The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and OBrienco Transport are celebrating father figures and their commitment to families and the heavy vehicle industry ahead of Father’s Day.
Many heavy vehicle drivers will be working away from their families this Father’s Day.
A survey commissioned by Transport for NSW found that 74 per cent of drivers agree that driving trucks often means spending a fair bit of time away from home.
NHVR COO, Paul Salvati, said the safety and wellbeing of those in the transport and logistics industry is just as important at work as it is at home.
“Everyone in the heavy vehicle and transport industry plays an important role in delivering essential goods across Australia – and the role of being a dad, or a father figure is also significant,” he said.
“We know the majority of heavy vehicle drivers in Australia are men and that men are more likely to delay receiving medical help unless they are experiencing advanced symptoms.
“Father’s Day is an important reminder for all drivers to prioritise your mental and physical well-being and seek help when you need it, so you feel healthy and present at home and at work, and set a good example for your children as well as younger generations.
“We need to steer the conversation to focus on how heavy vehicle drivers can maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle, particularly considering the mounting business challenges and a projected 77-per-cent increase in road freight volume by 2050.”
OBrienco Transport Managing Director, John O’Brien, works with his son and OBrienco Transport National Sales and Linehaul Manager, Jack O’Brien, in South Toowoomba, Queensland.
John O’Brien said that although he has been in the transport industry for his whole life, he hopes being a father defines him more.
“Jack has rejuvenated me with his passion for the industry and desire to grow our business through building relationships,” he said.
“We both have very different sets of skills so often the student becomes the teacher, which I have embraced because it would be naïve of me to think that I know it all.
“I was also fortunate to have a few good role models in the industry to help guide and look out for me when I was 19 and bought my first body truck.”
Jack O’Brien’s passion for the transport industry was ignited at an early age through helping his father with the family business.
“I still have that excitement for trucks that I had when I was a kid when Dad would pick us up in his new Kenworth rigid truck,” he said.
“We bounce ideas back and forth, bringing together old and new ways of working, and often meet somewhere in the middle.
“I’m proud to work alongside Dad this Father’s Day and share our passion for trucks with my son Samuel too.”
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