Driving
Driving
Driving
The
The
The
Dream
Dream
Dream
Conference
Conference
Conference
APRIL 16-18
Hyatt Place Melbourne
Essendon Fields
ABOUT
Join us for three fantastic days of speaker, panel and networking sessions designed to inspire, connect and drive real change across the transport industry.
THE EVENT
What to
expect
The Driving the Dream Conference is Transport Women Australia Limited’s flagship event—bringing together passionate, driven, and forward-thinking individuals from across the transport and logistics industry.
01
Visionary talks
Hear from industry leaders, operators, and change makers who are shaping the future of transport.
01
Visionary talks
Hear from industry leaders, operators, and change makers who are shaping the future of transport.
02
Practical workshops
Driving the Dream, is about turning ambition into action—highlighting real career pathways across road, rail, and beyond.
02
Practical workshops
Driving the Dream, is about turning ambition into action—highlighting real career pathways across road, rail, and beyond.
03
Purposeful networking
Connect with a like-minded community of people from all sectors of transport and embrace the opportunity to build meaningful connections.
03
Purposeful networking
Connect with a like-minded community of people from all sectors of transport and embrace the opportunity to build meaningful connections.
Want to be involved?
SPEAKERS
Guest speakers
Transport Women Australia Limited is proud to present a dynamic lineup of capable changemakers who will speak and contribute at our highly anticipated conference.
Alana Kilmartin
Founder
Unserious Careers
Amy Lezala
Victorian Chief Engineer – Rail
Transport Victoria
Casuarina “CJ” Smith
Industry Advocate
Trucking with CJ
Heather Jones
Industry Advocate
Pilbara Heavy Haulage
Lena Coates
Leadership Expert & Author
Lena Coates and Associates
Alana Kilmartin
Founder
Unserious Careers
Amy Lezala
Victorian Chief Engineer – Rail
Transport Victoria
Casuarina “CJ” Smith
Industry Advocate
Trucking with CJ
Heather Jones
Industry Advocate
Pilbara Heavy Haulage
Lena Coates
Leadership Expert & Author
Lena Coates and Associates
WHAT'S ON
Agenda
Conference Days
All
Thursday 16/4
Friday 17/4
Saturday 18/4
Thursday
10:30–2:00pm
PACCAR Lunch & Tour
Tour
Read More +
Thursday
10:30–2:00pm
PACCAR Lunch & Tour
Tour
Read More +
Thursday
4:00pm
Registration desk opens
Thursday
4:00pm
Registration desk opens
Thursday
5:00-6:00pm
Icebreaker/first timers
Hosted by Caitlin Barlow & Ainsleigh Thomas
Networking
Read More +
Thursday
5:00-6:00pm
Icebreaker/first timers
Hosted by Caitlin Barlow & Ainsleigh Thomas
Networking
Read More +
Thursday
6:00–9:00pm
Welcome Drinks
Sponsored by AEI Transport Insurance Brokers
Networking
Read More +
Thursday
6:00–9:00pm
Welcome Drinks
Sponsored by AEI Transport Insurance Brokers
Networking
Read More +
Friday
7:00am
Registration Desk, Coffee Cart, Juice Booth & Health Booth opens
Networking
Friday
7:00am
Registration Desk, Coffee Cart, Juice Booth & Health Booth opens
Networking
Friday
8.15–8.30am
Conference Welcome
Friday
8.15–8.30am
Conference Welcome
Friday
8:30-9:15am
Her story
Heather Jones
Keynote Speaker
Read More +
Friday
8:30-9:15am
Her story
Heather Jones
Keynote Speaker
Read More +
Friday
9.15–10:00am
Meet The board
TWAL Directors
Panel
Read More +
Friday
9.15–10:00am
Meet The board
TWAL Directors
Panel
Read More +
Friday
10.05–10.30am
Morning Tea
Sponsored by Jaglok Transport
Networking
Friday
10.05–10.30am
Morning Tea
Sponsored by Jaglok Transport
Networking
Friday
10:20-10:50am
Creating Connections
Rebecca Neilsen
Interactive
Read More +
Friday
10:20-10:50am
Creating Connections
Rebecca Neilsen
Interactive
Read More +
Friday
10:50-12:00pm
Driving the Difference
Scholarship Presentation
Panel
Read More +
Friday
10:50-12:00pm
Driving the Difference
Scholarship Presentation
Panel
Read More +
Friday
12.00–1.00pm
Lunch
Sponsored by Amazon
Networking
Friday
12.00–1.00pm
Lunch
Sponsored by Amazon
Networking
Friday
1:00pm–2:00PM
Building a Thriving Industry
Melissa Weller, Dr Natalie Flatt & Dr Ross Illes
Interactive
Read More +
Friday
1:00pm–2:00PM
Building a Thriving Industry
Melissa Weller, Dr Natalie Flatt & Dr Ross Illes
Interactive
Read More +
Friday
2:00-3:00pm
Cracking the Confidence Code
Lena Coates
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Friday
2:00-3:00pm
Cracking the Confidence Code
Lena Coates
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Friday
3:00-3:30pm
Afternoon Tea
Sponsored by HMIA
Networking
Friday
3:00-3:30pm
Afternoon Tea
Sponsored by HMIA
Networking
Friday
3:30-4:20pm
Driving the Dream
Millie Fuller & Wing Cheung. Moderated by Barry Saad.
Panel
Read More +
Friday
3:30-4:20pm
Driving the Dream
Millie Fuller & Wing Cheung. Moderated by Barry Saad.
Panel
Read More +
Friday
4.20-4.50pm
Iron Women Program
Heather Saunders, Victoria Conlan & Joanne Bathols. Moderated by Claudia Foini.
Panel
Read More +
Friday
4.20-4.50pm
Iron Women Program
Heather Saunders, Victoria Conlan & Joanne Bathols. Moderated by Claudia Foini.
Panel
Read More +
Friday
4:50-5:00pm
Day One Close
Friday
4:50-5:00pm
Day One Close
Friday
6:30–10:00pm
Friday Fun Night
Networking
Read More +
Friday
6:30–10:00pm
Friday Fun Night
Networking
Read More +
Saturday
8:00am
Registration Desk, Coffee Cart, Juice Booth & Health Booth opens
Networking
Saturday
8:00am
Registration Desk, Coffee Cart, Juice Booth & Health Booth opens
Networking
Saturday
8:30am
Welcome Back
Saturday
8:30am
Welcome Back
Saturday
9:00-10:00am
NHVR Update
Katrina Chokjat
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Saturday
9:00-10:00am
NHVR Update
Katrina Chokjat
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Saturday
10:05–10.45am
Morning Tea
Sponsored by Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance
Networking
Saturday
10:05–10.45am
Morning Tea
Sponsored by Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance
Networking
Saturday
10.45–11:30am
Female leadership in Associations
Alina Hawkins, Ann Lopez & Bianca D'Rosario. Moderated by Loretta Hartley.
Panel
Read More +
Saturday
10.45–11:30am
Female leadership in Associations
Alina Hawkins, Ann Lopez & Bianca D'Rosario. Moderated by Loretta Hartley.
Panel
Read More +
Saturday
11:30-12:00pm
Her Story: Trucking with CJ
Casuarina Smith
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Saturday
11:30-12:00pm
Her Story: Trucking with CJ
Casuarina Smith
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Saturday
12.00–1.00pm
Lunch
Sponsored by NTI
Networking
Saturday
12.00–1.00pm
Lunch
Sponsored by NTI
Networking
Saturday
1:00-1:45pm
Changing Tracks: Leadership and Motherhood
Amy Lezala
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Saturday
1:00-1:45pm
Changing Tracks: Leadership and Motherhood
Amy Lezala
Guest Speaker
Read More +
Saturday
1.45–2.30pm
Unserious Careers
Alanna Kilmartin
Interactive
Read More +
Saturday
1.45–2.30pm
Unserious Careers
Alanna Kilmartin
Interactive
Read More +
Saturday
2.30-3:00pm
First Thing Monday Morning
Caitlin Barlow
Interactive
Read More +
Saturday
2.30-3:00pm
First Thing Monday Morning
Caitlin Barlow
Interactive
Read More +
Saturday
3:00-3:10pm
Conference wrap up
Saturday
3:00-3:10pm
Conference wrap up
Saturday
3:10-3:45pm
Afternoon Tea
Sponsored by Jaix Logistics Software
Networking
Saturday
3:10-3:45pm
Afternoon Tea
Sponsored by Jaix Logistics Software
Networking
Saturday
6pm-6.30pm
Pre Dinner Drinks
Networking
Saturday
6pm-6.30pm
Pre Dinner Drinks
Networking
Saturday
6.30–10.00pm
Awards Dinner
Sponsored by PACCAR Australia and Cummins
Networking
Read More +
Saturday
6.30–10.00pm
Awards Dinner
Sponsored by PACCAR Australia and Cummins
Networking
Read More +
SPONSORS
We’re proud to partner with an outstanding group of forward-thinking organisations.
What do I wear?
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
Where is the conference?
What does the ticket include?
Will there be photography at the event?
Is accommodation available?
Think Forward offers curated meetups, interest-based breakout groups, and a custom app to connect with other attendees. We’ll also share networking tips and session guides ahead of time to help you plan your experience.
How do I attend the PACCAR Factory Tour?
What do I wear?
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
Where is the conference?
What does the ticket include?
Will there be photography at the event?
Is accommodation available?
Think Forward offers curated meetups, interest-based breakout groups, and a custom app to connect with other attendees. We’ll also share networking tips and session guides ahead of time to help you plan your experience.
How do I attend the PACCAR Factory Tour?
2028 Conference