Big Rigs Jan 22, 2021 by Prime Creative Media

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021

ONLINE www.bigrigs.com.au

EMAIL info@bigrigs.com.au

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SYDNEY CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS RESHAPE TRUCKIE RANKS: PAGE 6-7

2 NEWS

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Sales point to positive 2021

CONTACT US Address: 11-15 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: 9690 8766 Email: editor@bigrigs.com.au Web: bigrigs.com.au Accounts: Ph:9690 8766 Subscriptions: 9690 8766 Classifieds: 0403 626 353 Circulation and distribution queries: 9690 8766 info@bigrigs.com.au EDITOR James Graham: 0478 546 462 james.graham@primecreative.com.au REPORTER Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au MANAGER Peter Hockings: 0410 334 371 peter.hockings@primecreative.com.au MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT Marie O’Reilly: 0403 626 353 marie.oreilly@primecreative.com.au

THE peak body for truck manufacturers and importers is looking forward to 2021 with renewed optimism after analysing the encouraging December sales numbers. Last month there were 3478 trucks sold in Australia, 230 more than in December 2019, and the second best finish to a year on record. That brought the total truck and heavy van sales for the calendar year to 34,476 units, by no means a record – that is held by 2018, when 41,628 trucks were sold – but still a much better result than was forecast at the end

of April last year. Tony McMullan, CEO of Truck Industry Council (TIC), said the positive trend in new truck sales witnessed for much of the second half of 2020 and particularly evident in October and November, accelerated further in the month of December. “The December Heavy Duty Truck sector result marked the fifth consecutive period of month-on-month sales growth, with sales since July showing a positive, constant, upward trend,” said McMullan. “December Heavy and

Medium Duty Truck sales were particularly strong, almost certainly as a direct result of the Federal Government’s new “unlimited” instant asset write-off incentive, announced in the October 2020 Budget.” McMullan explained that given the nature of new Heavy Truck sales, there is a lag between ordering a new truck, its completion/body fitment, pre-delivery, registration and final delivery to the customer. “This is typically two to three months for Heavy and Medium Duty trucks. The Truck Industry Coun-

cil was always of the belief that it would take a couple of months at least, before the positive effects of the federal government’s October stimulus package would be reflected in T-Mark sales. I believe that we have started to witness those positive results in December.” “TIC believes that sales will remain solid as we enter 2021, though the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases and the resultant border closures, by some states and territories, may slow sales somewhat in the opening months of 2021. That said, the general outlook

for the Australian economy this year looks healthy and we remain positive that will translate to sold new truck sales in 2021.” After trailing Volvo in the first half the the year, Kenworth continued its surge in December with 326 sales, to finish 2020 clearly on top in the Heavy Duty sector with 2114 for the year. Sector runner-up Volvo rounded out the year with 131 units in December for a 2020 total of 1740, followed by Isuzu with 116 and 1255 sales for the year. In total, only 10,616 ‘Heavies’ were sold in 2020, down 16.6 percent (-2,117 trucks) over 2019 HD sales, highlighting the sales slump in the second and third quarters of the year and prior to the introduction of the Federal Government’s new “unlimited” instant asset write-off incentive in October. The quarter four result last year fell just short of the 2019 result, down by 1.1 percent, 3,189 HD trucks sold in 2020 Q4 verses 3,226 sold in the same period in 2019. Compared to the five-year sales average for the Heavy Truck segment, 2020 Heavy sales were down 9.8 percent, 10,616 sales in 2020 verses 11,771 sales on average over the past five years for the sector.

CLIENT SUCCESS Katharine Causer: 0423 055 787 katharine.causer@primecreative. com.au CONTRIBUTORS Tassie Truckin: Jon Wallis, 0414 797 513 Truckin in the Topics: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 Brent Davison; David Vile; David Meredith; Ian Lee Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper is published by Prime Creative Media. It is the largest circulated fortnightly truck publication in Australia with 26,023* copies per fortnight. *12 month average, publisher’s claim November 2018 Kenworth finished the year back on top in the Heavy Duty sector.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Payment law misses mark

BY JAMES GRAHAM

IF you believe what Canberra is telling us, smaller transport operators now have legislation in place designed to tighten the screws on slow industry payers. The Payment Reporting Scheme came into play from January 1, which means large businesses, and large government enterprises, need to report their small business payment terms and times on a public register. The Coalition says it will increase transparency around ‘payment performance’, help small businesses decide who

to do business with, and create incentives for improved payment times and practices. There are also penalties if those larger business fail to comply with the regulator’s requirements, ranging from $13,320 for lower end contraventions, to up to 0.2% of the entity’s total income in the relevant income year for breaches such as failing to provide the appointed auditor with all reasonable facilities and assistance necessary for the auditor’s duties. But those fines won’t be enforced in the first year – to give companies the chance to come to grips with the new legisla-

tion – and the scheme doesn’t do anything to mandate faster payment times, which the road transport industry has been crying out for. Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business Brendan O’Connor told Big Rigs that the legislation is “weak” and riddled with deficiencies. “It continues the trend of the Morrison government failing to improve payment times for small businesses,” said O’Connor. “Labor wants to see small businesses, including those in the transport industry, treated fairly and paid on time. “Labor has consistently

made the case that prompt payments from large businesses to their suppliers are crucial to small business cash-flow. This has never been more important as businesses face a global pandemic and a recession.” While Labor supported the scheme in principle, it consistently noted that the self-regulation regime lacked any teeth and was unlikely to speed up payment times, particularly for the transport industry. Labor moved a ‘failsafe mechanism’ amendment to the legislation, which would have ensured big businesses

Critics say the new payment reporting scheme doesn’t go far enough in protecting smaller operators.

lower their payment times to under 30 days. This amendment received strong endorsement from the trucking industry and the small business ombudsman, but was opposed by the Government, including the Prime Minister and the Small Business Minister, added O’Connor. The Australian Trucking Association also joined Labor last year in lobbying for the proposed scheme to be backed by stronger action. “Trucking is a small and family business industry, working on tight margins and with little power in dealing with large businesses,” ATA Chair David Smith said. “Most of the costs incurred by trucking businesses must be met before they can bill their customers. These include wages or personal living costs, fuel, tyres, insurance, finance costs, registration and maintenance.” Smith said a similar scheme in the UK reduced the proportion of big business paying bills late from 30 per cent to 28 per cent over two years, but the legislation isn’t tough enough. “Transparency and monitoring simply does not compel the worst offenders to improve their payment practices,” he said.

ATA Chair David Smith.

“International experience is that 30-day payment terms must be backed with penalties, or the worst offenders simply do not change their payment practices.” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine told Big Rigs that the federal government has brought in a law which will neither ensure that owner-drivers and small operators get paid on time, nor will it hold those ultimately responsible for the financial squeeze on transport to account. “The Payment Time Reporting Scheme is an attempt by the federal government to engage in an elaborate charade to make it look like it is helping small businesses, including trucking companies,” said Kaine. “But the scheme fails to actually regulate payment times – instead it merely aims to ‘expose’ those who pay late.”

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02 NEWS 4 NEWS

EWD choices divide driving ranks CONTACT US

Address: Cnr Mayne Road and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006 Phone: 1300 877 017 Fax: (07) 3220 6364 Email: info@bigrigs.com.au Web: bigrigs.com.au Accounts: Phone 1300 130 590, Fax (07) 5456 6955 Subscriptions: 1300 877 017 Classifieds: 13 11 13 Circulation and distribution queries: 1300 361 604 retailer@newsregionalmedia.com.au BY JAMES GRAHAM EDITOR James Graham: (07) 3817 1722 james.graham@bigrigs.com.au VICTORIAN livestock truckie REPORTER Daniel Thomas Kate Dodd: (07) 3817just 1754wanted answers to some basic questions. kate.dodd@bigrigs.com.au His employer of the past MANAGER eightHockings years was installing a TelePeter trac3817 Navman EWD (07) 1818/0410 334 371– the first of four systems now approved peter.hockings@bigrigs.com.au by theSALES NHVR as voluntary MEDIA CONSULTANT alternatives to the paper work Michael Kidd diary – 1804/ but no one allay (07) 3817 0439 130 could 416 Thomas’s concerns. michael.kidd@bigrigs.com.au ForSALES example, would the MEDIA CONSULTANT Marie O’Reilly: (07) 3817 1755 marie.oreilly@bigrigs.com.au BOOKINGS & COPY SUPPORT Katharine Causer: (07) 3817 1711 bookings@bigrigs.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Tassie Truckin: Jon Wallis, 0412 797 513 Truckin in the Tropics: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 Brent Davison; Graham Harsant; David Vile; David Meredith; Joel Helmes

FRIDAY JUNE 12 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

ATA keeps drivers moving

TOGETHER with Big Rigs, port for NSW sign posting seen for the campaign and the ATA has been pressing that the toilet facilities were truck drivers has been enerbusinesses and rest areas to not being serviced,” Mr Ma- gising. Australia has really backed the trucking industry keep their facilities open to guire said. “Following the visit, we and is recognising the imsupport the truck drivers who are keeping Australia pressed Transport for NSW portant role it plays in our moving as we face the on the matter, who quickly daily lives,” Mr Maguire said. Through its membership COVID-19 epidemic and re- saw the error of their ways and advised that the issue of ACCI, the ATA worked covery process. “Australia’s truck drivers would be promptly ad- with Safe Work Australia to hour’s grace period livestock supplier. but fears, such as those he has make sure its cleaning and are working hard to deliver dressed. drivers have to get to a safe spot “It breaks my heart leaving above, have driven a massive “We are now pleased to hygiene guidance for the the food, medicine and esto unload still apply when using because I found a job that I enwedge in the industry. sential goods we need to get report that these rest area fa- trucking industry and its an EWD? joy doing, but I just feel that it’s “I know of 12 livestock opthrough this epidemic, but cilities are once again open customers was on target. What happens to the clock all going to be put back on the erators who all gave their notice “The original Safe Work unfortunately we heard of and being serviced.” when the satellite drops out? driver,” said Thomas. at Christmas time…it’s just the The campaign has also Australia information was truck stops, roadhouses and And perhaps most impor“You’ll be on the side of the way the industry is going.” businesses that were shut- had success in Dubbo and either too vague or was tantly of all, would it be countHume Highway with a load Others agreed with Thomas ting off their facilities to the surrounding region – an aimed at health care workingdrivers,” minute-by-minute, or in of cattle on and trucks whizabout this divisive issue when ATA CEO Ben Ma- important intersection of ers,” Mr Maguire said. 15-minute blocks? zing past you because the logwe first posted the news on bi“As a result of our input, key freight routes. Lobbying guire said. Frustrated by the lack of book [EWD] says I was out of grigs.com.au of MTData’s TalMr Maguire said the efforts from the ATA and there is now excellent guidclarity at every turn, Thomhours.” on and Swift system getting the ATA’s first call out was Pa- members saw council re- ance material available for as reluctantly quit earlier this Thomas said he’s supportive NHVR tick for use from Janucific National, who had open several rest area facili- road freight operators on the month, and now drives a truck of the technology in principle – Safe ary 18. Work Australia webbanned truck drivers from its ties within the township. andtoilets, dog for changerooms a Kyneton garden “it’ll iron out a few problems” – Wrote Dave Wiggs: “Watch “The support we have site.” and a lot more operators hang up kitchens. the boots. It’s just not worth it “Within hours of our anymore.” team pressing the matter, Added David Macdonald: “I Pacific National reversed the would not be surprised if shortly decision and reopened their the EWD will email the NHVR amenities. This quick and when a breach has occurred so positive response demonyou can be fined automatically.” strated an understanding of But for every detractor, the the important role truck EWD alternative also has just as drivers play in their supply many fans. chain,” Mr Maguire said. James Mullany tell us on During a trip down the Facebook that his company uses Hume Highway in the the NHVR-approved Teletrac Big Rigs National Road Transport ATA’s SafeT360 truck in Navman Sentinel EWD on Newspaper is published by News Corp early May, Mr Maguire saw BFM and it “works fine”. Australia. Big Rigs is the largest circulated the impact of the facility clo“You can take your break fortnightly truck publication in Australia sures first-hand. anytime you want it within the with 26,023* copies per fortnight. “When stopping at the FACILITIES NOW OPEN: Thanks to the campaign and the push first six hours of shift, or drive *12 month average, publisher’s claim Partridge VC rest area, I was from Big Rigs and the ATA, Transport for NSW is fixing the for six, have an hour break then The approval Navman’s Sentinel EWD as a voluntary alternative to the November 2018 of devices such as Telectrac astonished to see a Trans- facilities as soon as possible. Picture: ATA paper work diary has divided the industry.

drive another six. Logs where

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NHVAS customers have been which is handy.” using the benefits of the Mullany adds that it’s a total NHVR Portal since last Noinformation system that’s linked vember and most have now back to base about what the made the transition to the digitruck does. tal platform. “I also fill out my paper logs NHVR safety standards and at the end of shift to reflect the assurance manager (accreditaEWD info; takes 10 minutes.” tion) Darrin Rasmussen said Aside from the Sentinel and there were significant benefits MTData’s system, truckies also to submitting of applications now have the choice of Step through the portal, including Global’s Smart eDriver app and reducing data re-entry and Netstar’s Garmin Fleet 7XX Seproviding greater customer ries which came in to play from visibility of accreditation modJanuary 11. ules and case tracking activiNHVR Chief Regulatory ties. Policy & Standards Officer Don He said the NHVR Portal Hogben said the EWD remains provided operators with the aability voluntary alternative to the to manage all their Written Work Diary. NHVAS records, including According to the NHVR, submitting an application, the introduction of EWDs managing account infor-

means drivers can record their

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mation, reviewing application a button, rather than spending status, reviewing driver and vetime ruling lines and counting hicle lists and tracking audit multiple time periods on multiassociated responsibilities. pleFrom pieces Wednesday, of paper. July 1, “It’s important that driv2020, all NHVAS applications ers ensure they’re using an apand transaction will be reproved EWD, which will have a quired to be lodged via the unique identification number,” NHVR Portal, rather than by added Hogben. email. “Drivers must continue to If you are an existing carry their Written Work Diary NHVR Portal user or have an for a transition period, to enAccess, Registration or Vehicle sure that they comply with the Standards account, the NHVR requirement of carrying 28 days Portal administrators on the of records.” account have not changed. Any issues with EWDs may Any additional Accreditabe reported to the NHVR by tion contacts can be added to phone or using a website form the account with “user submitat www.nhvr.gov.au/contact-us. ter” permissions. To stay up to date with apIf you need any assistance proved EWDs and their condicall the NHVR Portal Help tions of use visit www.nhvr.gov. Centre on 1300 696 487.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Heavy vehicle charges to increase by 2.5 per cent

NOW is the time to have your say on proposed increases to heavy vehicle charges later this year. The charge freeze is due to end on June 30, and you have until March 12 to argue your case to the National Transport Commission. In support of your responses to the proposed increase in 2021-22, the NTC is interested in any evidence which you can provide about the following issues: • Which costs are typically passed through to customers (and to end consumers) and which costs are absorbed by vehicle owners or operators? • Is the pump price of fuel a cost that is charged separately under typical hireand-reward contracts (such that fuel price fluctuations do not impact profit margins)? • Does the answer depend on the size of the business and their contract bargaining power? “Any information provided on these questions will help inform the Ministers about the broader context in which

The government is proposing a 2.5 per cent increase to the diesel fuel charge in 2021-22.

their final decision on heavy vehicle charges will be made,” said the NTC’s Heavy Vehicle Charges Consultation Report. The proposal by the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting (ITMM) last month was that a 2.5 per cent increase be applied to the roads component of registra-

tion charges in 2021-22. This will increase the road user charge (RUC) to 26.4 cents per litre on July 1. “It represents a small increase to close some of the gap between the cost base and charges revenue,” said the report. Under the proposed regis-

tration changes, for a 6-axle articulated truck that would mean an increase of $144 a year on the current charge of $6225. The cost for a 9-axle B-double would jump by $343 to $15,102, with a Double road train incurring the same spike to $15,158,

up from the current charge of $14,815. The report said the regulatory component of registration charges will be set on a cost recovery basis, with minimal charges expected. This means that the overall increase in total rego charges, including regulatory and roads components, is expected to be slightly below 2.5 per cent. The NTC estimates that to ensure governments recover the amount spent on providing roads to heavy vehicles in 2019–20, current heavy vehicle charges would need to rise by 13.4 per cent for 2021–22. If no decision is taken by ITMM, heavy vehicle charges would be automatically increased by 13.4 per cent for 2021–22 under the annual adjustment formula contained in the Heavy Vehicle Charges Model Law. In May 2020, the Transport and Infrastructure Council (the predecessor of ITMM) resolved that charges be frozen for 2020-21. The Council took this decision considering the extraordinary contraction in

NEWS 5

economic activity and income expected for the June quarter of that year. By freezing charges, the Council expressed its support for the operators of heavy vehicles, many of whom are small businesses. The Council noted that some were working hard under tight margins to keep essential goods moving during the COVID-19 pandemic, while others were experiencing a severe downturn in work. Following the conclusion of the public consultation process and any comments received, the NTC will provide advice on the proposed increases to ITMM and the Deputy Prime Minister as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack. Submissions can be made online at ntc.gov.au or by mail to the below address: National Transport Commission Public submission – Heavy vehicle charges consultation report Level 3, 600 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000

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FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Kicking goals in diversity and inclusion This Sydney operator is proud of the fact that more women are applying for roles and that they have created a culture of support.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI HAVING built a culture based on inclusivity and diversity, Eather Group in Sydney has been seeing more and more women joining its business – in roles that include everything from truck driving and office roles to executive positions. Last year, the company

not only celebrated its 10th birthday, but also the fact that it’s playing its part in reducing the gender gap, with 25% of its workforce being women. Among those are two very talented truckies – Patricia Birch, or Blu as she is better known, who recently joined Eather, bringing with her decades of experience as a truck driver; and newcomer

Truckie Bianca Clark has quickly risen to the top at Eather.

Bianca Clark, who is bringing a fresh perspective to the company. You’ll find Bianca behind the wheel of a fire-engine red 600hp Kenworth 909, carting 38 tonne loads of various natural materials across NSW. This truck has a special place in the fleet, not because its colour makes it stand out as the only Eather truck that isn’t white, but because of its rego, B1OCKA, and the sentiment behind it. Along with being the nickname of Eather Group’s founder and Managing Director, Peter Eather, Blocka was also the nickname of his step-father-in-law, who passed away in 2019. The pride of the fleet is HOSS1. This 2019 Kenworth 909 is named after Peter’s father Albert ‘Hoss’ Eather, who passed away in 2005. Albert worked in the industry for around 40 years and taught his son Peter the ropes. Peter started Eather Group in June 2010, together with his wife Sally-ann who is Business Manager. With their daughter Divinia Eather stepping into the role of Marketing Manager, it’s a true family business. “Dad saw so much opportunity for more innovative, sustainable approaches to industry practices, and that’s why he decided to go out on his own, starting with one pink truck called Pinky. And the business has just kept growing,” said Divinia Based in Llandilo, in Sydney’s north-west, Eather works within the civil, con-

Eather Group Founder Peter Eather, daughter Divinia Eather who is Marketing Manager and his wife Sally-ann Eather who is Business Manager.

struction and waste to resource industry. “We’ve created a circular economy, so can take in a project in a holistic way – from demolition and construction, to rehabilitation. With the network we have created over the past 10 years, we are able to make full use of raw excavated materials, assessing reuse opportunities and cycling them back into the industry rather than simply disposing of them. Essentially, we find new homes for the materials that come out of the ground during projects,” Divinia added. Eather has seen significant growth, particularly in the last three years. It now employs around 30 people and has 30 company-owned trucks and heavy machines. Despite COVID, it’s been a busy year for Eather, which has just completed the NSW Bushfire Recovery and Clean Up Program, everywhere from the Blue Mountains, to the Snowy Mountains and Cobargo.

The red Kenworth 909, named ‘B1OCKA’, stands out in the fleet of white trucks. It’s pictured next to the pride of the fleet, HOSS1.

COMPANIES NEED TO RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING POLICIES AND INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS A MORE TRANSPARENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT. BIANCA CLARK

“It’s very unfortunate that there was so much damage caused by the bushfires, but that has kept us really busy. “We just finished that work in December. It has literally brought us right through COVID. Where we live at the base of the Blue Mountains, there were huge fires and then straight after we had some of the worst flooding we have had in years,” explained Divinia. She said there has been a steady increase in the number of women applying for roles within the business and

believes that this has a lot to do with the culture within the team. “Encouraging diversity within Eather Group, including encouraging more women to join our team, is our focus through branding and our culture, making it known that we’re not just a diverse company but one that can support diversity too. We’re moving towards setting ourselves up as an employer of choice. We want to attract talent who are already involved in what we want to achieve. We judge people on their attitude more than their current skills. “Bianca came into her role with limited truck and dog experience, but we sensed she’d learn and progress quickly because she’s got the right attitude. And in less than a year she’s become one of our top drivers,” said Divinia. Bianca joined the company in March 2020. “The autonomy of driving a truck as well as having a strong passion for trucks is what

COVER STORY 7

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Patricia Birch (aka Blu) steers the company’s Mack Trident and brings a wealth of knowledge.

attracted me to this career path. I’m very fortunate to represent a company who have a strong focus on diversity and have established policies that support women’s inclusion,” she said. “I believe the key to attracting more women to the industry is by changing the narrative. Companies need to recognise the importance of implementing policies and initiatives that address a more transparent working environment. I’d highly recommend any woman considering driving a truck to give it a go. It’s both challenging and rewarding.” Blu is newer to the team, having come on board in July 2020. She steers the company’s Mack Trident and brings with her a wealth of knowledge, having been

a truck driver for the past two decades. And she is imparting that knowledge and experience with the rest of the Eather team, including Bianca. “I am passionate about driving trucks, and working for Eather Group allows me to apply my professional truck driving skills,” said Blu. “Eather Group is the first company to allow me to do this. I was working indoors as a lab technician for many years and was looking for a challenge, and I’ve now been truck driving for over 25 years. “I have experienced a lot of changes in the big rigs, they are more modern and a lot more comfortable to drive now, you have everything at your fingertips, it’s

like home away from home. I think it’s great more companies are wanting to employ more women in these roles. It doesn’t matter how big the rig is, it’s how you operate it.” Though Eather Group was a really male-dominated company for most if its existence, which was completely by chance, it looks as if that may be changing – and Divinia is pleased to see it. “As much as I don’t want to play into stereotypes, our supervisors love our female truck drivers because they really look after their trucks. “Gender diversity creates a better balance too. It’s nice for me as well to have some older women role models in the company and women who have been in the industry for such a long time.”

This Kenworth 909 is named after Peter’s father Albert ‘Hoss’ Eather, who passed away in 2005.

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08 OPINION

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Come on Canberra

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

WHAT has the Coalition actually done for us in the last couple of years? I started to mull over this one after studying the new Payment Times Reporting Scheme that kicked off on January 1. Essentially, it’s the Coalition’s effort to ensure small businesses might stand a chance of being paid on time. Only instead of installing the mandatory 30-day terms the industry has been lobbying for, all we get is a register in which the top end of town has to file its payment terms. Seriously, that’s about it when you strip away the fluff. Sure, the Coalition did freeze heavy vehicle charges, although that’s about to end soon (see page 5), and they have built a lot more roads and bridges of late. But the infrastructure spend benefits all motorists, not just trucking. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of hearing the government say how much they value truckies, but not back it up with meaningful, industry-specific action.

HOT WEB TOPICS Superannuation warning

WHEN Sydney truckie Keven Mitchell left his former employer, he realised he was over $5000 short of his entitlements. When we shared this story online, other truckies shared similar experiences. “99% of company’s pay on a 38 hr week, any hours over that are classed as ‘overtime’ and they are not obliged to pay super on over time, so many battles over the years on behalf of my husband who has been in the industry 20yrs, one employer never paid a single cent of super for 5 yrs,” said Michelle Adams. Jim Bob added, “I know it’s easy to say, but at your job interview ask them if they pay super on your whole wage. That normally sorts the good from the bad. Not many do, most only pay super on the equivalent of 38 hrs pay per week.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO READER CORNER? EMAIL US AT EDITOR@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckie’s weight loss success AFTER a life-threatening scare with thyroid cancer in 2013, interstate truckie Sonja White (51) decided to have a gastric bypass, losing nearly 17kg in under four months. Online, other truckies shared words of encouragement, along with their successful weight loss stories. “Way to go Sonja. I admire your courage going public about a sensitive subject. Well done girl,” said Mark Wearne. “That is awesome, I am a truck driver as well, and had the procedure done,” wrote Jay Flesser. “Hubby and I did the sleeve a few years ago 110kg gone between us best thing we ever did for our health,” commented Theresa Scott. “I had bypass in August 2020 and post 35kg in four months! It changed my life too. But don’t be fooled, it’s not a walk in the park,” added Ingo Oliver Zacharias.

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A different kind of dolly divides readers SINCE its recent launch and subsequent award win, the ATA’s Industry Technical Council Converter Dolly Project has been making headlines. The project was developed out of a desire to overcome dynamic issues with hinged drawbar converter dollies, in particular brake reactivity and tyre wear. ATA Chief Engineer Bob Woodward has labelled it “the first significant shift in dolly design for many years”. Online, many of our readers shared their thoughts on the design. Bruce Barwick explained: “My work run these on rigid truck with tri trailer, rear axle of dolly and trailer steer, we collect milk from farms and some of the places are steep rough and tight, will go where 19m double won’t – they work well.” Others were more sceptical. “Going to be an expensive repair when someone bends a draw bar,” wrote Tony Bulstrode.

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10 NEWS

IN BRIEF Western Star recall The ACCC has issued a safety recall notice for Western Star trucks fitted with Detroit Diesel DD15 engines that were sold in Australia from January 2010 to November 2020. The recall affects 2918 vehicles. These trucks may develop a fuel leak from the engine’s high-pressure fuel rail feed lines, which “may cause a subsequent engine fire, which could result in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users”. For more information contact Western Star on (07) 3271 7777 or your nearest Western Star dealer. Hay Run postponed Brendan Farrell has made the tough decision to postpone his annual Australia Day hay run due to Covid-19 related concerns. The Burrumbuttock Hay Run organiser said the ever-changing border closures and quarantine conditions had turned this month’s proposed event into a logistical nightmare. “The duty of care I have as the hay run founder is huge,” said Farrell. “I’ve got to look at all aspects, from the truck drivers, their families, to all the communities going through their towns.” WiTA awarded Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA) has taken out the Jones, Harley Toole Community Road Safety Award at the recent Community Achievement Awards in Adelaide. In 2019 WiTA successfully applied for Commonwealth funding through the NHVR’s Round 4 National Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative and produced a confronting FreeTV road safety campaign demonstrating just how quickly poor on-road decisions around heavy vehicles can flip the ‘family, friends and fun’ coin to ‘fear, fatalities and funerals’. The campaign airs nationally during peak holiday periods. Two become one In early December, Big Rigs publisher Prime Creative Media announced two of its transport magazines – Diesel and PowerTorque – would be merged under a single masthead. Prime Creative Media acquired PowerTorque in November 2020, along with its sister publication Delivery Magazine from Motoring Matters. “Bringing PowerTorque and Diesel together allows us to further support the growth of our clients, and the transport industry,” says John Murphy, CEO Prime Creative Media. “We will continue to provide a strong multi-platform offering, and the consolidation will allow us to increase the reach of the publication.”

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Brian Hicks remembered as industry legend THE transport industry was quick to pay tribute to industry legend Brian Hicks who sadly lost a four-year battle with cancer on Boxing Day. The founder of Cobram-based Hicks Transport Group in the Goulburn Valley was 71. In an outpouring of condolences on the Big Rigs’ Facebook page, readers celebrated the big-hearted operator’s generosity, kindness and passion for helping others. The Victorian Transport Association also extended its deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues of the long-term VTA member. “He will be remembered fondly by his colleagues, customers and friends as an inspirational and hard-working leader in the transport industry,” said the VTA. His son Warren said it didn’t matter if it was a staff member, truckie, or a rival – if help and support was needed, the one-time director of NatRoad and the Transport Industry Superannuation Fund was there to lend a hand. “Dad put business aside and looked at what matters; when the chips were down he put people first,” Warren told

Kyabram Free Press. Brian was also a member of Cobram Kiwanis and Cobram Rotary, and a contributor of the Ottrey Homes fundraising committee. “He was very generous with equipment and lending it out for community events. “Not only did he love Cobram but the whole regional area.” Brian established his business in 1968 as an owner-operator in the small border town of Koyuga, carting hay for farmers in the district and steadily growing the business to service interstate destinations. The business expanded in the early 1980s with the acquisition of new trucks and hiring of drivers, and the purchase of P. Pullar & Co Transport in Cobram, which resulted in Hicks Transport relocating to the Murray border town. “Since those early days, the business has grown organically in line with demand, but I never expected it to get to the stage where it is now,” he told Trailer magazine in 2017. Today, Hicks Transport Group has over 60 vehicles servicing the agricultural

Management restructure at Hino

Hino Australia President and CEO Sam Suda.

Hino Australia has announced a series of senior management changes, which came into effect from January 1. Following his role as President and COO over the last two years, Sam Suda has moved into the role of President and CEO, where he is now supported by two new Vice Presidents. Suda has over 30 years of experience with Toyota in Australia, Europe and Japan, and more recently with Hino in the USA. Bill Gillespie has moved into the new role of Vice President – Brand and Franchise Development, after success in the General Manager role of that division over the past six years at Hino following a 30 year career in strategy, network development, marketing and sales in the automotive industry. Additionally, Greg Bleasel has been promoted to the new position of Vice President

– Product Support, moving across from the General Manager role. Bleasel is one of the founding members of Hino Motor Sales Australia, having started in March 1995. He has helped to grow the Parts and Service business over the last 25 years. “It’s a time of great growth in Hino and these new appointments are designed to offer strong leadership across the brand and within our company as we move into 2021 and beyond,” said Suda. “As Hino Australia transforms from a truck company to a customer solutions business, these changes will provide our customers with the support they require while ensuring we continue to develop the capacity and capabilities of our team and the network. As part of the restructure, two new General Manager level positions have been created with Brian Wright promoted to General Manager – Sales and Supply Chain and Gus Belanszky to General Manager – Service and Customer Support. Wright was previously the National Sales Manager for Hino, and his success in that role has included Hino achieving its best ever sales result in Australia in June 2020. He brings over 30 years of sales experience in both passenger cars and trucks to his new role. Belanszky’s move follows his extensive experience over the last 14 years with Hino Australia, most recently as Service Support Manager.

Cobram operator Brian Hicks is remembered for his generosity and community spirit.

sector and fruit growers in Melbourne, Cobram and surrounding districts, as well as interstate services between all major eastern seaboard cities and South Australia and cool-room and dry storage services. When inducted into the National Transport Hall of Fame in 2015, Brian reflected on how he ensured his town

was included in reshaping the business. “Really one of the more fulfilling parts of the business is the fact we are able to employ so many local people. It’s a great feeling,” he said at the time. “The company is only as strong as the staff we can hire, and we couldn’t operate like we do without them.”

Brian is survived by three children, Warren, Simon and Naomi. Sadly, he lost son Leigh in a truck accident in 1993, and in 2002 his wife Lorna died from motor neurone disease. Surrounded by trucks from his fleet, Brian was farewelled by friends and family at the Cobram Harness Racing Club on January 2.

Stoush over quarry trucks appears to be heading to Queensland court A long-running protest from Sunshine Coast hinterland residents over the number of quarry trucks on their roads could be heading to court. Noosa councillors have voted to start legal proceedings against the operators of the Kin Kin Quarry, Cordwells Concrete, because of what they believe are on-going breaches of the haulage plan. The management requirements include staggered departures from the site of five minutes, keeping a minimum of 60m between trucks and no overtaking of other vehicles, among many others. At a heated meeting of the Save the Hinterland Group last month, Noosa mayor Clare Stewart announced that Cordwells had just been served with another round of breach notices

with fines totalling $27,000. The overall total now stands at $54,000. “I am firmly convinced that the range is not suitable for that volume of heavy trucks, and style of heavy trucks,” added Sergeant Dan McNamara, the Pomona Police boss. Noosa Council CEO Brett de Chastel said the next step is for the community to help gather the necessary evidence, a process that is expected to take up to 12 weeks. He said the idea of bringing in a new team of lawyers to take a fresh look at the existing Quarry Management Plan was proposed by the mayor. “She wanted to explore whether there were any angles we could look at to get into court to fight what’s going on because what’s going on now is

Locals are upset about the number of quarry trucks using their roads.

not right,” he said. Big Rigs has approached Cordwells for comment. Cordwells Concrete spokesperson Martin Cordwell told the ABC in October that he disputed the figure of 250 daily truck movements and said the quarry operates under a cap. “When the demand is there to travel further and the work is there the trucks are definitely going to come and that’s capped by our output at a million tonnes a year,” Cordwell said. “It’s capped by our road regulation and safety that we try and uphold on a daily basis.” Cordwell is a coast local said he was willing to work with the community. “Safety is obviously imperative so if there’s anything we can work on for safety that’s what we will be able to find out.”

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12 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Return of the Mack: A touching reunion for veteran truckie

In his 60-plus years in trucking, Ray Maxwell has been behind the wheel of many trucks, but only one has left a lasting impression. BY DANIELLE GULLACI ITS fresh white paint job and thorough restoration, complete with the words Hwy Master emblazoned on the side of its bonnet, make it easy to forget that this beast is well over 30 years old. With more than six million kilometres on the clock, the history of this 1984 Mack Super-Liner is almost as interesting as the man who used to drive it. For the Maxwell family, it seems trucking is in the blood. Big Rigs spoke with Ray’s son Peter Maxwell, a third-generation truckie – and that’s on both sides of the family too. He’s lived in Darwin and Brisbane, and has now settled in Tamworth, where he runs his transport operation from. Ray, 77, has been driving trucks since before he was actually old enough to be behind the wheel. For a number of years, the 1984 Mack, or ‘old girl’ as it’s affectionately known, was his pride and joy. “Dad’s done over 60 years behind the wheel and never tipped a stock crate over. He pretty much did road train work all his life, mostly livestock but a bit of everything else too,” said Peter. “My mum and dad used to drive this Mack and I used to go with them sometimes. Mum used to drive it better than Dad. “I’ve got some great mem-

After a thorough restoration, this 1984 Mack Super-Liner looks as good as new.

ories of this truck. They ran around doing stock on road trains, but they fell on tough times and in the early 1990s, Dad had to sell it off. It broke his heart. Dad has had a few trucks over the years but this is the one that left an impression.” The 1984 Mack was originally owned by industry icons Kay and Sid Ballard, from Camooweal, Queensland. Kay is credited as the first woman to drive a cattle truck and run cattle transport. She

When Ray was reunited with the ‘old girl’, it wasn’t in the best shape.

was also among the first women to drive a truck across the Barkly Highway carting cattle – a trip she took many times. “It was an incredible truck. Kay and Sid were pioneers of outback trucking in Queensland. They had the truck custom built to their specs, so it was really heavy duty. They would use it to pull double decker trailers of livestock through the desert. It would go to a lot of really remote cattle stations,” explained Peter. “Kay and Sid had this truck specced up way heavier than other trucks around at the time. It still has its original 5x4 gearbox combination. It was specced up with stronger mounts, a nine-tonne front axle. It’s pretty rare to get a truck from back then that’s like this. Sid Ballard was one of the first guys to transport livestock in the outback on a truck.” Ray bought the truck from the Ballards, and then went on to sell it to his mate Ian Walker, who founded Walker’s Transport in Dubbo in 1960. From one truck, Ian Walker built the business up to 42 at the height of its operation. “This truck was at Walker’s for many years. Ian made a promise to my Dad, that if he ever sold the truck, he’d sell it back to us. But when the time came, we couldn’t afford to buy it,” recalled Peter. It was sold to a farmer in Narromine, some 40 kilometres west of Dubbo. And that’s

where it stayed – until it was back in the hands of the Maxwells. The truck left such an impression on Ray that seeing a photo of it brought back so many fond memories. While attending a Walker’s Transport reunion in early 2019, a picture of the beloved 1984 Mack popped up on the big screen. “Dad said that’s my old truck, then he excused himself and went outside. He’s driven road trains all over the country for 60 years, so it was a bit of a surprise to see him like that,” recalled Peter. And it was at that very moment, Peter knew exactly what he had to do – find the truck! “I spoke to a few guys at the reunion and they helped me out and got me some numbers. The very next day I went on a mission to track this truck down. “We were able to find it and I called the guy who owned it. I don’t think Dad really believed it or took it seriously until we actually found it. A few days later we went out and had a look. The old girl was in pretty bad shape. They let Dad take it for a drive and we bought the truck.” The most recent owner had been using the truck to cart grain around his farm property. “The truck was still running but it had deteriorated so much that it was unroadworthy, so he couldn’t register it. We took the old girl for a

Ray sold the truck to Walker’s Transport, where it remained for several year before being sold to a farmer in central northern NSW.

drive and were prepared to fix whatever was wrong with it. It turned out there actually wasn’t that much wrong with it in the end. Dad is pretty chuffed that we got it back,” said Peter. Peter spent the next six months or so restoring the truck in his backyard with his own two hands, to get it mechanically sound and back on the road. This included a new steering box, sandblasting the rear suspension to clean out any corrosion and fixing the water leaks. The truck started as yellow and white, then was painted in red and white, and then painted again in a different red and white colour scheme – which was very faded and worn by the time Peter and Ray had found it. “It’s done about six million kilometres and it feels like it’s got another six million left in it.” By December 2019, the truck was back to work, de-

livering donated hay to farmers affected by the bushfires, along with some paid jobs too. But then COVID struck and put a spanner in the works. When we spoke to Peter, he had just picked up a brand new quad axle float trailer, which he was custom built by Moore Trailers to go with the restored truck. He plans to get straight to work doing bulldozer and machinery recovery work. “When COVID hit, work went quiet again so we decided to park up the truck, paint it all up and get it looking pretty good again while I had some time on my hands. I went through the truck like a pack of salt and got it all back up to its former glory on a very limited budget,” said Peter “After the restrictions lifted, my dad came and visited me once again and when he saw his old truck looking good, he went a little teary-eyed, but they weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of joy.”

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14 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

The dedicated team of 28 staff members at Midland Industries that helped to turn the trailer concept into a reality.

Engineering feat takes centre stage at Snowy

In an Australian first, a very clever solution is set to solve a difficult problem – transporting over 800,000 tonnes of concrete segments through the steep and winding roads of the Snowy Mountains. BY DANIELLE GULLACI WITH its rolling plains, snowcapped mountains, and sharp twists and turns, a 26.5 metre B-triple isn’t something you’d usually expect to find navigating its way through Cooma, the largest town in the Snowy Mountains. But come February, the first of 14 PBS-approved B-triple sets will be doing exactly that.

The innovative combinations will reduce the total number of trips to site from 43,500 trips down to just 14,500, over the course of three years. Built by local specialist trailer manufacturer Midland Pty Ltd, and pulled by 6x6 Scania G540hp prime movers, which are the first trucks in Australia to feature automatic snow chains. These innovative combi-

nations will play their part in helping to shape Australia’s largest committed renewable energy project, Snowy Hydro 2.0. The Snowy Hydro 2.0 project will involve linking the Tantangara Dam with the Talbingo Dam via 27 kilometres of tunnels, as well as building a new underground power station. The mammoth project is expected to be operational by

early 2025, providing on-demand energy as well as energy storage. The waterway tunnels will be lined with 6.5 tonne precast concrete segments, produced at a factory in Polo Flat, Cooma. The segments will form rings for the tunnel, with nine segments in each ring. Up to 130,500 concrete segments will need to be produced and transported to the two tun-

6x6 Scania G540hp prime movers with automatic snow chains will pull the heavy trailer loads through the Snowy Mountains.

nel boring sites at Lobs Hole and Tantangara. It’s roughly a 200-kilometre round trip from factory to the tunnel site and back and again. Scania will supply 16 prime movers – 14 that will be paired up with the trailer sets, along with two extras. One will be there as a spare in case a truck is out of action due to breakdown or maintenance; while the other will be used to assist

if a vehicle struggles to come up through the snow, by helping to push it up the mountain. These 6x6 Scanias feature a newly released six-cylinder engine. “These will be the first 540hp 6x6 Scania prime movers. They’ll also feature Onspot Automatic Snow Chains, imported from Germany, which we’ve never fitted before – usually you see that around Europe, the United States and Canada, but not in Australia,” said Michael Farrell, Scania Account Manager for Prestons in Sydney. “The chains are under the truck, so they keep spinning around and as they are spinning, they go under the tyres. The truck can engage the chain automatically.” Scania won the contract following a tender process. “The trucks needed to have enough horsepower to cope with the weights they’d be pulling, because the loads are quite heavy, but they couldn’t go over the axle limits. Then it came down to cost as well because it’s such a big job. We ticked every box of what was needed and they came back and wanted to proceed,” Farrell added. Midland Pty Ltd was first contacted by the Snowy 2.0 project team in February 2019 and met with them in August that year. What they required was to be able to transport 63

FEATURE 15

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 tonnes worth of concrete segments per load. Though the original plan was to use a quad axle low loader, that wasn’t viable, so instead the team of engineers developed a 26.5 metre B-triple combination, capable of achieving a Gross Combination Mass of 91 tonne. According to Midland, over $400,000 was spent on research and development, with computer simulations used to test out various trailer designs on the arduous route. “The road was a big challenge for us,” explained Trimmer. “The last 12 kilometres of the run is dirt, down into the bottom of the Snowy Mountains. We ran 60 finite element testing simulations, which simulated the road in the computer software and then ran the loaded trailer through it. We had to ensure crack elimination to make sure it lasted. Tare weight was another major challenge. We couldn’t just throw steel at it to make it heavier. “The roads are so windy – one corner has a 12.6m internal radius. We had to make sure the whole combination could navigate that corner. Being so long, you’re going to get massive amounts of twist in the trailer, but with the payload being concrete, it doesn’t twist.”

A total of 14 PBS-approved B-triple sets will be used for the massive project.

Trimmer said that the combination’s manoeuvrability was aided by its very short wheelbase and Jost ballrace turntable. “It ensures we get good manoeuvrability and keep even pressure, allowing for the twist behind the truck so it tracks better. You could do a U-turn at a roundabout with no problem. There are three

roundabouts these trucks will have to navigate on their route through Cooma. “We wanted to keep the combination as short as we possibly could. We had to stay under 28 metres to navigate the roads. It took some time getting our centre of gravity right to ensure stability on the mountain roads, and wheel spacing was a big thing so we

weren’t damaging the roads.” After a long 18-month process, production finally began in October 2020. When Trimmer spoke with Big Rigs, the first of these B-triple sets had been completed, with all due to be finished by March. Now that the trailers are well and truly in production, the next big challenge is load restraint.

[l-r] Andrew MacQueen from Future Generation, the company behind the project, Snowy Hydro 2.0 Relations Manager Dean Lynch, and Ben, Roy and Martin from Midland Industries.

The trailers will use a unique lashing system, with hydraulic tensioning control and a warning light that alerts the driver of any pressure reduction. “The straps will be powered by hydraulics that operate from the trucks and we need to certify that to -20°C operating conditions, as concrete that’s frozen can become quite slippery,” added Trimmer. A unique rubber coating will be put onto the load restraint bolsters and the load restraint straps will be made out of a special webbing material called Dyneema. “Generally over here we use polyester or nylon, but this is a much stronger product with very little stretch so it protects the concrete and ensures it doesn’t move,” explained Trimmer. Though the project has been quite challenging, Trimmer said it was also very rewarding. “A lot of learning has come out of it that we can use to improve our processes going forward.” At a time of so much uncertainty, with COVID impacting so many jobs and livelihoods, it’s also provided employment opportunities too. Midland employed eight additional staff as a direct result of the Snowy 2.0 project, bringing its workforce up to 28. The project has injected

THESE WILL BE THE FIRST 540HP 6X6 SCANIA PRIME MOVERS. THEY’LL ALSO FEATURE ONSPOT AUTOMATIC SNOW CHAINS, IMPORTED FROM GERMANY, WHICH WE’VE NEVER FITTED BEFORE – USUALLY YOU SEE THAT AROUND EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, BUT NOT IN AUSTRALIA. MICHAEL FARRELL

approximately $9 million into the local economy too. To add, the Snowy 2.0 project will employ 42 drivers to steer these beauties, with specialist training provided; and Scania will set up a remote workshop in Cooma, which will be staffed 24 hours a day, to make sure the trucks are kept on the road. “This is a very unique project for us and for Australia,” said Trimmer. “The ability to provide employment opportunities for a lot of people during these COVID times has been good for a rural country town. The Snowy 2.0 project is good for the economy and it’s so good to be part of it.”

Unprecedented demand for bulk haulage vehicles

Berrigan Hay Logistics uses Lusty EMS trailer combinations, including B-doubles and Stag combinations, to transport grain and wheat throughout New South Wales.

GRAIN harvesters are reaping the golden crop across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales to a happy tune for farmers, and bank managers. The big harvest has meant an unprecedented demand for bulk haulage vehicles and trailers to get the estimated 24 million tonne winter crop to storage silos and then on to mills and export shipping ports. “The demand for tipper product has been huge and yes, if we could have built more we could have sold them,” said MaxiTRANS’ SA State Sales Manager, Kym Penhall. Penhall describes how the grain harvest in South Australia is rolling down from the northern and western wheat belts and will conclude in the

south-east in the height of summer. South Australia, under the compliance oversight of the NHVR, is making full use of truck combinations. “There’s a lot of variety of combinations down here in South Australia from B-doubles, road trains to A B triples,” Penhall said. He said for these configurations customers are able to apply for a low cost permit through the NHVR portal to gain approval on the routes they want to travel. An expansion of MaxiTRANS’ manufacturing and engineering capabilities comes with the opening of a new heavy duty trailer manufacturing facility at Carole Park, Queensland. The new facility will increase the numbers of trailers

reaching the market and has been purpose built, replacing the company’s former facility at Richlands. MaxiTRANS bulk haulage tipper products feeding into grain haulage applications fly under the Lusty EMS and Hamelex White flags. In spite of lack-lustre expectations for returns, the large plantings of grains in NSW, Victoria and South Australia are expected to return solid revenue to farmers and will see an increased inquiry in agricultural machinery and haulage combinations. MaxiTRANS, with the increased capacity coming with the opening of the new Queensland facility, said it’s in a position to meet the growing demand of bulk haulage applications across the nation.

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18 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Haulin’ hardwood in the Victorian high country

Our roving reporter heads into the remote north-east of the state to meet the man tasked with salvaging timber affected by the devastating 2020 bushfires.

Kenworth and Kennedy are the dominant truck and trailer brands in the ANC fleet.

The K200/B-Double combo makes for a good payload and ability to get around the hills.

BY DAVID VILE

opments across the timber industry over the last couple of decades has been the advances in safety, with ANC at the forefront having in 2015 taking out a Worksafe Victoria award for ‘Best Solution to a Workplace Situation’. The company developed systems to hang the chains to be placed over the load by the loader operator with the machine rather than having the driver physically throw the chains, and after a number of problems with loads shifting, Hutton developed a double-purchase roller which doubles the pull capacity and therefore security of the load winches and prevents logs moving whilst in transit. “Forest companies don’t want to see incidents - forestry has been a high-incident industry and we are really striving ahead over the last 10-15 years and log truck drivers now have the tools to get them home safely,” he said. Around seven trucks from the ANC fleet, along with a number of subbies were work-

DESPITE it being well into late spring, a jumper and a beanie were still necessary attire for Daryl Hutton as he was about to commence another day’s work in the north-east Victorian high country, with the sun yet to break through over the hilltops. Hutton is the Managing Director of ANC Forestry Group, overseeing a fleet of 37 log trucks and 20 various pieces of logging equipment, and with the company taking on a contract salvaging hardwood timber affected by the 2020 bushfires, had established a log dump at Nariel just south of Corryong. Based at Morwell in southern Victoria, the ANC Forestry operation has evolved over the last 12 years having originally being set up with stakeholders from Australia, New Zealand and Canada (hence the name). Hailing from the North Island of New Zealand, Hutton has been an integral part of the company’s growth which has seen more of a focus on timber haulage over recent years. “We have grown the fleet from four log trucks when I first came over here to 37 and had a bit of a change in the business line as we were right into cable logging and harvesting of plantation pine - we have moved away from that somewhat and more oriented towards timber haulage/loading and hardwood logging,” he explained. The ANC fleet is dominated by Kenworth, with a variety of T658/T659, T909/K200 and some older T950’s making up the numbers, with Kennedy Trailers of Bairnsdale being the

predominant supplier of the variety of logging trailers used across both softwood and hardwood log transport. “We have only bought Kenworths over the last 10 years, we look at them as being a ten-year log truck and they are well supported across Victoria for the parts and service we need,” he said. Timber haulage can be one of the hardest vocations a truck can undertake given the nature of the terrain encountered and the roads travelled can be a factor in determining the best truck and trailer combination for the job. As a result the ANC fleet consists of a variety of truckand-trailer combinations across single and B-double configurations, with all trucks sent to work with a full complement of safety and driver aids to get the job done efficiently. “The K200 is a good example,” said Hutton. “It comes in under 23 metres in length and can cart a 47.5 tonne payload with a short prime mover it gets in and out of the hills pretty well and if it has to go a good distance it can cart a good payload too. “Across the fleet we only average 100-120,000 k’s a year but our average speed is only 45km/h, and that’s a hard-working 45 k’s too. “With a log truck you have to spec it up with every extra you think of. Our trucks have cross-locks, CTI (tyre inflation system), safety systems, and GPS tracking and despatch, all these gadgets that make a truck dearer,” he said with a smile. EBS is standard across the ANC fleet with downloads undertaken fortnightly with feedback provided to drivers.

Daryl Hutton on the job at the Nariel log dump.

“The download gives us feedback on how well the systems are working and how much the brakes are being used, and with some of the high-camber corners in some of the places we cart out of can be problematic in terms of coming close to rollovers and we find the EBS reporting is working for us well - driver acceptance has been really good, it’s a training thing, not an arse-kicking exercise, they take the information on board,” he explained. One of the biggest devel-

Hutton unloads subbie Sam Dicker’s Kenworth T659 at Nariel.

ing on the Upper Murray contract on the day Big Rigs visited, and with the majority of the timber harvested destined for the pulp mill 400 kilometres over the other side of the Great Diving Range at Morwell, the log yard had been established with one of the factors being better utilisation of the truck fleet. “We have two main sites, here and our one in Morwell where we put 200,000 tonne through a year at our busiest time. We have the yard here for storage as it would have been a nightmare carting it over that distance - around here it’s not the easiest place to get logs out of and here a truck can do 4 loads of pulp a day rather that than one,” said Hutton. With single and B-double combinations operating in the ANC operation Hutton reckons A-doubles could be on the radar in the right circumstances. “Definitely on some routes I would love to run them, but they are not super bush-friend-

ly, you need the right forest floor to turn them around and back them in. We carry a trailer everytime to get them in where we have to go. “A-Doubles are the future though, especially with the fires this year the configurations are something that will need to be looked at to cart logs further distances and support some of the mills up here in north-eastern Victoria and NSW that have lost a lot of their supply.” Around 90 staff are employed across the ANC operation, and back at the Morwell base all repairs and maintenance on the trucks, trailers and logging gear is carried out in-house. The workshop runs a double shift, keeping the trucks serviced overnight and other general work carried out during the day. “There’s not much we can’t do, it’s a one-stop shop so we don’t have to rely on anybody outside and if we need something done, we can do it overnight,” he said. As the trucks began to rumble up into the hills to start the day’s hauling down to the log dump Hutton was about to fire up the Komatsu excavator to build on the already impressive pile of timber that had been neatly stacked, with Hutton working on getting all his trucks and drivers’ home to Gippsland with a load of pulp for the weekend. “It’s what we work around for the whole week, we have people in the office monitoring BFM - we need it especially on these longer routes….we have a pretty good management team back at head office which allows me to get out here running a machine instead of staring at a computer.”

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20 READER RIGS

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Harrold Services truckie Mick Golding and this Kenworth T909 were waiting to be loaded up at Coonawarra, WA.

Steven Thun and his truck take in the sunset on the Barkly highway at Frewina, NT.

Share your truck pics THE trucking game is as diverse as the terrain on which our truckies travel. If there’s one thing we know many of you love, it’s a good looking rig – and sometimes life on the open road brings some golden photo opportunities. The Big Rigs #PicOfTheDay competition is a chance

to share your best snaps through our Facebook page (@BigRigs). We’ll choose a weekly winning shot to feature as our Facebook cover photo and a selection of the best pics will be featured in the next edition of Big Rigs Newspaper. So get snapping and keep those great pics coming!

Having just clocked the one million kilometre mark, Darren Curtain and this immaculate Western Star were at the recent Tassie convoy.

On a dull grey day, this bright blue truck offered a pop of colour, and Justin Sellens couldn’t resist the opportunity for a photo.

Land Transport truckie Ben Miller and this Kenworth K200 carts a load of trailers in WA.

Jason Cocks sent in this great shot towing a set of quad tankers just outside of Wittenoom, WA, a once thriving asbestos mining town in the Pilbara that’s now a ghost town.

Yowie (a Kenworth T610) and 2speed (a Kenworth T909) chill beneath the sunset at Hazeldean, Queensland.

Mark Ardell shared this pic of a Kenworth T908 conquering the outback with ease while pulling a road train loaded up with water.

READER RIGS 21

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Kyle Nicholas-Benney shared this shot, taken near Lake Cullulleraine, Victoria, on his last run before Christmas.

The green of this Western Star 4800 pops against the backdrop of this magnificent sky. ThanksÂ for sharing Deegan Watkins.

Nicholas Dolan captured this awesome shot at Morella, Queensland.

This 2001 Volvo carts 80,000 litres of water around central Queensland. Thanks for sharing Brendan Steele.

Kevin Bemrose and this Hawkins Haulage WA rig were leaving Nixon Brothers Farm, loaded with wheat.

Three truckies gaze under the stars near Two Mile, Queensland. Thanks for sharing Daniel J Walter.

This set-up was hard at work in north-western Victoria, working the barley harvest. Thanks for sharing Heath Rice.

Kev Cameron sent in this ripper night-time shot of his 2003 Western Star at Barooga, NSW.

Russell Oppermann snapped this pic on the Strzelecki Track carting scrap bins from Moomba toÂ Adelaide.

22 OPERATOR PROFILE

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Rubber hits the road with new Mercedes-Benz Actros

DRIVER Diego Manzo is one of those lucky truckies whose boss lets him choose the truck he drives. Manzo is stoked that his boss bought a new generation Mercedes-Benz Actros and that he even ticked the box for the optional MirrorCam feature.

Manzo, who works for D and K Scott, delivers dump truck and loader tyres from Port Botany to mines in the Hunter Valley. The truck tows a custom trailer set developed for the monster tyres that measure up to 4.2 metres tall and 2 metres wide.

Truckie Diego Manzo delivers dump truck and loader tyres from Port Botany to mines in the Hunter Valley.

These aren’t any old tyres, no Bob Jane All Rounders here. They feature GPS sensors that are used to monitor exactly how many times they turn; like a kind of tyre odometer. They also feature a soft interior layer that goes hard, and effectively seals a hole, when exposed to the atmosphere. They are not cheap either and many of the big ones each cost more than a Ford Ranger Wildtrack. Still when you consider the need for absolute maximum productivity on a busy mine site, it makes sense to use the best possible gear. The Actros also has a decent amount of technology, which is designed to maximize efficiency, boost safety and make life easier for the driver. The new Actros features two new iPad-style display screens on the dashboard, replacing the centre screen and speedo and tacho cluster, which Mercedes-Benz calls the Multimedia Cockpit. They are super-crisp and look very similar to the type of screen you get in fancy prestige cars that have the same big badge on the nose. But the Mercedes-Benz truck is missing something

that all Mercedes-Benz cars have. Mirrors. The D and K Scott Actros is one of the first on the road with the MirrorCam system, which replaces big side-mounted mirrors with small camera wings and displays that mount inside the cab on the A-pillars. MirrorCam has been designed to remove a huge blindspot in the driver’s view and can also reduce noise and save fuel. Mercedes-Benz understands that a change like this will be welcomed by some and shunned by others, so it is keen to stress that the MirrorCam system is entirely optional. Manzo, 47, is a big fan of MirrorCam, especially when backing into the yard on an angle. “I have been driving a B-Double driver since the 1990s when you turn them when backing you lose sight of the back of the trailer,” he said. “I get better visibility to the back of the rear trailer with MirrorCam because I always have sight of it when I am backing it in. I reckon this is great,” he says. Manzo said it took him a lit-

The D and K Scott Actros is one of the first on the road with the MirrorCam system.

tle while to get used to the new system, but will be ordering in them on the next Benzes they buy. Manzo says the digital mirrors are also better in bad weather conditions: “They don’t fog up and the rain doesn’t sit on them,” he says. Safety gear that comes standard with the Actros includes the radar system that can automatically brake in an emergency and even detect and fully

brake for pedestrians as well as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Manzo’s boss and D and K Scott Transport Managing Director, Darren Scott, had safety on his mind when he purchased the truck. “We are going out to the mines, where safety is paramount, so it is especially important that we have the safest equipment available,” Scott said.

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MirrorCam has been designed to remove a huge blindspot in the driver’s view.

“Systems like the Autonomous Emergency Braking are very important and the additional visibility provided by the MirrorCam system is also of great value.” Scott adds that his company is committed to using the best gear available. “We want to be at the front of the pack when it comes to technology,” he said. D and K Scott Transport introduced a 530hp 13-litre Actros to its fleet two years ago, but decided to go for the 580hp 16-litre six-cylinder this time around. This is the big banger of

the range, which is essentially the same as the DD16 straight-six in the new Freightiner Cascadia. It is an advanced engine, with variable high-pressure injection, asymmetrical turbo and turbo compounding for that extra pull under load. The engine works with a 12-speed automated manual transmission. The new Actros also uses the fuel-saving Predictive Powertrain Control system, which would have been the stuff of science fiction a few decades back. It uses topographical data and GPS to help the trans-

mission pick the right gear for the terrain. What this means, is that the truck could decide to hold onto gear, rather than drop down a gear, just before the crest of the hill. It also tells the truck exactly when it can flick into the coasting mode for optimum fuel saving, without the truck exceeding the speed limit. Scott always adds a bit of bling to the D and K Scott trucks. They don’t go over the top, but add just enough stainless steel, a driving light bar at the top of the cab, a custom sun-visor with builtin LED lights and a tough bull-bar to make this rig stand out in a crowd. The upgrades aren’t limited to the exterior, with Darren ticking the box for the premium sound system with factory sub-woofer. Manzo is sure glad he did and spends a lot of his drive tome listening to music and podcasts. He and says the sound system and quietness of the truck mean that phone calls on the road are a breeze. “It is just like having a hands-free phone conversion in a car; it is that clear,” Manzo said. He appreciates the sound system, the touchscreen controls, the automated transmission and the comfortable ride of the Actros, which runs at around 60 tonnes all up. “It’s so comfortable that I don’t get tired after driving it,” he said. “The truck does a lot of the work itself.”

The truck tows a custom trailer set developed for the monster tyres that measure up to 4.2 metres tall and 2 metres wide.

The new Benz is so comfortable that truckie Diego Manzo never tires of driving it.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, TRUCKIES KEEP EVERYONE GOING. Transport operators across Australia rely on Shell Rimula oils to protect their equipment operating in Australia’s tough conditions. Contact us on 1300 134 205 or visit Shell.com.au/Rimula to find out more about Shell Rimula and the range of transport lubricants.

24 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Furniture specialist reports massive fuel savings

The first Australian operator to take delivery of a Cascadia with a manual transmission is reaping the rewards. FURNITURE hauling specialist Williamson Bros is reporting a 20 per cent fuel saving with its new manual Freightliner Cascadia. The Kempsey-based company, which runs a 20-truck fleet, opted for an 18-speed manual Eaton manual for the 13-litre model. The Cascadia, hauling a B-double and with Gross Combination Mass of 40 tonnes, completed its first few

trips with a fuel economy figure of 2.6km per litre. “It used 160 litres less fuel on a single trip from Kempsey to Melbourne and back compared to the bonneted truck it replaced,” said Damien Clegg, who runs Williamson Bros with his wife Karlie and family. “That is a significant saving. When you do the sums on the kilometres it does, that actually accounts for a decent chunk of the pay-

Mavin Truck Centre’s Steve Pinkstone, left, with owner Damien Clegg.

ments on the truck.” Williamson Bros, which has depots in Kempsey, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, is the first Australian customer to take delivery of a Cascadia with a manual transmission. The company made the call to choose a manual based on the preference of driver Darren Campbell, who has been with Williamson Bros for 21 years. “I’ve driven cab-overs but I do prefer bonneted trucks and I do like manual gearboxes,” said Campbell. He likes the Cascadia and its performance, but the comfort levels are what impresses him the most. Truckie Darren Campbell said it’s the comfort levels that have impressed him most. “It is very comfortable to drive,” said Campbell. “All the controls are close to hand and there is a lot of room in the cab and the bunk, it is really quite spacious.” The Cascadia features a full-suite of integrated safety technology that is new to the conventional truck class, including a radar and camera-based Autonomous Emergency Braking system that can automatically detect, and fully brake for, moving pedestrians in addition to vehicles. It also has radar-based adaptive cruise control and a

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Truckie Darren Campbell said it’s the comfort levels that have impressed him most about the new Cascadia.

lane departure warning system in addition to Electronic Stability Control and a driver airbag. Williamson Bros also chose to add the optional Side Guard Assist, which uses radar to ‘look’ down the left side of the truck and trailer to detect vehicles, pedestrians and objects in preparation for left turns. Clegg said he was pleased to have cutting-edge safety features in his company’s vehicles. “We want to do everything we can to protect our drivers and the community, so it just makes sense to choose the truck with the best safety equipment,” he said. Clegg also appreciated the four year/800,000km manufacturer warranty and five years/500,000km of complimentary servicing that come standard with all Cascadia models rated below 110 tonnes. He purchased the 116 Cascadia through salesman Steve Pinkstone from local Daimler Trucks dealer Mavin Truck Centre. The 116 Cascadia has a

The Cascadia features a full-suite of integrated safety technology that is new to the conventional truck class.

Bumper to Back of Cab (BBC) measurement of 116 inches and features a 13-litre Detroit DD13 six-cylinder, which produces 505hp and 1850lb-ft. A 126 Cascadia with a 126inch BBC is also available with a 16-litre DD16, which produces 600hp and 2050lb-ft. Both engines meet the stringent GHG17 standard, which exceeds the Euro 6 emissions

standard. Most Cascadias use a DT12 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission with Intelligent Powertrain Management, which uses topographic data to determine the best times to change gear and to enter the fuel saving eCoast mode. Four different 18-speed Eaton manual RLTO are also available.

DRIVER PROFILES 25

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Truckin’ In The Tropics

with Alf Wilson

Terry McNee

Matt Sultana

AN old 1987 Toyota Dyna which is a common sight around Ravenshoe in the northern tropics and driven by owner Terry McNee used to operate in Sydney. The 70-year-old McNee moved to Ravenshoe which is a small town on the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland two and a half years ago. “I bought it in 2013 from the fellow in NSW who had it since new and I have used it as a mobile workshop for my carpentry and even lived in it on two occasions. It has been a very reliable truck,” McNee said. Big Rigs saw McNee and his trusty Toyota just before midday on December 18 when the temperature was about 34 degrees. McNee said he lived at Sydney, Parkes and Lismore in NSW and in the Whitsunday region of Queensland. “I used to travel a lot be-

SYDNEY based owner-operator Matt Sultana was deep in the tropics at Bowen in North Queensland when Big Rigs saw him. The 33-year-old Matt had hauled fertilizer from Brisbane to Townsville and had pulled up at the Bowen Caltex Roadhouse beside the Bruce Highway. He was driving a Kenworth K-200 and his company name is Westways Haulage. “I have a backload of corn heading for Toowoomba,” he said. Of Maltese descent, Sultana has spent 10 years doing tipper work around Sydney. “I have only been doing interstate for a short time,” he said. Sultana didn’t pause when asked to nominate the worst roads he has to travel on.

tween Sydney and Brisbane and liked stopping at the Wyong Roadhouse,” he said. McNee pulled up at a rest area with public toilets and covered seats in the street behind the Ravenshoe CBD. “This is all new and good

for the town,” he said. On the Dyna’s back passenger side is some evidence of somebody writing on it. “Some kids placed graffiti there and it was scrubbed off but then they did it again,” he said.

Stephen Findlow IT was just before dusk in late December when Big Rigs saw Brisbane based driver Stephen Findlow parked at Malanda in North Queensland. Findlow works for S&G Transport and was behind the wheel of a Volvo FH-16 Bdouble. “I brought up furniture from Brisbane to Mackay and have to pick up fruit at Atherton to take back south,” Findlow said. During his break Findlow had purchased tea from Pizza on James in Malanda’s main street. “Some other truckies recommended the pizza shop to me,” he said. Friendly Findlow was born at Manchester in England and moved to Australia as a four year old. Speaking of his age, Findlow was due to celebrate his 56th birthday on January 28. We hope you have a great day. Findlow is a connoisseur of fine food and likes stopping at the Starburst Diner at Gin Gin

when in the area. I asked Findlow what his hobbies were and he answered swiftly. “I don’t have time for any. When I get home I sleep, wash my clothes and then head off to work again,” he said. Findlow loves the Volvo which is near new and powered

by a 600hp motor with an automatic gearbox. When questioned about the worst road he travels on Findlow didn’t hesitate. “It is the Bruce Highway and where do I start about which parts?” he said. Findlow had been a truckie for more than three decades.

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“They would be the M-7 and the Parramatta Road in Sydney and they are always busy,” he said. The roadhouse Sultana likes stopping at is at Camooweal which is located in outback Queensland near the NT border. “It is in remote country

and good for truckies and the people are friendly,” he said. Sultana doesn’t use an electronic work diary but feels he will in the future. “Eventually all truckies will have one,” he said. The first truck Sultana drove was an International Atkinson 4870.

Jason McIvor A SCANIA cruised up the main street of scenic Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands and pulled up on a corner. Jason McIvor left the passenger side door as the Scania drove around to the nearby Dairy Farmer’s factory. “I have been helping a relative pick up milk from farms in the region including from Ravenshoe to deliver to the factory,” McIvor said. McIvor said the tankers which carry the milk are insulated and not refrigerated. He said the Scania was great to travel in and ideally suited for the work it does. I didn’t get to talk to the driver as he was busy gaining entry to the factory to deliver the milk. Whilst much of Australia

faces drought the area around Malanda is lush green and the valleys and small hills have lots of dairy cows feeding

from them. Malanda was once the centre of the world’s longest milk run.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tassie Truckin’

with Jonathan Wallis

Robert Wade

Steve Bush

IT was so good to catch up with our esteemed old mate, Robert Wade from Nubeena, the other day at Kempton, when he pulled over for a refreshment break. He was driving his renowned, and always immaculate, 2007 Western Star Constellation 4800, with a 550 C-15 Cat up front and towing a tri-axle loaded trailer from Hobart to Bell Bay at the time and would then be returning home and knocking off for the day. He told us he has had the Star since brand new and it now has 1.4 million on the clock, and is still a good reliable truck. “I have been an owner driver now for 42 years,” he told us, “though it was originally the family business, and although we took a bit of a hit early on with the lock down, and business has taken a considerable hit down here, we are still soldiering on and keeping our head above water. “The New Year has started off well for us so far though, now we just have to see what the year ahead has in store for us all, but hopefully it will be a bit less traumatic than 2020.” We asked him about how he spends his time off, and that drew a bit of a laugh, and he replied: “Well after the maintenance and book

IT was a great pleasure to catch up with Steve Bush from Port Sorrell the other day when he stopped over for a refreshment break and a welcomed hot coffee at Kempton. He was driving his ‘Mountain Dew’ 2001 twin steer Scania 310 14b pallet rigid at the time and was on his way home to Port Sorell from Hobart. He told us he was glad to be going home for a break after handling the Hobart operation through the festive season. And he added that he began bagging ice by hand 30 years ago, and went on to say: “Our major factory is at Shearwater, but we have come a long way since then as a family business, one that Wendy and I established in 1989. We have a close connection with the Southern Tasmanian community too, as in fact I grew up on a hop farm in the Derwent Valley. Nowadays we have 9 trucks on the go, and when we are busy, 11, including this Scania which does linehaul and only comes out at peak periods. “It seems a long time since I started out doing deliveries in a HiAce van about 27 years ago, we’d load her up and go like the clappers before the ice melted on us.” Asked about time off, he said he likes riding and still

work, I enjoy a bit of work in the garden and try to take it easy when I can. But seriously, it’s all good just now, and we’re feeling a bit

confident and hoping the Industry in general is going to pick up. And best wishes to everyone out on the road now as well.”

Wayne Farley

now, and he enjoys the work, and finds them a great outfit to work for, and that he is happy with both the way they maintain their trucks and care for their drivers. “But it’s worth more money!” he said. We asked why and he replied, “Well, we have to put up with ‘the Minister’, enough said.” He has been on the road now for 15 years and said he has never regretted taking up driving for a career. “Well we had a good quiet New Year, and the freight is

delighted to see Big Rigs out as a paper again. “I find it a great informative paper, and I look forward to seeing each new edition, as incidentally, does my wife.”

made up with the job here. “The atmosphere is good as they are progressive and expanding, and they are a good family outfit to work for in every way, and importantly they look after us, and run top gear like this Volvo. I’ve been driving professionally for approximately 30 years now, and have never had any regrets, as I worked out way back that I really didn’t like being stuck in the same place for long, and I am much happier being out and about on the road and looking around this beau-

tiful state at the same time, plus you get to meet some very interesting folk along the way as well. Happily, we have been kept busy throughout the year, as the Pandemic didn’t seem to affect us much.” We asked Geard how he spent his time off, and he told us he enjoys doing things with his daughters’ horses, and: “When I get the opportunity, playing a bit of golf. So, it’s all good here, and 2021 is shaping up pretty well by the looks of it just now.”

Ian Geard IT was a pleasure indeed to catch up with Ian Geard from Hobart the other fine day when he rolled in to Mood Food at Kempton for a bite to eat and to drop off some fuel from Self ’s Point. He was driving an eye-catching Bennett’s Petroleum 2018 460 “Euro 4” FM Volvo and towing a fuel tanker at the time, and told us: “I’ve been here with Bennett’s for three years now, though there’s been a long association with the family as I used to deliver gas to them before that, and I am

GOOD to catch up with our old mate Wayne Farley from Westbury the other day when he dropped in to the Bennett’s 24-Hour Caltex Truckstop and Roadhouse at Kempton for a quick bite to eat and a great cuppa. He was driving a Toll 2018 Granite 8 car carrier, with a 435 MP8 up front, and was on his return leg, taking three cars back to Launceston, and would then be happily knocking off for the day. He told us he has been with Toll for nine good years

has some horses and cattle, to look after, but mostly he likes getting out on the water and boating, a natural choice for anyone living at Port Sorell! Finally, he added that he was

picking up nicely now, in fact they are keeping us running pretty well flat out, and that’s a good feeling, though I am looking forward to knocking off for the day. “By the way, it’s great to see Big Rigs back in business, and my wife likes reading it as well and it keeps us both up-todate with what is going on.” Asked about how he spends his time off, he told us: “Well I enjoy taking a bit of rest with the family and enjoying the view, the block, the animals and the fresh air.”

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28 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies split on whether it’s okay to flash lights SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Flashers: Good Samaritans or villains? DURING the past few months Spy has seen many drivers flashing their lights at oncoming traffic to warn of a police speed radar van or patrol just up the highway. A small percentage of the “flashers” have been truck drivers. Several times these warnings have undoubtedly saved expensive speeding fines as cars whizzed past me well over the limit. As far as Spy can glean it is illegal in all Aussie states and territories to do this. But the actual offence definition and penalty if one gets caught varies. Whatever the law is at different places you must ponder if is indeed a good or bad thing to flash.

Police beside a NSW highway near Tenterfield.

Having said that most of us have done it or when flashed ourselves have been able to slow down to prevent a breach arriving in the mail. Those who have been fined will tell you it certainly gives them the incentive to stick to speed limits. I asked some truckies what they thought of the practice and about 60% were in favour. A common answer was that most of these enforcement vans are revenue raisers which do little to reduce the road toll. However some who were

against it reckon that speedsters deserve to be fined and pay up and that in fact anything that helps prevent accidents is good. What do you think? Heaviest log rivalry THE timber industry has played an important role in Australia and in some locations you will see giant logs on display which is testimony to this. But which of these “log displays” is the heaviest or biggest I am often asked. Old Spy can think of two

The giant log on display at Millaa Millaa.

towns at different ends of the country which would qualify for that honour – at Campbelltown in Tasmania and at Millaa Millaa located on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland. In a park at historical Campbell Town, which is 67kms south of Launceston and 132kms north of Hobart on the main Midland Highway or Heritage Highway as it is more commonly known, is one of the biggest logs you would ever see. It is situated under an open sided shed and was donated by the O’Brien family in recognition of the timber industry in the nearby forest area. It came from the Fingal Valley off a property called “Evercreech” and it is hardwood most likely gum. One of my most loyal sub agents is veteran Tasmanian Selwyn Sinfield who I asked for info on the Campbelltown log. “Campbell Town hardwood log on display is a tribute to the pioneers of the area. It was felled on the “Evercreech” property at Mathinna in the Fingal Valley in 1980.

It is 7.8 meters (25 foot 7 inch) long and 218 cm (86 inch) across with an estimated weight when felled of 18.50 tonne,” he said. With assistance from Fiona Dewar, Tourism & Events Officer for the Northern Midlands Council, I was able to receive some pics of the Campbelltown log taken by Adrian Parsons when it was transported to the park. MIllaa Millaa is beside the Palmerston Highway on the rich Atherton Tablelands and parts of a Great Kauri Pine Tree are on display there. It had been on five acres of land gifted to the Crown in 1947. This giant Kauri Pine tree crashed to the ground in 2003 when its root system could no longer sustain it. In 2006 the Department of Natural Resources gave permission to the local Chamber of Commerce for it to be trucked to Millaa Millaa after Cyclone Larry created devastation. It was 14m long with an average girth of 10m and trucked in four pieces in 3x4m and 1X2m lengths.

It was carbon dated and noted to be 870 years old. Wrong vehicle AN off-duty truckie was sitting in the passenger side seat of his SUV at a Darwin parking area listening to the radio whilst his wife was spending his hard earned in nearby shops. Suddenly a door opened and a man who looked to be aged in his fifties sat in the driver’s seat. For a split second our man thought this intruder was attempting to take off in his beloved new SUV. The intruder also demanded to know what our truckie was doing in his vehicle. It was all an honest mistake and the other fellow had parked his SUV which was the same model and colour a few metres away. When that was determined they had a good laugh about it. Wedding surge in new year COVID-19 has changed the lives and circumstances of most Australians including truckies and road transport industry people. Some of whom would

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 have been married by now if Covid-19 had not come along. Many had marriages planned for 2020 with venues booked and arrangements made. But these had to be put on hold until this year because of social distancing, numbers allowed at such events which has varied around Oz, and other considerations such as family travel. Whatever the circumstance there will be many weddings involving road transport men and women in the next 11 months. Touch wood. Providing there is not another Covid-19 outbreak. Spy has already been asked to snap the wedding pics for several. I wish everybody in this situation who has postponed their special day the best of luck. Car wash road rage ONCE a month on his days off, a middle-aged Victorian truckie loves nothing better than rocking up to a local car wash to clean his muchloved SUV. It is his pride and joy and he often gets to meet interesting people there which is a bonus. But early in the new year he never expected lots of drama at what is usually a quiet venue. He vacuumed the interior and sprayed some deodorant inside as there had been a smell which he suspected was from a dead gecko. The lad then went around to pay $20 for an ultimate

car wash but was in a line of cars. When he was second from the front a car ready to get a wash suddenly reversed towards his vehicle. So he pomped his horn and the car pulled up short of his bumper bar then an angry but startled man got out. “The car in front has been washed twice and the second time was with the money I put into the machine,” he said. Anyway he took off soon after and our truckie mate washed his and after a few minutes the job was done. But his car would not drive out of the wash area and people waiting for their clean were screaming at him. Soon after a wash attendant came to the rescue and told him to reverse a little and drive out a tad faster. He did but left with this apt remark, “We have all heard of road rage but what about car wash rage,” he quipped. Dash cam captures pig in cage OUR champion truckies who have dash cameras are often surprised what they film. One South Oz driver who was picking up produce from the Atherton Tablelands region ended up on a narrow road behind a car towing a trailer with a pig in it. At first he thought it was a dog and he had to look twice to identify it as a hog. Spy has received a picture of the pig. Dirty toilets SPEAKING of pigs, Spy reckons that unknown hu-

The toilet which was left in a mess south of Tully.

Lass a keen truck snapper THERE is a young lass aged in her early twenties named Rachael who loves snapping pics of trucks during her travels. In recent months Rachael has visited Darwin, the Gold Coast and out to Richmond in outback Queensland. Rachael, who didn’t want her surname mentioned, sends Spy pics of trucks including one she seen beside the Flinders Highway. She has promised to send more pics during her trips for which I thank her. Rachael is one of those who will be married in mid-year to a road transport identity originally from Adelaide, who appeared in this column some years ago, They were to be married in 2020 but had to postpone due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A road train parked beside the Flinders Highway.

mans who could be described as one were responsible for leaving an unholy mess in a toilet at a rest area beside the Bruce Highway in Queensland. The toilets are located at a new rest area south of Tully and are well used by motorists including lots of truckies. When Spy stopped there last month there was human faeces all over the toilet bowel and nearby floor. It was unusable and I had to feel for the poor council workers who have to clean them. One can only ponder why anybody would do such as animal act. Friendly worker THE kind actions of a worker at the Caltex Roadhouse and Servo at Malanda in Queensland really impressed several truckies. A lady who was aged in her sixties went to the business which is popular with truck drivers to buy some food and ice. She had a sore back and various other ailments which would not have been evident to the staff. Her vehicle was parked across the road and a male youth who looked about age 18 asked his boss could he carry it for the lady. Which he did and even placed it in her esky. She told Spy he went beyond the call of normal duty. The truckies were delighted with him.

Ashes cancelled due to virus SINCE it commenced in 1948 with just six men’s teams the annual Goldfield Ashes cricket carnival at Charters Towers has attracted many players and supporters from the road transport industry. Thousands of truckies have played in teams or supported them over the decades and numerous transport companies have sponsored sides. Sadly the 2021 event, which was scheduled from January 23 to 25, has been cancelled due to the pandemic. That difficult decision was made by the organising committee in late December after the carnival looked like going ahead under Covid-19 restrictions. “We hope to be back bigger and better in 2022,” committee member Kerri Forno told Spy.

A pig in a cage captured by dash cam.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Lots of events and projects to look forward to in 2021 COST CUTTER CHET CLINE

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT TRANSPORT WOMEN IN JACQUELENE BROTHERTON JACQUELENE BROTHERTON

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

TWU NEWS RICHARD OLSEN

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

AIR CTI founder/owner

Chair of Transport WomenWomen Australia Chair of Transport

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Australia

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

IT’S nearly the end of January and the start of the New Year has been much better than 2020, we have not been under siege by horrendous bushfires and crippling drought, although we are still in recovery mode from Covid-19. THE OZare TRUCKER We so fortunate to live MIKE WILLIAMS in this great country even if contributors@bigrigs.com.au it doesn’t seem so sometimes but we have too many levels of government and we need to have national issues handled by the Federal Government, not have each state making their own arrangements. The arbitrary closing of borders not only effects families but businesses trying to operate over state borders. The queues for trucks at LOBBYIST the Victorian/NSW borders STEVE Victoria SHEARERdecided just when SA Road Transport Association to re-close Executive Directorthe border at New Year was ridiculous and had unconscionable impost on truckdrivers and the compaAT THE WHEEL nies involved. DAVID MEREDITH contributors@bigrigs.com.au Families who had finally been able to go interstate

to visit relatives or cross the borders for a few days’ relaxation were caught up in a mad dash home; yet we still allow international flights into the country. How ludicrous is it, that everyday Australians cannot cross a state border, yet overseas travellers canBORDER return or TRUCKIN’ ON THE enter the country? DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au Now to matters of Transport Women Australia Limit-

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

TWU NEWS

need those in power to act now. We need a system based on good policy that ensures that the Clients become accountable for their continual demands for lower cost conLEGAL EAGLE tracts. KING ROWAN Principal Lawyer RK Law The new year is well under way and the clients who use our industry continue to place an unfair squeeze to ensure

TWU NSW State Secretary

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Principal Lawyer RK Law

Jacquelene Brotherton, left, interviews Kirstin Hoskin from Daimler Truck & Bus on an episode of Driving the Difference on ImportExport TV.

ed, at this point we are moving forward with our conference in Melbourne on May 28 – 30 at the Mantra, Epping. We thank our Foundation Business Partners NTI and Volvo Group Australia and welcome back our loyal sponsors PACCAR, Cummins South Pacific, TWUSUPER, NHVR, SRT Logistics, Ron Finemore Transport, Austbrokers AEI Transport and

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific. Our new website is being built and we are looking forward to the launch very soon, our Driving the Difference show on ImportExport TV is now available and there are sponsorship opportunities available for this as well. We have recorded two shows so far. Interested parties can contact me via the details below.

We will be holding International Women’s Day events in Sydney and Melbourne. If other states are interested, we will also host an event in your city or town. We also hope to restart our Learning Initiative Breakfasts and our Women Driving Transport Careers Courses. Our popular Brisbane Truck Show Breakfast will return on the Friday of the

truck show and we look forward to seeing you there. Remember the “Driving the Difference” Conference on May 28–30, 2021 and download the app to watch the Driving the Difference show on ImportExportTV. For sponsorship opportunities and other inquiries, please contact us on chair@ transportwomen.com.au or 0417 422 319.

their bottom line is ok, whilst drivers remain under immense pressure. Operators are subsisting on tight margins, operating very close to or even below cost. Time and time again, the need for accountability across the entire supply chain and the setting of proper rates of payment and payment times

has been proven to lead to safer roads with fewer accidents, and it is shameful that here in 2021 we’re still having to campaign for it. It’s distressing that the Federal Government are producing only half measures when it comes to payment legislation. The new law, the Payment Times Reporting Scheme is the

classic example of the half measures offered for the treatment of issues in our industry. Payment times must be 30 days or lower, but they are not. There is no fail-safe mechanism that ensures that those that do the work, are able to be properly compensated and on time. The financial squeeze for

owner operators is still unregulated, the reality is that the scheme will not adequately hold to account the vast majority of wealthy companies at the top who make those who transport their freight wait up to and even over 120 days for payment. The ongoing visible failures of the Federal and State Governments in their duty of care towards our industry is why we fight. It’s why we need to stand up to those that want to do too little to alleviate the pressure on the drivers that keep the transport industry moving. The result of this failure is serious, we see transport companies going under and we see transport workers paying with their lives and livelihoods. The TWU is putting companies, governments and members on notice. The arrogance and incompetence of government and some companies needs to be challenged. Good jobs that allow transport workers and operators to support their families instead of constantly struggling is worth the fight. Join your union and join the fight.

Visible failures when it comes to being paid

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NEWS RICHARDOLSEN OLSEN RICHARD TWU NSW State Secretary TWU NSW State Secretary

TWU members across the country are standing together to demand safer and fairer industry rates and conditions for all workers. Together, we continue to build a powerful voice for all transport workers. The voice is needed because wealthy companies at the top of supply chains continue to make big profits by pressuring the costs in transport. We want to turn this around. We have climbed out of the busiest season of the year for the industry and we still have uncertainty for owner operators when it comes to being paid fairly. For an employee or owner driver the best peace of mind is knowing that today’s load is properly paid for, that the truck is safe and you are properly rested. If we have any hope for a safe future on our roads, we

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

The new year is well under way and the clients who use our industry continue to place an unfair squeeze to ensure their bottom line is okay, whilst drivers remain under immense pressure.

COLUMN 31

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Surplus empty containers will cripple productivity ond biggest export was empty shipping containers they would be rightly surprised and shocked. COVID-19 has also highlighted this with container parks around the country full of empty containers because of a decline in exports and a corresponding shortage of ships to return them to their countries of origin. Wharf carriers in the Port of Melbourne are finding it harder to meet their customers obligations in sourcing and returning empty containers with empty container parks because of this trade imbalance, alarming transport operators who are being fined for late returns of import containers and disappointing customers in not supplying the right container type for exports. The movement of empty containers has become a problem with COVID-19 as countries grapple with unknown demand for many goods and a reshuffle of trading relations. The current trading issues with China has not helped the international trade position of Australia, with many containers not

VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

WHEN most people think of national and international trade, what immediately springs to mind are trucks, trains, ships and planes full of goods manufactured, mined or grown here in Australia, and being sent around the country and around the world for people to consume and enjoy. Conversely, goods arriving from other nations for us to consume locally because we don’t produce them here is what people imagine when they think of inbound trade – the take-off in online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly reinforced to most consumers the value and necessity of international commerce. So, if you told most Australians that our nation’s sec-

being repositioned overseas from Australia. This has meant that the dozen or so formal empty container parks in Melbourne are at capacity, with their compatriot shipping lines not repositioning containers back overseas. Additionally, we have been experiencing record levels of imported goods in the past three months that has exacerbated the issue. Wharf carriers are unable

to secure sufficient slots for the de-hire of import containers or the collection of the correct type of empty export containers in the port, leading to empty container parks being unable to cope with the volume because they do not have the space or resources to meet the demand. Transport companies that are unable to return empty containers within a specified time are fined directly on a

If you told most Australians that our nation’s second biggest export was empty shipping containers they would be rightly surprised and shocked.

daily rate that is non-negotiable. These costs will be passed onto customers who must then pass on to consumers. However, there are solutions that would alleviate many of the issues. While waiting for a greater balance in world trade volumes for containerised freight we can acknowledge the issue and vary the current parameters of the process of movement of empty containers. The VTA’s recommendations include: • Shipping lines increasing the current import return allowances before late fines from 10 days from day of arrival to 14 days from collection. • Ensure carriers are recompensed for costs incurred by customers for the additional costs associated with handling, transport and storage of containers at their own premises. • Ensure shipping companies provide an immediate viable Empty Container Park/ Stevedore alternative if the carrier is precluded from transacting at the nominated contractor. That would

mean that shipping lines would need to assist each other and work together. It is not the fault of the wharf carrier that this issue has emerged, but it will be their cost from fines and additional resource that will increase. Additionally, the port supply chain will become more inefficient and reinforce the Port of Melbourne as the most expensive in Australia. For Melbourne and the whole of Victoria to maintain its reputation as the pre-eminent destination for freight, we must retain our competitiveness because in our global economy, customers and consumers will most often than not conduct their business where it is cheapest and most cost-effective to do so. The issue will only get worse if is left unaddressed and the VTA will be working closely with stakeholders from the Victorian Government, the Port of Melbourne and the wharf carriers to ensure landside operators are not unfairly penalised for a trade imbalance and a corresponding problem that is well outside their control.

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32 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Freestones rewards young gun for showing passion

BY PAUL MATTHEI SEVERAL years ago, then 17-year-old Jake Caulfield walked into the company’s office and asked if he could get a job driving a truck. Instead of turning him away due to his lack of experience, Freestones Transport owners Paul and Christine Freestone saw an opportunity to give back to the industry and offered him an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic in the company’s workshop. Now in his third year, in addition to excelling in his mechanical trade, Caulfield has completed the VTA’s Driver Delivery Program and is now the proud holder of a Heavy Combination (HC) licence. He works every second weekend driving semi-trailers for Freestones from Melbourne to either Sydney or Adelaide and is looking forward to finishing his mechanical apprenticeship so he can commence driving full-time and obtain his Multi-Combination (MC) licence. Caulfield’s connection with Freestones goes way back as his father, who sadly passed away when he was four years old, used to drive for the company back in the 1980s. “I’ve always enjoyed being around trucks and my dad used to work here a long time ago

– Freestones have an amazing fleet of top looking trucks,” said Caulfield. “A couple of years back I came in and spoke with Paul (Freestone) about how I could get into the transport industry and I was gobsmacked when he offered me a job. I’ve always been like that – not afraid to walk in off the street and see what happens.” Caulfield said he didn’t really mind what sort of work it was, as long as he was around trucks. “I was over the moon when they offered me a job, whether it was washing trucks or working on them – whatever it was I knew I’d be happy.” A key advantage was that he had already obtained his Heavy Rigid (HR) licence while in a previous labouring job, giving him a solid foundation on which to start. “I got my HC licence under the VTA’s five-day course which was great because it gave me the extra practical experience and knowledge about driving semis on top of gaining my licence,” said Caulfield. “Those courses aren’t cheap, so I was really stoked that Freestones provided this opportunity for me.” According to Freestones Transport co-owner, Christine Freestone, giving young people like Jake Caulfield the opportunity to join the industry is a win-win for all concerned.

“Jake knew that his father worked for our company and loved working here and he had a dream to drive trucks just like his dad did,” said Freestone. “When he first walked in our door and asked for a job, we promised we would help him to fulfill his dream and we offered him an apprenticeship with us.” Freestone said over the ensuing years Caulfield has been an exceptional apprentice and through the VTA course he was able to gain his HC licence and become a semi-trailer driver. “He passed the course with flying colours and today he is still doing his apprenticeship and also doing our FedEx or DHL semi-trailer runs every other weekend,” said Freestone. “It’s a win-win for everyone – that we had the ability to take Jake on as an apprentice and that the VTA was able to provide the training for him – subsidised by the Federal Government – which enabled him to gain his HC licence. “As a result, we have gained an exemplary employee and a great interstate truck driver,” she said. Freestone added that she hoped this story would encourage other young Australians to consider a career in the trucking industry. “Our message to young people is that there are companies that will train you; don’t give up – your dream is achievable.”

Young driver follows footsteps of industry legend

Truckie Luke Bishop is keen to travel up to Cape York soon to check out where his famous great aunt operated.

BY ALF WILSON DRIVING trucks is in the blood of 32-year-old Luke Bishop whose great aunt was legendary Cape York female road transport identity Toots Holzheimer. Luke’s father Glenn Bishop, his uncle Rodney and his grandmother Lorraine are the owners and operators of Cairns company Bell’s Carrying & Crane Hire.

Big Rigs caught up with Bishop as he delivered to the Mobil Roadhouse and Service Station at Mourilyan in north Queensland. He was driving an Isuzu NNR 45-150 Vanpack for Reward Hospitality of Cairns, delivering hospitality equipment, kitchen goods and housekeeping supplies - toilet paper, tissues and chemicals etc. “It has been very busy at this time of the year and toilet paper is in high demand,”

Bishop said. Bishop has been a driver for seven years and with this employer for the past two. “Yes, trucking is in my blood, my dad Glenn is also a driver, my grandfather Alwyn Chauncey Bishop was also a truck driver and also Alwyn’s sister who is my great aunt Toots Holzheimer, who you would have heard of. A lot of people don’t believe me when I tell them I am a relative of the late Toots. I was very young

Jack Caulfield said he didn’t really mind what sort of work it was, as long as he was around trucks.

when she passed away.” We sure have and Big Rigs has published many stories on Toots who was a female pioneer of the road transport industry around Cape York in the far north. Bishop travels as far away as south to Tully along the Bruce Highway and 70km north of Cairns to Mossman via the scenic Captain Cook Highway. Quietly spoken Bishop said he saw some younger drivers on his travels but reckons there should be more who want to make it a career. The enthusiastic young driver enjoys stopping at the Mirriwinni Roadhouse north of Innisfail. “They serve up a good feed and the staff there are friendly,” he said. Outside work, Bishop enjoys playing video games and music and was once a guitarist and drummer with a local band named August Redemption. “We had been around for about seven years but now I enjoy strumming my guitar whilst at home. My favourite band is Pink Floyd and I like how they perform Shine On Your Crazy Diamond,” he said. Bishop rates the worst road he travels on as the Ellis Beach to Wangetti Beach section of the Captain Cook Highway. “It is very bumpy and you have to be very careful. I trav-

el the Captain Cook Highway twice a week,” he said. Bishop hopes to be a truck driver for the rest of his working life and has an aim to upgrade to an MC licence in the not too distant future. “I want to drive B-doubles and road trains,” he said. Having been told so much

about Toots, Bishop also is keen to travel up to Cape York soon to check out where she operated. “I haven’t been to Cooktown for about seven years and that was when I worked for another company and delivered kitchen goods. The fishing is good there as well,” he said.

Toots was a female pioneer of the road transport industry around Cape York in the far north.

COLUMN 33

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

ATA takes the lead on road safety research SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELLBEING DIRECTOR MELISSA WELLER Australian Trucking Association

RESEARCH tells us the most common contributing factors to road crashes are human errors, with most crashes able to be prevented or mitigated. Take a light vehicle driver cutting in front of a truck as an example. It seems like it should be easy to tell drivers just to stop doing it, but behaviour change relies on the human road user understanding what action is required of them, believing that this action is important and taking personal responsibility for changing the way they drive. This is no ‘road safety revelation’, as governments and road safety practitioners have been educating the public through mass communication and road user safety programs for many years. But how do we get cut

through, make an impact and get road users to change their actions? Can road safety communication and education campaigns save lives? The answer is yes. There is some research evidence that tells us it is possible to influence behaviour through the delivery of well-designed and well-executed campaigns. This includes campaigns such as SafeT360 that are evidence based with a theoretical foundation and targeted to a relevant audience. There remains however, a worldwide shortage of good quality research into road safety communication and behavioural change projects. Governments throughout the world spend millions on education and communication campaigns, but those campaigns are rarely evaluated formally. While SafeT360 is an immersive educational initiative, it was also designed to enable research that government and industry can draw on in developing future campaigns. In early December 2020, the ATA signed a research partnership with the Universi-

ty of Newcastle (Australia) that will take a deep-dive into our SafeT360 education initiative and shine a light on how best to communicate safety messages to young road users. Led by the University’s School of Psychology, the research project will focus on the ATA’s SafeT360 road safety exhibition, which teaches 16-25 year old road users how to share the road safely with trucks through virtual reality technology and interactive messaging. When using the road, it is us, as humans, who make the difference between hazard and safety, particularly young road users who are still developing their hazard perception skills. We need to assist them to make good decisions through targeted messaging. By increasing the knowledge of the road user, we can help the make better decisions that enable them to keep themselves and others safe. We aim to change the conversation from “will I duck in front of that truck so I can get off quickly at the traffic lights?” to “no, I won’t because I remember the SafeT360 experience teaching me that trucks

take a long time to stop and I might be rear-ended”. SafeT360 is not only a media campaign. Studies show that the effects of mass media campaigns alone are small, especially when compared to the effects of those like SafeT360 that are combined with education and hands-on, interactive experiences. In the 12 months since SafeT360’s launch, we have reached more than 2 million people digitally and over 1500 in-person. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Young people are connecting with SafeT360 and absorbing our key safety messages. 24-year-old university graduate Georgia testified that the design, tone, and content of SafeT360 is engaging our target audience. She states that she learned new information, previously unaware of how long it took a truck to stop or where the driver’s blind spots were. She says that it was interesting to see the driver’s perspective via virtual reality videos which increased her understanding of the job that drivers do every day. Georgia’s testimonial is one of many offering the same

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SA operator Sharon Middleton chats to Canberra students about the SafeT360 at the official launch in 2019.

positive response. This research project is the trucking industry’s contribution to road safety leadership. It will generate lasting peer-reviewed research that can be used by researchers and road safety practitioners not only in Australia, but around the world. It will deliver valuable in-

sight into safety initiatives and how organisations can deliver to most effective communications and campaigns possible. The research will demonstrate that SafeT360 offers clear action and reliable information - leading young people towards good decision-making. Good decision-making that will save lives.

40 PUZZLES PUZZLES 34

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 7

6 11

8 14 15

ACROSS 1 If you are a collector of Clarice Cliff, what do you collect? (7) 4 What Latin American dance is performed by several people in single file? (5) 7 What are lengthwise threads on a loom? (4) 8 What is the capital of Liberia? (8) 10 In 1982, who made the first televised 147 break in snooker? (5,5) Across 12 Which inventor (Thomas ____) took out more than a 4 Name a renowned dish thousand patents in Scottish his lifetime? (6)(6) 13 What is the last word of human “Rule Britannia”? 7 What is the killing of one being by(6) another (8) 15 The Misfits in 1961 was the last film starring Marilyn 8 Who was the first to use antiseptics in surgery, Monroe and which other actor? (5,5) Joseph ... (6)Central and South America, a tamandua is 18 Native to what type of animal? (8) army non-commissioned officer ranks 16 9 Which 19 What cloth is spread over a coffin? (4) below sergeant (8) word for “a very long time”? (5) 20 What is an informal 21 What disease also known as lockjaw? 11 Which giant did isDavid slay with a stone (7) from his 6

14 SUDOKU

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 17 contains 18 box the digits 1 to199. 20

QUICK 1

6/6 DOWN 1 Which chess pieces are most numerous? (5) 2 What bright yellow powder is used for flavouring in Asian cookery? (7) 3 In early England, what was a small landholder between gentry and labourers? (6) 4 What branch of medicine is concerned with diseases and abnormalities of the heart? (10) 5 star that is suddenly brightens then about gradually is of 5 A What idle talk, especially thefades affairs called what? (4) others (6) 6 Which film, 1984’s Best Picture Oscar winner, was 6 To still, and filmed in be Prague? (7) apparently incapable of movement, is 9 Where waswhat Louis(5) Armstrong born? (3,7) to be 11 Which woman was married on 29 April 1945, and died 9 following What isday? methyl the (3,5)morphine (6) 12 is theterm widening channel a river where 10What Which describes a of nickname (7) saltwater mixes with freshwater? (7) 12In Name anwhat Australian entertainer, composer and 14 heraldry, is the colour silver? (6) 16 Millions of records from musician, Rolf ... (6)which US immigration entry island are accessible on the internet? (5) 14Which Which US film actor noted for her role in Sophie’s 17 English college wasisfounded by Henry VI in 1440?Choice, (4) Meryl ... (6)

sling (7) 13 To look upon with contempt (7) 16 Name a suit of playing cards (6) 15 Who practises the art of treating the body by 18 Name an Australian family prominent in the fields of rubbing, kneading, or the like (7) law and politics (5) 17 Which planet has a system of five rings (7) DOUBLECROSS 20 What are small districts enclosed within other ones (8) 19 What are bird structures (5) CROSSWORD 21 What is a state of prolonged unconsciousness (4) 23 What 3 are 4 aspects, 5or phases6(6) 7 Find a ﬁnished crossword by deleting one of 22 letters When one food, one does what (4) 24 Violent storms are known as what (8) the two inconsumes each divided square. 8 25 Name an English pioneer of birth control, Marie ... (6) 10

Down

1 Name an12extinct clumsy flightless bird (4) 2 To have plunged temporarily into a liquid (6) 13 3 What do we call a person who fiddles with the truth (4) 16 17 4 Name a telephone greeting (5)

24 25

18 20

Down 1. Jail (8) 2. Initially (5) 4. Paddle (3) 5. Abstinence (5,7) 6. Dare (7) 7. Informant (colloq) (4) 8. Feeling, atmosphere (12) 12. Happen (5) 13. Leans (8) 15. Free time (7) 19. Punctuation mark (5) 20. Competent (4) 22. Low (3)

Across 1. Uncertain (colloq) (4) 3. Absolved (8) 9. Associate (7) 10. From inside (5) 11. Over time (2,3,4,3) 14. Night bird (3) 16. Succulent plants (5) 17. Immeasurable period of time (3) 18. Arranged by rank (12) 21. Violent person (5) 22. Tearfully sentimental (7) 23. Poll (8) 24. Colony insects (4)

ALPHAGRAMS: LEASE, MYRIAD, NEARING, ORGANIST, PATRONESS.

GK CROSSWORD Across; 1 Pottery, 4 Conga, 7 Warp, 8 Monrovia, 10 Steve Davis, 12 Edison, 13 Slaves, 15 Clark Gable, 18 Anteater, 19 Pall, 20 Yonks, 21 Tetanus. Down: 1 Pawns, 2 Turmeric, 3 Yeoman, 4 Cardiology, 5 Nova, 6 Amadeus, 9 New Orleans, 11 Eva Braun, 12 Estuary, 14 Argent, 16 Ellis, 17 Eton.

29S

B O S S

R E N E W

O I L B K I N S O L T E E G A E L W E L

C O R A L

A L L O E D G S E L O E T R G C O

W U E E L D

M O A N

S T R U M

HARD

5x5

TODAY: Good 13 Very Good 18 Excellent 24

W A N E

U T

M I

J A P A N

DOUBLECROSS

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Iffy 3. Forgiven 9. Partner 10. Inner 11. In the long run 14. Owl 16. Cacti 17. Eon 18. Hierarchical 21. Brute 22. Maudlin 23. Election 24. Ants. Down: 1. Imprison 2. First 4. Oar 5. Going without 6. Venture 7. Nark 8. Undercurrent 12. Occur 13. Inclines 15. Leisure 19. Colon 20. Able 22. Moo.

C A

A T

R E E D S

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb.

E G R E T

SUDOKU G E A R S

WORD GO ROUND

5x5

17 19

Across 1 Inflamed swelling 3 Stills 8 Plunder 8 9 Outer covering 11 Tree 12 Alone 14 Wildebeest 15 Concise ALPHAGRAMS 14 18 Kingly Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word 19 Respectful fear anagram of the letters beside it, and the ﬁve solutions 21 ﬁve-letter Drug-yielding plant are sequential. For example, if the solution 16 starts with J, the six-letter solution 24starts Jury with K, and so on. 26 aithful 27 Afresh EASEL 28 Stair handrail post DIM RAY 29 Common ailment GRANNIE 22 23 ROASTING Down TRANSPOSE 1 Employer

I R

G A S

G E

R E S

2 the Wading bird to Insert missing letters make4ten words Drink — ﬁve reading across the grid and ﬁve reading 5 Deposit down. 6 Express suffering

Note: more than one solution Play unskilfully may 7 be possible.

10 11 13 16 17 18 20 22 23 25

Musical sound Marine growth Within the law Narrow opening © All puzzles The Puzzle Company Country Replenish Decline in power Therefore Unwanted plant Female sheep

SOLUTION QUICK CROSSWORD amir amrita aria arum atria atrium attar aura auric carat cart Across: 1 Stress, Fog, 7 Theme, 8 Entice, 11 Lit, 12 Keen, 13 Melt, cram curt marc maria mart raita rata rimu tarmac tart 4 tiara Steel, 161 Boil, 3 Calms, 8 Loot, 9 Skin, 11 Cedar, 12 Solo, 14 Gnu, tract trait tram trauma TRAUMATIC15 trim 15 Terse, 18 Regal, 19 Awe, 21 Aloe, 24 Panel, 26 True, 27 Anew, 28 Newel, 29 Cold. Down: 1 Boss, 2 Ibis, 4 Ale, 5 Lodge, 6 Moan, 7 Strum, 10 Note, 11 Coral, 13 Legal, 16 Slot, 17 Japan, 18 Renew, 20 Wane, 22 Ergo, 23 Weed, 25 Ewe.

HARD

SOLUTIONS

EASY

N I T R E

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

A S S E T

SUDOKU

EASY

A G G I S O N I S T E R S R L I A T H P A R S S E U R P I L A V E S D A P E S T S S S

D L H M I C I D E P A L R P O R A L I G O S D A I N O S M A P T U N E R E N C O C E T S E T E M A O P E S

D H O D C O O D I E I N E V F A T S T

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 4 Haggis, 7 Homicide, 8 Lister, 9 Corporal, 11 Goliath, 13 Disdain, 15 Masseur, 17 Neptune, 20 Enclaves, 23 Facets, 24 Tempests, 25 Stopes. Down: 1 Dodo, 2 Dippid, 3 Liar, 4 Hello, 5 Gossip, 6 Inert, 9 Codein, 10 Agnomen, 12 Harris, 14 Streep, 16 Spades, 18 Evatt, 19 Nests, 21 Coma, 22 Eats.

G E N E R A1 L 7 K N O 9W L E D 13 G E

FRIDAY JUNE 12 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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EXPERT ADVICE 35

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2021

Are you ‘tyred’ of being screwed by undue costs? COST CUTTER CUTTER COST CHET CHETCLINE CLINE AIR CTI Air CTIfounder/owner Founder/ Owner

WE all know that we are at the bottom of the totem pole as far as government regulators, taxes, costs, and our media. This is despite the fact that everyone uses our services, and every product is transported. WOMEN IN the TRANSPORT We pay for roads in high JACQUELENE BROTHERTON fuel taxes, high rego, high Chair of Transport Women Australia insurance, stamp duty, and tolls. Regulators target us with inspections and fines, usually for unimportant mistakes in our log books, or for superficial ‘defects’. Our working hours are strictly enforced, forcing us to stop when we are fresh, and park in waste land with no if we can find a THEamenities, OZ TRUCKER parking spot. MIKE WILLIAMS contributors@bigrigs.com.au We share the roads with untrained drivers, often towing large caravans. Our roads are crumbling into goat tracks. Yet, we still love our chosen careers. We have no control of the above costs. But, we can control a lot of other costs, if we choose. We all know that fuel is our biggest cost, yet, what do we do about it? Hot Rods LOBBYIST look cool, but we don’t drive STEVE SHEARER them daily.Association Yet, we often SA Road Transport Executive Director copy tough looking show truck ideas onto our money making (hopefully) work trucks. Why? Chrome west coast mirrors cost 3% of our fuel at 90 kph. Aero dynamic mirrors will save 1% every day, for the life of your rig. One percent is over $10,000 lost, wasted, dumped, given to the fuel company, for what! Then we hang lights, horns, external air cleaners, bug deflectors and other crap off your truck just costs money,

your money, every day. I’m sure the fuel company is richer than we are. Scania offered free driver training a few years ago, but no one was interested. The AT THE WHEEL difference between a steering DAVIDattendant MEREDITH wheel and a smart contributors@bigrigs.com.au drivercan be a 30% fuel savings. We could all improve our driving with a little training, but do we? New trucks come with smart cruise control, with topographic maps and fabulous programming, to help overcome our lack of skills. But, a smart driver can EDITORbeat a computer, if always JAMES he cares.GRAHAM Thirty percent savjames.graham@bigrigs.com.au ings adds up to huge savings. Why aren’t we pocketing these savings. Aero dynamic aids are a great investment. Many states in the US mandate a certain amount of aero. Yet, here in the best country on earth, we ignore the cost of fighting air. It is very easy to improve TWU NEWS fuel economy 10% with aOLSEN bit of aero. RICHARD TWU NSW State Secretary Why aren’t we doing it? Once it is fitted, the returns keep coming in every day, week, month and year. That money could be yours. Aero is easy. Simply guide the air flow up and around your truck smoothly. Eliminate sharp edges, steps, and gaps. The benefits are twofold. You save money by reducing fuel use, and you save time because the energy fighting the air can now be used to climb hills quicker, and you don’t spend so much time in the fuel station. Tyres are our second biggest cost, and are directly related to our health and safety. Yet, who cares? As regular readers know, those that know all the facts simply don’t tell us, especially when they will lose sales. Low rolling resistant tyres are getting better. They needed to. All the facts weren’t explained. Less tread is less rubber that must flex, reduc-

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Money is being thrown away on unnecessary features.

OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. TASSIE TRUCKIN’ WE ALL KNOW THAT EMPTY JON WALLIS contributors@bigrigs.com.au TRUCKS RIDE TERRIBLE. WE KNOW THAT AN EMPTY SEMI IS TWO AND A HALF TIMES MORE LIKELY TO JACK KNIFE. WHY? BECAUSE OVER INFLATED TYRES AMPLIFY EVERY BUMP, HAMMERING OUR LEGAL EAGLE DRIVERS, TRUCKS AND ROWAN KING Principal Lawyer RK Law ROADS TO DEATH. CHET CLINE

ing rolling resistance. In fact, a nearly worn-out tyre rolls easier than a low rolling resistant tyre. So, let’s put less tread on your tyre, call it something special, and sell it to you. Of course, it doesn’t last as long, so you pay more money, and you spend more time off the road, fitting new tyres, but who cares? Same with tyre pressures. They have told us to put 100 psi in all of our tyres for decades. This sells a lot more tyres, but doesn’t benefit us. Maybe they think we are too dumb to inflate our tyres correctly. Even our regulators believe this. The US regulators take the cake here. They class any tyre with less than 70 psi as flat! This lets the tyre manufacturer’s off the hook. Why recommend any pressures under 70 psi? So, they don’t, publicly. Of

course, they know better, as their ‘in house’ tyre specs prove. But, they sell a lot more tyres, millions more. Think about this for a moment. We are told to inflate drive and trailer tyres to the same inflation pressure as our steer tyres. Our tri axle trailer tyres only support 1,666 kg when fully laden, while our steer tyres support almost twice that load. Does that make sense? No way. Hence, most tyre manufactures publish ‘Load to Inflation’ tables. Light loads don’t need as much pressure as heavily loaded tyres. It simply makes sense. Yet, we have been told to keep them all inflated to the same pressure. How much does that cost us? Michelin used to print a tyre tread life chart (I can send you a copy if you want), comparing life at the optimum pressure to over inflated and under inflated. According to them, a 20% over inflated drive tyre on Aussie roads lost 22% of it’s tread life. Casing life was also reduced by 30%! Most uneven tyre wear, scalloping, punching, edge wear, diagonal wear, is all caused by over inflation. Over inflation costs our industry billions of dollars. When the NHVR’s PBS tyre review recommends only 75 psi for tandem drive tyre pressures for 11R22.5 tyres at our maximum load, we have a problem. He also recommended 55 psi for the same loaded tri axle tyres!

Lightly loaded tyres need even less. How much money and time are you wasting by running the wrong tyre pressures for your loads? Our health and safety is paramount. We all know that empty trucks ride terrible. We know that an empty semi is two and a half times more likely to jack knife. Why? Because over inflated tyres amplify every bump, hammering our drivers, trucks and roads to death. Because grossly over inflated tyres have a very small footprint. The amount of rubber gripping the road is tiny. Stopping distances, vehicle control, and driver stress go through the roof. Does anyone tell you about this? Nope. Even our NHVR is sitting on this vital information. Talk about Chain of Responsibility. What do we do to reduce tyre costs? Run the right tyre pressure for the load carried. Every AIR CTI customer gains at least 30% longer tyre life. We guarantee it. They also double diff and transmission life, triple suspension life and add at least 40% longer service life to your entire rig. Is this a great investment? And lives are saved, trucks are more reliable, time is saved, roads and environment benefit, and you pocket a lot

As the Michelin tyre wear chart shows, a 20% over inflated drive tyre wears out 22% quicker.

more money. Out of balance tyres cost you money too. Centramatic and Atlas balancers are easy to fit, benefit the driver, and reduce costs. Tyre pressure monitors are a step in the right direction, as are Tyre Pressure Maintenance systems. But, full on, easily adjustable, automatic systems, Central Tyre Inflation, is the best by far. Stop complaining about the long hours, the high stress levels and poor profit margins, and look into these proven beneficial facts. You can improve your entire business by investing in your business. Savings, which is what profits are, are enormous, if you work smart, think for yourself, and act. Please email me. I’m here to help: chetcline@hotmail. com.

How much money and time are you wasting by running the wrong tyre pressures for your loads?

Optimizing Tyre Pressures is Essential if Profit is IMPORTANT AIR CTI WILL SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON EVERY TRUCK ON EVERY ROAD. • 30% LONGER TYRE LIFE • Doubles Diff and Tranny Life • Doubles Suspension Life • 50% Longer Truck Life • Less Downtime

• More Uptime • Increased Profits • Safer • Greener

Optimize Your Tyre Pressures with AIR CTI Match Tyre Pressures to the Load and the Road 100 psi in all tyres is simply WRONG

AIR CTI 03 51276128 | www.aircti.com Ring now for more information. Aussie Made

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