Stories From the Road Vol 2

VO L U M E 2

The challenges and achievements of Australia’s road transport heroes

2 STORI ES F RO M T H E ROA D

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National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: Liz Martin Title: Stories from the Road Volume 2 The challenges and achievements of Australia’s road transport heroes ISBN: 978-1-921156-54-0 Notes: Includes index

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 3

Contents Advisory Panel

4

Partners Roll of Honour

5

Foreword

6

Introduction

8

Timeline 1900-2010

16

Stories from the Road

26

Sponsor Directory

150

Index

156

4 STORI ES F RO M T H E ROA D

Advisory Panel Liz Martin, OAM

Denis Robertson

CEO National Road Transport Hall of Fame

Director Roadmaster Haulage

Max Winkless

David Simon

Director Truck Centre WA

Chairman Australian Trucking Association

Jim Hurley

Stuart St Clair

Managing Director Brown & Hurley Group

CEO Australian Trucking Association

Peter Rocke

Jaqui Lane

Founding Chairman Australian Trucking Association

Publisher Focus Publishing

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 5

Roll of Honour Lead



Major

Key



Glen Cameron Group Isuzu Australia Limited McLaughlin Freightlines Pty Ltd



Barker Trailers Pty Ltd Hendrickson Asia Pacific Pty Ltd Hino Australia Pty Ltd K&S Freighters Pty Ltd Kenworth Trucks (A Division of PACCAR Australia) Land Transport National Transport Insurance Thermo King The Shell Company of Australia Limited Mack Trucks, a division of Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd Volvo Trucks, a division of Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd Western Star Trucks Australia Pty Ltd Alcoa Wheel Products Australia Pty Ltd Bandag Manufacturing Pty Ltd Boral Logistics Border Express BPW Transpec Cummins South Pacific Dyers Distribution Frasers Livestock Transport Haulmark Trailers (Australia) Pty Ltd K&S Transport Lennons Transport Pty Ltd Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Australia Ltd Mitsubishi Fuso O’Sullivan’s Transport OAMPS Insurance Brokers Ltd Scania Australia Pty Ltd Southern Cross Transport Equipment Group Transport Industry Super UD Trucks, a division of Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd York Transport Equipment Pty Ltd

6 STORI ES F RO M T H E ROA D

Foreword about the trucking industry. That’s pretty disheartening given that road transport is not only a major industry in its own right, but services every other industry in this country.

The trucking industry has faced many hardships over the last century, including vast distances, untamed terrain, harsh climatic conditions, spiteful pro-rail governments and country roads boards that didn’t give a damn about the condition of the roads beyond their local shire. And it did so in a myriad of overseas-built trucks totally unsuited to our much harsher operating environment. Yet we have emerged into the new millennium as a resilient, proud and enduring industry that continues to excel by world standards. The dynamic, highly productive, energy-efficient and safe trucking industry Australians enjoy today is the legacy of the ingenuity of our pioneers. Many of the identities profiled here are second, third and fourth generation trucking veterans.

I congratulate Focus Publishing on their foresight in producing the second edition of Stories from the Road, thereby ensuring that these trucking tales are recorded for posterity.

I

I treasure the many old friends profiled in this book and look have always been an advocate of the road transport

forward to enriching my relationship with the new ones I have

industry, and in writing this book I have been reminded

made along the way. This book pays tribute to the people

of just how unique the camaraderie of the industry is.

whose strength of character literally keeps Australia moving.

While there is also no disputing that road transport

The people who drive our trucking industry, in their many and

plays a significant role in the economic and social wellbeing of Australia, it is the people aspect of this industry that I love. It doesn’t matter what state we live in, what sector of industry we

varied ways, deserve every accolade they get.

To each and every one of them I say, “Thank you, and keep on trucking; you really do carry our country.”

work in or whether we drive, own a truck or work for one of the multinationals, the issues that affect us are universal and that creates a special bond we rarely see in other industries. Whether we drive a B-double on the Hume Highway today or battled bulldust and corrugations on remote northern beef roads in the 1960s, we are all good mates.

Australia is a country where vast distances sweep horizon to horizon unbroken by city landscapes and road transport is the vital link. It brings the necessities of life to remote populations and financial viability to our rural and wealth-

Liz Martin

producing industries. Without it, Australia stops. Unfortunately,

CEO

the significance of road transport has often been understated

National Road Transport Hall of Fame

and misrepresented by everyone from modern day regulatory authorities to mainstream museums and historians. Take a look in your local school or municipal library and you will find hundreds of books about this country’s achievements in aviation, shipping, the railways, camels, bullockies and buggies and even the motorcar. But you won’t find much, if anything,

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 7

28 STOR I ES F RO M T H E ROA D

Coral Andrews

A real passion for interstate road transport Coral Andrews is living proof that women play

bricks for Keldar Gosford. When Keldar sold out to

an integral role both on the highways and in

Boral, Coral went and bought her own Kenworth,

management in the modern-day road transport

named it Coral’s Worry and went interstate hauling

industry. From driving a 1418 Mercedes Benz single

pipes from Newcastle to Melbourne for Turners.

axle towing a 38-foot spread open trailer for the

Coral went on to manage Phillips’ Sydney Depot

legendary E C (Ted) Phillips in the 1970s to hauling

at Chipping Norton for eight years prior to opening

a B-double “two-up” with Lindsay Australia today,

their branch in Rocklea. She is well remembered

Carol has been a real industry stalwart with a

for treating her drivers like they were family and is

passion for interstate haulage. Over the years she

known for keeping her truck in an immaculate state.

has hauled for SPC, Ardmona and Campbells from

In 1996 she was employed as operations manager,

Shepparton to Brisbane – where sometimes drivers

and later became state manager, for FCN Transport

would wait literally days on end for a return load.

(which later became ARN Logistics) in Northgate,

Coral still remembers loading grain out back of Oakey, and how long it took her to put the cap tarp

where the biggest customer was APM Petrie.

After a marriage break up, Coral teamed up with

on. Every time she almost had it over the bows,

“Tiger”, her old friend of thirty years, and now they

she would sink in the grain and be forced to have

work for Lindsay Australia. Coral says she is lucky

another go. She had to drive at night for fear of the

to have driven for two of this country’s most iconic

truck overheating and recalls the brakes weren’t too

companies. She says she was taught all she knows

good and sleeping in the cab was uncomfortable.

by the Phillips family and today enjoys working for

The next truck she drove for Phillips was a G88

Lindsay, because they “treat people like people, not

Volvo. In 1974, Coral moved to Budgewoi carting

a number”.

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 29

John Bain

Bringing the beer, and much more, to the bush Born in Monto, Queensland, John Bain spent most of

to Carpentaria Transport (a division of NQX). Both

his childhood in Aramac where his father operated a

times he stayed on as manager for a period of time

transport company. As a youngster he was far more

before eventually purchasing a cattle property at

interested in trucks than going to school and soon

St George in western Queensland. It wasn’t long in

learned “the ropes” by helping out whenever he had

either case before his love of trucking called him

the opportunity. By the time Bain was 19 he owned

back to the road and in September 1997 he formed

his own truck and was hauling general from Sydney

Westrans Freighters Pty Ltd.

to Mt. Isa, oil rigs throughout the vast Australian

Westrans continued to service the Northern

outback and eventually malt for the Darwin Brewery

Territory in the John Bain tradition, and many loyal

out of Toowoomba. However, it was a 1992 contract

clients from previous years turned their freight

with Carlton United Breweries, carting beer to the

needs back to the man they knew would and could

bush, that was to make the John Bain Transport

provide a reliable service with a fleet of excellent

name synonymous with service and reliability.

equipment, years of transport knowledge and true

Before long John was operating a million dollar

dedication to customer service. Inevitably, it wasn’t

business carting approximately 50 road trains of

long before Westrans was running approximately

freight into the Northern Territory. His impressive,

60 to 75 loads of freight per week across

brightly painted, curtain–sided Haulmark trailers,

Queensland and into the Northern Territory and

loaded to capacity with beer, soon became

new multi-million dollar depots were constructed in

legendary and were a welcome sight the length

Brisbane, Toowoomba, Mt. Isa and Darwin.

and breadth of the Stuart Highway.

John Bain sold the business twice in a 30-year period, once to Roadtrains of Australia and once

After a lot of careful thought and consideration, in September 2OO7 John decided to sell Westrans Freighters to Toll Express.

34 STOR I ES F RO M T H E ROA D

John Blyth

A true Territory trucking legend Born in Darwin in 1955, John Blyth was just 13

Transport), Buntine Roadways in Katherine and

years of age when he went to work “behind the

Crow Chapman in Cloncurry. The urge to own his

wheel of an old Chev Blitz” out on the Marrakia

own truck again was always there and before long

Plains south of Darwin. It was tough going in the

he and Tess had four road trains and were back

muddy, black soil plains, but that didn’t deter the

hauling general and livestock for McKay’s in the

youngster from pursuing a career in trucking.

Top End. After that, the Blyths moved to Katherine

At 16 he got a job carting livestock for McKay

to haul aggregates and quarry material for

Transport and later drove for Stevens Transport in

Territory Aggregate Supplies and Shorty Hayes.

Darwin, hauling fuel down the Stuart Highway and

When yet another opportunity presented itself, the

into remote locations.

family moved to Toowoomba in Queensland and

John jumped at the opportunity to go into business with his sister and brother-in-law, Pat and

did line haul work between Brisbane and Darwin.

John gave away the open road in late 1991 and

Phil Witte, in 1974. They started B & W Transport,

joined the Darwin-based Gulf Group in January 1992

hauling fuel and general freight all around the Top

as a driver. His wide experience in the industry

End and as far out as the McCarthur River mines

soon had him promoted to “shift boss” and from

southeast of Darwin. They also subcontracted to

there he became the manager of Gulf’s operations

Ascot Haulage, towing road train fuel tanks up

at the Granites and Tanami gold mines west of

and down “the track” between Darwin and Alice

Alice Springs.

Springs. This partnership ran for four years.

In 1979 John married Tess and went back

In 1996 John went back to Darwin to become group operations manager for the Gulf Group. John

to carting cattle. He worked for a series of

knows road transport and the Territory. He is a true

companies, including Sherwins (later Barkly

trucking legend.

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 35

David Borchard

Getting to the destination safe and on time David Borchard arrived in the world with the unlikely

well. His mates on the road call him Snooze because

honour of being the youngest child in a family of

they claim he can always find a truck parking-bay

17 children. With eight of his 11 brothers involved

in a country notorious for the lack of them. For

in the transport industry, David was destined to

David, having a break is an important part of fatigue

follow them. Once he had his licence, David hauled

management, and he always gets to the destination

interstate as a company driver for Swan Line

safe and on time. He is known to brag that he has

Transport for “about fifteen years”, initially driving

“never had to have an insurance claim”.

a 1418 Mercedes Benz that he remembers being

In 2002, David entered a new chapter of his

underpowered for its day, with no air conditioner,

trucking life by purchasing his own new trailer

no heater and nowhere to sleep. His first job was

and a year later bought his first brand new truck,

carting gas bottles from Melbourne to Wycheproof.

a Sterling. “The Sterling had a custom-built bunk

David purchased his first truck, a second-hand

with a nice big bed and air conditioner,” he recalls.

Transtar, in 1997 and towed trailers for Sneaths

It offered David his first real comfort in 21 years

Transport of Mt Gambier. He sold this truck to his

of driving. The Sterling has since been traded on a

son Jason in 1999 and bought himself a Kenworth,

new International Eagle.

forming DJ Borchard Pty Ltd with his wife Pam, who

David still sees himself owning a couple more

manages the administration and finances from her

trucks before retirement. After nearly 30 years on

home office in Invergordon, Victoria. As the years

the road he’s not too sure what he’ll do when he does

passed, David hauled mainly between Sydney and

retire, but he does have a passion for “old trucks,

Melbourne, but occasionally across to Adelaide as

tractors and farming”.

50 STOR I ES F RO M T H E ROA D

Errol Cosgrove

Service, reliability and value It was inevitable that Errol Cosgrove would enter the transport

dream. By the time he was 17 he’d bought an eight-tonne

industry. His father’s family had a mail contract in southeast

Leyland Boxer to do local and country but, just a year later,

Queensland delivering everything from mail to food parcels to

his Dad introduced him “to a bloke” who was selling a 1980

rural properties.

model K123 with a VT903 in it and a flat top trailer for

Cosgrove started his career at the tender age of 14 as an

$50,000. Cosgrove had to have it. After selling the Leyland

“offsider”, delivering soft drinks around the Sydney metro

and being “really nice to the bank” the dream came alive.

area, and would occasionally “sneak in a bit of a drive”. He

Having enthusiastically pursued work contracts, he was soon

fondly recalls seeing “all these shiny Kenworths” around and

busy carting paper reels from the wharf to the press in winter

was determined to own one. From that day forward young

and carting drinks in the summer, on local, country and

Cosgrove focused on saving enough money to realise his

interstate runs.

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 51

■ “Work for what you want!

many roles”. Errol’s wife Mel is the fleet manager and daughter

Be good at what you do!

and cousin Justin oversees the operational side of the business.

And don’t be scared to learn something new!”

Ashley looks after accounts and payroll. Her fiancé Brad is in sales The purchase of a new depot at Yatala last year has made a big impact on the business. With a two-bay workshop, approved wash bay, bulk fuel, drivers’ rest rooms, parking and full automatic security, it is a state-of-the-art facility. Errol considers the secret of his success to be service, reliability and value for money. In fact, that’s what SRV stands for. He says that

Wanting a fresh start, Cosgrove moved to the Gold Coast

to succeed in this industry, you have to know your customers’

where he got a job driving interstate. After a few years he

requirements, talk to them, implement new procedures, include

decided to get behind the desk to learn “the other side of the

your drivers in your business and try new and innovative

industry” in various managerial roles. In December 1997 he

equipment. His philosophy is “work smarter, not harder”.

opened SRV Roadfreight Pty Ltd. His father was still in Sydney

Errol credits his father Bob for his work ethos, saying he was

and Cosgrove got him to look at a 1994 Kenworth T600. The

a major influence on how Errol does business. “Work for what

truck was owned by Anthony Churchill, who still operates trucks

you want! Be good at what you do! And don’t be scared to learn

today. Errol picked up the truck and towed a trailer home for a

something new!”

Brisbane company, after which he went door knocking, looking

Errol has many memories, some good and some bad, from the

for work. It was a bold move, but SRV soon had enough work to

“early days”, but thinks the industry has changed for the better. He

buy a second truck. It was a Kenworth with a 41ft dry van and

says introducing fatigue management, maintenance and mass does

a 45ft tautliner. Soon work was coming fast, so SRV began to

come at a cost, but that compliance is also a good selling point.

use subcontractors to help with the workload. In 2000 Cosgrove

Today SRV Roadfreight operates with a fleet of 43 trucks, 53

bought his first new truck, a Kenworth K104, which he still owns

trailers, 45 drivers, nine office staff and three in the workshop.

today. It has done an impressive 2.5 million kilometres.

He says that having a 95 per cent Kenworth-Cummins fleet

Over time, the business grew large enough to involve the family. Cosgrove’s father worked for him until he passed away in 2009, and his mother has worked in administration for over 13 years. The family call her “councillor” and she wears “the hat of

has played a big role in SRV’s growth, because having reliable vehicles puts the customers’ minds at ease.

The transport industry has been good to Cosgrove. He says, “Dreams do come true.”

1 04 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Rocke Bros Pty Ltd

Five generations on the waterfront Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd commenced trading in Brooklyn, Victoria,

to pursue its main business interest as a Melbourne waterfront

in April 2003, operating from a leased site of approximately two

carrier. Containerisation was a boon for the fortunes of E A Rocke,

hectares of hardstand and 2000 square metres of warehouse space.

strategically located in the port of Melbourne. With the support

The business is jointly owned by the Rocke family and its long-term

of Mayne Nickless Limited, it expanded into Sydney and Brisbane,

associate, transport industry identity, Peter Gunn. The business is

becoming the largest waterfront carrier on the eastern seaboard in

managed by brothers Michael, Matthew and Paul Rocke, who have

the late 1980s.

a heritage in road transport dating back to 1857. Their great-great-

Peter Rocke resigned from Mayne Nickless Limited in 1993 and

grandfather began carting supplies to the Bendigo goldfields before

in 1995, with son Matthew, negotiated the purchase of century-

moving back to Melbourne to begin a career in waterfront cartage

old Melbourne waterfront carrier Coulson Transport Pty Ltd. This

where the name E A Rocke was to become a significant force for

not only severed the Rockes’ connection with the original family

nearly 150 years.

company, it set them up as a direct competitor. Within four years

In 1964, the family sold E A Rocke to F H Stephens Limited,

of the acquisition, Coulson Transport grew to become the largest

which was subsequently taken over by Mayne Nickless Limited while

waterfront carrier in Melbourne. Ironically, that business was also sold

Michael, Matthew and Paul’s father Peter Rocke was still managing

to Mayne Nickless Limited, which still owned E A Rocke, in 1999, and

the company. It operated as a separate entity and continued

the Rocke family worked elsewhere in transport-related occupations.

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 105

When Matthew Rocke decided to re-enter the Melbourne waterfront transport sector in 2003, his brothers Michael and Paul joined him, starting Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd and re-establishing the Rocke presence on the waterfront. The initial fleet consisted of 10 second-hand prime movers and 30 trailers of various configurations, as well as a variety of forklifts and other associated equipment, all of which was supported by an administration staff of six. The operation expanded rapidly, outgrowing its facilities. In mid-2004 the entire operation was moved to a nearby site in Brooklyn. Today, Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd operates with a fleet of 45 company vehicles, 30 subcontractors, 120 assorted trailers and 27 forklifts and cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 40 tonnes. The business has 18 staff in administration. The new site covers over four hectares of land dedicated to loaded and empty container storage, and includes 18,750 metres of modern warehouse. Among its client base are international freight forwarders, customs agents, public companies, independent family businesses and sole traders.

Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd operates in a specialist market. The majority of container packing and unpacking operations does not require highly technical mechanical or computer systems. Practical experience and the capacity to undertake ordinary assignments efficiently remains the basis of the company’s ability to satisfy customer requirements.

As the terminals move to a 24/7 operation, the demand for staging both import and export containers through the depot will add pressure to the availability of land and handling equipment, leading to, Peter Rocke says, “the likelihood of a shakeout in waterfront transport providers”. Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd also sees further challenges emerging following the rostering of drivers and supervisors, the stricter enforcement of mandatory driving hours and the passage of new fatigue management legislation. Meeting deadlines is a particular challenge faced by the business today, particularly in the light of increased congestion on city and suburban roads. “Many of the general public object to sharing this limited road space with heavy trucks,” notes Peter Rocke.

Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd recognises that government efforts to placate the anti-truck lobby do not sit easily with the need to develop and implement strategies to cope with the ever-growing freight task. Nonetheless, as Peter Rocke notes, the road transport industry in Australia remains “a world class performer”.

In the years ahead, Rocke Brothers Pty Ltd aims to strengthen its position as a major waterfront carrier, to maintain its reputation for professionalism and integrity, and to enhance its owners’ reputation as members of a committed, fifth-generation transport family.

Above: The Rocke family Peter (top), Paul (left) and Michael

1 16 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Jim and Helen Savage

This has always been a team effort After more than 40 years of dedicated service, Jim

built, Stockmaster Livestock Haulage, specialised

and Helen Savage from the community of Westdale,

in livestock transport, but also carted anhydrous

near Tamworth, New South Wales, are one of the

ammonia for 32 years.

best-known couples in the transport industry. Jim

Jim Savage was an innovator. He was fascinated

started work as a boilermaker in the workshop at

by stock crate design and was always devising new

Pull Betta Transport 52 years ago, however, he had

ways to make them safer, lighter and more efficient.

grown up in a trucking family. His parents were

He played a major role in gaining regulatory

farmers in the region and bought part of a small

acceptance for the 20ft/40ft B-double combination

livestock carrying business with two Fords in 1947.

on Australia’s highways. Helen is a humble person

Helen was working as a nurse at the time.

who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the

After they married, the couple decided to go

family business. While Jim was “on the road” she

into the livestock carrying business for themselves.

was running the home, the family finances and

In 1968 they purchased a C160 Cummins-powered

co-ordinating the trucking business. They were a

International with a one-and-a-half-deck cattle crate

formidable duo and went on to build one of this

on a spread trailer they could lift off and replace

country’s most widely respected and best-known

with a three-deck sheep crate. The business they

livestock carrying businesses.

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 117

During her 42 years as secretary of Stockmaster, Helen was equally active in the industry. Her responsibilities included administration, occupational health and safety, recruitment, inductions, driver training and fatigue management. She was a pioneer of a very successful school-based apprenticeships scheme in Tamworth. Through this program, Stockmaster proved itself an industry leader by recruiting and training both school-based and full-time apprentices, and encouraging aspiring young truck drivers to enter the industry.

Helen is respected by her former employees, who appreciate the genuine interest she displayed in them and their families. She is an active supporter of the Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association, and is a member of Transport Women Australia Ltd. In 2008, Helen was awarded the prestigious National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year award for her high level of commitment to lifting the trucking industry’s professional standing on a national level and raising awareness about the importance of trucking to regional and national economies. “I enjoyed giving people the opportunity to better themselves in this industry,” Helen recalls.

Stockmaster operates with a “medium fleet” of 30 trucks of various configurations and employs 50 staff. The trucks are easily recognisable on the roads of rural Australia. The company carts over one million head of sheep and cattle annually throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

In late 2010, the Savages decided to sell their business after a long and productive career in trucking. The company will continue to trade as Stockmaster and Jim and Helen look forward to its continued growth.

Jim and Helen were proactive in industry politics. Jim served on the committee of the Livestock and Bulk Carriers’ Association (LBCA) for over 27 years, including 11 as president. He remains a member of the Australian Livestock Transporters Association and the NSW Road Freight Advisory Council. Stockmaster was an early participant in accreditation programs, including the RTA Alternate Compliance Scheme, Farm Link, Truck Care and NHVAS, and was involved in the recent livestock-loading pilot.

Jim is a real advocate for the industry and has given time freely to the many issues it faces, including the need for more collaboration between state and federal regulatory bodies to improve safety and jurisdictional differences. His work with the LBCA often took him away from Tamworth for long periods of time, but he knew Helen and the Stockmaster team could manage the business in his absence. Jim was a generous employer, as many of the people he employed will attest. “This has always been a team effort,” he says philosophically. “They might have called me managing director, but when it comes down to it, I was just one of the boys.”

1 26 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

John Parnell

A long Association with outback Australia John Parnell was just 21 when he took over two

and front, and a tray in the centre. The purpose of

of his father’s five-ton Austins and an old Dodge

these units was to be the lead trailer in road train

tray truck. The small business hauled produce from

configurations, and they had the ability to cart drums

nearby farms into the railhead at Orroroo, South

and other general goods as required by the client.

Australia, and bagged superphosphate from the

In 1981, John was awarded an Advance Australia

railhead to the farms. As the business grew, John

Award for his work in developing the transport

expanded sheep, cattle and wool cartage direct to

industry in outback areas.

Adelaide and later initiated a regular freight service between Adelaide and Orroroo.

In 1983, John made his 400hp Mack, towing a skeletal and two tankers, available to the Australian

In 1972, John took on an Ampol distributorship,

Road Research Board, which tested the operation

thereby commencing his long association with outback

of the unit in triple road train configuration on the

Australia. The distributorship expanded rapidly

notorious South Road run between Port Augusta

and was soon servicing customers all over South

and the Northern Territory/South Australia border

Australia, Western Australia, southwest Queensland

under strict supervision.

and northwest New South Wales. During this period

Upon retirement from the business, John

John was the first fuel distributor to have tankers

employed 150 people and operated 150 trucks

purpose-built by Fruehauf to meet his requirements.

of various configurations, including B-doubles,

The tankers were further developed over the years,

triple and double road trains, all pulled by Mack

and when Fruehauf withdrew from manufacturing fuel

or Kenworth trucks. His favourite was an R Model,

tankers, Hockney Tankers, of Sydney, worked with

which he says was “reliable, a hard worker, went

John in the design and manufacture of off-highway

most places and had a sleeper cab”. Today John

tankers. John was also instrumental in designing and

Parnell works full time on his sheep property at

manufacturing skeletal trailers with fuel tanks back

Carrieton and carries out philanthropic duties.

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 127

COM PA N Y PROF I LE

YORK TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT

A member of the York Group, York Transport Equipment Pty Ltd began operations in Australia in 1985 supplying imported trailer axles to the Australian transport industry. With an increasingly strong demand for trailer components, York quickly established itself as one of Australia’s leading axle manufacturers to meet the needs of the growing Australasian customer base.

York has a very diverse product range, including trailer axles which are approved to various EEC and ADR standards, air and mechanical suspension systems, fifth wheels, landing gear, brake kits (including options like ABS and EBS), wheel rims, twist locks, and a number of other ancillary and complementary product lines, including service parts to meet our customers’ needs.

Axles are manufactured using strict quality control systems and in accordance with ISO requirements (York is an ISO 9001 certified company). York was also awarded the very first Road Friendly Suspension Certification (RFS2001) when the new regulations were introduced in Australia.

York continues to service the industry with passion and an ongoing commitment to developing products that meet the ever

York has been one of the pioneering suppliers in Australia and

growing demands of owners and operators. Yet we are more than

the Asia-Pacific region. Most fleets and OEMs have used York at

a mere supplier to the transportation industry – we are an industry

some time, and York has developed products that are still on the

partner, one that is constantly and proactively finding solutions

road after many years of trouble-free service.

for our customers.

The business continued to prosper and York Singapore, known as York Transport Equipment (Asia) Pte Limited, was formed in 1989 to provide a base to expand into the fast growing AsiaPacific region. In October 2007, York became part of the reputed Tata Group through an investment in York by TRF Ltd. The business continues to evolve and transform itself as the global markets regenerate, and York maintains strong growth in developing markets such as India and China. The York group now has a number of manufacturing facilities across Singapore,

www.yorktransport.com.au

Australia, China and India, serving our customers in South East

see page 155 for contact details

Asia, India, the Middle East and Africa.

1 40 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Star Track Express

A leadership role in protecting the environment Star Track Express had its origins in 1974 when Greg Poche

Over the years Star Track has not only survived but

incorporated Multigroup Distribution Services in modest premises

thrived in an environment of continual improvement in

in the Sydney suburb of Dee Why. Within a year, the company

customer service, pricing, logistics solutions and ground-

had opened a dedicated freight facility in Brookvale and signed

breaking technologies. This approach has cemented Star

its first major national client, Modern Teaching Aids. It was

Track’s outstanding reputation for customer service. In 1980,

not an easy start. From the beginning, Star Track faced strong

Star Track introduced its overnight express service between

opposition from major transport conglomerates who targeted

interstate capitals and opened a depot in Melbourne. Within a

Star Track customers aggressively with unrealistically low rates.

year, a depot in Adelaide was opened and a dedicated Sydney-

After investigation, Professor Alan Fels of the Trade Practices

to-Perth road express service started. By 1984, the name

Commission (now the ACCC) observed: “We’ve never seen such a

Discount Freight Express was emblazoned on a growing fleet,

blatant defiance of the law and massive ripping off of Australian

the company’s first air courier services had begun and depots

customers as has happened in this cartel.” But despite making

were opened in Brisbane and Perth. This was an era in which

day-to-day operations difficult, ultimately this had the opposite

many state-of-the-art technologies were introduced, including

effect, forging the strong team bond and service-driven culture

a centralised proof of delivery (POD) processing and retrieval

that continues to define Star Track Express today.

system and a wide area network (WAN) connecting all major

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 141

branches. Additionally, new depots were opened in key regional

acquired by a joint venture between Australia Post and Qantas,

areas, along with one in Darwin that completed the mainland

however it continues to operate as an independent company.

capital city network.

In 2006, a 9000m2 purpose-built bulk facility was opened in

During the 1990s, Discount Freight Express installed its

Minchinbury and an $8.5 million upgrade was undertaken of the

revolutionary freight sorting and tracking technology, known as

Sydney automated sorting system. In 2009, the national fleet was

Star Track, in all branches and in their customers’ offices, giving

equipped with state-of-the-art hand scanners, giving drivers the

them the “world’s smartest delivery system”. This era also saw

ability to obtain “sign on glass” proof of delivery.

the introduction of a money-back service guarantee that is still

Star Track Express continues to lead the industry as the

in place and remains unique in the Australian domestic express

express freight and logistics company with a genuine commitment

freight market. A company-wide employee profit sharing scheme

to the latest and best technology, the best people and superior

was also implemented, and in the years since over $30 million has

freight handling facilities. As such, Star Track recently partnered

been distributed to employees. The national profit sharing scheme

with Fuso to roll out Australia’s largest fleet of next-generation

has been one of the driving forces in achieving year-on-year

hybrid electric trucks, the new Fuso Canter HEV, which boasts

improvements in service quality.

the latest lithium ion battery technology. These vehicles take

In September 2000, a new high-speed automatic sorting

off on electric power and, with their smaller engines, consume

facility was opened at Minchinbury in Sydney and the company

significantly less fuel, reducing air and noise pollution as well as

changed its trading name from Discount Freight Express to Star

emissions. Star Track has taken delivery of 25 of these hybrids.

Track Express. New purpose-built depots were opened in Canberra,

At the launch of the fleet in June 2010, Derek Lightfoot, CEO of

Perth and Adelaide, and many acquisitions and innovations

Star Track, said his company was determined to take a leadership

followed close behind, including an online web dispatch application.

role in protecting the environment, improving performance

In December 2003, just a year before the company celebrated

and reducing unnecessary outputs by investing in new proven

the 30th anniversary of its foundation, Star Track Express was

technologies like the Fuso Canter hybrid.

1 50 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Directory Alcoa Wheel Products Australia Pty Ltd 18 Law Court Sunshine, Vic 3020 Tel +61 3 9311 5800 Fax +61 3 9311 7422 Email sales@alcoa.com.au www.alcoawheels.com

PROFILE PAGE 31

Bandag Manufacturing Pty Ltd 70 Industrial Ave, Wacol, Qld 4076 Tel +61 7 3718 9900 Fax +61 7 3271 1687 www.bandag.com.au PROFILE PAGE 47

Barker Trailers Pty Ltd Clancy’s Lane, Woodend, Vic 3442 Tel +61 3 5427 9999 Fax +61 3 5427 2298 Email sales@barkertrailers.com.au www.barkertrailers.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 40

Boral Logistics Clunies Ross Street, Prospect, NSW 2148 Tel +61 2 9033 5163 Fax +61 2 9033 5142 Email Matthew.Butler@boral.com.au www.boral.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 133

Border Express 306 Macauley Street, Albury, NSW 2640 Tel +61 2 6022 6000 Fax +61 2 6022 6050 Email peteranderson@borderexpress.com.au www.borderexpress.com.au PROFILE PAGE 53

BPW Transpec 1-11 Cherry Lane, Laverton North, Vic 3026 Tel +61 3 9267 2444 Fax +61 3 9369 4826 Email sales@bpwtranspec.com.au PROFILE PAGE 66 www.bpwtranspec.com.au

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 151

Cummins South Pacific 2 Caribbean Drive, Scoresby, Vic 3179 Tel +61 3 9765 3222 Fax +61 3 9765 0079 Email sthpac.enquiries@cummins.com www.cummins.com

PROFILE PAGE 67

Dyers Distribution 26 York Street, Sale, Vic 3850 Tel +61 3 5144 2822 Fax +61 3 5144 5225 Email admin@dyers.com.au www.dyers.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 87

Frasers Livestock Transport Killarney Road, Warwick, Qld 4370 Tel +61 7 4661 2922 Fax +61 7 4661 5558 Email operations@fraserstransport.com.au PROFILE PAGE 137 www.fraserstransport.com.au

Glen Cameron Group 33 Stud Road, Bayswater, Vic 3153 Tel +61 3 9729 9988 Fax +61 3 9729 9381 Email sales@camerons.com.au www.camerons.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 60

Haulmark Trailers (Australia) Pty Ltd 1848 Ipswich Road, Rocklea, Brisbane, Qld 4106 Tel +61 7 3277 3666 Fax +61 7 3277 0296 Email sales@haulmark.com.au www.haulmark.com.au PROFILE PAGE 143

Hendrickson Asia Pacific Pty Ltd 32-44 Letcon Drive, Dandenong South, Vic, 3175 Tel +61 3 8792 3600 Fax +61 3 8792 3699 Email sales@hendrickson.com.au PROFILE PAGE 148 www.hendrickson.com.au

1 52 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Hino Australia – A Toyota Group Company 6-10 Parraweena Rd, Caringbah, NSW 2229 Tel +61 2 9914 6666 Fax +61 2 9540 3554 Email website@hino.com.au PROFILE PAGE 56 www.hino.com.au

Isuzu Australia Limited 858 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne, Vic 3207 Tel +61 3 9644 6666 Fax +61 3 9644 6691 Email jeff.birdseye@isuzu.net.au PROFILE PAGE 80 www.isuzu.com.au

K&S Freighters Pty Ltd 141-147 Jubilee Highway West, Mount Gambier, SA 5290 Tel +61 8 8721 1700 Fax +61 8 8721 1799 Email sales@ksgroup.com.au PROFILE PAGE 88 www.ksgroup.com.au

K&S Transport 13 Violet Street, Hemmant, Qld 4174 Tel +61 7 3890 3303 Fax +61 7 3390 5889 Email office@kandstransport.com.au www.kandstransport.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 111

Kenworth Trucks (A Division of PACCAR Australia) PO Box 60, Bayswater, Vic 3153 Tel +61 3 9721 1500 Fax +61 3 9720 4144 Email KWAus.ContactUs@paccar.com www.kenworth.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 124

Land Transport 5 - 9 Bain Court, Toowoomba, Qld 4350 Tel +61 7 4659 1333 Fax +61 7 4659 1344 Email admin@landtpt.com.au www.landtpt.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 74

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 153

Lennons Transport Pty Ltd 42 Madeline Street, Enfield, NSW 2136 Tel +61 2 9642 2600 Fax +61 2 9642 6803 Email info@lennons.com.au www.lennons.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 100

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Australia Ltd 70 Berkshire Road, Sunshine, Vic 3020 Tel +61 3 9311 6555 Fax +61 3 9312 1810 www.meritor.com PROFILE PAGE 37

McLaughlin Freightlines Pty Ltd 7 Gateway Court, Coomera, Qld 4209 Tel +61 7 5665 9100 Fax +61 7 5665 9200 Email wayne@freightlines.com.au www.freightlines.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 94

Mitsubishi Fuso Level 3, 45 Scott Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170 Tel +61 2 8763 8740 Fax +61 2 8763 8723 www.fuso.com.au PROFILE PAGE 73

National Transport Insurance Level 29, 400 George Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000 Tel +61 7 3292 9800 Fax +61 7 3292 9900 www.nti.com.au PROFILE PAGE 114

O’Sullivan’s Transport Mullanes Road, Elmore, Vic 3558 Tel +61 3 5432 6036 Fax +61 3 5432 6478 Email osulltpt@bigpond.com PROFILE PAGE 101

1 54 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

OAMPS Insurance Brokers Ltd 289 Wellington Parade South, East Melbourne, Vic 3002 Tel +61 3 9412 1555 Fax +61 3 9412 1666 Email info@oamps.com.au PROFILE PAGE 103 www.oamps.com.au

Scania Australia Pty Ltd 212-216 Northbourne Road, Campbellfield, Vic 3061 Tel +61 3 9217 3300 Fax +61 3 9217 3327 Email corporate@scania.com.au PROFILE PAGE 107 www.scania.com.au

Southern Cross Transport Equipment Group PO Box 307, Sebastopol, Vic 3356 Tel +61 3 5336 1800 Fax +61 3 5336 2734 www.southerncrosstrailers.com.au www.southerncrossvans.com.au PROFILE PAGE 119 www.southerncrossparts.com.au

Thermo King Unit 4, 2 Southridge Street, Eastern Creek, NSW 2766 Tel +61 2 9830 3320 Fax +61 2 9620 1096 Email peter_j_lawrence@ap.thermoking.com www.thermoking.com.au PROFILE PAGE 144

The Shell Company of Australia Limited 8 Redfern Road, Hawthorn East, Vic 3123 Tel +61 3 9666 5444 Fax +61 3 8823 4800 Email www.shell.com.au/emailshell www.shell.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 130

Transport Industry Super PO Box 2093, Milton, Qld 4064 Tel 1800 777 060 Fax +61 7 3391 6177 Email info@tisfund.com.au www.tisfund.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 121

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 155

UD Trucks – Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd 120 Hume Highway, Chullora, NSW, 2190 Tel +61 2 9036 8288 Fax +61 2 9036 8388 Email info@udtrucks.com.au www.udtrucks.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 69

Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd L1 / 20 Westgate Street, Wacol, Qld 4076 Tel +61 7 3718 3500 Fax +61 7 3718 3391 www.volvotrucks.com.au PROFILE PAGES 123 & 135 www.macktrucks.com.au

Western Star Trucks Australia Pty Ltd 72 Formation Street, Wacol, Brisbane, Qld 4076 Tel +61 7 3271 7777 Fax +61 7 3271 2047 Email dshand@westernstar.com.au PROFILE PAGE 138 www.westernstar.com.au

York Transport Equipment Pty Ltd 13 Monterey Road, Dandenong, Vic 3175 Tel +61 3 9790 2000 Fax +61 3 9790 2020 Email sales@yorktransport.com.au www.yorktransport.com.au

PROFILE PAGE 127

1 56 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Index A

A B Taylor & Co., 113 AdBlue, 78, 131 Advance Landscape and Leisure, 86 Alcoa Wheel Products, 31, 89, 150 Alltrans, 48 Alpha Freight Lines, 54–55 (Robert American truck development and market, 13 Ampol, 126 Andrews, Coral, 28 Ansett Road Freight, 120 Antil Ranger, 22 Ardmona, 28 ARN Logistics, 28 Arnolds Transport, 42, 102 Arthur, Loius, 26 Arthur, Vincent, 26, 27 ArvinMeritor Inc., 37 Ascot Haulage, 34 Associated Equipment Company (AEC), 16 Auslink program, 25 Australia Post, 141 Australian Bicentennial Road Development Trust Fund Act, 23 Australian Electoral Act, 22 Australian Livestock Transporters Association (ALTA), 84, 137 Australian Motor Vehicles Standards Committee (AMVSC), 10 Australian Newsprint Mills, 30 Australian Road Research Board, 126 Australian Road Train Association, 77 Australian Trucking Association (ATA), 11, 24, 45, 71, 84, 107

Bionutrients Solutions, 122 Black’s Heavy Haulage, 147 Blazejczyk, Elaine, 33 Blazejczyk, Hans, 32–33 Bleakly, John, 128 Blyth, John, 34 Blyth, Tess, 34 BOC Gases, 122 Boral Logistics, 128, 129, 133, 150 Borchard, David, 35 Borchard, Edward (Eddie), 38–39 Borchard, Jason, 35 Borchard, Joyce, 39 Borchard, Pam, 35 Border Express, 53, 150 BPW Transpec, 66, 150 Brambles, 32, 33, 36 Brandimarti, Fernando (Frank), 42 Brandimarti, Mark, 42 Brandimarti, Shirley, 42 British Motor Corporation (BMC), 21 Bromac Panel and Paint, 112 Brotherton, Jacquelene, 44–45 Brown and Hurley dealerships, 93 Browns Transport, 74 Bruce Dickinson Transport, 45 Buntine Roadways, 34 Bureau of Transport and Regional

Economics, 23 Bursle, Carl, 36 Bursle, John, 36 business and risk management systems,

99 Buttfield, Arthur, 43 Buttfield, John, 43 Buttfield, Nola, 43

B

C

B & W Transport, 34 Bain, John, 29 Baker, Terrence (Terry), 30 Baldock, Dave, 10, 20 Bandag Manufacturing, 47, 150 Barker Trailers, 40–41, 150 Barkly Transport, 34 Barlow Motors, 18 Bateson, Annette, 86 Beef Cattle Road Grants Act, 21 Beggs Transport, 39 Bell Bros, 23 BHP, 128

Caldwell-Vale 4WD, 17 Caldwell-Vale petrol road trains, 8 Cameron, Ed, 13 Cameron Interstate, 63 Camp Quality, 52, 93 Campbells, 28 Carey, Harold, 46 Carey, John and Michael, 46 Carey’s Freight Lines (Harold Carey), 46 Carey’s Motors, 46 Caterpillar diesel engines, 11 CE & EM McGuckin Pty Ltd, 113

(Cliff McGuckin)

Cement Australia, 122 Chrysler Australia, 10 Churchill, Anthony, 51 Clive Brothers Transport, 76 Coles Express, 131 Comet, 48 Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1959, 21 Commonwealth Bureau of Roads, 22 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered

trucks, 82 containerisation, 11, 21, 104 Coogee Bulk Transport, 142 Corridan, Tom, 39 Cosgrove, Ashley, 51 Cosgrove, Bob, 51 Cosgrove, Errol, 50–51 Cosgrove, Mel, 51 Coulson Transport Pty Ltd, 104 Cox, Stephen, 36 Crotty, Robert, 36 Crow Chapman, 34 Cummins diesel engines, 11, 18 Cummins South Pacific, 67, 151

D

Davis, Harl, 36 Davis, Robert (Rob), 54–55 Day, Stan, 85 Day Transport, 85 De Soto trucks, 10 Deen, Louie, 64–65 Deen, Sara, Imy and Zain, 65 Deen Bros Contracting and Demolition, 64 (Louie Deen) Dennis Quigley, 102 Desert Sands, 136 (Rex Ryles) Detroit diesel engines, 11, 13 Diamond T Company, 16 diesel engines, 11, 13, 18, 67 Diesel Fuel Rebate scheme, 25 Discount Freight Express, 140, 141 DJ Borchard Pty Ltd, 35 (David Borchard) Donato, Sammy, 49 Doug Hall, 74 Doyle, Graeme, 48 drink driving legislation, 22 driver shortages, 91 Duncan and Fraser car dealership, 8, 16 Dunlop Tyres, 8, 16 Dyers Distribution, 87, 151

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 157

E

E & A Barker, 40 E A Rocke, 104 E C (Ted) Phillips, 28 E Murphy & Sons, 21 E85 ethanol fuel, 25 EJ Borchard & Sons Pty Ltd, 39

(Edward Borchard) ELGAS, 122 Ellis, Lindsay, 70 Elmore Chemicals, 86 Elphingstone, Graham, 30 emissions legislation, 81, 82 environmental-friendly companies, 56–57,

60–63, 73, 80–83, 140–141 Euro 4 emissions standards, 69, 78, 82 Euro 5 emissions standards, 57, 62, 69,

78, 82

F

F H Stephens Limited, 104 F&S Brandimarti Transport, 42 Farm Link, 117 FCN Transport, 28 Federal Aid Roads Act, 18 Fels, Alan, 140 first commercial vehicles, 8, 13, 16 Fitzgerald & Co, 54 Ford, 8, 13, 17, 18, 22, 25 Formosa, Frank, 49 Frank Rennick & Co, 77 Frasers Livestock Transport, 137, 151 Fred Brown Transport (FBT), 76 Freestone, Christine, 71 Freestone, Jody and Sam, 71 Freestone, Paul, 70–71 Freestone’s Transport, 70–71 (Paul Freestone) Freightliner, 13 Fuso Trucks and Buses Australia, 73, 141

G

Gardiner, Lynne, 77 Gardiner, Stanley, 76–77 Gear, 122 General Motors USA, 18, 19, 80–81 General Motors-Holden (GMH), 80 Gill, Ronnie, 36 Glen Cameron Group, 60–63, 151

Goodcar Truck Repairs, 72

(Phillip Goodman) Goodman, Phillip, 72 Goulburn Valley Transport Group, 109 Gould Transport, 142 Gregory, Alan, 58 Gregory, Robyn, 58 Gulf Group, 34 Gunn, Peter, 104

H

HA Chalmers, 76, 102 Hackney, Phil, 24 Hannifey, Rod, 59 Hardy, Laeton, 68 Hardy, Ross and Elaine, 68 Hardy’s Haulage, 68 Harnett vehicle, 20 Hartwig Trucks, 18 Haulmark Trailers (Australia) Pty Ltd,

143, 151 Hawkins, David, 79 Hawkins, Joe, 78–79 Hawkins, Julie, 79 Heggart, Joe, 110 Heggart, John, 110 Heggart, Lisa, 110 Hendrickson Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, 151 Hendrickson International, 148–149 Hino Australia, 14, 25, 56–57, 152 Hoare, Graeme, 85 Hoare, Susanne Mary, 85 Hoare, Noel, 84–85 Hoare Brothers Earthmoving, 42 Hockney Tankers, 126 Holden, 89 Holden Bros, 19 Holt Manufacturing Company of

California, 8, 17 homemade trucks, 10 Hughes and Vale case (1954), 10, 21 Hurley, Jack, 68 hybrid trucks, 56–57, 73, 141 Hymix Bluestone Quarry, 86

I

Institute of Road Transport Engineers, 33 insurers for road transport, 103, 114–115 Intermodal, 110 International Trucks, 11, 13, 21, 22, 25, 148, 149

Interstate Commission Report (ISC), 24 Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL), 80–83, 152 Isuzu General Motors Australia (I-GM),

80–81 Isuzu Motor Company Ltd, 14, 20, 80–81 Iveco Trucks Australia Limited, 25

J

J L Jarvis, 136 Japanese New Long Term 05 (JNLT 05) environmental ratings, 82 Japanese truck market, 13–14 Jeffsan Plant Hire, 49 JJ Hawkins & Co Pty Ltd (Joe Hawkins),

78–79 Johannsen, Kurt, 10, 20 John Bain Transport, 29 John Heggart Transport (JHT), 110 Johnson, Rodney, 102 Johnston, Paul, 106

K

K E Black & Sons, 147 K&S Freighters, 88–89, 152 K&S Transport, 111, 152 Kain, Jack, 118 Kain & Shelton, 118 Kalari Pty Ltd, 25 Keen, John, 90–91 Keen, Kaye, 91 Keen, Paul, 90 Keen Bros. Driver Training, 91

(John Keen) Kenco, 76 Kenworth Museum, 25 Kenworth Truck Australia, 13, 18, 24, 25,

124–125, 152 Kingston Heavy Haulage, 142 Knowles, Garth, 128 Knowles, Helen, 129 Knowles, Simon and Tim, 128 Kortums Transport, 86 Kruse, Tom, 10

L

L Arthur Pty Ltd, 26 Lampson Australia, 142 Land Storage and Distribution (LSD), 74 Land Transport, 74–75, 152

1 58 STOR IES F RO M T H E ROA D

Langley, Kevin, 36 Langley’s Transport, 36 Lawrence, John, 36 Leader Trucks, 22, 23 Lennons Transport, 100, 153 Leyland Motors Limited, 21, 23 Lincoln Motor Company, 18 Lindsay Australia, 28 Lindsay Bros. Transport, 49, 102 Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association

of NSW, 85, 117 Livestock Transport Association of

Queensland, 137 Livestock Transporters Association of

NSW, 45, 84 Livestock Transporters Association of

Victoria, 45 Livestock Transporters Association of

Western Australia, 134 LNG powered prime movers, 25 Loadmaster Trailers, 40 Lorrimor Pty Ltd, 120 (Rick Morgan) Lusty Engineering, 39 Luya Julius Bulk Division, 30

M

Mack Trucks, 11, 13, 18, 21, 22, 25, 123 Main Roads Development Act, 18 MAN, 21 Mannix, Terry, 65 Mansell, Fay, 112 Mansell, Neil, 112 Mansell, Robert, 112 Manson’s Transport, 72 Martin, Liz, 6, 8 Master Carriers Association of NSW, 16 Master Carriers Association of Victoria,

27 Mayne Nickless Transport, 42, 70, 104 Mazda’s truck market, 14 McAleese Transport, 65 McGillivray, Doug, 76 McGuckin, Cliff, 113 McGuckin, Margaret, 113 McGuckin, Raymond and Stephen, 113 McKay Transport, 34 McLaughlin Freightlines, 94–97, 153 McMahon’s Heavy Haulage, 142 McNaught, John, 77 McNaughts, 77 Mercedes-Benz, 13, 20, 21, 25

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Australia,

37, 153 Mid North Carriers Association, 43 Miller, Craig and Scott, 118 Miller, Ian and Shirley, 118 Miller, Sherren, 118 Mitsubishi Fuso, 14, 73, 153 Modern Teaching Aids, 140 Morgan, Cameron, 120 Morgan, George, 120 Morgan, Lorraine, 120 Morgan, Rick, 120 motor sporting sponsorships, 47, 97 Motor Traffic Act (NSW), 16 motorbikes, use in early 1900s, 8 Multigroup Distribution Services, 140 Mundubbera Transport, 76 Murray Goulburn, 118

N

Napier, John, 8, 17 Nash, Edward (Ted) and Sandy, 122 Nash, Glen, 122 Nash Bros Transport, 122 Nash Logistics, 122 National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS), 99, 100, 117, 129 National Road Transport Hall of Fame,

24, 25, 45, 91, 111 National Transport Federation (NTF),

109, 121 National Transport Insurance (NTI),

114–115, 153 Natroad, 45, 109, 121 Navistar International Corporation, 25 Neil Mansell Transport (NMT), 112 Neilson Transport, 54 Nissan UD range, 14, 22 Noel Hoare Transport, 85 North Australian Pastoral Co, 55 Northern Territory Road Transport

Association, 23 Noyes, Kerry, 30 NQ Group, 92–93 NQX, 29 NSW Road Freight Advisory Council, 117

O

OAMPS Insurance Brokers, 103, 154 Oldsmobile dealerships, 8, 16

one-brand service stations, 130–131 O’Sullivan’s Transport, 101, 153 Owner Drivers Association of SA, 43 Oxford Cold Storage, 45

P

Paccar, 22 Pacific Seeds, 122 Pacific Trailers, 42 (Fernando Brandimarti) PaperlinX, 89 Parnell, John, 126 Patience, John and Nola, 132 Patience, Michael and Paul, 132 Patience Bulk Haulage (John and Nola

Patience), 132 Paul Johnston Transport, 106 Penn, Gary and Sandra, 134 Penn, Neil, 134 Penn Cartage Contractors, 134 Perdiau Tyres, 8 Peters (Australian United Foods), 86 PHIA, 142 Pilon, Rod, 59 PMG, 147 pneumatic tyres, 10 Poche, Greg, 140 Public Works Act, 18 Pull Betta Transport, 116

Q

Qantas, 141 Queensland Albion Reed, 128 Queensland Oil Refineries, 128 Queensland Trucking Association, 129

R

Razorback Mountain blockade, 23 Ready-Mixed Concrete, 19 Red Cabs, 18 refrigerated trailers, 96, 144–145 Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport

Association, 45 Richers, Graham, 99 Richers, Matthew and Tom, 99 Richers, Walter, 98 Richers Transport Pty Ltd

(Graham Richers), 98–99 RJ Aviation, 102 (Rodney Johnson)

STO R IES FROM T HE ROAD 159

RL Ward, 74 Road Freight Advisory Council, 84 Road Friendly Suspension Certification

(RFS2001), 127 road safety and transport lobbying, 59 road trains, 8, 17, 19, 20, 23, 44, 126 road transport and importance in modern

setting, 14 Road Transport Forum, 11, 45, 84, 109

See also Australian Trucking

Association road transport developments in early to

mid 20th century, 10–11 road transport taxes, 10, 21 Rocke, Matthew, Michael and Paul

104, 105 Rocke Bros Pty Ltd, 104–105 Ross, Alan, 52 Ross, Frances, 52 Ross Transport (Frances Ross), 52 RTA Alternate Compliance Scheme, 117 Ryles, Rex ‘Roo Dog’, 136

S

S Sali & Sons, 108–109 SAAB-Scania Australia, 22 Sailmove Pty Ltd Heavy Haulage Transport Services, 65 (Louie Deen) Sali, Alan, 108, 109 Sali, Haset, 109 Sali, Sabri and Hyri, 108 Sali, Sam, 108 Savage, Jim and Helen, 116–117 Scammel Lorris Ltd, 21 Scania, 22, 107, 154 seatbelt laws, 22 Seaton’s Transport, 76 selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

technology, 57, 69, 78 service stations, 19, 130–131 Sheilds and Friendlies Transport, 42 Shell Company of Australia, 18, 24, 86,

130–131, 154 Shelton, Aub, 118 Sherwins, 34 Shorty Hayes, 34 Smith’s Snackfoods, 56, 58 Sneaths Transport, 35 Society of Operations Engineers, 33 Southern Cross Transport Equipment

Group, 119, 154

SPC, 28 Speedie Contractors, 128–129

(Garth Knowles) Spence, Peter, 142 Splint, Kit, 128 SRV Roadfreight Pty Ltd, 51

(Errol Cosgrove) Star Track Express, 71, 73, 140–141 State Transport Coordination Tax, 21 states’ relaxation of restrictive road

transport regulation, 10 Stevens Transport, 34 Stockmaster Livestock Haulage, 116

(Jim and Helen Savage) Stone Brothers Racing, 97 Strategic Transport, 142 superannuation funds, 121 Swan Line Transport, 35, 39

T

Tarrant Motor Company, 16 Territory Aggregate Supplies, 34 Thermo King, 96, 144–145, 154 THOMAS (Tankers Having Optimum Mass

and Stability) fuel tankers, 24 timeline of motor vehicle development

1900-2010, 16–25 TJ Richards and Sons, 10, 19 TNT Express, 36, 56 TNT Roadfast, 36 Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and

Engineering Company, 14 Toranto Freezer Vans, 102 Toyota Motor Co. Ltd, 14 Trade Practices Commission, 140 Transport Industry Superannuation Fund,

121, 154 transport pioneers, 10 transport in early settlement, 8 Transport Specialists (Aust) Pty Ltd, 66

See also BPW Transpec Transport Welding and Engineering, 112 Transport Women Australia Ltd (TWAL),

24, 44, 117, 121 truck driver training, 91, 96 TRUCKRIGHT Industry Vehicle (TIV), 59

(Rod Hannifey) TruckSafe accreditation, 99, 100, 129 Turner, Hazel and Clary, 128

U

UD Trucks Australia, 69, 155

V

Victorian Transport Association, 27, 71 Volvo Australia, 22, 25, 135, 155

W

Wally Davidson Transport, 102 Waugh & Josephson, 19 Western Australia’s mining transport

development, 32–33 Western Star Trucks Australia, 138–139,

155 Westrans Freighters Pty Ltd, 29 White Motor Company, 13, 16, 138–139 Whitford, Gregory, 86 Williamson, Graeme, 146–147 Wilson Trailer Company, 41 Witte, Pat and Phil, 34 women in transport, 28, 44–45, 52 Woods & Reeves, 72 World War II impact on transport, 10–11,

13, 20

Y

Yapp, Matt and Clare, 92 Yarra Nippo, 122 Yellow Cabs, 18 York Transport Equipment Pty Ltd,

127, 155 Young, Trevor and Shirley, 74 Young Truck Driver Competitions, 107

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