Stepping 'into the man's world' no trouble for Royal Agriculture Society young achiever finalist
Emma Godsell doesn't think twice about working in male-dominated industries. (Supplied: Kelsey Drabsch)
The sparks are flying as Emma Godsell works to fix a stock crate. It's a job that combines her two trades — metal fabrication and driving a truck for the family business.
With pink work boots and matching welding helmet, the 24-year-old from Young in southern New South Wales can hold her own in the traditionally male-dominated industries.
"I left school straight into the man's world, so to speak, and I haven't really known any different," Ms Godsell said.
"I don't think about it much. I just go to work. I do my job and I go home."
Ms Godsell has been named as a finalist in the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW Rural Achiever Program, recognising her work to promote agriculture.
Ms Godsell's been named as a finalist in the RAS Young Achiever Award. (ABC Riverina: Emily Doak)
Drawn to welding
Ms Godsell was drawn to metalwork after watching her father weld.
"The sparks, the heat and the light, I just thought it was the coolest thing in the world," she said.
She was the only girl in her high school metalwork class but that didn't stop her.
"Mum said, 'If you want to leave school, a full-time job and an apprenticeship is the only way'," Ms Godsell said.
"Challenge accepted. I left school in Year 11 and haven't looked back."
Emma Godsell says she enjoys creating something usable from a piece of metal. (ABC Riverina: Emily Doak)
Ms Godsell gained qualifications through TAFE in engineering trade – metal fabrication, while working on the construction of large grain handling facilities as part of an apprenticeship.
"The fact that I can take a flat sheet of metal and turn it into something, I think, it's pretty cool," Ms Godsell said.
Career pivot to truck driving
Ms Godsell's also turned her hand to driving trucks, carting livestock, machinery, fertiliser and wool.
Ms Godspell can spend up to 80 hours a week behind the wheel. (Supplied: Emma Godsell)
"Some weeks, I'm in it for 80 hours," she said.
"Especially with livestock, you've really got to be on your toes and if you don't know what you're doing, you can get seriously injured."
She still gets to put her metalwork skills to use.
"Every now and then something bends or something breaks," Ms Godsell said.
"The roads are a bit rough at the moment because of all the rain we've had and I can spend a couple of days in the shed fixing all the cracks, straightening everything that's been bent, just giving them all a bit of a look over."
Ms Godsell is also the president of her local agricultural show society, a roll she took on after seeing the difference the event makes to the local community.
Ms Godsell now drives livestock trucks as part of the family business in Young. (ABC Riverina: Emily Doak)
"Whether you were organising it, you're volunteering, or you attended it — I just saw so many people get so much out of it," she said.
"There's so many different aspects that go into a show. We have the ladies at home who sew, we have trucks, flowers, cooking, cattle and sheep.
"It brings so many different people together for one day getting the sense of community back."