Women Honored at The Transport Hall of Fame

In-depth

4 Sept

Transport Women Australia proudly introduced the recipients of this year’s Dream Maker Awards at The Alice Springs Transport Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 30.

CLARE HURLEY (Pictured above)

In the early days of Brown & Hurley, Clare Hurley played a pivotal role behind the scenes. She welcomed drivers and customers to Kyogle, often providing meals late into the night, accommodation and support for work experience trainees. Clare attended every function, trade show, and event, entertaining customers’ families and to this day is still knitting blankets for older customers grandchildren! For 40 years, she also led the company’s Charity Golf Tournament, raising over $300,000 for local causes. Known for her warmth, dedication, and quiet influence, Clare not only supported the business but also raised three children while JJ was on the road.

JOANNE BILATO

The daughter of truck driver, Bob Dodd, Joanne Bilato grew up with a deep understanding of the industry’s demands. She saw first hand the long hours, the unpredictability and the personal sacrifices that come with life on the road. That early understanding shaped her lifelong commitment to the industry. Marrying truck driver John Bilato, who later became a co-owner of G&S Transport, Joanne became an integral force behind the business. She handled the payroll, organised permits, managed the office, kept the paperwork in order and chased timesheets like it's an Olympic sport!

SHARNA CHAPMAN (not present)

Sharna shows unwavering commitment at Runnymede Trucking Company through her resilience, adaptability and hands-on leadership. Not only does she drive but also is the Operations Manager, administration, mechanic and a mother. Sharna is supportive of her customers and staff, going to extreme lengths to ensure they are satisfied.

DANIELLE INVERNO

Danielle grew up in trucking, always beside her father, riding in the passenger seat, cleaning, polishing and learning maintenance in her own overalls. In 1999, she married Peppi Inverno of the well-respected Inverno Brothers family, and together they purchased their first Kenworth T601, founding G & D Inverno Transport. While raising sons Jeremy and Christopher, Danielle managed the farm, handled bookwork, registrations, licensing and ensured trucks were maintained, often while Peppi was away on the road. She encouraged her sons’ passion for trucks, proudly supporting them at shows where the family has celebrated major awards, including Rig of the Year and Best Rig of Show at Alexandra.

SARAH JOHNSON

Sara Johnson, as the Operations Manager at Multiquip, is the kind of person who works diligently without fuss or need for recognition. Whether its managing customers requirements, ensuring compliance is held to a high standard or making sure the driving rosters are full, she handles it all with precision and care. All the customers that deal with Sara speak very highly of her and she is the first to offer support, encouragement and ideas when challenges arise. Without Sara, the Multiquip business and team would not be as strong as it is today.

SAMANTHA JOHNSTON

Sam is the current Operations Manager at Stanes Transport. Sam gives 110% each day and works whenever needed to support the staff to get the job done. She works weekends, public holidays and after hours without any question or fuss. All of the drivers look to Sam for support and guidance when they need help and she looks after each one of them. Sam is that skilled she can troubleshoot mechanical and fridge fixes over the phone with drivers like a pro! Sam is the epitomy of what women can achieve in this industry and the Stanes Transport family are very proud of her and grateful for what she does.

GLENICE SILCOCK

Glenice Silcock

Glenice worked for Hawkins Transport in the Hunter Valley and then moved to Mountain industries in Newcastle. She was Personal Assistant to the Operations Manager. She also assisted in the "allocations room" and gradually assumed the position of assistant to the Allocator and then took over as Allocator where she managed the local company trucks as well as steering at least 20 long distance trucks per day around the country. Glen had and still has the respect of her managers, her colleagues and certainly the subcontractors. She understood the financial risks with being a subcontractor, she knew the families and she was fair in her allocation so that everyone had an equal share of the work.

DEIDRE TARRANT (not present)

Deirdre Tarrant has significantly contributed to the transport industry alongside her husband, Trevor, since founding TC & DA Tarrant Transport in 1979. While working as a midwife in Armidale, she dedicated countless hours to their business, managing accounts, records, schedules, and client communications. Often the first contact for customers, Deirdre ensured the company ran smoothly behind the scenes, allowing Trevor to focus on the road. Beyond administration, she was also his co-pilot, frequently packing her lunch to ride alongside him. Her dedication extended to raising three children and supporting a growing family of grandchildren.

VALETTA WILSON (not present)

Valetta Wilson nee Ellis was born in Casterton on 24 August 1926 and in 1944 enlisted in the RAAF, serving until 1948. She married Syd Wilson in 1947 and together they built Wilson’s Transport while raising three sons. For 66 years of marriage, Valetta was the backbone of the business, managing accounts, wages, tax stamps, and invoicing, all done manually. She provided meals for drivers, supported local Aboriginal men with work and food, and even drove trucks herself from the late 1950s, hauling stock and timber at a time when few women were behind the wheel. Her dedication ensured Wilson’s Transport survived and thrived for six decades.

TERESA WINDLE

Teresa Windle is nominated for her outstanding dedication, leadership and lifelong commitment to the transport industry. For 15 years as Office Manager at Frontier Cement’s Broome depot, she has expertly managed accounts, payroll, fleet administration and daily operations, ensuring efficiency and reliability. Beyond her technical skills, Teresa has been the steady support behind a family-run business, guiding decisions, mentoring staff, and fostering a structured, positive workplace. Her problem-solving ability and loyalty have been essential to the company’s success. Teresa exemplifies the spirit of this award, an unsung hero whose tireless contributions keep the industry and its people moving forward.

CAROL ZIELKE

Carol and her husband Henry built Zielke’s Transport in Blackwater, QLD, from the ground up. While Henry was on the road, Carol worked full-time and managed the paperwork at night, later overseeing a business that grew to 62 trucks and 80 staff. Her role extended far beyond the office. She shifted tyres, sourced parts, organised meals for drivers, and supported staff like family. She balanced business, home, and motherhood with remarkable dedication, working seven days a week without complaint. Carol never sought recognition, yet she was the backbone of Zielke’s success, combining knowledge, resilience, and kindness. She is exactly the kind of woman this award honours.

Trucking with Kermie is proud to publish these women’s stories. They say that without trucks, Australia would stop. It is equally true to say that without these women and their thousands of compatriots across the country, there would doubtful be the businesses to own the trucks in the first place. Congratulations. We salute you all.