This International Women’s Day, we asked women across our businesses nationally to tell us about their experiences working for ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC).
Their inspiring stories of learning, leading and progressing in the business show how crucial the contributions women are making across our operations are.
International Women’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate the contributions women make across our operations. In line with this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, Count her in: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress, these stories confirm that when women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – our business thrives.
Donna Ball
Bus Driver
Terrey Hills, CDC NSW
What is your role?
I’m a bus driver with 9 years of experience, mostly doing routes and school services. I finish anytime between 11pm to 2am. But I’ve always been a night person!
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
I owned a café and was in between jobs. One day I was on my way to the city, on a bus with a female driver and I said to my friend, ‘I think I’d like to do that job!’. I went through 6-8 weeks of training before I could go out on the road. It was intense. But worth it!
What would you say to other women who want to join this industry?
Go for it! When you look in the mirror and see everyone looking back at you, it’s a high. It’s even better when someone thanks you and tells you what a great job you’ve done.
Anne Waid
Engineering Clerk
CDC NSW
What is your role?
I’m an Engineering Clerk in the CDC Panel Shop based at St Mary’s, New South Wales. I enjoy the variety of work – ordering parts, issuing and receipting invoices, triaging emails and taking phone calls, so the mechanics and panel beaters can fix the fleet and get the buses out to our customers and community. Working in the panel shop, it’s a very male orientated workplace, but my colleagues have always made me feel comfortable and part of the team.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
I was made redundant in a previous role and saw this job advertised as 4 days per week. I started as a casual with the employment agency and soon became a permanent member of staff. CDC’s flexibility really appealed to me as it means I get to spend time with my grandchildren.
Deanne Brown
Operations Supervisor
Humpty Doo, CDC Northern Territory
What is your role?
I was a school bus driver for 17 years before becoming Operations Supervisor. I love being able to make a difference within the industry, working with all communities to make the school bus network work well and give our students an awesome experience travelling on our buses.
What would you say to other women who want to join this industry?
After 20 years of working in this industry, I still love my job. I still have a lot of the passion I had when I first started. You are one of the people who can make a difference to a student’s life. Even today, adults still talk about their bus driver back in the day!
Jacqui Hart
Depot Manager
Gladstone, CDC Queensland
What is your role?
I’m the Depot Manager for the Gladstone depot, providing school, urban and charter bus services in the Central Queensland region. My job is to make sure we provide the best possible service that we can for our passengers and that our staff are happy, feel appreciated and enjoy coming to work.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
I joined the company as a receptionist 11 years ago. The role evolved over the years into an Operations role and my passion for the bus industry grew from there. I was lucky to have some amazing managers who mentored me through the years and in 2020 I moved into my current role.
What would you say to other women who want to join this industry?
This is a great industry to be part of. I couldn’t imagine myself working in any other industry.
Hannah Doull
Mechanic
Wyndham, CDC Victoria
What is your role?
I’m involved in the maintenance and repairs of our fleet. I like this role because you can always learn new things or find a different way to look at things.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
My journey began as a bus driver which was a great way to get a foot in the door of the industry.
What would you say to other women who want to join this industry?
Do it! If you enjoy an environment where you feel like you’ve achieved something every day then it’s the perfect career.
Di Jenkins
Ambulance Attendant
National Patient Transport
What is your role?
I’m an Ambulance Attendant but work off road as a Trainer/Assessor. I think I have the best job in the company because I get to see all the new faces coming through our courses. I love seeing all the light bulb moments when it all clicks for the students, and they understand the job, and that they can do it.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
Starting off at ground level, I did my Cert 3 in NEPT but then couldn’t get a job, so I completed Cert 4 in Training and Assessment and became a First Aid Trainer. Eventually that lead me onto starting Diploma of Nursing, but I switched to Diploma of Paramedicine (finally!) and worked as a Patient Transport Officer while I completed my studies. It’s never too late to realise those dreams!
What would you say to other women who want to join this industry?
This role is so well suited to women. We tend to have caring instincts and want to help others. Some women may be put off at the thought of driving “a big ambulance” but they are so easy and comfortable to drive! It surprises a lot of students when they get behind the wheel. But also, with the broad range of shift start times, it opens up possibilities to juggle all of the other aspects of life around. It’s a great job, and every day is different!
Neha Sran
HR Manager
Swan Taxis
What is your role?
As the HR Manager, I oversee end-to-end HR functions for Swan Taxis and ComfortDelGro Swan. Every day brings a unique experience. The independence I have in my role also empowers me to use my distinct perspective to contribute to organisational objectives.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
My source of inspiration is my father, whose calm demeanour, fairness, and adept conflict resolution skills have always guided me. I discovered that I inherited these traits, which proved valuable in pursuing a career in HR. Since joining Swan Taxis, my HR skills have grown exponentially, navigating through complex employment cases and effecting positive improvements. I look forward to continue making positive improvements to the best of my ability.
What would you say to other women who want to join this industry?
Make sure you’re passionate, trust your intuition and take the leap!
