From all over Australia they came to Alice Springs.

Nominated by family or friends or employers, these Men of the Road arrived to be inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Some had no idea they were to be inducted. Others had got wind of it. Without exception they were all humbled to be inducted.

Here we list all of those worthy folks whose names and deeds will be forever remembered.

The following is in alphabetic order:

KENNETH ALLAN

Kenneth Allan was born in June 1958 in Penrith, NSW. As a boy, he often joined his father on long hauls, sparking a fascination with trucks. He could name the make and model of almost any truck by sight. At 15, Ken began as an apprentice diesel mechanic at West End Truck and Tractor in St Marys, before moving to Penrith Truck Centre, later Total Trucks. His sharp memory for part numbers made him invaluable and he rose from workshop manager to branch leader, earning a reputation as one of Australia’s best spare parts interpreters. Today at 67, Ken still brings the same passion to his work at Gilbert and Roach Gosford, though wife Julie is tired of hearing him quote part numbers in his sleep!

TIMOTHY ANCICH

Timothy Ancich was born in Liverpool, Sydney in May 1961. After school, he would work on his father’s trucks, washing trailers, painting hubs, changing tyres and tying down tarps. Tim was always destined to follow his father into interstate transport, joining the family business JJ & AC Ancich & Son. Tim’s long-term vehicle was a 1991 F16 Volvo which he drove Australia wide during his 45 years in the business. Regular runs took him to Perth, the Northwest and Far North Queensland, hauling everything from steel and cable drums to water pipes. Tim took over the business when his father retired, carting for Tom Lawler, Rapid Spray Australia, NQX and K&S Freighters. Today, Tim joins his father, ‘Jack’ Ancich, on the National Road Transport Museum’s Wall of Fame.

ROSS ASHWORTH

Ross Ashworth’s career began in Western Australia in 1973, cutting, carting and storing chaff and hay around the York district. In 1979, while delivering 220 bales of hay to Midland, Rosco crossed paths with Lawson Klopper. Lawson asked Rosco to cross load and store the hay by hand into his cattle crates for a northern journey. By the time Lawson returned, Rosco had completed the entire task solo and in record time. Lawson soon tracked him down and offered him a job, launching Rosco into the tough world of road train driving In 1992 he joined Kimberley Fuels, spending 20 years hauling fuel across his beloved Kimberley region. For the past 12 years, Rosco has been a vital part of the McCorry Brown team. Starting as a road train operator, he now serving as their lead loader operator.

RONALD BEAVIS

Ronnie Beavis began in transport young, operating heavy machinery and trucks at a local quarry. In 1973, he and his father ran a gold mining site east of Kalgoorlie. At the heart of the operation was Ronnie’s Bedford table-top truck, which he used to transport materials. By 1979, Ronnie returned to Sydney’s northwest and began his new venture: carting bricks. Ronnie purchased a Dodge tabletop truck to transport the bricks, which in those early days were loaded and unloaded manually. Over the next 36 years, his fleet grew to six vehicles, including Internationals and a Kenworth. Ronnie’s deep love for trucks and the trucking community extended beyond business. He organised an annual truck show at the Tourmaline Hotel for over 20 years, showcasing hundreds of trucks and raising funds for the Deaf and Blind Association.

RICHARD BECKETT

Born in 1946 in Liffey, Tasmania, Dick Beckett began operating bulldozers after school and, at 18, bought his own TD18 to work for the Flinders Island shire and local landowners. With his wife Faye, he started a logging business using a Flintstone Mack and a Caterpillar dozer, hauling timber until 1976. One blistering cold winter, one of the Macks broke down in the mountains. Dick returned the next day to replace the diff, only to discover the engine block had split overnight when frozen water expanded. After finishing with the logging, Dick purchased a D9 dozer and towed it to Savage River Mine with a trusty but brakeless Mack! The business expanded into dam construction, mining and civil works across Tasmania, Sydney and the Hunter Valley. Dick has built a fleet of 100 Caterpillar machines and a collection of 30 Mack Trucks.

MICHAEL BELL

Mick was born in 1955, one of four children. His journey began in Queensland’s railways, where he developed a strong foundation in freight handling and logistics. At 22, he moved into road transport, earning his truck licence in Townsville and driving a single-axle Bedford truck. Over the years, he hauled goods across Australia’s diverse landscapes and built long-term associations with Malleys Transport and Blenners Transport, excelling as a both a driver and mentor. Michael has taught countless colleagues and younger drivers, including his sons, Lloyd and Justin, who fondly remember road trips and learning the trade with him. Today, Michael and his sons continue to share the road, often passing each other on highways or discussing their trips over the phone.

PETER BETTS

Born in 1949 in Wingham, NSW, Peter was the third generation of a family in transport and logging. At 15 he headed into the bush, camping under the stars while logging. He later met Bev, whose family was also in timber transport, and they married in 1972, raising two children, Chris and Liz. Peter’s driving career took off behind the wheel of an ex-army NR Mack. He once pulled off what he called the “perfect gear change” in a gully, so proud he backed up to repeat it, only to blow the diff. In 1989, the family moved to Walcha, logging hardwood, before shifting to long-haul by 1996. Through hard work and sacrifice, their fleet grew to 55 trucks, carting livestock and freight. Today, Peter proudly joins his late wife Bev on the Wall of Fame.

JOHN BILATO

John Bilato was born into a trucking family. His father, Dino, arrived in the Northern Territory in 1954 and quickly became involved in major projects like the Tindal Airstrip. After finishing school in 1981 and completing an electrical apprenticeship, John joined his brother Robert at Gulf Transport in 1985, spending 11 years hauling gypsum and copper dust across the NT and WA. In 1991, he bought his first truck, a Mack Valueliner, from Bobby Dodd, who would later become his father-in-law. In 1995, John joined his brothers in G&S Transport. Family has always been central to his approach, ensuring everyone shares in the business’s success. John still enjoys driving road trains, particularly float work. In 2023, he and his brothers were honoured as Kenworth Legends at the Australian Trucking Association Conference.

ROBERT BILATO

Born in Tennant Creek and raised in Darwin, Robert Bilato spent school holidays working alongside his father. He began a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship in 1980 and joined Gulf Transport in 1984. By 20 he held a multi-combination licence, hauling Autocars and Ford Louisvilles from the Woodcutters Mine to Stokes Hill Wharf. He later became Gulf’s Operations Manager at the Argyle Diamond Mine and purchased his first Western Star. From 1991 to 1993, Robert returned to the NT as Operations Manager at the Granites Gold Mine, overseeing construction of a new haul road. In 1993, he partnered with Greg Rhodes to purchase G&S Transport, later buying out Rhodes and bringing in brothers John and Franco. In 2005, Robert moved his family to Karratha, expanding the fleet and opening depots in Newman and Port Hedland.

ERNEST ‘JOE’ BRADLEY

Ernest Cyril Bradley, known as Joe, was born in Mareeba, Queensland, in 1947. He began working with fibreglass in 1962 and by 1963 was building coach and motor body components. In 1966, Joe joined the Australian Military, earning his truck licence the following year. Later in 1967, he moved to Darwin for his first trucking job with Outback Transport, later driving for Ansett Freight Express. In 1969, tragedy struck when a trailer jack-knifed at Victoria River Crossing, pinning him to the steering wheel for 36 hours and ending his driving career. After recovering, Joe returned to fibreglass and in 1972 founded Joe Bradley Fibreglass with his wife, Marion. Leading the business as Managing Director from 1980 to 2014, he became known for oversized and personalised cabs. Today, Joe enjoys semi-retirement, overseeing the company’s aftermarket division.

TIMOTHY BROWN

Tim Brown grew up in Kongwak, Victoria, and fell in love with trucks as a child when his father and uncle purchased a fertiliser business, Browns Holt and Hannon. He often wagged school on Fridays to help with deliveries to Melbourne. At 18, Tim gained his semi licence, delivering fertiliser bins in a 3070 Acco while completing a motor mechanic apprenticeship. He returned to the family business until 1996, when he bought his first truck, a Kenworth T600, towing a fridge van. In 2002, Tim and his brothers established Browns Stockfeed, with Tim continuing to cart grain interstate. Among his many trips, he recalls crossing the Nullarbor in 45-degree heat with no air conditioning, cooling off in the fridge van. In 2009, Tim began restoring a Kenworth K124 with his son Cade, completing it for the 2025 Festival of Transport.

TIM BUNYAN (not present)

Tim Bunyan was born in December 1958 in Cunnamulla, Queensland. His trucking career began at 14, carting logs with his father, which led him to leave school early. By 18, he earned his licence and worked for Ken Hilder, carting cotton for eight years before moving to Shaws Transport. On September 5, 2014, Tim was first on scene at a crash where a B-double carrying over 52 tonnes of ammonium nitrate veered off the Angellala Creek Bridge and ignited. Despite extreme danger, he administered first aid and reassured the injured driver. The blast destroyed the bridge, surrounding bushland, and some responder vehicles. For his bravery, Tim received the Clark Gold Medal from Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in 2016. He later retired after being unable to regain full fitness for driving.

GRAEME ‘TRUMBY’ BURFOOT

Graeme Burfoot, better known as Trumby, was born in Rockhampton in 1976. He began his transport career in 1993 at 17 as a yardman at McBride’s Transport, learning everything from servicing trucks to washing trailers. After three years, he earned the keys to a Ford LNT9000, running regular two-up trips to the rail yard, gaining the experience for his MC licence. When McBride’s closed in 2001, Trumby worked with Line Haul NT, Tim McBride and Bunkers before joining Directhaul in 2008, hauling fuel in Kenworth C509s and T909s between Alice Springs, Port Augusta and Darwin. By 2014, he opted to stay closer to home, delivering fuel to Pine Gap, remote communities and cattle stations. He still jumps on long hauls and he’ll never turn down a feed at Three Ways!

JEFFREY BURKE (not present)

Jeff Burke was born in Dirranbandi, South West Queensland, in 1968. He began his trucking career working alongside his father, Gordon, helping cut and cart logs from Nindigully to St George in Gordon’s green 160 Cummins truck. In 1987, Jeff drove a red, white and blue S-line International for Barry Smith Transport, hauling everything from general freight, hay, cotton, grain and wool to various livestock. For the past decade, he has worked with St George Freightlines, not only driving but also serving as Director of Livestock, coordinating up to seven trucks at a time. While Jeff has always loved life on the road, the hardest part has been long stretches away from home. His favourite trips are when his wife, children or grandchildren can ride alongside him.

JOHN FRANK BURTON

John Frank Burton, known as ‘JR’, was born in 1953 in Franklin, Tasmania. Inspired by his father Frank, a timber hauler in the Huon Valley, JR followed him into trucking. He began in 1972 with an early-model Dodge, carting logs for sawmiller Stan Brown. In 1977, he joined Ray Bender, hauling limestone from a southern Tasmanian quarry to Hobart’s Zinc Works, first in a cab-over Leader, then a 1980 Leader Challenger with a tandem tipper. When Brambles took over the contract in the late 1980s, JR switched to a Volvo N12, continuing the route for 15 years until the quarry closed. After briefly carting mushrooms, he joined BN & TP Bennett, spending the next three decades logging in the Huon Valley, a career highlight he regards as his proudest achievement.

DANIEL & MICHAEL CAHILL

Michael Cahill and Dan Cahill, the sons of well-known 2005 inductee, the late Joe Cahill Jnr, inherited their father’s passion for the transport industry. The family’s transport lineage stretches back over a century, when Michael and Dan’s great-grandfather, John Cahill, started carrying freight with a horse and cart to the Nymagee copper mine. Today, Michael and Dan are the proud owners and directors of Cahill Transport, after having purchased the business from their late father in 1989. When Michael and Dan took over, Cahill Transport was a Melbourne-based transport company with a small, aging fleet of ten trucks. Together, the brothers have developed the business into a prominent operation with eight warehouses spread across six states, 200 state-of-the-art prime movers on the road and 300 trailers. The Cahill brothers currently employ 330 people, with a focus on building employees from the ground up.

TONY CAMILLERI (Deceased)

Tony “Izzy” Camilleri began his transport career in 1971 at the Dalgety Woolstores, starting on a forklift before finding his place behind the wheel. He first hauled scrap with Ballarat Metals, then tippers with Liapis Transport, before moving to Linfox in 1982 to deliver groceries across Gippsland. By the mid-1980s Izzy had shifted into tanker work, driving for Pearce Transport and later Fluid Freight, where he became an owner-driver with his 1978 S2 Kenworth, later upgrading to a 1992 W Model. He went on to cart chemicals, fuel and bitumen with Chem Trans, Mobil, Specialised Tanker Services and finally Primal Tanker Transport, staying until 2018. Izzy passed away on December 1, 2019, remembered as a mate, a mentor and a man who truly lived for the road.

SEAN CARREN

Sean Carren left school at 15 and did an apprenticeship as a mechanic with the City of Stirling. After qualifying, he spent six years with motorsport identity Geoff Kendrick. He became the first full-time sprint car mechanic in Australia. In 2004, Sean and his wife Dot launched Goldstar Transport from a small yard in Osborne Park, WA, starting out with just two used prime movers and two drivers. Their early days weren’t without setbacks. One of their two prime movers was stolen, leaving them to cover the cost of a rental truck to keep customers serviced while still making repayments on the stolen truck. Today their business, Goldstar Transport, is comprised of more than 250 trucks, 260 trailers and 400 employees out of their base in Kewdale.

JAMIE COOPER

Jamie Cooper was born in August 1964 in New Zealand, the second eldest of Jim and Jenny Cooper. In 1972, the family moved to Darwin after Jim purchased Gulf Transport. In 1980, he joined the Navy to complete an aircraft engines and airframes apprenticeship before returning to the family business in 1985. His first management role came in 1988 in Wyndham, overseeing transport from Cadjebut Mine to the Port of Wyndham. The 1993 purchase of RTA from the Dick David Group led to a move to Katherine and marked one of Jamie’s career highlights. Under his leadership, the fleet grew from 20 to over 50. Jamie purchased Nurioopta Traders in 2018 with business partner, Michael Chard. They operate a fleet from the Barossa Valley, servicing the wine industry.

JOHN COYNE

John Coyle was born in May 1951 in Maitland, NSW. His first jobs were stacking, loading, and delivering potatoes. In 1974, he travelled to Darwin to assist with the cleanup after Cyclone Tracy, remaining in the Northern Territory for about 10 years. Returning to Newcastle, John purchased his own trucks, including a 1418 Benz and a 1977 R-model Mack. Over millions of kilometres, he carted everything from spuds in Queensland and Victoria to extendable pipes and railway lines to Karratha and Port Hedland, more than once becoming stranded by flooding and needing food and beer flown in! Later, he upgraded to a T600 Kenworth fitted with a Peterbilt sleeper, which he worked from 2007 to 2014 before semi-retiring and gifting it to a young driver. Today, John remains a valued team member at Woods Haulage.

STEPHEN ‘JUNGLE’ CRUSKALL

Stephen, known as Jungle, began his trucking career in 1979 at age 18, driving an 8-tonner for Brambles around Perth. Two years later, he moved to Bellways in Dampier, then to Doug Kitts, who quickly honed his skills. Between 1984 and 1987, Jungle hauled cattle across Western Australia along the Telfer and Kalumburu Roads. In 1987, he bought his first truck, a White Road Commander, which was sadly destroyed by fire. Undeterred, he returned to the road in an ex-Mack Muncher Kenworth Cabover, running east-west routes until 1991 when he began subcontracting for N&L Transport. For 25 years he hauled freight to Granites, Telfer, Woodie Woodie and Nifty. In 2016, he moved to Kalgoorlie Power Stations, supporting operations across WA. After 45 years on the road, 38 as an owner-driver, Jungle retired in 2024.

ROD CURRELL

Rod Currell was always destined for the transport industry. After working at a local service station, he joined Jim and Helen Savage at Savage Stock Transport, spending 13 years on the road across eastern Australia and becoming one of the first drivers to operate a 4-deck sheep crate combination. Rod’s commitment to the job was famously tested one Friday at Tabbita feedlot when a bull kicked his kneecap out of place. With the help of his mate Mick Maloney, he finished loading cattle and drove over 1000km before seeking medical attention. In 1993, Rod joined Martins Stock Haulage and, over 31 years, has become one of its longest-serving employees. After gaining his Certificate III in Transport and Distribution in 2001, he moved into an allocator role in 2014, directing Martins’ nationwide fleet.

NEVILLE DENNING

Neville was born in 1940 and grew up around Goomeri, Queensland. At 14, he began snigging logs with a Fordson crawler tractor, and by 15 was running the local mail route, delivering groceries, butcher orders and mail. At 17, the Goomeri police sergeant issued him a truck and semi-trailer licence on the spot, declaring it “long overdue.”. Neville’s career began with Merv Sengstock Transport in Maryborough, hauling timber, molasses and general freight to Sydney in International S180s, before moving to Western Transport. In 1970 he joined Richers Transport, where he spent three decades, 20 years as Operations Manager. Neville’s career wasn’t without mishaps. He once broke both legs, one while moving furniture and the other falling from a trailer while tarping! Semi-retiring at 60, he continued relief driving until 65. Now fully retired, Neville cares for his wife Joy.

ANDREW DORLING

Andrew, known as Tub, was born at Foster, Victoria in 1975 and was raised in Fish Creek. From a young age, he spent weekends carting cattle with his father, Mick. At 15 he began a diesel mechanic apprenticeship in the family business, and once licensed, drove the family’s Bedford tray truck carting hay and livestock. With his wife Karen, he established A & K Dorling, starting with an R Model Mack and dog trailer before upgrading to a Western Star with Hercules tippers. Tub subcontracted widely, carting bulk materials across Victoria and to ports in Melbourne, Geelong and Portland. During these days, the trucks ran 24 hours a day! He now subcontracts closer to home, giving him time to work on his restorations! Tub has rebuilt a 1963 Commer, a 1969 Freighter trailer and a 2000 Freighter drop deck.

DAVID DORLING

Dave Dorling was born in 1973 and has lived his whole life in Fish Creek, Victoria. He grew up learning from his father, Mick, whether on the tools or carting cattle in their KM Bedford. At 16 he completed a diesel mechanic apprenticeship, later gaining his truck licence to haul hay and livestock. In 2004, Dave and his wife Bec bought their first truck, a 2007 Western Star, subcontracting for McKibbons Transport. Taking a leap, they purchased their first set of B-Double stock crates and began working independently. While still carting cattle, Dave specialised in sheep cartage, hauling out of Perth and across Gippsland. Now operating as Dorling Transport, Dave has built a fleet of six trucks.

CRAIG DUREN

Craig Duren was born prematurely in 1961—and he’s never really slowed down since. After completing a Heavy Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship with Arthur Baker in Kemblawarra, he worked as a mechanic and truck driver before buying his first Kenworth in 1984 to cart potatoes. That purchase laid the foundation for Duren Transport, which grew from six Macks and a BlueScope Steel contract to 100 trucks and 300 employees over two decades. Craig himself drove the final truck leg back to the depot after the last load of steel was delivered in 2012, marking the end of an era but not the end of Craig’s journey. In 1998, he took over MJ Rowles, expanding it into a major supply and transport business across the Illawarra and South Australia, securing contracts with Holcim, Boral, and Linfox.

GRAEME ELPHINSTONE

In 1976, Graeme Elphinstone fitted imported scales to a log truck in Triabunna, Tasmania, beginning a journey that would transform the Australian transport industry. Over the following decades, his innovations reshaped trailer design, improved safety, and boosted freight efficiency nationwide. From these beginnings grew Elphinstone Engineering, now a leader in specialised transport equipment. Graeme built a custom trailer to transport fuel tanks in Antarctica, followed by the world’s first folding skeletal trailer. During the 1980s recession, he repurposed idle tandem jinkers into quad dog trailers, helping contractors double their payloads and sustain their businesses. His expertise extended internationally, with heavy-duty tandem trailers for Tanzania and ski-mounted trailers for Antarctica, and he later pioneered the world’s first self-loading B-Triple. The company also developed the PBS-approved Long Logger B-Double, capable of hauling 19m loads in a single length.

BERNIE FORSSMAN (not present)

Bernie was born and bred in Colac, Victoria but headed to the NT in 1972 to play Aussie rules. He secured work at the Darwin BP Terminal as a yardy. In 1973, Bernie took up a permanent position, driving an old Austin, with 2 small cross tanks. Bernie soon progressed to long-haul trips, driving double road trains to Tennant Creek and nearby mines along the Stuart Highway. When BP’s transport division became AFD and later Bulktrans, Bernie continued driving, becoming one of the first five NT drivers to operate quad rigs. Bernie is now in his 70s and continues carting fuel from Darwin to Alice Springs weekly. With over 53 years in fuel haulage, Bernie has driven 12 million kilometres, from delivering 10,000 litres in the Austin to today, hauling 145,000 litres of jet fuel in a T909 Kenworth.

GARY FULLER

Gary began driving in 1977 with RJ & GJ Lynch in South Grafton, delivering bricks. In 1979, he moved to the NT, mustering cattle on Kurundi Station and trucking them to Tennant Creek. During the 80s, he drove for Golf Trans, Ascots, Shell, Boral Gas, and Timor Transport, progressing from an Autocar to his first new prime mover, a W Model Kenworth. Gary then drove for Dean McBride doing TNT Darwin Express, completing five trips a fortnight. It was hard work as he had to unload all three vans and be back in Alice the next afternoon to catch the train. Settling in Alice Springs in 2000, he joined NT Fuels, running to the Tanami and Granites Gold Mine. Gary has been with Refuel since 2020. He’s tried to retire when he turned 67 then 68 then 69 but with few skilled drivers available to replace him, he’s still on the road!

MICHAEL GATENBY

Mick was born in New Zealand, to parents who worked hard on the orchard farm. The farm also included a trucking company that delivered the fruit. He developed a passion for driving early, helping out on the farm and earning his licence at 15. In 1986, Mick moved to Sydney, Australia, taking on various driving jobs, including hauling war supplies in a Mack R600. He later worked in WA supplying materials for the railway. Once that job finished, Mick was off to Darwin. NT trucking was a different ballgame. He remembers dropping two trailers and splitting them up to get over the jump between Darwin and Katherine! He went on to start his own Gattrans, building a fleet of 36 Atkinson trucks and trailers.

FRED GLEISNER

**L-R: Brianna, Jayde, Jack, Holly, Tracy, Fred & Ella Gleisner**

Fred was born in Maryborough, Victoria, in 1989 and grew up surrounded by trucks, often travelling with his father and grandfather. At 16, he began a mechanic apprenticeship with Collins Adelaide, later working for CMV Kenworth and Verdons. At 18, he earned his truck licence and spent two years driving for Verdons, transporting gas pipes and drill rigs to remote sites across Australia. He returned to Victoria to assist with the family business, Avoca Transport, before fulfilling a long-held dream in 2016 by founding FBG Transport with a 1992 K100E Kenworth. Over the years, he has hauled livestock, heavy machinery, hay and submarine components. Though illness now limits full-time work, Fred continues occasional loads, upholding three generations of commitment to the transport industry. Fred joins the Wall of Fame alongside his father Stephen and grandfather Kenneth.

JOHN GOVER

John Gover was born in 1965 in Texas, Queensland. He started working with his father at Twinro Freight during school holidays and weekends, joining full-time after leaving school. Beginning in the wash bay, John soon moved into the workshop, and at 17 he drove his first Mack F Model on local runs. Over the next 20 years, most of John’s work involved express or market freight for well-known carriers such as IPEC, Kwikasair, Comet and McPhee Transport. After racking up more speeding fines than pay slips and spending one too many stints on the loading dock thanks to licence suspensions, John headed north to Darwin and took on long-haul runs with AL Logistics between Darwin and Perth. John transitioned to G&S Transport where he carts quarry products for mining, civil and construction companies in side tippers.

BEN GRAYLING

Ben Grayling’s passion for the road started early, steering an old Dodge around the farm at just eight. While working for Bulls Transport, a paperwork mix-up by the MVR made Ben a fully licensed road train driver overnight. Ben moved into livestock transport with RTA in Katherine and tipper work with Bulkhaul across the NT and WA. In 2001, Ben drove expedition trucks across more than 80 countries, serving as driver, guide and mechanic. He worked in Iraq with KBR, hauling ammo, fuel and potable water all while facing threats from IEDs, incendiaries and small arms fire. Returning to Australia in 2011, he joined G&S Transport, running the Tanami road for over a decade before joining Toll Energy in 2021. A workplace injury in 2023 has slowed him down but Ben is eager to get back behind the wheel.

LYNDON MURRAY ‘TOBY’ HAMMERSLEY

Lyndon “Toby” Hammersley was born in 1962 in Northeast Tasmania. He began his working life at Gay-dor Plastics but at 23 followed his father into log trucking, starting with Taslog Transport in a White Roadboss with a 270-horsepower Cat engine and no engine brake! As Taslog grew, Toby became fleet manager, overseeing 35 log trucks while continuing to drive himself. During quieter periods, he drove on the mainland, hauling cotton in Moree in the late 1990s and assisting with the Townsville log clean-up after Cyclone Yasi in 2011. Toby recently celebrated 40 years with Taslog Transport, marking a remarkable career in timber hauling.

ANDY HANSEN

Andy Hansen was born in 1975, raised in Taroom, Queensland. In 1995, he joined Gulf Transport in Darwin and was soon relocated to Tennant Creek, where he spent years running road trains and tippers across the NT, including the Granites and Tanami mines. In 2002, Andy helped build the Alice Springs to Darwin railway with Tivers Construction, hauling ballast and rock in triples. This was followed by a short period with Compass Haulage. Andy had told his family he was off on a two-week trip to help a friend. He would finally return home three months later! Andy has contributed to many major NT infrastructure projects with both Exact Contracting and St George Freightlines, including carting 26,500 lengths of line pipes during the Northern Gas Pipeline project. He returned to Exact in 2018, where he remains a key operator.

THOMAS HANSEN

Tom Hanson grew up in Leesville, a sawmilling community northwest of Smithton, Tasmania. At 18, he began driving a 190 International crane truck for V R Bonnie, lifting and hauling bridge decking for the Department of Main Roads. He then moved into log carting, driving to Wilshire log yard and Chatlee sawmill. Over more than five decades, Tom has driven for FJ Parsons & Sons, Des Walsh, Dudley Donohue, AW & MA House, N & A Smith, Perrotti Brothers, and currently Barker Gravel & Excavation, hauling everything from logs, milk, and Telstra components to Harley Davidsons and top-shelf alcohol, often under security escort. Although Tom earnt a reputation as a quiet and humble operator over his 53 years behind the wheel, he has also courageously rescued a woman and her children from a rolled and submerged vehicle.

GIUSEPPE ‘PEPPE’ INVERNO

Peppi Inverno is a second-generation truck driver, following his father Phillip into the industry. He qualified as an auto electrician before returning to drive the family’s Bedford in the late 1980s, hauling potatoes. In the early 1990s, he carted potatoes to Campbell Soups in Shepparton in his dad’s 1986 Gold Nugget SAR, the one truck the family regrets selling. In 2000, Peppi and his wife Danielle bought their first truck together, a T601, marking the start of G & D Inverno Transport. In 2018, the family collaborated on a T900 Legend build, with even the children having a say in its design. Though, Peppi keeps a firm hand on the wheel and is the only one trusted to drive it for work! In 2024, they added an SAR Legend to their fleet, which won Best Rig of the Show at the 2025 Alexandra Truck Show.

GRANT JOHNSON

Although Grant qualified as a boilermaker, with a young family at home, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 2018, Grant and Gillian started their own company, Granlian Haulage. They purchased a 2007 Kenworth 604 from Grant’s brother Heath and enjoyed it so much that they upgraded to Grant’s sparkling pride and joy, a Kenworth 909, in 2020. Currently, Grant is contracted to Downer Bitumen Transport. He has been with the company for six years, carting bitumen across Australia and outback areas, just as his father JJ did. During his travels, Grant has developed an affinity for collecting stubby holders from every pub and roadhouse he stops at. Grant, we’ve got an extra one here to add to your collection! We reckon it’s the coolest one!

TIM JONNSTON

Tim’s early years were spent with his father, uncles and family friends travelling Tasmania with different logging contractors, plant hire and mining operations. Tim began his career at 15, signing on as a heavy diesel mechanic apprentice. In 2000, Tim joined the Australian Army, receiving multiple commendations while serving, including trade, for managing and repairing assets and assisting with equipment allocating. After leaving the army in 2008, Tim contributed to major infrastructure projects with Heavy Haulage Australia, including motorways, airports and energy developments. His most memorable loads include working with massive pre-assembled units for Origin Energy up to 8 metres wide and squeezing excavators and D10 and D11 bulldozers through the Sydney CBD. In 2015, Tim purchased a heavy-rated Kenworth prime mover to support his own business and has since tackled complex heavy haul and oversize jobs across the country.

JOHN JORDAN

John, born in Mackay, Queensland, in 1951, began his career in transport by purchasing a local milk run and servicing the Mackay area with a small truck. At 23, he bought his first truck fitted with an agitator, delivering concrete locally. He expanded into cement towing for QRX, supplying concrete plants across Mackay before securing a contract with Pauls Milk, transporting bulk milk from Finch Hatton and Sarina. This seven-days-a-week operation was supplemented by another Pauls Milk contract, distributing packaged milk products from Bundaberg to Longreach, Cairns and everywhere in between. John successfully managed both contracts for 22 years, growing his fleet to 36 prime movers and 52 trailers. During 3 decades in the industry, John mentored countless team members who credit their success with learning from John’s calm demeanour and genuine humility.

TONY KENT

Born in 1967 as one of sixteen siblings, TK moved out of home at 14 and, from there, he began his working journey with a travelling carnival, giving him the chance to explore New South Wales while learning about life on the road. TK returned to Goulburn when his father fell ill, working as a driver and machine operator for R & P Delaney. His career took a turn while on holiday in Queensland, when he was offered a position with Divall’s. In 2000, TK moved from driving to coordinating trucks and drivers, a role that grew alongside the business, and helped establish Goulburn Sand and Soil that same year. Even as Procurement Manager, TK remains ready to jump into a truck, demonstrating his enduring passion and hands-on commitment to the industry.

PETER KILLEEN (Deceased)

PK’s career in transport began in the late 1950s as a young boy working at L.R. Dodd Transport on the Melbourne wharfs. By age 12, he was assisting new drivers with directions, client information and pick-up and delivery details. Once he got his licence, he started relief driving for Wally Debney running Adelaide and Sydney. On the weekend, PK would drive for Firefly Coaches running to Griffith. In the mid-1970s, PK became an owner-driver, subcontracting to L.R. Dodd Transport. His career progressed through roles with FCL, driving and managing, eventually becoming National Equipment Purchaser and later National Equipment Operations Manager. His expertise transformed container transport in Australia. Although he retired in his early 60s, PK would return to the industry to help manage Australian Magnetite. He lived out his life in Exford, Victoria.

ANTHONY KIRCHNER

Tony Kirchner spent his early years on the family farm in Yumali, South Australia, before moving to Adelaide to begin a diesel mechanic apprenticeship with International Trucks, marking the start of his lifelong commitment to the transport and heavy vehicle repair industry. In 1984, he founded Kirchner Trucks, and by 1989 became a sub-dealer for Kenworth trucks. In 1992, Tony opened a new purpose-built premises in Horsham and expanded the business to include dealership status for Volvo trucks and Cummins engines. Tony’s wife, Jenny, joined in an administrative role, and his two sons, Lee and Brad, later became part of the business. After 40 years of dedicated service to the transport sector, Tony sold Kirchner Trucks to the CMV Group. The business continues today as the Wimmera Truck Centre, maintaining the legacy Tony established.

ROSS KITTS

Ross grew up in the trucking industry. His father, Doug, owned a transport company, and the family’s Helen Street shed was Ross’s early training ground. As a teenager, he built and drove heavy loads and gained experience driving express mail runs with his brother George in a V8 Mack. Ross bought and restored his first truck, a 1418 Mercedes-Benz, which was unfortunately written off before he could drive it legally. At 18, he joined Desert Sands under Rex Ryles, driving a FR700 Mack concrete agitator and hauling cement, blue metal, and plant equipment across the outback. He later ran interstate freight with Time Road Express and Pacific Transport. At 24, Ross became Perth Depot Manager for Lange Transport, growing the depot to over 100 trailer movements per month. Today, as Operations Manager at Dananni Hotshots, he oversees a national fleet of over 30 trucks transporting critical freight Australia-wide.

GRAEME LAIRD

Graeme was born in 1948 and grew up on the family farm at Kodji Kodjin. When his father suffered a heart attack at age 18, Graeme gained a special licence to cart fertilizer and wheat using their Bedford J5. After many trips with the local cop, Graeme asked if he could please have a semi license so he could work over the harvest back in the Wheatbelt. The cop was unaware he didn’t have one and was only too obliging! Over his career, he carted fuel, fertilizer, grain, hay, and livestock, working both for himself and for Reg Russell and Sons. In 2018, he was recognized for 50 years of sheep carting. After 56 years in transport, Graeme retired in 2024. He says that if his body weren’t worn out from hanging off stock crates, he’d still be on the road.

NOEL LANE

Noel grew up in Killarney, a small town in South-West Victoria nestled along the Princes Highway, a road he knows like the back of his hand. He began driving his father’s truck before buying it himself, carting potatoes around the local district. In 1992, Noel established Lane Transport, hauling spuds for his father and other growers in Killarney and Ballarat. When the Victorian season ended, he headed north to Hillston, New South Wales, to continue carting. A major turning point came in 1994 when he secured a contract with Visy, transporting reels of paper products nationwide. From there, Lane Transport expanded to service clients including Orora, carrying glass bottles, machinery, timber, wool, beer, and even aircraft. Today, Noel spends more time managing operations but still jumps behind the wheel when needed, keeping his lifelong connection to the road.

EDDY LANG

Eddy Lang was born in 1974 in Collarenebri, north-western NSW, into a long line of truck drivers. His father Arthur carted grain, wool, cotton and livestock, while his grandfather Ernie Earl worked trucks and horse teams on similar jobs, along with earthmoving and bore drains. Even his great-grandfather lived the same way. At 12, Eddy was already driving trucks for his dad. Arthur had been drinking, so Eddy took the wheel. A local copper pulled them over, looked at the situation and said Eddy was probably in better shape to be driving anyway! Over the years, he has hauled grain, hay, livestock, wool and tackled heavy haulage and earthmoving across Australia. A standout job was carting a 4-metre-high, 13-metre-long steel dinosaur frame to Coonabarabran. Today, Eddy is Heavy Haulage Manager at Roadwork Industries, overseeing four trucks while still driving himself.

DANNY LIPMAN

Danny Lipman was born in 1964 in Traralgon, Victoria. In 1990, Danny and his wife Jane purchased their first truck, a Kenworth T900, and founded D & J Lipman Transport. They soon expanded into potatoes for Smiths Chips in Brisbane, later moving into grain with their first new Kenworth T604. A proud achievement was having all three sons join the business, each given the opportunity to spec and drive a brand-new truck of their own. Danny tells the story of being away at grain harvest when one of their subcontractors rang to ask him what he should do as he was bogged in a creek with a load of canola. Danny jokingly told him to tip it off in the creek. The subcontractor rang Danny back 15 minutes later and said, “Loads in the creek, I’m on my way Dan!”

WILLIAM ‘BILL’ LOWERY

Bill’s trucking journey began in childhood, riding along with his father and learning to drive in the yard. After an apprenticeship as an electrical fitter with Queensland Rail, he pursued his real passion in trucking. At 20, he started with a 1-tonne van before moving through a 4-tonne Bedford at Permarest, a 12-tonne Bedford at ABC Taxi Trucks, and Accos with Top Dog Transport. He joined Coast Refrigerated Transport, which became Mayne Nickless. He hauled refrigerated goods and drove one of Queensland’s first B-doubles, taking coffee beans to Nestle in Gympie and soft drinks to Rockhampton. After relocating to Hervey Bay, Bill joined Richers Transport, where he has since worn out four trucks and now drives a 600HP Mack Superliner on B-double runs. After 54 years on the road, Bill, now 74, reckons Richers will be his final stop.

CHRIS MARR

Chris Marr launched Kandu Deliveries on 13 January 2000 with little more than a car trailer and a few contacts from his time in the automotive industry, aiming to carry second-hand auto parts between the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers of NSW. By the end of the first week, he’d upgraded to an old Mazda van and began building a client base. By the end of that year, he purchased a second-hand Mitsubishi Canter, expanding into deliveries for the automotive panel industry. By 2003, the fleet included two Canters, the trusty van, and two employees. In 2004, Chris bought his first new truck, an Isuzu NQR450, later upgraded to a FRR 525. Growth continued with an FXL1500 in 2013. Now in 2025, Kandu boasts 16 vehicles and 15 staff.

BARRY McDONALD (not present)

Barry McDonald was born in Wallsend in 1947. At 21, he gained his truck licence and began with Newcastle Tree Services in a Chev Blitz. In the early ’70s he carted pigs and sheep for Alex Sheddon before moving to grain haulage. In 1972, Baz bought a G88 Volvo and began linehaul with Mayne Nickless, later launching B.E. McDonald Transport. Through the ’70s and ’80s, he hauled freight nationwide, running Volvos, taughtliners and flat tops, with his own subbies carting everything from wool and steel to dangerous goods. After retiring at 72, Baz kept driving casually. Now 77, he’s still on the road around Newcastle with Woods Haulage, proving that, for Baz, the term retirement means next to nothing!

PHIL McLENNAN

Phil was born in Grafton in 1961. He grew up by the Clarence River, where his family had a dairy farm and produced lucerne hay. Together with his wife, Cathy, own McLennan Earthmoving. Established in 1992, they specialise in transport, quarrying and civil construction. Phil’s career began in agriculture, running ground-spreading trucks to distribute fertiliser. What started as a single spreader soon grew into a small fleet, expanding his reach to Murwillumbah, Dorrigo, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Ballina. Today, the business operates from multiple depots and quarries within the Clarence Valley while the fleet includes more than 180 pieces of machinery. Some of the projects Phil has undertaken include the construction of subdivisions, nursing homes, highway upgrades, hospital upgrade, hockey fields and other sports fields, horse and greyhound racing tracks, council facilities and parks.

BRENDAN MEYER

Brendan, born in 1948, has spent most of his life in Lancefield, Victoria. The Meyer family is well known across the Macedon Ranges for their links to trucking and wood cutting. Brendan began work at 17 with the Post Master General, while weekends were spent cutting firewood with his father and brother Noel. His first truck was an Austin Loadstar, followed by a line-up of Fords and Bedfords. In 1970, he joined the army as a Vehicle Testing Engineer, driving everything from trucks to leopard tanks. After leaving in 1987, he ran Meyer Brothers Transport with his brother, later his own founding Lancefield Freighters. From wild cattle to bore goats, Brendan carted it all and remains highly respected by farmers and fellow operators alike.

MICHAEL MILLS (not present)

Michael Mills, born in January 1945, was the third generation of his family in transport. Though he once considered agriculture, he famously walked out of an entrance exam, realising his future was in the family business. In 1962 he joined A.J. Mills & Sons, starting in a Bedford before moving quickly into operations. At just 20, he relocated to Brisbane to open the company’s depot, where his hallmark became precision scheduling and load efficiency. Long before GPS, he devised smarter routing systems based on strong knowledge and relationships. Among his proudest contracts was with Stahman Farms in Moree, delivering imported machinery and later hauling pecans to Brisbane and Toowoomba. Over five decades, Michael helped transform Mills Transport into a major regional player, always leading with humility, discipline and heart.

WILFRED ‘MICK’ MILLS (deceased)

Wilfred Donald “Mick” Mills, born in August 1919, joined the family business, A.J. Mills & Sons, in 1934. His father, Archibald, had started the company a decade earlier in Burringbar, NSW, carting freight from the railhead with a second-hand Model T. Mick began with horse and cart work, hauling bananas, cream and produce over steep hills, before trucks gradually took over. Post-war, the fleet expanded with Army Blitzes, then Albions and Mercedes 1418s, later transitioning to Kenworths with Cummins engines. In 1937, Mick invited his brother Eric to join him, paving the way for future generations. Mick grew the company into a fleet of more than 200 trucks with a reputation for safety, reliability and loyal staff. Mick worked into his late 80s before passing in 2007 aged 88.

NOEL MILLS

Noel Mills was born into a proud transport legacy begun by his grandfather Archibald in 1924 and expanded by his father, Wilfred “Mick” Mills. At 15, in May 1961, Noel left school to join the family business, starting at the Murwillumbah railhead loading trucks and trains. He soon rode with drivers to Brisbane, helping at the Alice Street and Bowen Hills depots before returning late at night, only to start again at dawn. In 1965, at just 20, Noel moved to Lismore to run the depot, expanding operations into Sydney and Newcastle. In 1974, he purchased the business’s first Kenworth from Brown & Hurley and launched interstate freight. Over two decades, he grew westward into grain cartage, all while ensuring no truck ran empty. His proudest achievement was seeing four generations in the business before retiring in 1995.

LAWRIE MORGAN (not present)

Raymond Lawrie Morgan was born in 1947 and raised on a dairy farm beside the Bruce Highway. His first drives came with the Gympie Co-operative where he gained atrailer licence. He excitedly told his Mum who sternly warned him, ‘You won’t be driving trucks for a living!’ Lawrie bought his own ACCO and knew he was in the game. In 1973, with wife Dulcie, he returned to Gympie, carting timber, cement and hardware before expanding into general freight. By 1979, they had a Brisbane depot, offering daily services across the eastern seaboard. Over 47 years, they grew a fleet of 55 trucks, mentoring young drivers and building loyal staff. After training Craig and Nicole Tesch to manage Morgan’s Long Distance Transport, Lawrie retired proud but is still very much in the game in his mind!

COLIN PATRICK MURPHY

Colin Murphy began his working life as a panel-beater, completing his apprenticeship in 1975 at age 18. But trucks were always his passion, inspired by his father, Lawrence Murphy, himself a Hall of Fame inductee. In 1976, aged just 19, Colin purchased his first truck, an International R200, hauling car bodies for Simsmetal. A year later he upgraded to an S2 Kenworth, moving into interstate and country freight. By 1989, with a Cab Over Kenworth, he was carting containers from the wharf and general freight. Later, with a W Model Kenworth and refrigerated trailer, he carted Jalna yoghurt across Melbourne until retiring in 2022. Across 46 years, Colin drove Kenworth’s finest and earned countless lifelong mates who still love to have a beer with Colin!

LAWRENCE MURPHY (deceased)

Laurie Murphy began his trucking career in Melbourne at age 17, first driving for a glazier across the metropolitan area. He soon moved on to log-jinkers, hauling timber from Gippsland forests to local sawmills, before stepping up to a B Model Mack transporting sawn timber to Melbourne. Laurie bought his first truck, a 180 International, for car bodies and scrap metal. In 1982, he relocated to Brisbane, driving a UD tip truck for the City Council for ten years. His career included some standout loads, such as massive steel components for Bass Strait oil rigs and construction materials for the High Court in Canberra. An obituary for Laurie in the Herald Sun, Monday 1 January 2007, page 70, said ‘In his B model Mack truck Laurie Murphy was one of the gentlemen of Highway 31.’

JAMIE O’GRADY

In 1991, Jamie embarked on his transport venture with a modest 1984 Datsun ute. He took the initiative to contact local furniture and electrical retailers within the community, offering delivery services for customers. As the far north coast grew, Jamie opened his transportation business, Ballina Jet-Lite Couriers in 1992. The business consisted of a Daihatsu Delta 3-tonne truck and a Datsun ute. Two years later, Jamie sold Jet-Lite and founded J&J Transport and Removals, named for his sons Jake and Joseph. Through seven-day weeks and a focus on excellent customer service, Jamie built a trusted and reliable business. While Jamie has stepped back from daily operations, the business continues to expand under the leadership of his sons.

HARVIE OLIVER

Harvey began his career as a fabricator but it was his welding skills that opened the door to trucking. In 1982, he set out from Perth with co-driver Danny Polian, only to be stranded in Derby for three months when floods cut the road to Darwin. This was first taste of the Kimberley’s challenges! Between 1982 and 1984, he proved himself on supply runs before joining CLAN Contracting, hauling oil rigs in a W Model Kenworth. After a stint in the Wheatbelt with West Fuel, Harvey returned north, settling in Broome as a trainer and assessor. From 2014 to 2024, he joined McCorry Brown Earthmoving, hauling everything from machinery to camp relocations. From remote back paddocks to the deserts, Harvey’s career is a testament to his enduring respect for the country he called his workplace.

TOMO OSTOJIC

When Tomo Ostojic left Yugoslavia in the late 1960s, he arrived in Darwin with only a few words of English and a modest sum of money. In 1972 he began with a single Flintstone Mack truck, laying the foundations for what would become the Ostojic Group, now one of the Northern Territory’s most significant civil and transport businesses. Through relentless determination, Tomo grew the company from a one-truck operation into a diversified enterprise that remains synonymous with the Territory today. The Ostojic Group now operates more than 100 trucks, 350 trailers, 150 dollies and over 100 pieces of earthmoving equipment. His contribution to road construction helped open remote regions and improve access across the Top End. Though no longer in daily operations, Tomo remains involved through his children.

DAVE PANCINO

From an early age, Dave Pancino worked across different jobs, from assisting at Enoggra Barracks to helping on his family’s farm in Tenterfield. After finishing Year 10, he began an apprenticeship with Emolium, gaining skills in mechanics and maintenance that paved the way into transport. With guidance from John and Simon at TDG Car Carrying, Dave bought his first truck and began life on the road. His passion soon led him into heavy haulage, where his integrity and attention to detail caught the eye of Jon Kelly. Among his memorable journeys was an eight-week haul delivering LNG gas tanks to Tasmania. As they arrived at the last corner they found someone had installed new railings they couldn’t pass! Starring as “Driver Dave” on a popular television series MegaTruckers, Dave will always make time to give young fans the royal tour of the big trucks, take photos and sign autographs with tears and smiles all round. 

MAXWELL ‘GEORGE’ PARSONS

George William Maxwell Parsons, known to all as Max, was born in Swan Hill in 1930. In his early years, he drove Ford Louisvilles and Internationals, hauling grain and rural freight across the Mallee. Long days behind the wheel were matched by longer nights in the shed, keeping the trucks running. He founded Parsons Bulk Haulage, growing it from a one-man operation into a respected, family-run enterprise recognised across Victoria for its yellow fleet. What made Max most proud was sharing the journey with his family, who remain deeply involved across all areas of the business. Today, Parsons Bulk Haulage also operates grain storage and export facilities, cementing its place in Victoria’s grain industry. At 95, Max remains actively involved, keeping an eye on the books and sharing advice, whether it’s asked for or not.

NICK PAVLINOVICH

Some of Nick’s fondest memories are of hiding in the cab while his dad unloaded at the job site. By 16, Nick had started an apprenticeship with CJD Equipment in Perth, working on Kenworths and honing the skills that would prove vital when running his own trucks. After a stint with McMahons up north, he returned to Perth and purchased his first truck, an Atkinson International 4070 which marked the beginning of Pavlinovich Bulk Transport. As work grew, so did his fleet, peaking at 13 trucks on contracts with Temples, BGC Quarries and WA Limestone. For nearly a decade, Nick has worked with MLG in the Goldfields. At morning pre-starts, he often gets told off for wearing sunnies instead of clear goggles. During grain season, he’s in his element, wearing shorts, boots and the classic blue singlet.

KEVIN PHILLIPS

Kevin Philips began in transport at 15, working for his uncle in a Thames Trader A Ford towing an 18-foot trailer between Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. One trip he never forgot involved returning from Brisbane loaded with cow hides, stranded in heavy rain with dozens of other drivers wondering what on earth was causing that smell! Kevin gained his licence at 21 and worked for Wharf Transport in Mortlake, driving a Bedford on local and interstate runs. In 1974, he purchased a Dodge 760, followed by a F-Model Mack and later an LNT Ford, working for multiple companies including Hoepners, Mayne Nickless, Polar Express and Cadina Express. Kevin fondly recalls the camaraderie of the road, where a logbook or a flash of cab lights was the warning from the mate that the weighbridge was open.

KENNETH POST

Kenneth Arthur Post was born in Wagga Wagga in 1945. In 1960 he began as an apprentice car mechanic, spending weekends working on Sid Nash and Son’s trucks before joining them full time as a heavy vehicle mechanic. In 1972, he purchased his first truck, a C1800 International with a 36-foot flat-top trailer, rebuilding its C160 engine himself. Two years later, Ken started Post’s Diesel, specialising in repairing heavy duty gear boxes and diffs, as well as engine rebuilds. Soon, Ken had 14 trucks, so it was time to change the business name to Post’s Transport. Post’s Transport continued to grow its fleet, carting loads of wool, flour, Laminex, shipping containers and meat to the ports. Ken sold the business in 2000 and now enjoys farming and family life with his wife, Lorraine.

JOHN DESMOND PRICE

John Price, known to all as Johnno, was born in Beechworth in 1933. He left school at 15 to work in the local post office, delivering letters and parcels on the back of a motorbike. At 18, he began driving for his father as a general carrier, his first solo trip hauling chaff in a 1943/45 Maple Leaf. John was later called up for national service at Puckapunyal. When he wasn’t driving tanks, he was driving jeeps, carting Generals to their destinations. Returning home, he resumed general cartage, delivering everything from livestock, wool and ceramic pipes across Victoria in his 8-tonne Commer. He transported logs to the local tannery, supplying the boilers needed to leather for soldiers’ boots. Now retired with his wife of 69 years, Elaine, John remembers fondly the days of carrying loads at night with only a hurricane lamp for light.

PETER REDPATH (deceased)

Peter began his professional journey as an automotive apprentice. His career began with delivering carpets across metropolitan Melbourne for E. Richards & Sons in Braybrook. He quickly mastered the intricacies of flat tops and tarps before moving on to convertible tipping trailers, running regular routes between Melbourne and Adelaide for Redpath Carriers. Peter transitioned into logistics but never lost his love of the road, returning to driving alongside his youngest brother, Chris, in grain and fertiliser work.  Eventually, he managed bulk and container operations at R & P Carriers.  Following his passing in November 2023, Peter’s daughters, Cassandra and Gabrielle, and his stepchildren, Jacinta and Phill hold fond memories of spending time on the road with their Dad, despite the constant risk of receiving a playful “horse bite” on the leg after dozing off in the passenger seat!

PETER RENTON

Peter spent his early childhood on sheep stations in far western NSW, learning to drive at a very young age. After leaving school, he worked for Beltana Pastoral Co at Currawilla and Cordillo Downs, driving trucks and tractors. He then explored various forms of transport, including overnight parcel freight with Comet Transport and general freight with Hi Speed. Pete moved to Kalgoorlie, hauling gold ore in side tippers, quickly discovering his preference for bulk haulage. He joined Gulf Transport in Wyndham, hauling lead and zinc concentrate, and was later promoted to manager. He went on to manage operations with Hampton Transport in Kalgoorlie and Kalari in Queensland. Returning to Western Australia to be closer to his children, Peter now serves as general manager at B J Catalano, where he plans to remain until retirement.

TONY RINALDI

Tony Rinaldi was born in Maryborough, Victoria, in 1958 and grew up on the family farm at near Moolort. He left school at 15 to work on the farm, where his love of driving began, operating machinery and a tray truck carting grain. At 19, he purchased his first truck, a single-axle Dodge prime mover with a two-deck stock crate, quickly building a reputation amongst locals for his livestock transport. In 1981, he upgraded to a Mercedes-Benz 1418 with a two-and-a-half-deck stock crate. In 1984, Tony and his wife Maree founded A.G & M Rinaldi Livestock Transport, operating Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star, and Kenworth trucks with Byrne four-deckers and B-double convertibles. Today, Tony still drives locally with his son Cameron, marking over 45 years in the industry.

STEPHEN ROBINSON

The Robinson name has long been synonymous with Australian trucking. Steve’s father, Fred, having returned from wartime service in the 466 Squadron Bomber Command, turned his attention to transport, eventually founding Southside Agencies in Lismore. Steve joined Fred in the business in 1971. Two years later, when the UD Nissan Diesel range first arrived on Australian shores, Steve and Fred recognised its potential and made the bold decision to introduce UD to their customers. Backed by the Robinsons’ hands-on experience and their honest word, customers quickly came to trust the newcomer from Japan. Steve has fond memories of UD’s growth from the arrival of the 290HP UD V8 in 1974 to the famous encounter with Japanese engineers amazed by their first encounter with “bull dust” from a stock crate trailer.

ROGER RUTHERFORD

Roger began his career in 1965, working alongside his father, Bruce, driving a Leyland Comet with a single-axle trailer loaded with wool between Adelaide and Broken Hill. At 16, he became the youngest driver at Brambles Freight Services. One of his proudest achievements was contributing to the construction of the Moomba to Adelaide Gas Pipeline, delivering the final load in 1969. Later that year, at 17, he took his skills to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, with Kennelly’s Transport, delivering equipment and the camp for the Panguna copper mine. From 1989 to 1996, Roger owned and operated a Kenworth, hauling livestock and general freight across Australia. Today, at 74, Roger has witnessed many changes in the transport world, from the introduction of air conditioning and sleeper bunks to truck fridges and radial tyres. He continues driving a Mack Superliner for Neil Mansell Transport.

BARRY SEALEY (deceased)

Barry Sealey was born and raised in Daylesford, Victoria. At 18, he began working for Stacey’s, cutting and carting pulp wood. He was advised to give up driving due to health issues but that would only last around 3 months before he was back driving! Barry got the owner driver bug and started up his own business in 1981, purchasing his first truck, a 280HP Scania 110 super. He travelled Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and return. Barry then moved to local transport for T & T doing Ballarat to Melbourne. For his final adventure, Barry and his two sons, Michael and Graeme, bought a small, locally owned transport company in Ballarat. Barry retired at 60 due to illness and sadly passed away at 61. His family remembers his dedication and love of the road.

JOE SEPOS

Joe was born in 1950 in Newcastle, New South Wales. After returning from national service, he and his wife Narelle, along with his parents Joe and Ellena, purchased their first Kenworth semi-trailer in 1975, launching their journey in transport. Joe’s first job involved delivering chicken feed across Newcastle and Greater Sydney, working long hours to establish the family business. From this single-truck operation, J. Sepos & Sons grew into what is today the JS Transport Group, now operating over 100 prime movers.

Beyond his own company, Joe has been heavily involved with the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association, earning Life Membership for his service. Today, Joe remains involved in the business, working alongside his four sons to shape the next generation of transport.

BRUCE SHEAFFE

Bruce Sheaffe was born in 1956 in Lismore, New South Wales, into a family with deep ties to the transport industry. His father, Roger Sheaffe, owned Sheaffe Motors, an International Truck dealership. At 15, Bruce began as an apprentice mechanic, learning his craft under his father in an era when roadside repairs relied on manual tools and determination. In 1988, Bruce purchased Sheaffe Motors, allowing his father to retire, and expanded the business to become an authorized Volvo and Isuzu service agent. Among his notable innovations, in 1989 he converted an International truck into a tilt-tray vehicle, revolutionizing truck transport for repairs. Today, Bruce continues to operate Sheaffe Motors, maintaining the family legacy that has served the Lismore community since 1956.

MARK STANES

Mark Stanes was born in 1980 in Alice Springs to Bruce and Shirley Stanes. He became a qualified boilermaker before driving road trains for Territory Transportables to deliver school and accommodation buildings across NT and WA. His mum, Shirley would often receive a phone call from Mark saying he had a present for her and needed her to meet him with fresh clothes for the next leg. The present? His dirty clothes. From 2000 to 2004, he drove side tippers for Danny Orr Earthmoving and then hauled cattle for Orange Creek Cattle Station. Mark founded Stanes Transport NT Pty Ltd in 2009, starting with just two trucks. Mark has since earned a strong reputation in Alice Springs with interstate companies relying on him for final-mile freight.

TREVOR TARRANT (not present)

Trevor grew up in Llangothlin, NSW. At 17, he drove his father’s truck to the Guyra Police Station for his semi licence. Reversing down the narrow drive to park it perfectly, Trevor impressed the officer so much he was granted his licence without a test. In 1979, Trevor and his wife Deirdre purchased a second-hand C1800 Acco and founded TC & DA Tarrant Transport. The business transported sheep, cattle, wool, hay, and earth-moving equipment, with some unusual loads along the way, including camels. After what Trevor describes as a bumpy ride, getting the camels up onto their feet proved to be a challenge, with one needing to be lifted out with a tractor and slung up in a tree!  Respected by all who know and deal with him, Trevor can draw a map to get you safely to most any property around the New England and most clients know Trevor enjoys a sugar in his cup of tea. 

ROB TOWNSING

Rob Townsing was born in Melbourne in 1958. His career began while still at school, washing buses after hours and during holidays. At 15, he became an apprentice diesel mechanic with Gippsland Educational Tours & Funfari, often fixing breakdowns en route to Alice Springs. On one Alice Springs run in 1976, Rob was stranded for two weeks in floodwaters before being towed out by dozers after attempts by the police with 4WDs failed. After completing his apprenticeship, he bought an R-200 International and worked as an owner-driver on excavations and building sites. In 1986, Rob established his own company, starting with a tandem tipper and progressing to a Kenworth with body and dog trailer, eventually expanding into semi tippers, B-doubles, and flat tops.

ROBERT TURVEY

Robert John Turvey was born in St George, Queensland, in May 1963 and grew up in Toowoomba. At 16, he began a diesel mechanic apprenticeship, finishing with N & A Riley, before moving to Adelaide to work for Hi Speed Transport. Robert got his dream role as an interstate driver, discovering a love for the Northern Territory routes. In 1990, he bought a W Model Kenworth, adding his own trailers, and began carting cattle, general freight, and seasonal cotton. Over the decades, he drove for John Bain Transport, NQX, G&S Transport, and Savannah coal seam gas operations, among others, tackling everything from Brisbane to Darwin linehaul to dog trailer runs. A half-hearted attempt at retirement lasted 4 months before the lure of doing something new saw Robert working FIFO for G&S Transport on side tippers.

JOHN WALTER

John Walter’s family legacy in transport dates back to 1912. During the Recession, John’s father Ted and Uncle Alex purchased a Bedford truck and 17-ft semi-trailer, hauling firewood to Melbourne and returning with fuel on gruelling 34-hour trips. John started an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at his father’s garage in 1969, but his passion lay with trucks. A local stock agent’s need for hay transport sparked the creation of J & S Walter. He later hauled oats to Portland, managing to grow his business despite sometimes finding himself at odds with the strict Transport Regulation Board permit system. After 48 years on the road, John’s driving career ended when a bale of wool fell, breaking his back. He made a remarkable recovery and still occasionally drives for friends, exemplifying a lifelong dedication to trucking.

PETER ‘MINGO’ WAUGH

Peter ‘Mingo’ Waugh was born in 1957 in Goulburn. His road transport career began in 1990 when he joined Divall’s, starting out on a Besser Brick L710, now proudly displayed here at the Museum. Over the years, Mingo drove a wide range of trucks, with a particular fondness for Kenworths. From T400s and T480s to T600s and T909s, he even restored and collected the iconic T600. After leaving the driver’s seat in 2000, he transitioned into Occupational Health and Safety at Divall’s, helping the company achieve and maintain TruckSafe compliance. Beyond his professional achievements, Mingo is a dedicated family man, famously rushing a fully laden truck to the hospital just in time for the birth of his second child with his wife Jacki.

KAY & RICK (deceased) WHITBREAD

Rick Whitbread began his career in 1959 as an apprentice motor mechanic in Sydney before moving into local deliveries with Yellow Express. He joined the railways, rising to Senior Train Controller. Rick met Kaye in 1966 and they were married in 1971. Together, they purchased their first truck, a new LTL, and began driving interstate for Mountain Bulk Haulage, thriving in two-up long-distance work. Rick’s mechanical skills kept their trucks running, and he taught Kaye to maintain them herself. Kaye was recognised as Transport Woman of the Year in 2002 and served on the NatRoad board, while Rick received NatRoad Professional Driver of the Year in 2006. After major health setbacks, they retired in 2007. Rick sadly passed away in 2018 and Kaye now contributes to the Australian Truck Driver’s Memorial at Tarcutta, reconnecting with the industry she loves.

LES WILLIAMS

Les Williams was born in 1948 in Tallangatta, Victoria. He began truck driving at 21, hauling logs for Bonchi Bros in East Gippsland. Over the years, he worked for several timber and transport companies, driving AB180 Internationals, 1418 Benz and W-model Kenworths, often carting timber and livestock across Victoria, Melbourne and Sydney. In the late 1980s, Les purchased his own trucks, including a G89 Volvo, F10 Volvo, and T-Line International, hauling timber for up to ten years on each vehicle. For nearly two decades, he drove for Steven Redenbach, managing timber and fridge van work. Les hung up the keys and retired at age 65. However, three months later, a call from Cox Freight saw Les taking a load of vegies to Sydney. Eleven years later, Les is still driving to Sydney for the same company. 

MIKE WILLIAMS

Mike Williams was born in Tasmania in 1963. Unlike many in the industry, Mike didn’t come from a trucking family. He started driving to help a gentleman he met while completing his nursing degree. He gained experience across Australia, including stints with Ultra-Quads in the Pilbara. The fair share of challenges faced by Mike whilst out on the road laid the foundation for his advocacy for and understanding of the industry. In 2020, Mike launched the On the Road Aussie Trucking Podcast, educating and entertaining truckies on road safety, lifestyle, and industry trends. He also played a key role in relaunching Truckin’ Life Magazine and the Steering the Future education trailer, establishing himself as a respected voice advocating for the trucking community.

SCOTT WILSON

At 16, Scott Wilson joined the army to drive trucks, as he was too young for a civilian licence. After basic training at Kapooka, he excelled with the 26 Transport Squadron, a Mack unit, driving Mack truck-and-dog combinations. Leaving the army in 1987, Scott drove for Refrigerated Roadways, John L Pierce, Hilliers Transport, and Stock Trans. In 1999, he joined Boylan’s for Nestlé shuttle runs. From Boylan’s, he purchased his first truck, a 1995 FX Western Star. He later expanded his fleet, carting for Linfox, Bagtrans, NQX, and Tolls, eventually managing Bagtrans’ Brisbane depot. He was running their trucks while still driving himself every day. In 2024, Scott semi-retired, still running tyre loads for his son Jake. Not only does this keep him behind the wheel, it also allows him time with the family.

HENRY & CAROL ZIELKE

Henry Zielke was born in Bundaberg in 1956 and Carol in Rockhampton in 1962. Drawn to trucks from a young age, Henry left school at 14 and began his first driving job in 1974, delivering caravans from Mt Isa to Darwin after Cyclone Tracy. In 1979, Henry and Carol bought their first truck, an International ACCO, hauling for QRX. They secured the Yarrabee Mine coal contract, which they ran for 22 years. Over their 30-year career, Henry operated 62 Kenworths, hauling coal, aggregates and pipelines across Central Queensland, often managing multiple contracts simultaneously. Henry and Carol built a family business, combining Carol’s office expertise with Henry’s driving, workshop work and innovative solutions for heavier loads. Today, they travel the roads they helped build in their F350 and fifth wheeler, still hands-on with truck restoration and maintenance.

TRUCKIN with KERMIE congratulates all those inducted into the Shell Rimula Hall of Fame at Alice Springs.