Behind the wheel of a heavy rig hammering across the the endless asphalt, Sharna Chapman is in full control — and in her element.

As one of the few women operating heavy transport across some of the nation's toughest interstate routes, she handles the vast, lonely miles with the same steady composure she brings to managing her Echuca-based long-haul fleet.

Driving across the country is not just a job for Sharna — it is a demanding and uncompromising way of life, something she insists is a necessity to be a truck driver.

And she knows Australia’s truck industry keeps the country going.

"I've always been around trucks — my dad was a truck driver," she recalls.

"I always said at a young age I wanted to be one too.

“My dad always said no, and I always said yes."

That determination shaped not just her early choices but her life — moving from Rochester to Elmore to take up agricultural contracting, where as a 21-year-old she earned her heavy vehicle licence.

Nine years ago this month, she and her then-husband purchased an established interstate transport business running six B-doubles.

However, just a few months later, their marriage collapsed and Sharna was suddenly a single mother of three and left holding the bag.

But if she made tough decisions when she was younger, she was making life-changing ones now because she had a business to run and family to feed.

"I had five trucks but no office, I had nothing, I was just handed these trucks and told 'will you work it out?' And I had to, because I had kids and nothing else.“

With nothing but debt and determination, survival meant rolling up her sleeves and learning all the nuts and bolts of the business, inside and out.

An accommodating mechanic took her under his wing, teaching her how to rebuild and maintain the heavy rigs.

To this day Sharna still handles her own servicing, alongside her eldest daughter, who now also pitches in with the basics — leaving only heavy safety components such as brakes to the professionals or herself.

After relocating her base to Echuca eight years ago, today Sharna manages a lean, dedicated fleet running key interstate freight routes between Brisbane, Sydney, and occasional long hauls across the Nullarbor to Perth — a 6000km marathon she does over and over.

And despite the loneliness and isolation of the long distance driver, Sharna is adamant being behind the wheel is a rewarding experience.

"I've never had too many issues," she says of her time as a female truckie.

"Blokes have always been there to lend a hand. I've never come across anybody who’s had a negative opinion of me being a driver, and it really is very much a fun job."

While she loves the open road part of the job, the business side of transport in 2026 presents an increasingly uphill battle — surging operational expenses have hit her industry hard.

"In March, my fuel bill went up $50, 000 for the month, that’s $50,000 added onto the bottom line without any benefit," she explains.

"Same work, same trucks, same everything."

To weather the storm, she has parked one truck full-time, keeping two and a half rigs on the road while monthly fuel costs hover between $60, 000 and $70, 000.

Adding to the financial strain is what Sharna describes as unnecessary red tape and overly aggressive compliance demands from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and state enforcement bodies.

"There's so much unnecessary stuff," she says, pointing to the relentless red tape which drains time and resources from operators already running on razor-thin margins.

Yet, despite the pressure from skyrocketing overheads and frustrating compliance checks, Sharna’s motivation remains anchored in the sheer importance of her work.

"Every single thing anybody touches, picks up, uses, eats, puts on, comes from a truck. If trucks can't run, they're in a lot of trouble," she said.

With the business set to celebrate its tenth anniversary next year — and a pair of brand-new trucks on order to mark the milestone — Sharna's message to any woman thinking about getting behind the wheel or launching her own operation is simple: "If it's something you're interested in and you love, go for it," she says.

"It's not a job, it's a lifestyle. You've got to really love doing it. Otherwise, it just won't work."

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Tuesday, 15th June 2027

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