The first steps towards a separate livestock transporters association of Western Australia were made under the leadership of Brian Bracknell from Dumbleyung as a group of livestock transporters developed under the wing of the Western Australian Road Transport Association.
By the late 70s this group established their own separate organisation: The Livestock Transporters Association of Western Australia.
The early founding days of the Australian Livestock Transporters Association and a consolidation period for the Livestock Transporters Association of Western Australia were made under the leadership of Jack Mitchell. His initiative, vision and energy were widely admired around Australia and led to many of the early decisions by livestock transporters to involve themselves in both their state and Australian Livestock Transporters Association activities.
Jack’s premature death was a great blow to both the West Australian and National Livestock Transporting Associations. His memory and legacy are remembered in the Jack Mitchell award which is a much coveted award made by the LTA (WA) to the outstanding contributor to the livestock transporting industry each year. It has become an outstanding accolade for anyone to receive.
Lew Couper, from Trayning, was unexpectedly thrust into the job of President of the Livestock Transporters of Western Australia. Lew had to lead the Association through difficult times coping with the challenges of the early 1990s. Lew subsequently became the President of the Australian Livestock Transporters Association and led the National Association through some important issues.
Frank Marley from Merredin came into the position of President at a time when WA had a government favourably disposed towards the road transport industry in general and livestock transporting in particular – Frank himself played a major role in this perception. Among Frank’s initiatives was the introduction of the first road trains into the Perth metropolitan area. Livestock transporters led the way in securing access to the Midland saleyard. Under Frank’s leadership the LTA WA also established a model for increased access for innovative vehicles.
Greg Weller, from Mogumber, brought an insight to the to the position of political process in dealing with government and ensured that livestock transporters were able to maintain their position in a hostile environment From 1998 the LTAWA was led by George Freestone. Amongst his significant achievements is the defeat of proposals to index truck registration charges. He also edited the LTAWA’s ―Code of Practice for the welfare of Animals.
John Mitchell has been a fearless advocate on behalf of livestock transporters. 
John has tackled issues such as fatigue management taking the issue to a narrowly lost vote in Parliament. John actively participated in the heavy vehicle trials held in Hazelmere over the Easter 2004 period, providing vehicles and the cattle used in the world class trials of heavy vehicle performance. John’s innovative approach has led to more user friendly accreditation.
He was a driving force behind the plan to include bulk carriers in the LTA umbrella.
Grant Robins has been President since 2005 and re-elected four times. Grant has placed a lot of emphasis on ensuring the Association is in a good position to retain its reputation as a credible advocate for rural transport. Some of the challenges he has successfully dealt with include ensuring access on low volume rural roads when it looked like this would be curtailed, bringing all industry players together to lobby for a network of well maintained regional saleyards and pushing for a more practical approach to compliance and enforcement laws in WA. Grant has led the way in promoting the proper preparation of livestock prior to transport as an animal welfare initiative. His current challenge is ensuring that WA’s innovative heavy vehicle system is not affected by the implementation of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.