One of two finalists for the award, Mrs Fellows was bestowed the honour at the ATA’s conference and gala awards dinner in Canberra on Friday.
Describing the evening as the “flagship night” of the conference, Mrs Fellows said it was both an honour and a joy to be in attendance.
“It was an incredible evening,” she said.
“Kerry O’Keefe was the MC. He is one of the funniest people, which had us crying in laughter, which helped settle the nerves.”
Mrs Fellows was nominated for the work she does at Fellows Bulk Transport.
She has worked with husband Paul in the business for more than 20 years.
For the last 19 years she has been involved alongside the dynamic committee, with the Driver Education Program at Deniliquin High School.
The nomination also incorporated her role in educating the community through the Deniliquin High School’s Year 10 driver education program, which has a strong focus on preparing young people to share the roads safely with trucks and other vehicles.
The other nominee was Michelle Harwood, who is the CEO of the Tasmanian Transport Association in Hobart.
Ms Fellows said it was an exceptional experience to share with her fellow nominee.
“It was an honour to be up on the stage with Michelle, who has done so much and continues to do so much and continues be an outstanding advocate for the transport industry.”
Mrs Fellows’ award was sponsored by Cummins, which whom Mrs Fellows says she shares an approach to the industry.
“Their values of integrity, diversity and inclusion, caring, excellence, and teamwork are values which I strive to live by each day,” she said.
“Transport Women Australia nominated me, so I want to thank them for their support for me and the industry as a whole. Thank you to Cummins for sponsoring the award and I look forward to the opportunities that it brings with it into the future.
“And I want to thank all the event sponsors for making such a great event possible, and Thank you to the ATA for putting on Trucking Australia 2024 and hosting the conference.
“It is always a great platform to connect and network with amazing people who have done absolutely extraordinary things.”
Mrs Fellows thanked her family support system, and the district trucking industry.
“Thanks to Paul and my family for enabling me, giving me support and space for me to do what I have in the industry, and the industry who have supported the driver education program across its history.”
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