As ANZAC Day approaches, we sat down with Boral driver Michael Anderson to hear his story. It is a journey shaped by service, safety, and over four decades on the road.
Michael, tell us how your driving career started.
I started my driving career in the Army at 17. I was in the catering department, which was actually part of the transport unit. Before long, I was behind the wheel of trucks. By the time I was 19, I had my MC licence, or 5C as we called it back then, and was a Corporal in Transport.
Driving for the Defence Force, including fuel tankers, gave me a deep respect for safety. That is something that has stayed with me throughout my career.
What did you do after your release from the Defence Force?
I’ve had quite a few roles since. I started as an owner-driver, carting groceries and perishables to IGA stores around New South Wales.
Then I got my start in fuel transport with Cootes in Sydney. Even though I had already carted fuel in the Army, this was my first step into the commercial side of it.
Over time, I moved into supervision and training roles. I’ve worked as a Fuel Contract Supervisor, in HSSE, and in driver training. I’ve also handled job allocation and buddy training for new drivers. I helped them get signed off through local gantries and customer sites, and supported them to understand and follow workplace procedures and policies.
Before I joined Boral, I spent over four years as a FIFO driver in Western Australia. I was based out of Port Hedland and drove triple road trains carting fuel to mine sites. I came back to Sydney for family reasons and that’s when I started my journey with Boral.
And now you are with Boral. How long has it been?
It has been nearly nine years now. I drive a B-double powder tanker, delivering fly ash, slag (the key ingredients used in concrete), and cement products all across the state.
I regularly travel to Grafton, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Sydney and Coffs Harbour. I’m based out of Eraring.
You’ve been with Boral long enough to say goodbye to a pretty special truck.
Yes, in 2018 my truck and I were featured in a Boral photoshoot. I had that truck since it was 18 months old. By the time we parted ways, the trailers were 21 years old and the truck had done over a million kilometres.
It still looked as shiny as the day it started out.
A truck is like your baby. You spend more time in it than you do at home. Based on my time in private school and then the Army, I’ve always kept my truck a certain way. It is a hard enough job being out on the road all day. You want to make it as enjoyable and as safe as possible, and keeping your truck in order is part of that.
That military discipline really stuck with you.
Absolutely. The Army taught me the value of being part of something bigger. You’re there for your team, you pay attention to the details, and you hold yourself to high standards. That’s not so different to working at Boral. We’re part of a big team here too.
My motto is pretty simple. Zero harm, get home safe, and always be presentable, both yourself and your truck.
And on ANZAC Day, you reflect on more than just your own service.
Yes but I’m just a normal bloke going about his day. I’ve given nothing compared to those who’ve fallen for what we have now.
My great-grandfather, Albert Anderson, was an ANZAC. He joined the Army in Broken Hill at the age of 21 and fought on the Western Front. He came home and lived to 92.
He was an engineer, and his photos and poetry, some of which was written on the back of food packs, have been displayed at the War Memorial in Canberra as part of their rotating exhibitions.
Being in the Army means something. You’re not just doing a job. You’re representing something. That’s what I try to carry with me every day on the road.
This ANZAC Day, we thank Michael and all our team members with military backgrounds for their service, and for the values they continue to bring to Boral every day.
Lest we forget
