Gabrielle's found her drive

It's not every little girl's dream to work on pit lane at the Bathurst 1000, but for Gabrielle Clift she's been able to live out her dream as part of the championship winning team at Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Getting a taste for the industry

Gabrielle's interest in mechanics stemmed from a childhood spent in the workshop alongside her truck driving dad. After a gap year where she got her truck licence and worked seasonal farming jobs, her interest started to turn to the mechanics of the machinery she was driving.

'From there I applied for a diesel apprenticeship in my local town,' Gabrielle said.

'I was there for 13 months and then made the switch to Highfields Mechanical and Offroad where I completed the rest of my training as an automotive mechanic,' she said.

Going into a physical job in a male-dominated industry would be daunting for many, but for Gabrielle, it was no different to being in the workshop with her dad.

'My dad has a huge impact on my story.

I've always just wanted to go work with my dad, loved getting my hands dirty and getting involved and helping him work on the trucks and utes and stuff.

He taught me the basic foundations of a work ethic, where you do it once and you do it right,' she said.

Forging her own path

After originally considering a more traditional path of going to university to study music, Gabrielle ended up deciding to complete an apprenticeship as it gave her a more practical way to study.

'I'm a very hands-on person – I learn better when I can see things, feel things, see how they operate.

Being a mechanic, I get that hands-on approach, I get to do the theory and the mechanical work as well, so it was a better learning environment for me,' she said.

With such a can-do attitude, it's no surprise that Gabrielle loves a challenge, and that's exactly what appeals so much about working in the automotive industry.

'Every day I come to work and I'm learning something new – whether it's learning how to do an existing job better or learning a new technical specification.

For me, I always want to be learning and I always want to be challenged.

The day that I stop learning is the day I should be out of this industry. And I'll tell you what, I hope to be in this industry 'til the day I die because I just love it so much,' she said.

Joining a winning team

After completing her apprenticeship, Gabrielle received an offer to work at Triple Eight Race Engineering, the team behind countless Supercar wins, including the 2023 Bathurst 1000.

'Bathurst isn't just a race, it's a celebration.

To be part of that with the best team in pit lane – I think they're the best – to be involved with those guys and to be working alongside them, it's a huge privilege and I’m super humble, super honoured.'

While Gabrielle often finds herself as the only female in the room, she hasn't found it to be a hinderance to her career.

'I try never to think of it as male and female, I just think of it as we're all mechanics, we all love what we do, and we're all here for one purpose.'

It's a sentiment that Triple Eight Workshop Manager Kris Goos echoes.

I think the really important thing for people to think about with Gabby in the team, she just happens to be a female, but she can do absolutely anything that the lads can do,' Kris said.

'The important thing is she fits into our culture and she's the right person, it has absolutely nothing to do with whether she's a female or not,' he said.

For other business owners who are looking to take on their first female apprentice or hire more female staff, Kris says it all comes down to finding someone with the right skills for the job, and not letting gender factor into the equation.

'It's absolutely no different to hiring a male, female or anyone.

When you find the right person they'll just excel. It's so much about finding the right person rather than hiring a male or female just because it's the right thing to do,' he said.

Supporting the next generation

Like many people who’ve excelled in their field, Gabrielle has received plenty of support along her journey and is happy to sing the praises of those who paved the way for her.

'I had really good people behind me that encouraged me through this trade.

They wanted me to do well, they inspired me to do well, so in turn I want to return that to people who might not be sure how to get involved.

If I could give them the first step, that's my way of saying thank you to the people that have been behind me.'

For any girls and young women considering getting into a trade, completing an apprenticeship, or getting involved in the automotive industry, Gabrielle's advice is to go for it.

'Women should definitely get involved. Everyone has an opportunity in this trade and in this industry.

The fact that I'm able to share my story and tell people there is a future in this, there is an opportunity in this – and if you’re willing to grab it, you could go wherever you want with it.'

More information

Find out how you can kick start your trade career with a hands-on apprenticeship or traineeship.