History
The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry
By Russell McKinnon
1984
T
he final meeting of the Shipping and Transport Division appears to have been held at the Association Boardroom on February 27. Executive Director W R Pellew referred to his impending retirement as the last matter recorded in the minutes. The history of the road transport industry in WA, encapsulated in the book, “Wheels of Progress”, written by D Hancock, finally reached the office. Every member of the Association was sent a copy — along with an invoice for $10, plus postage and packing — and 3000 were printed. The printer, Artlook, staged a successful launch on March 20 with the Minister for Transport in attendance. The Government allowed freedom of choice for the transport of timber mills located outside a radius of 40km from an active railway siding. The Association engaged the services of Eric White Associates, a public relations firm, for a trial period of three months. Executive Director W R Pellew retired on May 30. At the December 7, 1983 Council meeting, the Association decided to reward Mr Pellew for his 23 years’ service with a world trip for he and his wife, travel expenses to the tune of $5000 and traveller’s cheques of $5000. He attended his last Council meeting on March 28
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WATM • June 2022
A masive crowd packed in to witness the running of Speedweek
where he received a vote of thanks and a farewell dinner was arranged for April 6 at the Sheraton Hotel. The General Meeting of May 30 moved that the maximum subscription be increased to $4500 and the eligibility criteria for payment of the maximum subscription be lowered from 158 to 100 vehicles. A query from the floor asked why metropolitan subscriptions were higher than country areas for Goods Division members. The Chairman said there would be an investigation. The meeting also welcomed new Executive Director A J Layton and a vote of thanks was given to the outgoing W R Pellew. ARTIO was registered on March 22 and WA Branch members remained the same with the only change being the switchover of Secretary/ Treasurer from W R Pellew to A J Layton. The May 9 Executive Council meeting was told that Artlook Books had sold 120 copies of the Association book “Wheels of Progress”. There were payment delays later in the year and by February 1985, Artlook went into receivership, the books were withdrawn from the shop and Kwik Transport agreed to store them. The May 30 Executive Council Meeting terminated the association with Eric White Associates, public relations experts, because it “had not performed to expectations”.
President D N Gilham was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Osborne Park/ Balcatta Business Association on June 13, gaining coverage in the West Australian newspaper. President D N Gilham reported to the Executive Council Meeting of July 12 that he and the Executive Director had met with PR consultant Neilson McCarthy Mackey Pty Ltd and a recommendation was made to engage the company for a period of four months at a base fee of $1300 per month. President D N Gilham met with Westrail’s Marketing Manager to explain the Association’s recent public criticism of Westrail and the reasons for it. The Association’s media campaign was prompted by Westrail endeavouring to increase the fuel levy; lobbying to have its Act broadened to allow it to purchase and operate road freight vehicles; as well as Westrail’s current efforts to increase its share of the grain market to the detriment of road transport companies. President D N Gilham spoke to the Chartered Institute of Transport on July 19. “The overtaxed Road Transport Industry” talk achieved media coverage. A deputation from the Association met with Minister for Minerals and Energy David Parker on August 17 and successfully gained some concessions, including amending regulations to provide that the consignor of dangerous goods shall ensure that they are packaged and marked as required by the regulations and shall provide the prime contractor with a shipping document. The Annual General Meeting of August 23 was well attended and new officers installed without an election. The Association was asked to look at installing a computer facility. The Executive Council Meeting of October 11 heard how the Association was pushing with the Minister for Transport for annual licences to replace permits for freight transport to the North-West.
