The finalists for the Young Gunnette award have been announced by Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL).
Former apprentice Chelsea Lawson and independent operator Sophia Lafkas have each been nominated by work colleagues.
They hail from Queensland and New South Wales respectively.
Lawson returned to a challenging workplace where she became a leader and voice for bettering the environment for young apprentices in nontraditional roles in predominantly male industries.
Lafkas, who had originally worked with her grandmother in the transport industry, has since formed her own company.
The Young Gunnette Award is presented by TWAL and sponsor Cummins Asia Pacific as an annual award to recognise the achievements of up-and-coming females in the transport and logistics industry.
It’s also another avenue by which the TWAL continues to promote, motivate, and encourage young females who are showing leadership early in their careers.
“The two finalists are individuals who have demonstrated potential leadership within the industry and who are bringing significant and positive change to the industry as well as inspiring others with their advocacy for the industry,” said the TWAL in a media statement.
“All the nominations were excellent, and the judges had to make the difficult choices to arrive at two finalists and only one winner.”
The recipient of the reward with be provided with training to assist them in their future career.
“TWAL and Cummins are proud to support women, as female leadership continues to grow within the industry,” the statement continued.
“Leadership skills and careers are enhanced by awards and recognition of role models such as these represented in the nominees for the Young Gunnette Award.”
The winner will be announced in the coming weeks at a time and venue still to be determined.
