From a single truck driven by founder Nicole Appleton to a network of more than 500 contractors, NLA Trucking is helping reshape what opportunity and representation can look like in Victoria’s construction industry.

During National Reconciliation Week 2026, Seymour Whyte is proud to recognise the role our partners play in strengthening relationships, creating opportunities, and supporting a more inclusive construction industry.

Creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations businesses is an important part of Seymour Whyte’s Reconciliation Action Plan commitments and our broader approach to delivering long-term, sustainable outcomes through the projects we build.

One example is our partnership with NLA Trucking, an Aboriginal-owned business supporting our Clyde Road Upgrade project in Victoria since July 2024.

A business built on purpose

Founded by Nicole Appleton in 2016, NLA Trucking began with a single truck, driven by Nicole herself, and a clear vision: to create a business where women’s capability, leadership and contribution were recognised and expected. From those early days, the company built a strong reputation for reliability and customer service, creating opportunities across major infrastructure and construction projects throughout Melbourne.

Today, that vision has grown into Victoria’s only 100% Aboriginal female-owned plant hire business, with:

  • a network of more than 500 independent contractors
  • more than 20 items of company-owned equipment
  • three operating locations in Epping, Kilmore and Seaford

This year also marks the company’s 10-year anniversary – a milestone built on resilience, determination and community.

Reflecting on that journey, Nicole says there was a moment when the business became something much bigger than she first imagined.

“One small opportunity can create many opportunities for others. That’s the moment it stopped being just a business and became a community.”

NLA Trucking has grown from one truck to a thriving business with 500+ independent contractors.

Creating opportunity beyond the worksite

Beyond project delivery, NLA Trucking’s impact extends into the lives and careers of the people it supports. Through mentoring, skills development and a focus on inclusion, the business has helped create pathways for:

  • women entering the transport and construction industries
  • First Nations Australians building long-term careers
  • migrants and individuals rebuilding their lives
  • workers progressing into business ownership

At its core, NLA Trucking reflects how opportunity, when shared, can have a lasting ripple effect.

As a proud Aboriginal business owner in a traditionally male-dominated sector, Nicole’s leadership also provides visible representation for others considering a similar path.

For Nicole, that impact matters most.

“Seeing other Indigenous women step into transport and leadership because they saw someone who looked like them owning a fleet – that’s the milestone that matters most. Your background isn’t a disadvantage – it’s a perspective this industry needs but doesn’t hear enough of.”

Smarter partnerships, stronger outcomes

Partnerships like this demonstrate the broader value of working with First Nations businesses – not only strengthening supply chains and project outcomes, but helping create more inclusive pathways across our industry.

That value is something Anthony Reynette-James, Senior Project Manager on the Clyde Road Upgrade, sees firsthand.

“On projects like the Clyde Road Upgrade, you see every day that strong infrastructure is delivered by strong partnerships and diverse teams. Working alongside Nicole and the NLA Trucking team shows how leadership, resilience and representation strengthen our industry.”

As the construction industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this show how infrastructure projects can create opportunities that extend far beyond the worksite — strengthening communities, increasing representation and helping open doors for the next generation of leaders.