Owner/Driver #339

“Driving a truck made me feel on
top of the world.”
each other for the first time, the pair made an instant connection
through stories of what it means being to be able to get behind
the wheel.
“This was the first time we had met,” Lockyer says. “I knew we were
both speaking at the event and I said to her how awesome I thought
that it was that she was driving trucks and creating a program
helping women to get in the driver’s seat.
“I said that I was terrified and that I could never drive a truck.
Heather said ‘yes you can do it, you want to come and drive a truck
after this?’ and she said ‘trust me you’ll love it’.
“I didn’t think that’s what I would be doing that day let alone ever,”
Lockyer says. “It felt surreal and absolutely amazing, when I got in
the driver’s seat. I was trembling inside but at the same time felt
super empowered and I knew I could do it.
“There was a point I thought I was going to chicken out but I
thought ‘nah I’m going to do this’ and it was incredible.”
Even with only a short drive of the truck, Jones knew that Lockyer
was more than capable of handling a heavy-duty truck, despite her
lack of driving experience.
“She was truly a natural. I’ve been doing this for 30 years now and
I know within five to 10 minutes whether they are going to give me
a nervous breakdown or if they are going to be good and Bobbi was
absolutely awesome,” Jones says.
Making the leap from a car to a truck is a massive jump for anyone
but for Lockyer it was especially poignant.
“I was in a domestic violence relationship for over 10 years and I
Left: Heather Jones of the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls with transport
industry newcomer Bobbi Lockyer
Opposite top: Students from Hedland Senior High School get a close look at
the PHHG Volvo
ownerdriver.com.au
APRIL 2021 35