Raymond “Reggie” Sutton is a highly accomplished livestock transport operator whose professionalism, practical knowledge and dedication to safety earned him recognition as the inaugural Young Driver Award recipient at the LBCA Conference. Beginning his career carting hay in an old truck, Reggie quickly developed a passion for transport and, under the mentorship of Pete Dawson, expanded his skills into sheep and cattle transport. Through determination and hard work, he progressed from operating single-deck trailers to four-deckers, B-Doubles and road trains, eventually taking charge of a Kenworth T909 while travelling between 3,000 and 5,000 kilometres each week across some of Australia’s most demanding routes, from the Snowy Mountains to the Nullarbor.
Reggie thrives on the diversity of the job and is passionate about improving safety and efficiency within livestock transport. He is a strong supporter of the Livestock Loading Scheme, recognising its role in reducing rollovers, improving compliance and creating clearer responsibilities for everyone involved in livestock transport. He is also an advocate for improved access and infrastructure, believing more direct routes benefit both operators and animal welfare. Following his Young Driver Award, Reggie was selected for an international study tour to the United States, including visits to the PACCAR factory and major saleyards, providing an opportunity to expand his knowledge and bring new ideas back to Australia. Respected for his humility, strong work ethic and passion for continuous improvement, Reggie continues to represent the future of professional livestock transport in Australia.