Jesse Leigh Morris - The Future of Trucking

In-depth

24 Mar

The future of trucking is not electric. It is not hydrogen. Although these may feature in future trucks, they aren’t going to take it very far without someone behind the wheel. It’s no secret that the industry is aging at an horrific rate and young drivers with a love for trucking and the desire to do the very best to further themselves within the business are in high demand.

One such young feller is Jesse Leigh Morris. Many Victorian truckies will know Jesse Leigh Morris and/or his dad, EJ. Jesse Had one goal in mind and that was to get behind the wheel. His parents weren’t against that but prodded him to get a trade behind him as a fall-back.

I first met Jesse back in 2016 as a 17 year old (him, not me unfortunately). I was so impressed with this young man’s demeanour that I sat down the next day and wrote the following:

Jesse Morris – Restoring the Faith.

You hear so much negativity about kids these days that one can almost be forgiven for thinking that the whole of the current generation are a bunch of rude, useless, lazy, no-hoper bums who feel that the world owes them a favour. Then, along comes someone who restores your faith in the next generation.

At the dinner following Crawlin’ the Hume to Albury, we were placed next to one Jesse Morris from Narre Warren. Seventeen year old Jesse had come along on the trip at the invitation of Sean Denny – The Hooterville Kid. With a dream of driving for a living, Jesse didn’t need to be asked a second time.

First impressions of Jess were his manners and politeness. He stood to shake - first Rita’s hand - and then mine, firm without being a bone cruncher. He listened without interrupting and answered questions thoughtfully and politely. If he swears we heard none of it. He displayed a deference to all the seniors at our table, whilst displaying a confidence and maturity beyond his years.

**Jesse would have had a fair bit of practice in EJ’s Western Star**

Jesse wants to drive for a living, as his father, EJ does. Mum was not quite as keen but said she wouldn’t stand in his way as long as he undertook an apprenticeship first. “Go and get a trade and you’ll always have something to fall back upon.” Sage advice but not always heeded by the younger set.

“My grades weren’t good enough for VCE. I knew I wasn’t stupid, it’s just that the curriculum didn’t work for me. So I undertook a VCAL course – three days of school, one at TAFE and one at a garden supply shop where I did a bit of everything. That finished up and the school said I could find another work placement or not.

“I hunted around for something more fitting to my future truck driving career and landed a work placement position with Statewide Truck and Bus at Carrum Downs. Within the first day they offered me an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic. That was last October so I’m seven months into the four year course. I’m really enjoying the job. Best thing I ever did. This is something I like to do, rather than have to do. School was drag but work goes in a flash. I go in on Monday and all of a sudden it’s Friday and I wonder where the week went.”

**Jesse with dad, EJ and girlfriend, Eleanor at Tooradin in 2019**

Jess has three years to wait until he can get behind the wheel of a truck. “If I get my licence before the apprenticeship is complete, mum said I might be able to do a bit of driving on the weekend.”

Turning 18 in November, his intention is to apply for a truck licence as soon as possible. His boss has already expressed a willingness to help in that regard.

“We’ve worked it all out so that hopefully in two years’ time I’ll have my semi licence. Initially I’ll drive for whomever will have me, but down the line I’d certainly want to have my own truck – preferably a Kenworth, but I’d happily settle for a Mack.”

Jesse is a young lad who has his head screwed on. He didn’t fit in with the standard school system, so went looking for alternatives that would see him create a career. Whilst mum may have done a little bit of prodding to push him in the direction of an apprenticeship, Jesse sees the common sense in having a trade behind him – particularly one that dovetails so well with his desire to drive big rigs. He recognises where his talents lay and has his nose to the grindstone to achieve his goals.

But just as importantly he is a really nice, well-mannered young man who garnered respect from all those at the table he shared this night. Your folks can be very proud of you Jess. Its young men like yourself that restore our belief in the next generation ….

Fast-forward to today and Jesse is still a hardworking young man, now for Craig Membrey and Membreys Transport and Crane Hire. Craig had seen in Jesse what I had that day back in 2016, and together with his admiration for dad, EJ and the Morris family, offered Jesse a job in the company.

With a heavy rigid licence, it wasn’t long before Jesse was behind the wheel of one of Membrey’s pristine rigs, doing whatever was asked of him. Craig sponsored Jesse in training for his HC licence, which he obtained last week.

It was terrific to see Jesse behind the wheel of a semi just a couple of days later – a tribute to his tenacity, driving skills and Craig Membrey’s trust in putting this young man in charge of a few hundred thousand dollars of equipment.

We look forward to seeing you in a B-double, Jess – no doubt in 365 days, less time already served. Good on ya mate! The trucking world will be in good hands with people of your ilk involved.