Our Team

Our Team

James Yewers

OWNER & MANAGING DIRECTOR

James was born and raised at Merkanooka, situated between Mingenew and Morawa, in WA’s Midwest. For 30 years James has managed the 8500-hectare farm, focusing on broadacre cropping. As a born innovator and a passion for trucks and hard work James now gives all of his time to Merkanooka Haulage, whilst based on the farm.

James can be found on the road or at the mine sites, placing clients’ needs and his own team’s requirements at the highest priority. Developing strong relationships with clients and only using high-quality equipment has allowed James to grow Merkanooka Haulage into a competitive and highly respected bulk haulage and services operation. 

James Yewers

OWNER & MANAGING DIRECTOR

James was born and raised on the land at his family farm Merkanooka, situated between Mingenew and Morawa in Western Australia. For 20 years James managed the 8500-hectare farm but, as a born innovator, he has always been excited by prospects to merge his agricultural business with other opportunities.

James has consistently kept up to date with complementary industries and spent time during the 2006 and 2007 drought as a consultant with a Perth-based ethanol firm. He was pivotal in the development of Irwin Valley Milling and has never stopped developing his skills and knowledge within the broader industrial landscape. His passion for trucks and good quality equipment led him to pivot his family farming business and grow Merkanooka Haulage into a competitive and highly respected bulk haulage and site services operation.

Marika Yewers

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Marika is a local to WA’s Midwest and met James at the annual Mingenew Expo in 2002. As a genuine family business, Marika and the Yewers children helped to create Merkanooka Haulage alongside James. Marika has a strong interest in health and wellbeing and teaches yoga in Mingenew.

Marika is a Community Liaison, managing the sponsorship of local events and sporting teams. Marika supports James and the Merkanooka Haulage team with all aspects of the business including human resources, marketing and finance. 

Marika Yewers

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Marika is a local to WA’s midwest region and met her husband James whilst studying at university in Perth. She couldn’t resist the allure of a regional lifestyle on the Yewers’ family farm and relished the idea of raising a family in a rural environment. Marika helped to create Merkanooka Haulage, supporting James and the staff with administration, compliance, human resources and finance expertise as well as on-site requirements.

Now that the business proudly employs a permanent administration team, Marika manages the office at the farm and focuses on the health and wellbeing of all employees. Marika teaches yoga in the nearby township of Mingenew, volunteers for the St John of God Ambulance as a support officer and loves spending time with her three children. She is also undertaking a Bachelor of Health Science degree.

Claire Preston

ASSISTANT CEO

Claire oversees the day-to-day operations of all projects and is the point of contact for the Merkanooka team. Claire is constantly updating policies and procedures and improving strategies for a happy, safe and efficient environment. Growing with her ever increasing professional load, Claire is working towards a number of qualifications.

Claire is a regular on-site, getting to know all the Merkanooka staff and adapting protocol to create the best outcomes for the clients and the team. Claire is a local to regional Midwest, spending her childhood on a farm not far from Merkanooka. Claire keeps the team together and the trucks rolling. 

Claire Preston

ASSISTANT CEO

Claire is a Mingenew local and provides pivotal support to Merkanooka Haulage for all its diverse projects. She manages the initial setup of each project, rostering and recruitment of staff required, compliance, data management as well as onsite administration. She divides her time between all the sites of current projects as a point of contact for staff, and the Merkanooka Haulage office located onsite at the farm.

In order to streamline operations, Claire makes constant improvements and recommendations to Merkanooka policies and procedures and takes great pride in continually expanding her professional knowledge and skills. She also works very closely with all employees in order to improve compliance with regulations and safety protocols. Claire has always enjoyed a rural lifestyle and making the most of the open spaces and fresh air of regional Western Australia.

Vinnie Fisher

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Vinnie brings to Merkanooka a wealth of experience in and knowledge of the transport, bulk haulage and mine site services industry with over 40 years in the industry. Vinnie has held senior roles with some of the largest players in this industry. Vinnie streamlines systems, and processes and adds efficiencies and innovations.

Joining the company with decades of senior experience and industry confidence provokes anticipation of a long and successful future for Merkanooka. James and Vinnie share a vision to draw on the wide range of experience within the Merkanooka team to further service clients, current and potential. Vinnie’s experience extends to mine rehabilitation and site services. Based in the Goldfields, Vinnie asserts Merkanooka as a diverse and robust bulk haulage business.

Vinnie Fisher

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Vinnie brings to Merkanooka a wealth of experience in and knowledge of the transport, bulk haulage and mine site services industry with over 40 years in the industry. Vinnie has held senior roles with some of the largest players in this industry. Vinnie streamlines systems, and processes and adds efficiencies and innovations.

Joining the company with decades of senior experience and industry confidence provokes anticipation of a long and successful future for Merkanooka. James and Vinnie share a vision to draw on the wide range of experience within the Merkanooka team to further service clients, current and potential. Vinnie’s experience extends to mine rehabilitation and site services. Based in the Goldfields, Vinnie asserts Merkanooka as a diverse and robust bulk haulage business.

Dakota Curtin

HR & RECRUITMENT

Dakota is an integral member of Merkanooka Haulage’s daily operations and maintains haulage, servicing and parts data. Dakota works collaboratively across each project site with all employees, she organises site travel and she also recruits staff for various assignments.

Based at the Merkanooka Farm Office, Dakota lives locally and enjoys the close-knit community lifestyle of the area. Dakota gets to know all staff through her role and provides an integral link between the whole team to create a unified and happy workforce.

Dakota Curtin

HR & RECRUITMENT

Dakota is an integral member of Merkanooka Haulage’s daily operations and maintains haulage, servicing and parts data. Dakota works collaboratively across each project site with all employees, she organises site travel and she also recruits staff for various assignments.

Based at the Merkanooka Farm Office, Dakota lives locally and enjoys the close-knit community lifestyle of the area. Dakota gets to know all staff through her role and provides an integral link between the whole team to create a unified and happy workforce.

Jason Boyle

PURCHASING MANAGER

Jason handles all aspects of parts ordering, stock control and inventory. Jason manages the purchasing budget and works with James Turner to ensure fluidity. Jason is based in Perth, is rostered on as a regular site supervisor and travels to the workshop and office at Merkanooka and Geraldton regularly.

Jason has an enthusiastic appreciation for good quality equipment and thrives in a team environment, adding to Merkanooka’s happy and hard-working team. 

Jason Boyle

PURCHASING MANAGER

Jason currently works remotely from Perth, regularly visiting the Merkanooka office and sites in his role as Purchasing Manager. Jason handles all aspects of parts ordering, stock control and inventory for the company. He also assists the Finance Manager, Gypsie Douglas, with budgeting.

Britt Doeve

PAYROLL OFFICER

Britt manages all aspects of payroll for the growing team at Merkanooka Haulage. She is also the administrator for the agricultural department of the business, remains up to date with the constant evolution of legislation and guidelines and is completing a Diploma in Payroll Services. Britt is passionate about good communication with Merkanooka’s employees and has a very cooperative approach to her work.

She ensures the efficient management of payroll by streamlining processes to achieve continuous improvement. Britt has been part of the Merkanooka team since 2016 and enjoys nature, the wholesome family environment that regional WA provides and being part of a dynamic team. 

Britt Doeve

PAYROLL OFFICER

Britt joined the Merkanooka team in 2016 as the Finance Manager. Since the birth of her son, she has taken on the role of Payroll Manager for the business. Britt is studying a Diploma in Payroll Services and stays up to date with the constant evolution of legislation in this area to ensure the company’s staff are paid appropriately and on time.

Britt is passionate about good communication with Merkanooka Haulage’s employees and she has a very cooperative approach to her work. She ensures the efficient management of payroll by streamlining processes to ensure constant improvement. She enjoys nature, the wholesome family environment that regional WA provides and also being part of a dynamic team.