This International Women’s Day, we are inspired by the remarkable women across different roles who are breaking barriers, driving change, and leading with impact. The theme for #IWD2025, Accelerate Action, calls for urgent and decisive steps toward gender equality.  

From customer experience to operations and leadership, these stories highlight the resilience, passion, and contributions of women shaping our workplace and beyond.  

As Alanna Ward, Busways Head of HR, puts it: "True progress comes when we move beyond conversation to action. When we empower women, we strengthen entire communities. This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to accelerating change together." 

Here we’re sharing the stories of three of the women in our workforce to show the incredible roles women play in transport and hear their voice.  

Sally's Story of Strength and Compassion 

Former disability support worker Sally Paech is now a dedicated bus driver with Busways SA for two years. A valued team player, her journey is one of resilience, determination, and kindness—qualities that make her an inspiration to her colleagues. 

Sally’s transition into bus driving happened by chance, when she met another female bus driver at a supermarket who encouraged her to apply. With confidence in her driving skills and a desire to challenge herself, Sally took a leap of faith—and hasn’t looked back since. 

For Sally, every day on the road is an adventure. She loves the ever-changing environment, the sense of freedom that comes with driving, and the joy of meeting new people. She is also a mentor to other bus drivers and has an ambition to learn more roles in public transportation. 

Sally’s story goes beyond her work. She believes that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. Living by this belief, she has taken on an incredible challenge—trekking the 96km Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea over nine days to raise funds for the Little Heroes Foundation. Her goal is to raise $4,000 to support children battling childhood dementia, a cause that is close to her heart. 

Preparing for the Kokoda Trail is no small feat. Sally is training rigorously, hitting the gym to build strength and endurance. She also climbs Mount Lofty weekly, aiming to reach a level where she can complete the climb twice in one day before she embarks on her journey in April. Her commitment and dedication showcase her unwavering determination to make a difference. 

Her message to all women is simple yet profound: “If you have an aspiration, take the bull by the horns and give it a go. You never know what you are capable of until you try. Don’t be afraid—women can do anything.” 

Teigan Breaking Stereotypes as a Mechanic 

In a world where traditional gender roles are constantly being redefined, women like Teigan Baker are paving the way for future generations. As a fourth-year mechanic at Busways Port Macquarie, Teigan is thriving in a field where women participation is comparatively low. Her journey is one of passion, perseverance, and breaking barriers. 

Before stepping into the automotive industry, she worked in hospitality, but her passion for working with vehicles led her to pursue a mechanical apprenticeship. Four years later, she is excelling in her role and continuing her education at TAFE, where she is refining her technical expertise while gaining hands-on experience at Busways. 

With the industry rapidly evolving, she is eager to expand her knowledge of buses and their maintenance. As Busways embraces sustainable transport solutions, Teigan is committed to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring she is well-equipped for the future of automotive technology. 

Despite the challenges of entering a male-dominated industry, Teigan has found a supportive team and a fulfilling career. Her advice to young women considering a career in mechanics is simple: “Just go for it. It may seem daunting at first, but once you get into it, it’s incredibly rewarding.” 

Sarah Langthorne’s Journey to Customer Experience Manager 

Sarah Langthorne’s career story is one of resilience, adaptability, and passion. She started her work journey at just 17 and explored a diverse range of roles, gathering a wealth of experience that would shape her into the leader she is today.  

Sarah’s professional path has been anything but conventional. She has worked in administration, taken on temp roles, and even held the position of promotions manager at the once iconic Australia's Wonderland amusement park. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to create a local community newspaper, Coastal Tidings, but she later moved to explore new avenues to sustain while balancing her family life. 

Seeking stability, she took on a role as a receptionist at Busways Kincumber depot in 2010, drawn by the convenience of working close to home while raising her children. Sarah’s drive pushed her to seek new challenges. Eighteen months later, she moved into a service delivery role at Busways' Pymble national support office and became a champion for customer experience. 

Later, stepping into the role of Customer Experience Manager, Sarah found her true calling - advocating for customers, ensuring their voices were heard, and making meaningful changes to improve their experiences. She remains deeply connected to her team, always ready to step in and support them, understanding firsthand the challenges they face. 

Reflecting on her career, Sarah acknowledges the progress women have made in the workforce while recognising that there is still work to do. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still work to do. Women should stand proud, understand their worth, and advocate for themselves.” 

Sarah’s journey is a shining example of how with passion and dedication, one can carve out a meaningful career while making a lasting impact on both colleagues and customers alike.