Pride and Passion

There’s a saying: “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.”

Leonnie Carter is the personification of that adage because, in addition to having a young family of her own and being the Company Secretary for her and husband Josh’s thriving Carter Heavy Haulage business which they established in 2013, she runs an online operation selling Carter Heavy Haulage merchandise and apparel to customers across Australia and North America.

In addition to their local and regional chambers of commerce, Leonnie and Josh are active members of industry bodies Road Freight NSW, Australian Trucking Association and NatRoad.

Leonnie is closely involved in the day-to-day running of Carter Heavy Haulage and was responsible, along with the company’s compliance manager, in developing a comprehensive yet practical company safety manual which addresses the often complex procedures associated with transporting oversize and over-mass loads across Australia.

In 2024 Carter Heavy Haulage’s dedication to safe operations was recognised with the prestigious Road Freight NSW Award for Best Safety Culture.

As if those activities weren’t enough, Leonnie was a driving force behind what was to become the Newcastle Truck Show, taking her inspiration from the Newcastle Transport Awareness Day which had been previously held annually on the Newcastle foreshore.

“I’m reminded of the strong foundation laid by the Transport Awareness Day and the great people behind its success including Tony McGrath, the late Paul ‘Harro’ Harrison, Mick Barclay, and Lynne Jack.

Of course, there were many more who played a part, and this all began even before I entered the transport industry,” says Leonnie.

Under Leonnie’s guidance the foreshore event was re-branded the Newcastle Truck Show and was relocated to Maitland Showground which was a more central location for many of the transport businesses involved, and the event prospered for four years until the pandemic intervened.

“Those events were more than showcases of our industry,” says Leonnie. “They brought us together, celebrated our hard work, and educated the community on the crucial role of trucks on the road.”

The opportunity for local road transport industry people to connect with and support each other added another layer of social benefits, especially in the area of driver mental health. After the restrictions caused by the pandemic were over, a lower key event was held at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium in 2023.

Camp Quality is an Australian children’s cancer charity which has been improving the quality of life for children facing cancer for 40 years and features locally organised truck convoys as one of its main forms for raising awareness and vital funds.

Leonnie’s involvement with the Camp Quality Convoy for Kids began back in 2022, thanks to the power of social media. Leonnie received an encouraging email from Adrian Steward, the Head of Major Events and Community Fundraising at Camp Quality.

Adrian expressed his interest in bringing the famous Camp Quality Convoy for Kids to Newcastle, as the city had earned a reputation for excellent transport-related community events.

Leonnie was thrilled to be asked and immediately set about planning the 2025 event, having her enthusiasm turned into action, and over the next 18 months, using her network of people and her deep connection to the community, she played a pivotal role in launching the Newcastle Camp Quality Convoy for Kids.

“For those who know me, you can imagine my excitement!” Leonnie says.

“Supporting the Camp Quality team in launching this event, while honouring the long history of the Transport Awareness Days and the Newcastle Truck Show, is something I’m immensely proud of.”

With her passion for both the transport industry and charitable causes, Leonnie saw this as a perfect chance to support a charity team which brings joy and hope to children facing cancer, while also honouring the long-standing tradition of Transport Awareness Days and the Newcastle Truck Show.

“By coming together, we have the power to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most,” she says.

“Every dollar raised through this convoy has the power to bring a smile, create a memory, and provide support to children facing unimaginable challenges. It’s about offering hope and joy to families in some of their most difficult moments.”

The Newcastle Camp Quality Convoy is scheduled for 9 March, 2025 and will follow a 38km loop starting and finishing at Maitland Showground.

“Everyone we speak with recalls those days at the Newcastle foreshore, sharing colourful stories of a time when the community truly came together,” says Leonnie.

“What I love most is that those ‘kids’ who used to attend the Transport Awareness Days now have kids of their own — including myself. We’ll get together not just as transport professionals showcasing our workplace, but as a community with a shared passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families who need it most.”

Leonnie sees community events such as the Convoy as an opportunity for growth, not just for the transport industry, but also in its purpose by coming together as a united community.

“This is a chance for our industry to shine, showcasing our professionalism and the importance of transport in Australia, while also educating the public on road safety and inspiring the next generation,” she notes.

“Let’s remember the role each of us plays, not just as transport operators but as supporters of a cause greater than ourselves.”

Leonnie considers events such as the Convoy as an opportunity also to present the road transport industry as a worthy career choice.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure the next generation is skilled, prepared, and passionate, as we all know this is far from a 9-to-5 job,” she says.

“That’s why events like these are so important: to share the passion for an industry we love, even when it tests us.”