From Submarines to the Tyre Management – Meet Ashley Hodson
In this month’s Meet the TRG Team, we’re introducing Ashley Hodson, who joined TRG six months ago and is currently based at Roy Hill. After nearly 20 years in the Navy—serving across both ships and submarines—Ashley made the move into the mining industry through a traineeship and hasn’t looked back. In this Q&A, he shares how his military background shaped his work ethic, what drew him to tyre fitting, and why he sees TRG as a place to keep growing, learning, and working with a strong team.
1. What inspired you to join TRG, and what excites you most about your new role?
I had always heard that Roy Hill was a challenging and fast-paced environment, and I saw it as the perfect place to consolidate everything I had learned about tyres and tyre fitting. I was excited by the challenges, the opportunity to meet new people, and the chance to integrate with a diverse team, learning from the different experiences everyone brings
2. Can you share a bit about your professional background and experience in the industry?
I served 19 and a half years in the Navy, joining at the age of 19. Half of my service was spent on ships and the other half on submarines. After leaving the Navy, I was looking to transition into FIFO roles and was offered a traineeship through MRL, which I completed in 2024. I then worked at Brockman with CSI, and after six months, I applied to join TRG and was sent to Roy Hill, where I have been ever since.
3. What motivated you to pursue a career in OTR Tyre Management?
I was researching tyre fitting and found it both interesting and slightly challenging, yet definitely learnable. Knowing that trucks will always need tyres, I decided to take the leap and try something new.
4. What do you hope to achieve or accomplish during your time with TRG?
I want to gain more experience in tyre fitting and expand my skill set by working on a variety of trucks and tyres. This is an industry where there is always more to learn, and I’m eager to keep developing my expertise.
5. Can you describe a project or achievement from your previous experience that you’re particularly proud of?
I am proud to have earned my submarine qualification after 18 months of intensive study. The role required knowing the location of every valve in every compartment and responding to emergencies quickly and confidently, even in unfamiliar areas. Achieving this demanded a significant commitment to self-study, weekend duties, and supporting my team whenever needed.
6. What attracted you to TRG as an employer, and what sets it apart from other companies in the industry?
One of the appealing aspects of TRG is the diversity of sites and opportunities. While I have only worked at Roy Hill so far, there is the potential to work at smaller sites, operate different types of trucks such as road trains, and gain experience with various machinery and procedures.
7. How do you plan to collaborate with your new colleagues and team members at TRG?
We all get along very well and make an effort to maintain a happy and harmonious workplace, where everyone respects each other.
8. What do you hope to learn or develop professionally while working at TRG?
I want to continue improving my skill set, as I’m happy in my current role and enjoying the opportunity to learn different approaches to the job.
