Tenacity and a willingness to learn unite this year’s Young Gunnette Award finalists Chelsea Lawson and Sophia Lafkas.
The Young Gunnette Award, sponsored by Cummins South Pacific and organised by Transport Women Australia Ltd (TWAL) was created this year to help promote, motivate and encourage young females showing leadership early in their careers.
Chelsea, a Queenslander, was nominated by her former supervisor who described Chelsea’s work journey, overcoming bullying early in her career as an apprentice, quitting, and then returning later to triumph and lead the way in mentoring and becoming a voice for other young apprentices in non-traditional roles.
A colleague of Sophia, from New South Wales, nominated her after being inspired by Sophia’s career progression from starting out working with her Grandmother, to going out on her own and launching a transport company.
The winner will be announced in the coming weeks at a time and venue still to be determined.
TWAL Chair Jacquelene Brotherton says the Young Gunnette Award will be presented by TWAL as an annual award to recognise the achievements of up-and-coming females in the transport and logistics industry.
“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,” she says.
“All the nominations were excellent, and the judges had to make the difficult choices to arrive at two finalists and only one winner.
“The prize for this award will provide the recipient with training to assist them in their careers in transport and their roles within any organisations that they may represent as they progress throughout their professional lives.
“TWAL and Cummins are proud to support women, as female leadership continues to grow within the industry. 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.
“We encourage everyone who can, to nominate their outstanding young women for the 2026 Young Gunnette Award.
“We congratulate the other nominees and encourage them to renominate in 2026 if they are eligible to do so.”
To find out more about the Award program email chair@transportwomen.com.au.