On this International Women's Day (IWD), we extend our thanks to the remarkable female workforce within Busways which grew by 11 percent last year.

The 2024 IWD theme "Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress" aligns with our commitment to empowering women across diverse roles within our organisation. Currently, over 300 women contribute to crucial positions, ranging from bus drivers to workshop personnel, administrative, technical, and leadership roles, all contributing significantly to our success.

Alanna Ward, Head of HR, said the industry had come a long way in terms of diversity of gender in the workforce, but there was still a journey ahead.

“Our consistent focus on increasing the representation of women across our divisions saw an 11% rise in female employees over the past year. We’ll continue this work into the future to provide equal opportunities for women to develop their capabilities and excel in learning, earning, and leading.”

As we celebrate extraordinary women on International Women's Day, we would like to share the experiences of some of our female colleagues, hoping to inspire more women to consider public transport as a fulfilling career choice.

Marina Copestick, Bus Driver in Adelaide Metro Outer South region

“I love customer service, driving around and seeing Adelaide, the passengers, and the freedom of being on the road - it’s everything.’’ 

Marin Copestick became a bus driver with Busways 12 months ago, after being a door greeter at Bunnings. She loves her driving job and says she hasn’t looked back since she started driving the bus.

“Time goes fast while driving. I love it. I know all the routes. You feel different, especially being a woman behind the wheel.’’

Ms Copestick is one of the growing number of female drivers with Busways in the Adelaide Metro Outer South region.  Of her female bus driver colleagues, she says ‘’We have our own little chat line, we’re called the ‘bus chicks’ on Messenger. We are a close group.

“Driving along in the bus, I see a lot of women driving heavy vehicles, and I think, yes...We are getting out there, and in the trains too. It’s a growing industry for women and it’s exciting! I get the thumbs up a lot from guys; it’s great.’’

Servicing routes in the south, Ms Copestick knows many of Adelaide Metro’s three million monthly passengers by name and relishes being a welcoming face as they hop on the bus. Ms Copestick would like to see more women behind the wheel. “I’m always at my friends saying, ‘give it a go’, especially if you love driving and being outside. I love my job and I’ll be here till I retire if they’ll have me!’’

Drew Miante, Apprentice Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Busways Wauchope Depot

“I found ­ - I hope my journey inspires and encourages more women to join this profession.”

Drew Miante is a dedicated apprentice heavy vehicle mechanic who has been working at Busways for the last two years.

Reflecting on her career choice, Drew expressed, "I feel like this is where I’m meant to be. While I initially was following a career in modelling after finishing school, my fascination with vehicles and how they function has always been there. This led me to pursue a Certificate 1 in Automotive Vocational Preparation at TAFE.”

Selected for the position of Apprentice at Busways, Drew found the experience to be immensely enjoyable. She had initially assumed that there would be few women in her profession but was happy to discover a wider community of fellow female mechanics and apprentices.

Speaking about her journey, Drew noted, "The first six months were challenging as I had no prior experience in heavy vehicles, but with the support of my colleagues, I learned the processes and found my feet.

“I found there’s no job you can’t do, you may need to find your own way of doing a task but eventually, you’ll find a way that works for you! As Michelle Obama said, “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” “I have fantastic team members both female and male who are always ready to help. I have made some great friends here."

Offering advice to other women considering a similar career, Drew shared, "If you have a passion for working with your hands, multitasking, and problem solving, this industry is for you. If you’re thinking about joining, I say, be brave and go for it… and I promise you won’t look back! I hope my journey inspires and encourages more women to join this profession.”

Georgette Golding, Depot Manager at Busways Penrith: 41-year journey from Money Room Girl to Depot Manager

“The bus industry has a lot of opportunities and there is always a chance to grow.” 

This year Georgette Golding clocked 41 years with Busways and the bus industry. Georgette manages Busway’s busy Penrith Depot, overseeing all depot operations with more than 220 employees including Busways 18 Zero Emission buses.

Georgette started her career at Busways’ Campbelltown Depot in 1983, where she was “the money girl” responsible for reconciling the cash ticketing and wages. She worked her way up with quiet determination in a variety of roles while learning the business inside and out.

In the late 1980s, she was promoted to Assistant Controller at Camden Depot, and by the 1990s, she became the Controller, overseeing shifts, rosters, and payroll. In 2013, she played a crucial role in Busways' transition to a new Western Sydney contract, working from a Penrith transition office and later managing the new Penrith Depot. After initially serving as an assistant manager, she joined Busways' head office, contributing to a dedicated team focused on auditing depots and implementing best practices across all 16 NSW depots. Georgette resumed her role as Assistant Operations Manager at Penrith Depot in 2014 and was promoted to Depot Manager in 2022.

“I love the industry and the people that I work with, they’ve become part of the family,” Georgette says. “Over the years we’ve had fun times and sad times, and we always support each other.  I enjoy the quirky nature of the various personalities you come across in driving, we have people from all walks of life.”