Upskilling a new generation of female four-wheel drivers with Isuzu UTE Australia’s ‘Women Who Venture’
It’s a bright morning in Queensland, and the air at RACQ’s Mount Cotton training course is warm and buzzing with excitement.
Today’s attendees are a special crew: almost four dozen female four-wheel-driving enthusiasts, each of them here for the ‘Women Who Venture’ program by Isuzu UTE Australia. The same number will attend tomorrow.
“It’s all about helping everyone discover the joy of what their D-MAX or MU-X can do, and just how far they can take it,” says accredited instructor Justine Brennan, one of IUA’s I-Venture Club 4WD gurus. “Seeing their confidence grow when they have a supportive environment to learn in is why we’re here.”
While once more associated with moustachioed types in khaki Stubbies, four-wheel-driving has long since been open to anyone keen to give it a go. Indeed, over the past decade, Australians’ enthusiasm of exploring our own backyard has seen an exponential rise in the number of women dropping into Low-Range and having a crack.
The ‘Women Who Venture’ program by Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) was created to further reduce the four-wheel-drive gender gap – and a lot more besides.
Held over two days of four separate half-day sessions, with an experienced contingent of qualified tutors, the course was open to all Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X 4x4 owners with a specific focus on empowering women behind the wheel. It’s a companion to IUA’s long-running I-Venture Club owner experience program, which has seen over 7,500 adventurers across Australia take their skills to the next level.
The day covered on- and off-road road skills, towing, and emergency repairs, as well as basic vehicle maintenance tips. There’s theory, skid pan tutorials, and towed brake testing/demonstrations. All designed to boost confidence and independence, regardless of your level of experience.
“One thing that really stood out was just the number of questions and ‘Aha!’ moments,” says automotive journalist Jade Credentino, who joined the sessions. “I think a lot of people who came to Women Who Venture had never had someone give them the safe space to ask.”
Credentino is an experienced motoring writer whose portfolio includes work for publishers including Drive, CarExpert, and News.com.au. Yet she’s spent comparatively less time off-road – something she’s keen to rectify.
“The more I do it, the more I fall in love with it,” she says.
Credentino says the key to programs such as Women Who Venture is their approachability for women who, like her, have discovered an appreciation for four-wheel driving they might not have expected.
“For many women, off-roading is still not a traditional pastime,” she says. “So, the language has to be suited to beginners and people who are wanting to give it a go.”
“And it wasn’t just me – the feedback I got from all of the women who attended was also incredibly encouraging.”
“We were delighted with the success of the two-day Women Who Venture program,” says Mr Junta Matsui, Isuzu UTE Australia’s Managing Director. “Apart from the fact that it’s always hugely beneficial to get feedback from owners, the individual responses to the days were overwhelmingly positive.”
The success of Women Who Venture now sees IUA’s I-Venture Club looking to craft more female-focussed experiences for the future. Because there’s nothing like being able to go your own way, whenever, and wherever your destination, and whomever you are.
“The adventurous spirit belongs to us all,” says Mr Matsui. “We want everyone to be confident and able to experience the best of the Australian lifestyle for themselves – and a D-MAX or MU-X provides the ultimate vehicle to do that!”
For more information or to book into the next I-Venture Club event, visit our Upcoming Events page.
