Western Sydney migrants build thriving transport businesses through community connections

Issued by Lanham Media on behalf of Box Divvy

When Sugan arrived in Australia in 2013 after being displaced from Sri Lanka, he was focused on rebuilding his life and finding work.

After arriving by boat, he spent time in detention centres on Christmas Island and in Weipa before beginning a new life in Australia. Like many new arrivals, he took whatever work he could find, including farm work, tiling and rendering, before eventually moving into transport.

An opportunity through community food network Box Divvy would ultimately help reshape his future. Central to the organisation's approach is a belief that business can be a force for good, creating opportunities for the people and communities around it.

After saving enough money to purchase his first truck, Sugan approached Box Divvy founder Anton van den Berg looking for regular work. Within months, he had secured consistent delivery work. More importantly, he found someone willing to encourage him to invest in himself and build a business of his own.

"Anton always encouraged me to build something of my own. He would talk to me about when it made sense to buy another truck, how to set things up properly and what I needed to do if I wanted to grow," Sugan said.

Today, Sugan owns two trucks, works with three drivers and contractors, and undertakes additional transport work on weekends.

The support extended beyond business. When Sugan applied for Australian citizenship, 11 local Box Divvy Hub members provided character references in support of his application.

"It meant a lot because those people knew me through my work and through the community. It made me realise how much my life had changed since arriving in Australia," he said.

A similar story has unfolded for Auburn resident Sahil. After arriving in Australia on a student visa in 2014 to study information technology, Sahil worked a range of jobs, including food delivery, trolley collection and transport work. He joined Box Divvy in 2017 after responding to an advertisement on Gumtree and spent several years learning the industry while saving money.

After encouragement from van den Berg, he purchased his first truck and established his own business. Today, Sahil's company, Ivaan Transport, operates five trucks and employs six drivers.

"I knew how to drive, but I didn't know how to run a business. Having someone willing to share their knowledge and give practical advice made a huge difference," Sahil said.

Van den Berg said helping people grow alongside the business has always been central to Box Divvy's approach.

"We've always believed business success should create opportunities for the people around us as well. If someone wants to build something of their own, we'd rather support that than keep them in the same role forever," he said.

"Over the years we've seen drivers purchase trucks, build businesses and create employment opportunities for others. That's something we're incredibly proud of."

As Box Divvy has expanded, several drivers have gone on to purchase trucks, establish transport businesses and employ others, creating opportunities that extend beyond the company's own workforce.

The community food network operates more than 360 neighbourhood Hubs across NSW, the ACT and Victoria, supporting more than 14,000 households with access to fresh produce and groceries through local community networks.

"Success isn't just about growing the network. It's about creating opportunities for other people to succeed as well," van den Berg said.

Issued by Lanham Media on behalf of Box Divvy

Media Contacts:

Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908

Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758

Available for interview:

• Anton van den Berg, Box Divvy Co-founder
• Sugan Pathmanathan

Media assets available here

General Box Divvy media assets available here

About Box Divvy

Box Divvy is a free, community-driven food co-op that connects households with fresh, seasonal produce and healthy pantry staples. With over 350 local Hubs across NSW and the ACT, and expansion into VIC, it’s a simple and affordable way to shop - no membership fees, just a regular commitment to order. Each Hub is run by a neighbour, and members collaborate to reduce waste, share deliveries, and keep costs low. By supporting mostly Australian and local suppliers, Box Divvy helps families eat well, live more sustainably, and make food choices they can feel good about. Find out more at boxdivvy.com