In the midst of a skills shortage, for Port Kembla trucking operation Ross Transport it makes no sense for half the potential workforce to be excluded.
The company has doubled down on getting women into the male-dominated trucking industry and in the past 12-18 months has seen six women graduate through the in-house training program to become drivers.
These efforts are starting to turn heads, and last night the business won the top award at the Illawarra & South Coast Local Business Awards.
Business manager True Ross-Sawrey said the accolade confirmed to those in the business that what they were doing was paying off.
"It's nice to be appreciated and know that what we're doing is making a difference," she said.
Prior to the current skills shortage, Ross Transport is no stranger to having a diverse workforce.
The business was started in 1975 by Mrs Ross-Sawyer's grandparents, Frances and Reg Ross before their son Alan took over the reins.
Today, Frances - at 82 years of age - continues to show up to work every day and will do anything that doesn't require a computer. Frances was on hand to receive the award at the presentation at the Fraternity Club and Mrs Ross-Sawrey said having generations of experience assisted the company every day.
"I'll call my Dad for advice on how certain trucks work that I need his experience from or Nan's experience and that's where we work really well together."
With 90 employees and 70 trucks delivering steel and bulk materials up and down the eastern seaboard, Mrs Ross-Sawrey said the business - and the wider industry - was the better for having both genders represented in the workforce.
"Our female drivers would not have gotten as far as they would have without our male trainers, so both are equally important, it's just creating a way that both feel important and there shouldn't be a distinction between the two of them."
All the winners at the 2023 Local Business Awards
- Automotive Services - Ross Transport
- Bakery/Cake Business - Bakers Delight - Warilla Grove
- Beauty Services - Cosmetic Injectables by Danielle Ryan
- Brows & Lashes Services - Brow Precision by Casey Jane
- Butcher - Christians Premium Meats
- Cafe - Two Doors Up Cafe & Bar
- Dance Studio - Miss Zoe's School of Dance
- Early Childhood Centre -Pelican Pre-School
- Education Service - EDGE Workshops T|A Sharna Dawson
- Electrical Services - Unlimited Power Solutions
- Fashion - Shoes & Sox Shellharbour
- Fast Food/Takeaway - Boost Juice - Stockland Shellharbour
- Fitness Services - Soul Fit Co
- Florist - Warilla Florist and Classy Baskets
- Fruit & Vegetable Shop - Country Grocer - Unanderra
- Hairdresser - Mane & Glam Boutique
- Health Improvement Services - Amelie Private
- Jewellery Store - Pandora - Stockland Shellharbour
- New Business - PR PROJECTS Shedbuilders
- Pet Care - Impeccable Pets
- Pharmacy - Blooms The Chemist - Stockland Shellharbour
- Photography Business - Kieara Skie Photography
- Professional Services - Aegis Value Engineering
- Real Estate Agency - First National Coast & Country
- Restaurant - Saltwater Cafe
- Service & Trade - Young Fella's Removalist
- Sole Operator - South Coast Veterinary Ultrasound
- Specialised Business - Nursing Solutions Group
- Specialised Retail Business - Phone Repair Wollongong
- Business Person of the Year - Karen Meiring de Gonzalez - Skin Correctives
- Youth Award - Giovanni Papa - Pasticceria Massimo Papa
- Business of the Year - Ross Transport
Our news app has had a makeover, making it faster and giving you access to even more great content. Download The Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store and Google Play.
