Left to right: Amanda McKenzie, Kattie Risk
Training at Sutton Road
Earlier this month, Billirrawarra spent some valuable time at Sutton Road Training Centre. The visit was an opportunity to take part in specialised training and continue building on the skills and knowledge that keep our standards high.
Sutton Road is known for its professional training environment, and the experience there reinforced the importance of safety, precision, and continuous learning in our industry. It was also a chance to connect with others who share the same commitment to excellence on the road.
At Billirrawarra, we believe that investing in training is about more than just ticking boxes – it’s about raising the bar for what we deliver to our clients, our community, and the industry as a whole. Experiences like Sutton Road are a reminder that learning never stops, and that’s what drives us forward.
Who are Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA)
The Women in Trucking Australia Board of Directors – driving change and creating opportunities across our industry. Left to right: Barry Fletcher, Danyelle Haigh, Roslyn Anderson, Kattie Risk, Natalie Kascak, Darryl Bothe, and Lyndal Denny.
Women in Transport Australia (WiTA) is a national organisation dedicated to driving greater diversity and inclusion across the transport and logistics sector. Their mission is to empower women, create pathways into the industry, and ensure that opportunities are accessible at every level – from behind the wheel to boardroom leadership.
At Billirrawarra Trucking & Training, we are proud to have representation on the WiTA Board. Through this role, we actively contribute to shaping strategies that support female participation, champion safety and professional development, and highlight the vital role women play in the transport industry.
Our involvement with WiTA reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive industry. By working alongside WiTA, we aim to encourage the next generation of women in transport and support initiatives that create lasting change.
👉 Learn more about Women in Transport Australia and the work they are doing to shape the future of our industry.