Owner and 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.

Co Founder

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.

Commercial Director

Born and raised in South Africa, Mike has over the last 30 years, almost a decade of which has been in the gold fields of Western Australia, built a global career encompassing marketing, sales, business improvement, commercial and project management in mining and related industries.

Working for global corporations, himself and now for Merkanooka Haulage, he brings a strong entrepreneurial and systems-based approach that focusses on improvement outcomes across the business. He looks forward to expanding on the strong Merkanooka heritage and helping the business grow into the go to haulage and services business in WA

Operations Director

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.

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.

Head of QHSE

Head of Operations

Joining Merkanooka in 2020 as a water cart operator, Dom has worked his way to leading our operational team. Known for his sharp logistics coordination and data-driven strategies, he oversees complex mining and haulage operations.

Dom’s passion for safety and continuous improvement fuels both team culture and results. Off-site, he’s a leading Cancer200 fundraiser and advocate.

Maintenance Manager

With decades of maintenance leadership under his belt, Graham’s journey from mobile diesel mechanic in the Goldfields to senior manager roles across WA has been driven by results and reliability.

He brings deep knowledge and a steady hand to Merkanooka’s fleet management and workshop operations.