Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Committee (TLWAC) member biographies

The Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Committee (TLWAC) includes the following members:

• Briony Dorey (Port of Townsville)
• Camilla Elmes, Industry Skills Advisor (VET 4 T&L)
• Christina Heffner (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
• Gavin Atkinson (Department of Employment, Small Business and Training)
• George Hodgson (Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia)
• Julie Russell (Russell Transport)
• Kaylee Clark (Clark’s Logan City Bus Service)
• Lauren Hewitt (Queensland Transport and Logistics Council)
• Lisa Fraser (Queensland Trucking Association)
• Mattie Ryan, Primary Connect
• Peter Turner (Queensland Rail)
• Sarah Heppes (Queensland Bus Industry Council)

Briony Dory, Port of Townsville

Briony joined the Port of Townsville Limited as the Manager People and Culture in November 2021.  Briony has extensive experience in human resources in both the private and public sectors, most recently with Townsville City Council and Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

Briony is passionate about understanding the needs of a business and working with leaders to develop their workforce for the future. In her previous role, Briony was a key participant in a committee involving a number of Queensland rural councils, which formed a Water Industry qualification framework and pathway suited to the needs of Queensland regional councils.

Briony is looking forward to collaborating with the TLWAC members on key workforce issues and opportunities in the transport and logistics industry.

 

Camilla Elmes, Industry Skills Advisor, VET 4 T&L

Camilla is an Industry Skills Advisor, managing the VET 4 T&L industry engagement program. Established by the Queensland Trucking Association in 2014, the VET 4 T&L program and Future Ready Workforce website support the workforce and skilling requirements across all sectors of transport and logistics; road transport (freight and passenger), logistics, maritime, aviation and rail. The role is funded by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and its core function is to raise awareness of vocational education and training opportunities available to industry and provide feedback to the department about current and emerging jobs in demand and critical skills.

Since 2015 Camilla has supported the delivery of VET 4 T&L, including key bodies of work such as the Future Ready Workforce Report, Queensland Skills Surveys as a key input into the VET Investment program and the ongoing management of the outbound engagement activities via the website and monthly e-news.

Camilla is enthusiastic about increasing collaboration and engagement across networks, workforce intelligence gathering and developing relationships that work towards achieving tangible outcomes for the Transport and Logistics industries.

 

Christina Heffner, Department of Transport and Main Roads

Christina, Executive Director of Governance, Freight and Partnerships is responsible for leading the development and implementation of policies and strategies relating to Queensland’s ports and multi-modal freight system. Christina is the Chair of the Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Committee.

Christina started with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in February 2014, as the Director of Prosecution Services. During her time with TMR, Christina has held the roles of Executive Director of Heavy Vehicles and Prosecutions, Executive Director of Legislation and Standards and Executive Director of Rail Regulation. 

Christina previously worked for the Queensland Police Service as the G20 Principal Legal Officer, Commissioner’s legal and Prosecutor. Christina was admitted to the Queensland Bar in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Professional Studies. 

 

Gavin Atkinson, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

Gavin puts business and industry customers at the heart of government service delivery. He developed the whole of government Business Queensland website which includes a dedicated offering for the transport and logistics industry. He also recently created a Business Disaster Hub which supports the transport and logistics industry in planning, responding and recovering from disasters and other external shocks.

In recent years Gavin has also become increasingly involved in supporting vocational education and training to improve employment outcomes and help business and industry find qualified and skilled workers.

In 2021 Gavin was appointed A/Executive Director of the Customer Channels team in the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) and in this capacity joined TLWAC. Customer Channels is a new team that seeks to improve the department's engagement with its stakeholders through online and direct contact channels and through the implementation of a Digital Transformation Program.

Through TLWAC, Gavin hopes to ensure that DESBT’s customer channels continue to meet the needs of the important transport and logistics industry and he looks forward to working with his other committee members and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

 

George Hodgson, Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia

George is a highly accomplished and contemporary senior logistics professional with 20 years of experience leading diverse military and civilian teams. 

With an extensive background in operational and Lean Thinking logistics, George has been deployed working with the United Nations in East Timor and has also been a Commanding Officer of an operational Air Base. George is an active TLWAC committee member, frequently engaging with students through the Transfutures internship program to offer industry advice and experience. 

George holds the position of Queensland State President of the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia and is a strong advocate for mentoring future generations of logisticians to support their careers in the transport and logistics industry. He holds a Master of Business (Logistics) from RMIT University in Melbourne. 

 

Julie Russell, Russell Transport

Julie is a Director and third-generation family member of Queensland-based Russell Transport. Julie furthered her knowledge through university studies and on-the-ground, practical industry experience before returning to the family business to oversee all risk, compliance, human resources and back office support functions of the growing family business. 

In 2014, Julie was recognised as Queensland Trucking Association’s Woman of the Year, and then went on to win the Australian Trucking Association's National Woman of the Year title in 2015.

Julie has actively worked on numerous committees and boards within the road transport industry to provide a business perspective to policy proposals, training standards and industry awareness programs. Julie is the past president of the QTA, having stepped down in 2021 after taking up a role on the board of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Julie also holds a board position with the ATA and leading family business Russell Transport.

 

Kaylee Clark, Clark’s Logan City Bus Service

Kaylee is a second-generation family member who has worked in the Bus and Coach Industry for over 30 years.  During this period Kaylee has gained immeasurable experience in a range of areas including customer service, administration, and stakeholder relations, while today holding the position of Manager of Finance and Performance.

Kaylee is part of the Senior Management Team with her current role enabling her to work closely with TransLink and other Key Stakeholders in the delivery of Public Transport to the City of Logan.

Kaylee has completed University studies in accounting, management, transport studies, town planning and architectural design.  Kaylee is an enthusiastic advocate for the promotion of Public Transport as both a travel choice and a career path within Clarks.  

Since 2019, Kaylee has held a position on the Queensland Bus Industry Council’s Commercial Committee.  Kaylee looks forward to the opportunity that TLWAC provides in progressing the Transport Industry and the workforce challenges it faces.

 

Lauren Hewitt, Queensland Transport and Logistics Council

Lauren has demonstrated ability to liaise, interpret and mediate between parties facing critical environmental challenges. This has included work in project development for Queensland’s energy producers as well as General Manager Policy of Queensland’s peak agricultural body, AgForce. 

In 2015, Lauren was awarded Queensland Rural Woman of the Year. 

As CEO of the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council Lauren applies her skills in considering and improving the efficiency and footprint of the freight sector. 

 

Lisa Fraser, Queensland Trucking Association

As the Membership Service Manager at Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), Lisa specialises in stakeholder engagement, relationship development and communication, and is responsible for delivering an agile, relevant and responsive membership service. 

Lisa is passionate about the road freight industry and has been involved in various projects including the rollout of the GenR8 Program, QTA Women Take the Wheel Program, Heavy Vehicle Safety Around Ports Project, and the DigiT&L Futures Project.

In 2012, Lisa was instrumental in establishing the first ever International Women’s Day event for women the transport and logistics sector in Australia and in 2018 developed the QTA Daimler Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program.

Lisa has been on the Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Committee since March 2018 and values the opportunity it presents to collaborate and develop relevant, industry-led training and skilling priorities.

 

Mattie Ryan, Primary Connect

Mattie is currently heading up Supply Chain Operations for Primary Connect (Woolworths Group Supply Chain). This includes supply chain services to Woolworths supermarkets, Big W and Endeavour Group across Queensland and Northern NSW.

Mattie has previously held senior roles in Staples/WINC as the Director of Operations in Australia/NZ, along with an 11 year career with DHL Global Freight & Contract Logistics Europe, Middle East and Africa.

A key passion for Mattie in his 25 years working in Supply Chain is safety within our industry. As part of his role Mattie is also keen to explore optimisation within the supply chain and reducing vehicle movements on our roads through forward planning distribution centres.

Mattie is very keen to participate in TLWAC and collaborate with other industries in sharing best practice including, diversity, team engagement and safety in the workplace. 

 

Peter Turner, Queensland Rail

Peter is the Senior Manager of Capability Planning and Development with Queensland Rail. He joined the Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Committee in September 2018.

Peter has previously held senior roles with Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, with a focus on people and culture, workforce, state-wide business operations and infrastructure program management. 

As well as his career in government, Peter has many years' experience in private, public and not-for-profit sectors including defence, communication technology, training and employment industries. Peter's key passion is in delivering workforce sustainability in Queensland employers and employees.  

 

Sarah Heppes, Queensland Bus Industry Council

Sarah has worked with the Queensland Bus Industry Council as their Member Services Officer since 2013, playing an integral role in advocacy and ensuring the voice of the industry is represented. Sarah provides advice and support to private bus and coach operators across Queensland, maintaining members' knowledge and understanding of legislation, and industry policy and practices.

Sarah comes from a bus industry and tourism background, after completing a bachelor degree in Ecotourism at Flinders University Sarah expanded her experience within the tourism and transport industry as a guide in some of Queensland's leading adventure destinations.

Sarah's recent roles also included several years as the Tour Manager for a South East Queensland Coach company, where she managed their day tour and extended coach tours.