On the road with Milly
My name is Milly McCauley. I am 14 years old, and I have grown up around trucks for my whole life.
I am a Year 9 student and I go to Garin College in Richmond, near Nelson in the South Island.
My dad is a truck driver for Sollys Contractors, and we live in Motueka. He would often ask if I wanted to come along for a quick ride in the truck with him, running a load of stock food over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay for the afternoon, or to cart a load of Dolomite to Southland, staying away in motels for several nights. I have always leapt at the chance.
My first ride was when I was three years old. I lived in Reefton at the time and Dad took me to deliver a load of hay to Rotomanu, near Greymouth. I still take any chance I can to jump in the truck to spend some time on the road.
Having the opportunity to go on rides with Dad has been exciting because I have been able to travel all around New Zealand and see some amazing stuff, even if it’s through a large cab window at 4am in the morning with a hot pie and Coke in hand (a nutritious breakfast for little truckers).[/vc_column][/vc_row]
I originally come from the deep south of the South Island. I have now been to many of the main cities, small towns, and villages in both the north and south islands. I have also travelled across the Cook Strait on all the different ferries on various trips. We’ve seen a multitude of trucks and admired them on the way.
My grandfather was also a truck driver, and my dad has been taking truck photos since he was 11. So, I guess I am the third generation of truck enthusiasts in our family.
Being involved with the transport industry through my father has given me a platform to share my experiences with you all. Dad taught me how to take photos when I was younger, and I have continued with that as a hobby. I have also been able to contribute my interest in photography and videography to New Zealand Trucking magazine – I am one of the editors of the online Out and About video features and I have written some feature articles.
Besides school and contributing to the magazine, I also have a white British shorthair cat called Benjamin, who is completely deaf, who I hang out with heaps. I love dance and have been attending jazz and contemporary classes since I was four.
Little Trucker Down Under is going to be an awesome platform where we talk trucking and transport. You can learn about my journeys in and around trucks and learn more about the transport industry, through articles and stories recorded within these pages. I am super-excited to have this opportunity where I can share with you what it’s like being a trucking kid and I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to these experiences. I can’t wait to start sharing all my adventures with you, and even learn about some of yours!
Thanks for reading! I can’t wait to show you guys what’s been going on and I am looking forward to hearing about your journeys.
