Owner/Driver #339
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“Driving a truck made me feel on<br />
top of the world.”<br />
each other for the first time, the pair made an instant connection<br />
through stories of what it means being to be able to get behind<br />
the wheel.<br />
“This was the first time we had met,” Lockyer says. “I knew we were<br />
both speaking at the event and I said to her how awesome I thought<br />
that it was that she was driving trucks and creating a program<br />
helping women to get in the driver’s seat.<br />
“I said that I was terrified and that I could never drive a truck.<br />
Heather said ‘yes you can do it, you want to come and drive a truck<br />
after this?’ and she said ‘trust me you’ll love it’.<br />
“I didn’t think that’s what I would be doing that day let alone ever,”<br />
Lockyer says. “It felt surreal and absolutely amazing, when I got in<br />
the driver’s seat. I was trembling inside but at the same time felt<br />
super empowered and I knew I could do it.<br />
“There was a point I thought I was going to chicken out but I<br />
thought ‘nah I’m going to do this’ and it was incredible.”<br />
Even with only a short drive of the truck, Jones knew that Lockyer<br />
was more than capable of handling a heavy-duty truck, despite her<br />
lack of driving experience.<br />
“She was truly a natural. I’ve been doing this for 30 years now and<br />
I know within five to 10 minutes whether they are going to give me<br />
a nervous breakdown or if they are going to be good and Bobbi was<br />
absolutely awesome,” Jones says.<br />
Making the leap from a car to a truck is a massive jump for anyone<br />
but for Lockyer it was especially poignant.<br />
“I was in a domestic violence relationship for over 10 years and I<br />
Left: Heather Jones of the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls with transport<br />
industry newcomer Bobbi Lockyer<br />
Opposite top: Students from Hedland Senior High School get a close look at<br />
the PHHG Volvo<br />
ownerdriver.com.au<br />
APRIL 2021 35