Deals on Wheels #469

Industry DEALS
up pre-prepared meals I take from home,”
Benseman says.
“It’s hard to find a decent feed sometimes,
so I’m pretty self-sufficient.
“We all try to keep our driving hours within
the window of 7am to midnight. There are
some exceptions at times due to loading and
unloading constraints but mostly it tends to
work out.”
CONFIDENCE BOOST
Mick is quite involved with the LRBCA
Young Driver Award, having had a colleague
awarded the prize when he was working for
another employer.
“I like to encourage younger drivers to get
involved in the industry; the lack of young
drivers coming into this game is one of the
biggest challenges the industry is facing,”
Mick says.
Janelle Edgar, MLT’s compliance and
training manager, agrees. “We like to create
a space where drivers feel appreciated and
safe in their workplace. That’s why people like
Matt thrive – they have a good environment to
work in, which MLT has put in place.”
I have seen this harmonious working
environment first- hand, operating from a
small office at the rear of their Tamworth
property.
After a few photos were taken down at the
main yard, I was invited into the Maloneys’
home for a coffee and chat (and an offer
of some eggs which I had to decline after
overindulging at the motel buffet breakfast
earlier). Mick says their family dining room
doubles as the lunch room with any staff o
visitors welcomed warmly.
“I won’t employ anyone who I won’t have in
my home,” Mick explains.
Benseman says MLT is great to work for and
he really gets looked after. He says it feels good
to be appreciated for what he’s achieved by
receiving the Young Driver of the Year Award
and he plans to utilise the $5,000 trip prize to
return to New Zealand for two weeks and visit
some industry facilities, including an abattoir,
after which he will take the opportunity to
catch up with family while there.
Flashback: Reggie
Sutton, the 2015 LBRCA
Young Driver of the
Year Award winner, is
now the association’s
vice-president – livestock.
Photo by Greg Bush
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