BEFORE Michelle Payne became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup, Kirstie Downie was creating history of her own on a forklift at Perth's Market City.
Kirstie was the first woman to win the Toyota Forklift Challenge in October.
The final of the Toyota Forklift Challenge saw 10 of the market's best forklift operators represent their respective companies and compete for prizes while helping to raise awareness of workplace safety.
The 10 finalists navigated a course designed to simulate a range of activities typical of a forklift driver's normal working day.
The contestants were awarded points for demonstrating safe forklift driving techniques while negotiating the course, rather than just how quickly they could complete it.
Kirstie, from WA Crates not only won but was the first female entrant in the Toyota Forklift Challenge which is now in its second year.
She received a $500 Coles/Myer gift card for taking first place.
Second placing and a $250 gift card went to Charles Spargo of Bullfrog International, while third-placegetter Taylor Grant from Etherington took home a $100 gift card.
Perth Market Authority CEO Stephen Ward said safety is the market's number one priority.
"It's pleasing to see the keen interest from the audience and participants in this event," Mr Ward said.
"I'd like to congratulate the winners; it's a great achievement to be crowned Market City's best forklift driver for 2015."
Toyota Material Handling Australia WA branch manager Lance Cross said the second edition of the challenge was a great success and proved to be an enjoyable way to get the workplace safety message across where it really counts.
"Initiatives like the Toyota Forklift Challenge are a practical way to get all the drivers thinking about workplace safety, not just the 10 finalists.
"All the tenants and staff here at Perth Market City have really embraced the event. We put on a sausage sizzle and hundreds of staff came down to have a look and cheer on their respective teammates."
Toyota Forklift Challenge finalists used the Toyota 8-Series 8FG18 counterbalance forklift during the competition.
Toyota Forklift Challenge entrants registered by completing a questionnaire regarding safe forklift driving habits, with the top 10 respondents going through to compete in the final.
Both the questionnaire and practical round were overseen and judged by workplace training course provider TCE Training.
