Big Rigs Apr 16, 2021 by Prime Creative Media

FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021

HV CHARGE SYSTEM BUSTED Page 3

ONLINE www.bigrigs.com.au

EMAIL info@bigrigs.com.au

POLICE POWERS TOO GREAT Page 5

MACK MUSTER NEW ANTHEM ON SONG IN NULLABOR TEST DRIVE: PAGE 10-11

2 NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

CONTACT US Address: 11-15 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: 03 9690 8766 Email: editor@bigrigs.com.au Web: bigrigs.com.au Accounts: 03 9690 8766 Subscriptions: 03 9690 8766 Classifieds: 0403 626 353 Circulation and distribution queries: 03 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 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. All material is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or means. The opinions expressed in Big Rigs are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher.

Ute driver fined $533 for motorway mayhem

DANIEL Ben Hansen, the man who caused a 2020 fuel tanker crash that trapped the driver and closed the M1 for 13 hours, has paid a $533 fine and lost three demerit points. Hansen appeared in Southport Magistrates Court in Queensland in February for a hearing relating to one count of driving without undue care and attention. But Police prosecutor Senior Constable Lewis Butterfield said the hearing would not go ahead and the case would be “finalised in an alternate manner” – an issuing of a Traffic Infringement Notice of $533 and three demerit points. The matter was adjourned to March 9, with Magistrate

Kerry Magee Hansen adding that if Hansen paid the fine by that day he would not need to attend court. Big Rigs understands that Hansen has since paid the fine before the March 9 deadline. Hansen was behind the wheel of a Holden Rodeo ute when it clipped the tanker on the M1 at Helensvale, causing it to roll into the path of another vehicle on Magic Millions weekend on the Gold Coast last January. No one was seriously injured, including the 25-year-old truck driver, but a Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said at the time that four other people were treated on the scene and taken

The tanker driver was lucky to escape without serious injury after this 2020 incident that closed the motorway for several hours. Photo: 7NEWS Gold Coast

to the Gold Coast University Hospital. They included a 21-yearold woman who was covered

in fuel and was in a serious but stable condition. Police said the tanker was carrying 36,000 litres of fuel

in six separate compartments, which needed to be drained before the truck could be moved.

Gas supplier fined $525,000 for explosion LIQUEFIED petroleum gas (LPG) supplier Elgas Limited has been fined $525,000 for an explosion that severely injured a truck driver, and a woman at her home in the NSW Hunter region. Elgas, which distributes LPG via the use of LPG tanker trucks to LPG cylinders and

tanks, pleaded guilty to two offences relating to section 32 of Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Elgas engaged Samuels Transport Services to provide truck drivers to operate its tankers on an hourly rate. However, Elgas was responsible for inspection, mainte-

nance and repair of equipment. Elgas also provided induction and in-truck training to drivers. In December 2015, driver David Orrock was delivering LPG to Natalie Remnant’s property in Muswellbrook, which is located next door to a public school. A gas leak was

noticed but the exact source and cause of the leak was unknown. As Remnant was leaving the carport area, an explosion engulfed both her and Orrock. Orrock suffered burns to over 50 per cent of his body, and Remnant received burns to 60-70 per cent of body, including her face.

Despite driver training and steps taken to minimise risk, the District Court judge ruled that it was inadequate in this case. Elgas has committed to the constant review and implementation of its procedures. Elgas says it has also taken further steps to improve its safety systems.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Heavy vehicle charging system must be fixed: ATA AUSTRALIA’S truck charging system is broken and must be fixed, says Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Trucking Association. McKellar was responding to the decision by transport ministers to increase truck fuel and registration charges by substantially more than inflation from June this year. “Treasury’s inflation forecast for 2021-22 is 1.5 per cent, but governments have decided to increase the charges paid by Australia’s hard working trucking businesses by 2.5 per cent,” McKellar said. “The decision will increase the registration charge for a workhorse prime mover and semi-trailer by $144 a year, and the effective rate of fuel tax by 0.6 cents per litre. “This increase is more than many trucking businesses can afford. In a recent survey we ran, more than a third of the trucking businesses that participated told us their business activity was still down compared to immediately before the bushfires and

the start of the pandemic.” McKellar said trucking businesses also have great difficulty passing charge increases on to their customers. “Only 13 per cent of the businesses in the survey said they were able to pass on both registration and fuel price changes. “Small businesses had the greatest difficulty passing on charge increases, but even larger businesses found it difficult to pass on cost increases more than the inflation rate. The only small comfort for truckies, says McKellar, is that at least the ministers didn’t listen to the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) charging model, PAYGO, which recommended a 13.4 per cent increase in charges. “The PAYGO output highlights the serious and growing problems with model. Under the model, charges are driven entirely by governments’ spending plans, even if those priorities are inconsistent with the industry’s requirements or ability to pay,” he said.

“Charges can increase sharply from year to year, which makes it very difficult for businesses to make decisions about their own prices, particularly when they sign multi-year contracts. “The model is broken and must be fixed. “In addition, governments need to put in place measures to improve the cashflow of trucking businesses. “We need restrictions on payment times longer than 30 days, the extension of price regulation to truck tolls and port access charges and changes to allow businesses to pay truck registration charges by monthly direct debit.” Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, told Big Rigs that the Morrison government needs to stop making things harder for Australian truckies and instead get to work making the reforms the industry needs. “Australian truck drivers have done an incredible job over the past year, keeping supermarkets stocked and es-

Shadow Transport Minister Catherine King says the Morrison government needs to stop making things harder for Australian truckies and get to work on reforms.

sential goods moving despite the pandemic,” she said. “Truckies have had to persist throughout border closures, rest stop closures and sometimes unpredictable health restrictions. “It is up to the Morrison government to explain why they think now is the right time to jack up fuel and registration charges and push even more costs onto businesses

which are already doing it tough. “At the same time as jacking up fuel and registration charges, the Morrison government voted against a Labor amendment in September last year that would have improved payment times to small businesses to 30 days or less. In a communique explaining their decision to increase

charges, the ministers said that following recent growth in government investment in roads, there was a growing gap between road expenditure and revenue from charges. Having considered the submissions of industry representatives, ministers agreed charges should rise by 2.5 per cent in 2021-22, to contribute to the construction and maintenance of roads.

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02 NEWS 4 NEWS

FRIDAY JUNE 12 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

New taskforce set up to aid NSW road network recovery 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 OVER the past year and a half, EDITOR we’veGraham: seen (07) devastating James 3817 1722 bushfires, a global pandemic and james.graham@bigrigs.com.au now unprecedented flooding. REPORTER With water levels Kate Dodd: (07) 3817 1754 receding, the clean-up is well kate.dodd@bigrigs.com.au and truly underway. The NSW GovernMANAGER mentHockings has launched a Regional Peter Road Task(07) 3817Flood 1818/0410Recovery 334 371 peter.hockings@bigrigs.com.au MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT Michael Kidd (07) 3817 1804/ 0439 130 416 michael.kidd@bigrigs.com.au MEDIA SALES 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

ATA keeps drivers moving

TOGETHER with Big Rigs, the ATA has been pressing businesses and rest areas to keep their facilities open to support the truck drivers who are keeping Australia moving as we face the COVID-19 epidemic and recovery process. truck drivers force “Australia’s that aims to fast-track are working hard to efforts to restore the roaddeliver netthe food, medicine and eswork. sentialsogoods needroads to get With manyweNSW this epidemic, but andthrough towns submerged as a reunfortunately we heard sult of the wild weather, thereof truck stops, roadhouses and is now a lot of work to be done businesses that were shutto restore the damage that’s tingcaused. off their been Somefacilities areas areto drivers,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire said. Mr Maguire said the ATA’s first call out was Pacific National, who had banned truck drivers from its toilets, changerooms and kitchens. “Within hours of our team pressing the matter, Pacific National reversed the decision and reopened their amenities. This quick and positive response demonstrated an understanding of the important role truck drivers play in their supply chain,” Mr Maguire said. During a trip down the Hume Highway in the ATA’s SafeT360 truck in early May, Mr Maguire saw the impact of the facility closures first-hand. “When stopping at the Partridge VC rest area, I was astonished to see a Trans-

port for NSW sign posting that the toilet facilities were not being serviced,” Mr Maguire said. “Following the visit, we pressed Transport for NSW on the matter, who quickly saw the error of their ways and advised that the issue would beand promptly adstill cut off there are road dressed. closures that may need to be in are now place“We for some time.pleased to report that these areataskfaThe main rolesrest of the cilitieswill are once again open force include assessing and beingreporting serviced.” ongoing damage, campaign has also roadTheclosures, assisting the had success in Dubbo freight industry and other and road the surrounding region – an users, and supporting councils important intersection of key freight routes. Lobbying efforts from the ATA and members saw council reopen several rest area facilities within the township. “The support we have

seen for the campaign and truck drivers has been energising. Australia has really backed the trucking industry and is recognising the important role it plays in our daily lives,” Mr Maguire said. Through its membership of ACCI, the ATA worked with Work Australia to withSafe applications for disaster make sure its cleaning and recovery funding. hygiene guidance the Minister for forRegional trucking industry and Transport and Roads itsPaul customers target. Toole saidwas theonfloods have left “The original Safe Workthe a trail of wreckage across Australia state’s roadinformation network. was either too vague was “We know how orimportant aimed health these care road work-netit is toatrestore ers,” Mr Maguire said. works as quickly as possible a result of ourareinput, to“As ensure supplies getting there is now excellent guidin and communities are able ance material to start gettingavailable back onfor their road freight operators on the feet,” Toole said. Safe“However, Work Australia webdue to the large site.” number of slips and inaccessi-

bility of some areas, it is likely that closures of some roads will be in place for several weeks.” Toole added, “It’s a huge job and Transport for NSW is prioritising assessments of the damage to the road network and will continue to carry out emergency repair work as it is safe to do so.” Some of the damage, particularly along Bells Line of Road and slope failures along Big Rigs National Road Transport Jenolan Caves Road, which Newspaper is published by News Corp received close to 250 millimeAustralia. Big Rigs is the largest circulated tres of rain, will require more fortnightly truck publication in Australia extensive and time-consuming with 26,023* copies per fortnight. FACILITIES NOW OPEN: Thanks to the campaign and the push repairs. *12 month average, publisher’s claim from Big Rigs and the ATA, Transport for NSW is fixing the In the north, Waterfall Way November 2018 facilities as soon as possible. Picture: ATA has over a dozen landslips after At McGraths Hill, NSW, Windsor Road was completely cut off due to flooding.

NHVR PORTAL: There are huge benefits to using the portal. Picture: Contributed

New NHVR Portal changes are here NHVAS customers have been mation, reviewing application using the benefits of the status, reviewing driver and veNHVR Portal since last No- hicle lists and tracking audit A sign in and Tuggerah NSW’s Central Coast. responsibilities. associated vember mostonhave now July ef1, made the transition to the digimore than 500 millimetres of onFrom duringWednesday, flood recovery tal rainplatform. in the area. By early April, 2020, forts. all NHVAS applications transaction be reNHVR standards and and“The crews weresafety already on site start2019/20willbushfires be lodged via the assurance manager (accreditaing the high risk clean-up, with quired and thetoclean-up and recovery rather than by tion) DarrintheRasmussen their safety key priority.said NHVR efforts Portal, that followed taught there were significant benefits “Smaller slope failures can email. us a great deal, and having If you an recovery existing to submitting of applications be cleaned up quickly. Howev- worked on are bushfire or have an through er, larger the onesportal, – suchincluding as where NHVR for the Portal past 15user months I am Access, Registration or Vehicle reducing data re-entry and the majority of the road has taking that experience and account, the to NHVR providing customer washed awaygreater on Jenolan Caves Standards those lessons with me steer Portal administrators on visibility of accreditation modRoad at Five-Mile – will take recovery following these the exhave not changed. ules and case tracking design activi- account extensive investigation, treme floods,” Barilaro said. Any additionalservices Accreditaties. and complex work to repair.” “Emergency and can worked be addedtireto He said NSW the NHVR Portal Deputy Premier and tion road contacts crews have the account with “user submitprovided operators with the the Minister responsible for lessly to restore access to these permissions. ability manage their ter” disaster to recovery Johnall Barilaro, communities as soon as possiIf anywant assistance NHVAS records, including said that the experience gained ble –you and need now we to fotherestoring NHVR those Portal Help submitting an application, and lessons learned from the call cus on roads to Centre on 1300 696 487. managing account inforbushfire recovery will be drawn full capacity.”

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NEWS 5

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Police too focused on fines

BY JAMES GRAHAM

TRUCKIES’ advocate Rod Hannifey has another urgent order of business to add to his tireless campaigning schedule in 2021. While fighting for more rest areas remains a top priority, the newly appointed President of the National

Road Freighters Association (NRFA) is also calling for a radical reduction in police compliance powers in HVNL jurisdictions. Although he says it’s not an official NRFA policy yet, Hannifey says the change is long overdue and he’ll be lobbying hard for it to be included on the association’s hit-list. “Police are not fully

trained to investigate and understand transport law,” said Hannifey. Hannifey is tired of hearing from truckies about being “knocked off ” by police for alleged offences that appear to be little more than administration errors. “I’ve only just spoken to a guy on email recently who said police went back

through the book to front page and knocked him off on two things that no importance for road safety. “I believe that at the absolute minimum if the NHVR had oversight, or at least an oversight of any offences issued under HVNL by the police, then we might get some sort of fair go.” At present he said it feels

The new President of the National Road Freighters Association Rod Hannifey says police are more focused on collecting fines than road safety.

like the NHRV’s compliance strategy of education over penalties is the direct opposite to the approach of many police. “The problem we have now is that too often police will look until they find something, knock you off and drive away saying they’ve done their job and helped with road safety. “I would argue that is not the case. “The trouble is they can interpret the law as they see fit, and that’s one of the things we’ve raised for the last 10 years. The law must be black and white. Then we can understand it and you can police it. “But If they’re allowed to interpret and then send you off with a fine of $500-$600, then we’re talking about your earnings for a week and what you can feed your family with. “Does that improve your behaviour? No, it generally makes it worse because you get crankier with them because you don’t think you’re being treated fairly. “Does it improve road safety? Did you learn a lesson? Did it help you be a better driver? Can’t find too many people who say that happens either. “And then when you wish to challenge it, it goes up before someone who has

no idea of trucks, who still doesn’t understand the law and they just say, ‘too bad, if you don’t like it, go to court’. “I don’t think that’s anywhere near the outcome that the NHVR wants. So, I want them far more involved, and if they can’t control the police, then we should remove police, like they have in WA.” Hannifey also said police ‘blitzes’ on heavy vehicles are a classic example of their powers being out of synch with the spirit in which the HVNL was first devised. “If they find serious defects, the industry wants to know, we want our trucks to be safe, but they go out and grandiose it and say we got all these offences and won’t tell the truth about what they are. “Of course, the worse they make it sound, the more likely they are to get overtime and have another big blitz on us again.” Hannifey is hopeful the upcoming overhaul of the HVNL will fix these issues, but is worried about the impacts on truckies in the ensuing months. “All I want is fair treatment. At the moment, the way the logbook and law is structured, it’s too easy for them to find a mistake that has nothing to do with road safety and fine you a week’s wages for it.”

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6 NEWS

Dimension rules hampering uptake

TRUCK dimension rules must be changed to make zero and low emission trucks more available, says Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Trucking Association. In the ATA’s submission on heavy vehicle emission standards it recommends increasing width and mass for diesel trucks that meet the Euro VI emission standard or equivalent, as well as electric and hydrogen trucks. “Australian trucks have a width of 2.5 metres, with extra allowances for equipment such as tautliner curtain buckles, lights and removable load restraint equipment. In contrast, trucks in Europe are generally 2.55 metres wide and trucks in the US are 2.6 metres wide,” McKellar said. “Electric and hydrogen trucks developed overseas will need to be redesigned for the Australian market to meet our dimension rules. This will slow the rollout of zero emission trucks in Australia.” McKellar said an increase in vehicle mass was also needed to encourage the purchase of newer, greener vehicles. “Euro VI, battery elec-

Under our current dimension rules, hydrogen trucks like Hyundai’s XCIENT would need to be redesigned for this market.

tric and hydrogen trucks are heavier, which reduces the amount of freight they can carry and their commercial viability,” he said. “There needs to be an extra 500kg axle mass allowance for single steer trucks and an extra 1000kg for twin steer trucks.” McKellar said zero emission trucks were a reality and needed the right policy settings to increase their uptake in Australia. “We are getting to the

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stage now where international vehicle manufacturers are bringing electric vehicles to the market. To support this, government must ensure vehicle standards regulations are flexible enough to allow that to happen,” he said. He said the Government’s proposal to mandate Euro VI or the equivalent US/ Japanese standards should be brought forward to January 1, 2024 for new truck models and January 1, 2025 for new trucks generally.

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The Government’s current proposal is to mandate Euro VI or its equivalents for new truck models from July 1, 2027 and for new trucks from July 1, 2028. “After extensive consultation with our members, the ATA considers that we can now mandate Euro VI and its equivalent standards earlier than originally planned, but the mass and width changes must come into force well in advance of January 1, 2024,” he said.

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Fix it or miss out: Tesla not happy TESLA has joined the ATA in calling for an urgent change to size limits for zero and low emission trucks so its electric trucks can legally fit on Australia’s roads. In a submission to the National Transport Commission’s Heavy Vehicle National Law Review, Tesla urged the government to change the rule, saying the Australian market’s small size would likely mean Tesla won’t bother with making adjustments should the regulations stay the same. “The commission will be aware that given Australia’s small size in comparison to global markets, inconsistencies like this between Australian regulations and larger markets will delay or preclude vehicles coming to local markets,” the submission says. “Currently, Australia will likely miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles such as the Tesla Semi because of this.” Tesla says it will deliver its

first batch of mass Semi trucks this year, nearly four years after it unveiled the first prototype in November 2017. The all-electric trucks have a range of between 483 to 804 kilometres, and energy consumption of less than 2 kWh per mile. Austroads, the peak body representing Australia’s state and federal transport agencies, recommended increasing the limit by 50mm to 2.55 metres in a 2019 study. There were concerns about the safety implications, and local manufacturers were afraid a rule change would hurt their business. But Austroads countered by saying these concerns could be mitigated by mandating driver training and specific safety technologies (such as blind spot information systems and side under-run protection) and by supporting domestic manufacturing (transitional arrangements and subsidies to adapt processes).

The soon-to-be-released Tesla trucks have a range of between 483 to 804km.

NEWS 7

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Celebrations continue for Kenworth

Kenworth marked its 50th anniversary celebrations with a marketdominating 222 sales in March. Photo: Facebook.

THIS time last year there was anything but a celebratory mood in the local manufacturing camps. With the initial impact of Covid-19 taking hold, heavy duty sales bore the brunt of the slow-down with only 852 big rigs sold in the month of March, 2020, down a whopping 28.2 per cent on the same period a year earlier. What a difference a year – and a leg-up from low interest and the instant asset write-off scheme – has made. In the latest sales numbers from the Truck Industry Council, a total of 3558 new trucks and vans were registered in March 2021 for a year-todate total of 8325, a significant jump on the YTD tally of 6905 in 2020. The March run also beats the previous all-time tally for the month of 3447, set in 2018. In the heavy-duty sector, Kenworth marked its 50th

The Brown and Hurley Group recently took delivery of the 70,000th Kenworth truck, a T659, as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations. Photo: Facebook.

anniversary celebrations with a market-dominating 222. That was well clear of 2020’s early sector pacesetter Volvo with 112 sales, just ahead of a tight-knit pack headed by Scania on 107, Mercedes-Benz with 106 and Isuzu on 102. Scania says the TIC numbers for March reflect the on-going strength of the new truck market especially at the heavy end, driven by operators looking for cost-effective and low emission vehicles. “Running costs and whole of life costs are increasingly informing purchase decisions, as are suites of safety features, all areas of strength for Scania,” said a spokesperson. “Orders continue to run at a pleasing level as well, indicating deliveries over the medium term should remain strong.

“Like all industry manufacturers dependent on silicon chips to power onboard computerised control systems, the disruption in supply globally is expected to place a strain on the pipeline of finished vehicles through the mid-part of the year. “We are hopeful that our careful management of stock we enable us to service the needs of our customers throughout 2021.” In the medium-duty sector, the YOY bounce-back wasn’t quite as noticeable with a total of 602 sales, versus 526 for the same period in 2020. That brings the YTD tally to 1462, only slightly up on 1436 recorded for the same period in 2020. Despite the sluggish numbers, there is still an intriguing race developing in the category

between perennial leaders Isuzu and the hard-chasing Hino. The latter made up massive ground from February to record 222 registrations for March, just four shy of Isuzu on 226. That brings Hino’s YTD total to 514 and now just 60 adrift of Isuzu. The others were headed by Fuso on 115, the only other manufacturer to hit triple figures for March. In the light-duty race, Isuzu again dominated with 492 sales, with Hino second on 264 and Fuso next on 223, the major players in the sector’s healthy monthly total of 1231. The YTD tally is now 2971 in a market clearly thriving on the last mile delivery demand. To the end of the first quarter in 2020, 2067 light duty trucks had been delivered.

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8 OPINION

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Trucking in right hands

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

WHAT an absolute pleasure it is to welcome truckie Rod Hannifey into the role of President of the National Road Freighters Association. His predecessor Gordon Mackinlay did an outstanding job helming the grassroots lobby group, but there’s no doubt Hannifey is the man to build on that success from here. He commands respect like few others, and has an unsurpassed passion to improve the truckies’ lot. Sidelined with a shoulder injury, we were able to pin him down for a decent chat (see page 5). Space limits preclude us from printing all the details, but rest assured, Hannifey isn’t lying around in Dubbo recuperating with his feet up. There’s a new TRUCKRIGHT industry vehicle to organise and he’s also recently taken on the role of President of the Stop the River Street Bridge and Newell Highway Alliance group. Another pet project is preserving parking bays along the Newell. Watch for an update in the next issue.

HOT WEB TOPICS Dimensions and emissions

ON releasing the Australian Trucking Association’s submission on heavy vehicle emission standards, ATA CEO Andrew McKellar said truck dimension rules must be changed to make zero and low emission trucks more available. “Cannot wait to run a wider truck down Silver Water Rd or somewhere else with 2.6m lanes, I’m already swerving to avoid other truck mirrors!” said Facebook follower Brett Armstrong. “Sounds to me like companies want even more freight carted for no extra money to the driver. Average country road and 2 trucks coming towards each other is hairy sometimes. A metre between mirrors not unheard of,” added Stuart Vickers. Adds Adam NTI: “Going to 2.6m wide also provides benefits in terms of rollover stability, even more so if HML masses were granted to trailers on super-singles.”

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

What’s in a sign?

AT Hotel Dunedoo, a welcoming sign that reads ‘Free hot showers for truckies’ is a breath of fresh air for many drivers. The heritage pub, which is over 100 years old, is in the Warrumbungle region of NSW between Mudgee and Dubbo. “We get a lot of truckies going through our town. It’s a crossroads on the way to a lot of places and we have a big Caltex truckstop located just across the road,” said co-owner Marlitt Herr. “Always used to have a break in Dunedoo, good truck parking and good pub and café,” said Facebook fan David Long. “I’d like to go there and have dinner just to say thanks. Don’t even ask to use the toilets at servos in Toowoomba,” wrote Keith Miller. “The man is looking after us so help him build his business up, thank you mate for your generosity and hope the future is bright for you,” said Andrew Williamson. “Decent feed, hot and clean showers! Crazy if you don’t stop,” added Mick Perryman.

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Key to trucking safety FOLLOWING the release of a joint roadworthiness report from National Transport Insurance (NTI) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) said that keeping well maintained vehicles was key to trucking safety and productivity. Online, readers were quick to hit back about the state of some of our roads too. “Road maintenance is key to road safety,” wrote Travis Lister. Luke Ernst agreed: “What about maintaining the roads better and the vehicle wouldn’t have so much wear and tear from rough roads,” he said. “Appalling roads, poor rates, tight deadlines, incompetent management and time slots probably have a bit to do with it as well,” added Stephen Fleming. “The roads west of Toowoomba are goat tracks. The state will not rebuild them, why I do not know. As long as greater BNE has smooth roads, west of Toowoomba is left to destroy our trucks and cars,” said Chris Duncan.

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10 COVER STORY

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

As good as trucking can get

Our WA contributor is impressed with what he discovers when he puts the all new Mack Anthem through its paces during a Nullarbor roadshow. BY DAVID MEREDITH

Big, bold, and now smooth, the Anthem cab is now THE Mack cab, with the front end and underfloor components unique to each model and application.

CRUISING along the Eyre Highway, eying off the vastness of the Nullarbor on a Big Rigs road test is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re on board the latest Mack Anthem, with its siblings in convoy, it’s as good as trucking can get. Especially as this Anthem is the Australian version and has been the cause of some shifts in Mack engineering thinking since its US release back in 2018, when the word ‘pandemic’ was nothing more than a disaster movie theme. Since then, Australian engineers and product people at the Mack HQ in Wacol have been pushing to have Anthem’s advanced architecture blended across into the Trident and Super-Liner, to create a whole new feel for the big end of the Mack range as well. Importantly, future developments in mechanical and digital technology can now be accommodated in the new Macks, without a ground-

Gold Bulldog means all-Mack driveline.

up redesign. It’s already been done. In short, the Anthem cab is now THE Mack cab, with the front end and underfloor components unique to each model and application of course. The different noses, wheelbases, BBC measurements,

The Mack fleet was on its way to Perth for the WA leg of the Mack Evolution Tour, a spin around the states with a range of the new products for potential customers.

sleeper sizes and axle/driveline configurations are what differentiates the various models. I found the new cab such a complete change from the last Mack drive I did just a few short years ago that it seemed the models had skipped a couple of generations. Unquestionably the Volvo European driver focus has prevailed in the design process. Every control needed to get the job done with minimal fuel, maximum safety and high productivity is now gathered together in a new wraparound dash that bristles with smarts. Volvo Group’s Matt Woods was with me. The former driver trainer, fuel efficiency specialist and now communications boss is usually mumbling a constant stream of tips for saving fuel on our drives together.

But on the nearly twohour rumble across the totally flat plains between Eucla and Madura he was strangely quiet. “Any tips for saving fuel Matt?” I asked. A few hundred metres later: “Nope”. My last Mack drive was similar to my first, back in 2007. Lots for the driver to do, lots of noise from the then new MP8 engine and plenty of flitting fingers across the dash looking for engine brake, cruise controls and the like. But this new cab changes all of that. Vastly improved sound insulation reduces in-cab noise to wind and tyre rumble. I needed to keep my eyes on the gauges to note rpm and gear position - on the few occasions we weren’t locked into top gear at 100km/h. I never had to take my hands off the wheel when exploiting the new adaptive cruise and engine brake combination. The best party trick was using the cruise control to drive DOWN the speed limited Greenmount Hill in Perth. Here’s how: First set the CC speed at 35km/h, then adjust the maximum overrun at 3km/h. Pull out of the check bay and head on down. Engage cruise. The Mack will run up to and past 35km/h and three km/h later will engage the engine brake in stages to maintain the speed. If there is slower traffic, don’t touch any pedals, a thumb click can drop the CC speed back, which will automatically pull the overrun speed back and beef up the engine brake effect. QED. You can run that exercise at

The Anthem and its stablemates make an impressive site.

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The low-sitting 13-litre MP8 engine and mDRIVE heavy duty transmission with additional deep reduction gear and multispeed reverse is a great package.

Our test driver David Meredith in the Anthem, on the Nullarbor.

any speed of course, so cruising anywhere on the Hume and dealing with traffic using an up/down adjustment to CC lets the Mack do all the work for you. Of course it’s the lazy way and to optimise fuel efficiency you’ll always need a skilled driver to fully exploit up and down slopes and the forward view of traffic that only a professional can manage. The Mack fleet was on its way to Perth for the WA leg of the Mack Evolution Tour, a spin around the states with a range of the new products for potential customers to get a hands-on look and drive. A Super-Liner B-double was joined by a Trident day cab rigid tipper and quad

dog. Three Anthems made up the rest – a sleeper cab with a single curtain-side trailer, day cab 8x4 rigid tipper, and a day cab with a single skel. All were loaded to around 80 per cent payload. The Granite range is now replaced by the Anthem. It

boosts available power to 535hp and with the all-new cab and front-end styling, Anthem has leap-frogged into a broader fleet arena where it can perform a much wider range of tasks than Granite ever could. The 13-litre MP8 engine

and mDRIVE heavy duty transmission with additional deep reduction gear and multispeed reverse was a great package, whether in the Adelaide suburbs or the wideopen spaces. The truck’s ECU exploits the engine’s low rpm torque

Anthem has a presence Granite could never manage.

performance to keep gear changes at a minimum and revs much the same, keeping the emphasis of the truck and driveline focussed fully on fuel efficiency. Anthem’s cab has taken a lead from the UD Quon, which has the best surround-dash layout in heavy-duty. Everything you need is an arm’s length away at most, with the wheel or steering column the centre of operations. Anthem’s 36-inch sleeper isn’t deep but it is high, with lots of storage space under and around the bunk. I was particularly impressed with the Anthem tipper and dog. This configuration is Mack’s bread and

butter on the east coast, and the horsepower boost qualifies the truck for anything from 45 to 57.5-tonnes under PBS with bridge plan axle placement. It took two and a half day with stops for photography, comfort breaks and food for Mack technical specialist Tom Welsh’s constant hunger. In between I had plenty of time to sample each of the latest Macks. The common interior – except for sleeper/day cab configurations – meant for a seamless transition between the smallest Anthem and the 685hp Super-Liner. These new models will represent an operator’s brand well and keep their drivers safe and satisfied to boot.

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12 NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Frydenberg tours PACCAR for double celebration

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg bolted on the Kenworth bug, in gold for the brand’s 50th anniversary of manufacturing in Australia.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

together, alongside the first fully Australian built Kenworth, which returned to its origins for the occasion – a K125CR known as the ‘Grey Ghost’. “During the past 50 years, PACCAR has manufactured 70,000 trucks in this plant. We are extremely proud of this achievement and honoured that the Treasurer and his colleagues have joined us to show their support for our industry,” said Andrew Hadjikakou, Managing Director of PACCAR Australia. He spoke of PACCAR’s achievements. “It’s often said that the only time you should look back is to understand how far you’ve come. 50 years ago, we manufactured one model, the Kenworth K125. One day a truck was our production target, with the aspiration perhaps of reaching two trucks per day. Everything was hand-assembled by a 100-strong workforce. “Today, we manufacture 12 models, some carry the Kenworth bug and others the DAF brand. Today our workforce numbers exceed 1200. Our manufacturing facility is now 10 times the size it was. It has the capacity to manufacture

AS PACCAR celebrates its 50th year of manufacturing in Australia, together with the handover of its 70,000th truck, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg visited the brand’s Bayswater plant, celebrating its achievements. He was joined by Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar, Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan, ATA Chair David Smith and ATA CEO Andrew McKellar, who toured the Kenworth factory before walking through the ‘Kenworth Avenue of Honour’ to a formal presentation. During the tour, Frydenberg had the chance to check the paint quality of a newly sprayed cab and try his hand at screwing the iconic Kenworth bug onto a truck’s bonnet – a gold bug to mark the brand’s 50th anniversary, which will feature on all of the brand’s 2021 models. He then climbed into a Kenworth T610 SAR and started her up, before giving the horn a few loud honks. Staff and guests gathered

RIB SC IN B SU O W T

21 trucks each day. It took 17 years for this plant to build its first 10,000 trucks. The last 10,000 we did in just two and a half years.” Frydenberg added that PACCAR was a “picture of Australia’s manufacturing strength and very much an image of Australia’s very bright manufacturing future,” commending the brand on its contribution to the Australian economy. “If you read the newspapers, you may be forgiven for think-

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ing that we don’t make motor vehicles anymore in Australia. But we do make vehicles, we make trucks, and we make them very, very well; so well in fact, that Australia’s new truck industry is worth $3.5 billion, with related activities worth a further $6 billion to the Australian economy. This is a domestic manufacturing industry that creates jobs. It’s also an export industry, with Kenworth trucks being shipped to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand,”

continued Frydenberg. “It’s easy to see why the trucks that are made here are popular with Australians. They’re among the safest in the world, they use the latest technology, they’re built for tough conditions, they like extreme heat and humidity and long distances and dusty roads. In Australia, we’ve got some of the harshest road conditions anywhere in the world and our trucks withstand them even while hauling heavier loads

Frydenberg climbed into the cab of a Kenworth T610 SAR and started it up.

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than overseas trucks.” The 70,000th truck was also due to be handed over to Brown and Hurley, PACCAR’s largest and longest serving dealer, which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary. But due to the floods, the truck wasn’t able to be there for the occasion. Frydenberg was given the honour of handing over the keys to the milestone truck to Brown and Hurley – well, at least metaphorically. “In this, their 75th year, it’s only appropriate that today Brown and Hurley become the new owners and take the keys of our 70,000th Kenworth,” said Hadjikakou. Looking ahead, there’s plenty more for the brand to look forward to, including the completion of its $40 million factory expansion and a $15 million investment in 2021 for local research and development, software integration and engineering to produce new products in the Bayswater factory. “Our factory expansion is set to double our manufacturing capacity and will position the organisation for the next 50 years of manufacturing on this site,” Hadjikakou added.

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14 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Don’t let illegal phoenix operations run you down

The transport industry has more than its fair share of dodgy operators, but the ATO now has a taskforce working hard to put them out of business for good. EVER seen a dodgy business intentionally build up debts and then shut down to avoid paying what they owe, only to suddenly pop back up as if nothing ever happened? Maybe the problem starts small, like the occasional invoice being paid late. Then the business owner stops answering the phone when you call. Finally, you discover the business has folded and you won’t be getting paid at all… sound familiar? It’s called phoenixing, and it’s illegal. Illegal phoenix activity can happen in any industry, including the transport industry. Most of you probably know, or have heard of, someone who’s been affected by these dodgy operators. But not everyone knows what it’s called or what’s being done to help stamp it out. The government established the Phoenix Taskforce in 2014 in order to help weed out illegal phoenix businesses and prevent them from doing further harm to the community. The taskforce includes 38 state, territory and federal agencies working together to share intelligence and take coordinated action. Led by the Australian Taxation Office, the Phoenix Taskforce has raised more than $1.45 billion in liabilities from audits and reviews of illegal phoenix activities, and returned more than $670 million to the community. The ATO’s Assistant Commissioner George Montanez, who leads the ATO’s phoenix response and coordinates Phoenix Taskforce activities, said the problem is far more than just a tax issue. “Phoenix activity has a devastating and quite far-reaching impact,” said Montanez. “We regularly see subcontractors or suppliers who are left unpaid, after investing significant time and effort into a job. And of course that can send many of these businesses to the brink, with flow-on effects for their subbies and workers. “It’s often the little guys at the end of the chain who end up missing out because of the criminal acts of others.” Montanez said the taskforce also sees employees being short-changed on wages, as well as entitlements, including super. “On top of that, it puts businesses who are working hard to do the right thing at a real disadvantage - it’s hard to compete when you’re up against someone who is underpaying their workers, not paying their subcontractors and suppliers, or not accounting for GST.

The taskforce includes 38 state, territory and federal agencies working together to share intelligence and take coordinated action.

“It’s important to note that, while this is a big problem, the overwhelming majority of Australian businesses are doing the right thing. Our aim through the taskforce is to protect those businesses, and hold the small number of people who persist in ripping others off to account. “That means, for the worst offenders, working to disrupt their business model, take away their profits and even take criminal action.” In 2019-20 the Phoenix Taskforce successfully prosecuted five criminal matters, as well as banning and disqualifying 11 directors from being involved in the management of a corporation. Montanez said not all of the taskforce’s work is highly visible. “A significant part of our strategy is communication, education and providing assistance to help business understand their obligations so that they can comply. “Sometimes our work involves engaging with businesses to shift them into compliance. For example, previously we investigated a national road transport business group that were serial phoenix offenders, building up significant debts to employees and other creditors. “By working together several taskforce partners were able to issue simultaneous garnishees to trade debtors, and collect a substantial amount of unpaid debt. “That prompted the group to finally enter into payment arrangements with each agency, and as a result we were able to return more than $1 million to

If you suspect phoenix activity, you can report it to the Phoenix Taskforce by phoning 1800 060 062.

the community. The company director was also hit with a series of director penalty notices in relation to non-payment of employee entitlements.” Montanez said the taskforce was particularly focused on stopping those who encourage others to engage in phoenix activity. “We do see some suspicious ‘advisers’ who contact businesses that are in trouble and recommend ways they can shut down to avoid paying debts, or conceal assets, prior to winding up. “I’d encourage anyone who is in business to think twice about taking advice from anyone who has contacted them out of the blue with pre-insolvency advice. The best way to ensure any advice you receive is legitimate is to seek out qualified, registered professionals to provide it.” Last year also saw new

legislation come into effect, which provides new criminal offences and civil penalties for those who, for example, try to avoid paying their debts by hiding their assets

from liquidators. Additional funding for the ATO and ASIC will also help tackle promoters and facilitators of phoenix behaviour. This includes establishing a

new data capability that will uncover previously hidden relationships between “shadow” company directors and promoters, as well as facilitating targeted compliance. When it comes to avoiding phoenix operators, Montanez said his recommendation is to really know who you’re working with. “That means doing some searches to find out about the company and its directors. Even asking for references and checking online for any negative media reports can make a big difference. “You can also check with ASIC to see whether the company is registered, and make sure it’s not in liquidation or external administration.” Steps like asking for upfront payments, cash on delivery or payments in instalments can help protect yourself. You can also help protect yourself against illegal phoenix activity by knowing the warning signs. “Watch out for businesses that suddenly ask for payments to go to a new company, or where you see changes to a company’s director and name, while the manager and staff stay the same,” added Montanez. “You should also be suspicious if you notice your payslip records a different employer name, you don’t get payslips, or your super isn’t being paid. If you’re unsure if you’re being paid super you can check it yourself by logging into your myGov account or asking your super fund directly.” If you suspect phoenix activity, you can report it to the Phoenix Taskforce by: • Completing a tip-off form at ato.gov.au/tipoff • Phoning 1800 060 062 • Emailing phoenixreferrals@ ato.gov.au Protect yourself and find out more by going to ato.gov.au/phoenix.

You can also help protect yourself against illegal phoenix activity by knowing the warning signs, says the ATO.

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16 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Inspiring crash survivor now in the driver’s seat

Four years ago and 39 weeks pregnant, Stefanie Teixeira survived a horror truck crash that claimed her partner’s life. Today, she’s honouring his memory the best way she knows how. BY DANIELLE GULLACI STEFANIE Teixeira is a true inspiration in every sense of the word. Just months after the crash that changed her life, the mother of four made the bold decision to get straight back into the truck cabin, this time as a driver, gaining her truck licence just four months later. But the scars of that horrific day on April 6, 2017 run deep, not only psychologically, but also physically. She sustained injuries that have left her in constant pain and has required various surgeries, with more on the cards in the future. Teixeira and her fiancé Kevin Porker were expecting their first child together. The couple had a 6,000-acre farm in Karoonda, SA and Porker had been working the grape harvest near Geelong, Victoria. With the baby due to arrive any day, Teixeira would travel with Porker so she could be close to him. After all, she didn’t want him to miss the birth. Sadly, that wasn’t to be. Porker was an experienced truckie who absolutely loved his trucks. “He was a gener-

Teixeira loves the freedom of being out on the road.

She has been a driver with Parilla Transport for around two years.

ational farmer so he’d been driving trucks since he was a kid. He bought his own truck in 1994. In 2013, he started doing the grape harvest in

and I found Kevin underneath the truck. I couldn’t decipher what was what. I wandered up the hill to get service and called emergency services.” Porker was just 40 years old. Teixeira was air-lifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. “When I initially came in through trauma, they did everything they had to do and pushed for me to be induced, which I was very against. I pushed it further and further because I didn’t want my baby to be born on the same day that his dad died.” The next day she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Kayson, who has just turned four. “It was breathtaking when he came out. He’s everything like his dad: his behaviours, his tendencies, his face – it’s like a reincarnation,” said Teixeira. In the crash, Teixeira severely injured her hip, hand and shoulder. “I’ve had one hip surgery but the cartilage is ripped off the bone. That can’t be fixed so I’ll eventually need a hip replacement. I also tore all of the ligaments in my thumb so I don’t have full usage of my hand and I’ve had shoulder surgery. Psychologically it has had a massive impact too.” Prior to the crash, the couple had spoken about Teixeira getting her truck licence once she was ready to return to work after having the baby. “I had lived in America for nine years, where I drove big coach buses. I had also been a nurse in a past life, but trucking had really drawn me. I know he would’ve still wanted me to

She’s usually behind the wheel of a Kenworth K108.

Victoria, and he did that every year. He had built his business up to four trucks. Being a farm boy all his life, he said he got the bug. He loved being in the truck. He had started to do other contracts for grain carting as well and was really starting to grow business wise,” said Teixeira. On that tragic night, the couple were heading to a winery near Geelong with a 60 tonne B-double fully loaded with grapes. They were just 10 minutes from their destination when the unthinkable happened. The truck jack-knifed and rolled on a steep hill on Perdrisat Road in Maude at around 2am. “It was late at night and we turned onto a road. There were no markings saying it had a steep downgrade. His brakes were already quite hot at the time and he ended up rolling his truck,” Teixeira recalled. “I was pinned in the truck but when I got myself out of the wreckage, my partner’s phone had landed next to me

Teixeira says she was drawn to trucking and is glad she has pursued her passion.

get my truck licence and that’s what I’ve continued doing,” said Teixeira. She did her driver training through the same company that had trained Porker all those years ago. “It was massively difficult but the trainer was really patient with me and had a really good understanding of my situation. I couldn’t have asked to have a better trainer.” In August 2017, Teixeira gained her truck licence. By January 2020, she had progressed through to her MC licence. She now lives in Lameroo and has been a truckie for three years, the past two of which have been with Parilla Transport, a business based in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia. She’s usually behind the wheel of a Kenworth K108, but also gets to take some of the other trucks for a spin too. The work is wide and varied,

including hauling B-doubles, B-triples and road trains. “I do everything from yard stuff in and around the farms, to trips to Adelaide and SA produce markets. We transport sheep, cattle, potatoes, onions, carrots, grain and fertiliser. There’s a big variety and every day is different – from oversize to tankers and tippers,” said Teixeira. When asked what she loves most about being on the road, she answered without hesitation, “Just being free and looking out the window from the driver’s seat. I stop by at different petrol stations and get acquainted with lots of different people too. I just love it. There’s nothing like climbing into a truck and having all of those wheels under you.” And now she hopes she can help to inspire other women and trucking widows to do the same and join her in the industry she loves.

Kevin Porker was only 40 years old when he lost his life on the road.

Teixeira and Porker were expecting their first child together.

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18 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Bringing the ‘old girl’ back to her former glory

The restoration of this 1984 Kenworth K100 was a labour of love for NSW father and daughter duo Michael and Sophie Murphy.

The K100 at the Goulburn Convoy for Kids last year.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI MICHAEL Murphy had wanted to get into trucking since he was a kid, inspired by his uncle Neil who ran B-doubles, and his grandfather who headed up Beattie’s Bus Service in Wollongong. At 43 years of age, Michael has been involved in the transport industry for over 25 years. He started out as a diesel mechanic and then got his first transport gig with Brambles in Wollongong, working as a trailer operator, making up the trailers and steering them around. He worked with a close-knit team carting the big stuff all around country. Now he has his own business called Murf’s Transport, which runs B-doubles from Sydney to Melbourne, carrying general freight and sub-contracting to Cameron Interstate, part of the Glen Cameron Group, for almost 20 years. “I enjoy the quietness of being on the road. You can be your own boss out there and do your own thing. We do depot to depot work, so I really enjoy that. You get to know a lot of the other blokes out there too

Michael and Sophie have enjoyed restoring the 1984 Kenworth.

over the years,” said Michael. There are three working trucks in the fleet, the 2006 Kenworth K104 that Michael drives, and two K200 Big Cabs (a 2015 and 2017 model) – and of course the vintage Ken-

The new interior has come up a treat.

worth K100. Michael had a love of Kenworths from a very young age. He came across the ‘old girl’ after it was advertised on Facebook. “I always wanted a cabover or Kenworth W model

around that age and then that came up for sale in Melbourne. I bought it from a young bloke out in Sunbury. But the day I went to pick it up, he broke the gearstick, so I had to get it towed to Bayswater Truck Centre. A lot of money went into getting it driveable and registered. Inside the truck was a mess with lots of parts missing. We’ve tinkered around a bit and got it looking respectable,” he explained. His wife Tabitha Murphy added, “It used to be an Arnott’s biscuit truck based in Sydney. She’s been around a bit. One of the guys at Gilbert & Roach in Huntingwood was one of the ones who specced it up and it was interesting to see the original certificate for it. The old girl was basically sitting in someone’s farm paddock and was on historical plates. It needed a lot of work. Now it’s parked in the driveway at home.” The truck’s previous owner had done some work to it too, fixing up the chassis, which was cracked, so it could be registered. Once the Murphys got hold of the vintage beauty, they redid the interior and flooring and added new rims, new mudguards and a new exhaust. They also added walk plates which were tailor made by JAB Fabrications and got it professionally polished up by Top Shine Metal Polishing. A new radiator and further mechanical work was completed with the assistance of Illawarra Diesel. Though it’s already looking great, Michael admits there’s still a few other things that need to be done. As Tabitha explained: “The truck has been a big labour of love – and a big money pit too. It has a Cat engine and there aren’t many of this spec about. We purchased the truck about a year and a half ago. Michael and Sophie are still continuing to restore it and trying to source other old parts to keep it as original as possible. It’s also been good for them to be able to do that together. Sophie gets the overalls on and gets just as dirty as Michael does. It’s like a two-door Fer-

When the Murphys got hold of the truck, it was in pretty bad shape.

Sophie (left) with her parents Michael and Tabitha.

Sophie, who now drives for Hanson, pictured with the restored truck.

rari, it’s not a working truck at the moment as it’s not suitable for the B-double work but people’s heads turn when they see a young girl driving her. We’re lucky we have it so we can enjoy it and take it to truck shows. It’s good to meet new people too. We’ve had a lot of people come and talk to us because of the truck,” continued Tabitha, adding that she and Michael gave the truck to Sophie as her 25th birthday present. Up until about a year ago, Sophie was working in childcare, but decided on a career change and went for her truck licence in May 2020. Tabitha said, “She decided to get her truck licence and it’s all fallen into place for her. She’s now driving concrete trucks for Hanson Heidelberg Cement Group. She started there at

the end of last year. They now have a few female drivers in the company. She hasn’t got her B-double licence at the moment but hopefully when Michael’s ready to retire, she can take over the business.”

Sophie steering the rig during the 2020 Goulburn Convoy for Kids, with her younger sister Charlotte in the passenger seat.

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20 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

This old White goes alright

After two years restoring this classic White, proud Goulburn truckie Tony Kent hits the highways again to share a story of a special era. BY DAVID VILE “WELL, it’s far from good, but she looks good from afar!” smiled a modest Tony Kent as his 1975 White 4000 White with its matching Freighter spread-axle trailer sparkled in the autumn sunshine. However, many would beg to differ that it looks good from any angle as evidenced by the number of people stopping by to check out the truck and trailer outfit at the recent Lockhart Truck Show. The truck and driver had made their way down the Hume and across to Lockhart, and like a lot of trucks from the 1970s’ era, the White had had an interesting life before being overhauled and restored to its current condition. “Originally it was based in Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley pulling a float and was painted yellow. It was on sold to a Brambles subbie, again as a float unit and was repainted in Brambles’ red,” explained Kent. “It was in a rollover and the cab was replaced and repainted blue - it ended up in Crookwell in New South Wales as a rigid tipper for a number of years which is where I bought it from and spent a couple of years restoring it.” The iron componentry under the short bonnet of the White providing the motive power is classic 1970s with a Detroit Diesel 8V-71 married up to a 15-speed overdrive Roadranger and a Hendrickson rear end. Whilst the power output of around 318 horsepower might

seem modest by today’s standards, the old White can still get along at a good speed. “When I first got her going, she would only do about 90k’s flat out, so I changed the diffs and made it driveable. It goes pretty well with the trailer. The Hendrickson doesn’t have much give in it. She’s a bit like a bucking bull without it,” said Kent with a grin. Having purchased the White, Kent set about taking the truck back down to the chassis rails and building the truck back up, taking on the workload in his backyard shed in Goulburn. “I have had it three years and just had it back on the road for twelve months, I pulled everything off it and stripped the cab right back to the shell - with the cab being replaced in the mid-1980s after its rollover there was no rust in it fortunately and the interior was still in good nick. “There was plenty of late nights with it. I would be playing around in the shed and think ‘It must be getting late’ and all the lights would be out in the house, quite often I would be out there until midnight or 1am working on it,” he said. Initially unable to decide on which shade of ‘Ford blue’ he wanted to paint the truck in, Kent eventually went for a striking ‘Subaru WRX’ blue which really makes the truck stand out, and has left the truck and trailer in that state without further paint touches. “It’s always a bit of a hot topic with people you talk to as to whether it should be

Tony Kent and his White complete with Mustang hood ornament.

The White 4000 shines in its rich ‘SubaruWRX’ blue paint in Lockhart. Photos: David Vile

lined and scrolled but does it need it?” he reasoned. The White was also accessorised somewhat with a bit of stainless but not to detract from keeping with the originality of the look of trucks from the era. “It only had one air cleaner and exhaust, so I put an extra one each on them to bling it up a bit, I put another set of tanks on it, but I left the spiders on it to keep it a bit old-

school” he said. Sitting proudly on the front of the bonnet is a mustang emblem which pays tribute to the heritage of the White product line of the 1950s and 1960s. “I went into Highway Spares in Chipping Norton to get some other bits and pieces and saw it sitting there and thought ‘I have to have that’” he said. Completing the outfit is a 1978 Freighter 8-foot spread trailer which was acquired 600 metres from Kent’s home, and it too has had a full refurbishment and repaint to match the truck, but he made a few concessions to modernise it as he went along including installing LED lights. “A few of my mates wanted me to put the old-style lights on it but I thought I’m past changing globes, many a

wet night you would have to change all the globes on the trailer.” The trailer was sold without its wooden two-deck stock crate and Kent is toying with the idea of getting it and also pairing it up to the truck. “I am thinking of getting it and putting it on, there will be a bit of work in replacing the timber but there’s not a lot of old stock crates from that era that have been restored so I think the project would be worth it.” The project was a personal goal for Kent having first hit the road many years ago in a similarly spec’d truck, so he was on the lookout for one the same. “When I first got my licence a White 4000 with a Detroit 8-71 was the first truck I drove so I had a soft spot for them; it was exactly the same spec and

it was also a rigid tipper like this was when I bought it.” Kent works in the office of Divall’s Earthworks in Goulburn which runs a large fleet of Kenworths. “The boys there love the sound of it as much as anything,” he said with a smile. The trip to Lockhart was at the start of a busy month for Kent and the White, having taken in the Gundagai get-together the week before. After that there was the Canberra Convoy for Kids and the Crawlin’ the Hume runs later in March. “She goes alright, it doesn’t like the big hills, but she gets along down the other side pretty well. “The GMs aren’t known for torque; they are a revving motor. I reckon [on the highway runs] you will hear me well before you see me coming!”

The 1978 spread-axle Freighter flat-top trailer matches up well with the White.

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22 NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Fuso launches all electric model

FUSO has launched the first OEM all-electric truck available in Australia, in the form of its new eCanter. This follows the model’s rigorous testing regime around the world, including a six-month Australian test running with a maximum load. Global customers have also covered over three million kilometres of real-world driving. Developed with the global engineering force of Daimler, the eCanter became the world’s first small series electric production truck in 2017. According to Daimler, the new eCanter produces zero local emissions, features class-leading safety and heralds a new age of electric mobility in Australian cities. Daimler Truck and Bus President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, called the launch of the eCanter in Australia a momentous occasion. “Fuso is launching a truck that emits zero local emissions and operates almost silently,”

Whitehead said. “This is a significant milestone for Australian transport and represents a big step towards carbon neutral transportation in this country, which benefits everyone.” Fuso Truck and Bus Australia Director, Alex Müller, added: “The eCanter is perfect for emission-sensitive areas in our big cities, where many pedestrians and residents stand to benefit, but it is not just a concept truck or environmental tribute. It is a serious truck with a payload of more than four tonnes and it gets the job done day and night.” Müller said the eCanter is proving that all-electric local transportation makes sense; not just for the community and for the environment, but also for business. “We are excited to be pioneers in this field and to prove that electric trucks are practical in the correct application right now.”

The new eCanter has a range of over 100km when fully loaded.

The eCanter has safety features that include the Advanced Emergency Braking

System and Lane Departure Warning System. The eCanter has a range

of over 100km when fully loaded, and can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in an

hour using a 50kW rapid charger or fully charged in 90 minutes.

SEA Electric starts local production in Melbourne

MELBOURNE-BASED company SEA Electric has commenced volume commercial production of electric trucks it says will cost under $14 per day to charge from the grid, and even less if depot solar is used. Two SEA Electric-badged vehicles, the SEA 300 and SEA 500, based on the Hino 500 Series and Hino 300 Series models, are now available for purchase, with the first of the vehicles currently on the production line in Melbourne. “SEA Electric is privileged to be able to bring this Australian first to the marketplace,” said Glen Walker, SEA Electric Regional Director for Oceania. “These trucks truly meet a need in the marketplace, and prior to this launch, we have received pre-orders for 46 vehicles from some of Aus-

tralia’s biggest companies and councils.” The trucks are propelled by SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive Power-System, which is available in various performance and range packages to suit applications from 4.5 tonne car licence vehicles through to 22.5 tonne 3 axle trucks. Previously only available as a retrofit option for existing diesel vehicles, the trucks are assembled from Semi Knocked Down (SKD) kits, complete with a fully integrated SEA-Drive Power-System from new. Real world testing of in-service vehicles that travel up to 1000 kilometres per week has revealed daily recharging costs of less than $14 per day using standard off-peak electricity prices of 15c per kWh. The medium-duty SEA

500 is available in a pair of 4×2 configurations with a maximum body length of 8,930m and a GVM range between 14 to 17 tonnes. Drivetrain options include the SEA-Drive 120-35 and 180-35, which are both powered by an electric motor producing maximum torque output of 3,500Nm and maximum power value of 350kW. The 120-35 has a battery capacity of 138kWh and an unladen range of 175km, while the 180-35 features a battery capacity of 220kWh, and an unladen range of 200km. Meanwhile, the light-duty SEA 300 range is available in a variety of wheelbase, payload and body length configurations, all with a 4×2 axle format, and GVMs ranging from 4.5 to 8.5 tonnes. “The SEA 300 range can

The medium-duty SEA 500 is available in a pair of 4×2 configurations.

be ‘specced’ up with one of three motors,” said Walker. “The 700Nm torque and 127kW variant powers the SEA-Drive 70-7, combined with its 88kWh battery it is perfect for the car licence

4.5tonne GVM truck. “Ideal motors for up to 8500kg GCM are the midrange 1000Nm of torque and 108kW of power for the SEA-Drive 100-10. “In addition to two mo-

tors, the SEA 300-85 is available with two different batteries, providing capacities of 103kWh through to 138kWh, which provide for unladen ranges from 210 to 300km.”

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24 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Kilcoy Konvoy comeback is event’s biggest day yet

A 100-year Mack leads the pack in this great shot. Pics: Chris from Shutter Shock Photography

A vibrant JKL Freight Lines Western Star Constellation stands out against this great backdrop.

‘Highway Junkie’ and ‘The Gambler’ head through Kilcoy.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI IN the quiet rural town of Kilcoy, in south east Queensland, the Kilcoy Konvoy made its comeback on Saturday, March 27, a day that was its biggest yet. Kilcoy is renowned for its beef industry, and so it was

fitting that the convoy began on Winya Road, opposite the meatworks. A procession of 165 trucks travelled through the town’s main strip before converging at the Kilcoy Showgrounds. In recent years, the Kilcoy Konvoy has had to be cancelled twice. In 2018, it was rain that

This 900hp custom built truck, named ‘Filthy’, turned heads.

threw plans into chaos, and then last year Covid put the event on hold. But this year, there was no stopping the Kilcoy Konvoy, which according to organisers, had its largest ever turnout. “It was a really big day out. The streets were lined pretty well, with kids everywhere. Ev-

erybody we spoke to reckons it was a really good day and plans to be back next year. Some even said they plan to bring their friends and tell their bosses to bring more trucks,” said Ian Dawes, who along with his wife Debbie Dawes, is part of a large group (mainly owner operators) that put the event together. “Mark Tobin from Followmont Transport is one of our biggest sponsors. He comes to the event himself. We had double the amount of trucks we thought we would have with everything going on. The area we used had the capacity for 6000 people, so it all worked really well,” added Debbie. The Kilcoy Konvoy was held in conjunction with the Kilcoy Rodeo. The two events have been held side by side in recent years. With the huge

turnout though, organisers were having to turn some visitors away after reaching Covid capacity limits. “It’s a great day out for truck drivers and their families. It’s really good to have the Kilcoy Konvoy back. Hopefully more events like this can go ahead and we can all get back into it. We were speaking with a truck driver after the event and he was saying how great it was to be able to get together with his mates again,” said Ian. “There is a parking competition where truckies have 30 seconds to park the truck and everybody loves that.”

Awards were also presented across a range of categories, with Mark Tobin’s Kenworth T900 Legend, which he drove in the convoy, named Rig of the Show. “The standard of trucks was unreal. The judge was saying that the standard was so high, he’d like to be able to give everybody a prize.” Other awards included Best Kenworth for B&K Transport, Best Mack for Mack Trans, Best Western Star for Laurie Williams, Best Other Rig for Vanessa Thomas, Best Show Truck for Corbet’s, and Best Fleet for Followmont.

A purple Kenworth T900 lets off some steam.

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FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Nicole Sullivan shared this stunning shot of ‘Brown Sugar’, a Jenkin Transport Kenworth T904, on a farm in Daylesford, Victoria.

Katie Knight shared this pic – her in the Kenworth K108 and her dad in the T909. She said there’s always a competition for the shine, but he always wins that one.

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!

Drew Nobby Smith shared this shot of Kenworth T900 Legend #44, pulling a B-double.

Ben Priddey sent this shot of a K200 hooked up to a new Muscat live bottom trailer.

Nice shot shared by Dale Clark in Coober Pedy. Nick Kemp shared this shot of a Furniture Removals of Tasmania’s Freightliner Argosy at the Colbinabbin silos in Victoria.

Rick Phillips shared this shot of the 1998 Kenworth T950 he drives for JNJ Haulage.

This MFT Statewide Haulage Western Star 4900 creates a striking silhouette in this photo taken by Kenny Cathcart during sunset at Coonamble, NSW.

READER RIGS 27

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Carla Potter snapped this pic of an RGR Road Haulage Kenworth in Port Hedland. It’s just over two years old and about to clock up one million kilometres.

Billy Rice shared a shot of this immaculate 2009 Kenworth T908, which he drives for Ballinger Transport.

Jeff Jensen takes his last break of the day, not far from Boorabin, WA.

Liz Armstrong shared this shot of Phatty, the truck she drives for Namour Transport, at the Weethalle silos in NSW.

Pete Holdback shared this shot of a 2013 Kenworth T609 at sunrise in the Langhorne Creek wine region in SA.

An awesome sunrise shot from Scott Ifould, heading out of Esperance, WA.

Great shot of this green K200 shared by Dave Bennett, taken north of Albury on the Hume Highway.

Wayne Agius stopped at Southern Cross for a load check and coffee on the way to Kalgoorlie.

This Exodas K200 was soaking up the sunshine at Kings Beach in Bowen, Queensland. Thanks for sharing Cameron Gaskell.

Ben Drake waits to unload by the wharf in SA, during his weekly trip from Sydney.

28 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Hundreds of trucks join 300 kilometre convoy

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

TRUCKIES turned up in their hundreds on Saturday, March 27, to cruise along the Old Hume Highway, in a stunning display of vintage trucks. The whole day event brings together truckies and truck enthusiasts, who travel along the 300 kilometre stretch from Campbellfield, Victoria, to Albury, NSW. Held biennially, Crawlin the Hume was started by Robert French in 2011, taking place on alternate years to Haulin the Hume, which instead runs from north to south (Sydney to Yass). “I’ve been a truck driver all my life. I knew the Victorian

A pair of V8 dodges. Images: Crawlin the Hume Facebook group.

side of the Old Hume Highway like the back of my hand and I missed it. So after Haulin the Hume, I thought I’d do a

A vintage tow truck shows it still has the grunt.

Daniel Sciberras shared this great aerial shot.

convoy too, so we joined forces and continue to help each other out,” French said. The convoy is a trip through the trucking ages – with the oldest to take part this year being a 1917 T model Ford. The fact that the truck is over 100 years old and still pushing on is a feat within itself. At 10 years its junior, a 1927 International also made the trip, along with a selection of trucks from the 1930s too. “They know they are slower so a lot of these trucks got a head start. It’s a whole day trip, with the trucks able to stop anywhere they want along the way. We try to contribute to the local An old Comet Kenworth SAR.

A lunchtime pitstop at Winton. Great drone shot from Daniel Sciberras.

businesses we pass along the way. The trucks leave Campbellfield between 6-8am, then stop at Winton between 122pm for lunch. They get into Albury Racing Club at 4pm and the bar opens at 5pm,” explained French, who himself owns an impressive vintage gem which also took part in the convoy – a 1964 Peterbilt he purchased around 25 years ago and lovingly restored. French has been an owner operator for most of his working life and is now retired (well sort of anyway). Around 250 trucks entered from the starting point at Campbellfield, with others joining in along the way. By

the time the convoy reached its final stop in Albury, French

said the number of trucks was approximately 500. “Many of us were living in Melbourne when we were only allowed out of the house for an hour, we had to be home by 8pm and had to have a permit to go to work. But we didn’t panic, we kept on organising things behind the scenes in the hope this could go ahead and we were lucky we could. We forged on in anticipation it would happen, we stayed positive and we persevered,” French added. The event closed off on the Sunday with a presentation featuring some tongue in cheek awards, coupled with some fun and banter and a barbeque breakfast, before the trucks all headed back on their way.

Around 500 trucks made it to the finish line.

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Tassie Truckin’

with Jonathan Wallis

Mick Hansson

Tom Miller

PASSING by Mood Food recently at Kempton, we were fortunate to catch up with Mick Hansson, from Alonnah on Bruny Island, when he dropped in for a refreshment break. He was driving his always immaculate and eye-catching 1986 Mack “R Model” Econodyne at the time, and he was towing a two-deck stock crate loaded with sheep from Bruny Island up to the Oatlands saleyards for the next day’s sales. He told us that he was hoping to get unloaded and back to Kettering in time to catch the Bruny ferry home, wash out and clean the truck and then knock off for the day. “I’ve also got a V-8 Superliner and a couple of other old Macks at home and they are all still in working order,” he told us. “We mainly carry excavators and earth moving machinery, as well as a few logs here and there, some sheep and cattle and bits and pieces of whatever

ON our way north from Hobart recently we dropped in to the Halfway Café at Campbelltown to grab some of their excellent home-cooked tucker. It was very welcome too after a considerable delay at Tunbridge for the seemingly endless road works there. We were also fortunate to catch up with Tom Miller, from Youngtown, when he also dropped in for a bite to eat. He was driving a neat Les Walkden’s 1997 “FR” Isuzu service vehicle and he was on his return leg to Launceston from Campbelltown after attending to a bit of maintenance there. He told us he has been with Walkden’s for 30 years plus now. “I think everyone knows what a top outfit they are, they are certainly great people to work for, and run good gear and keep the maintenance up, which means I am happily always busy. “It’s a good job and I get

comes along. I’m a sheet metal worker by trade, but I have been doing this for the last 27 years and I enjoy it much more, frankly. “Everyone knows times are tuff just now, so we all just have to tighten our belts and work smart to keep the show on the road and make ends meet. But all in all I reckon it’s all good, or as good as you make it, and I am happy with life just now. And early rains mean a

great season on the Island, and Bruny is certainly looking good right now, and the ferry service seems to be handling the traffic for the time being.” We asked him about time off, and he gave us a smile, and said he has a hobby farm on Bruny that’s just for something to do after the maintenance and bookwork, etc. “So there’s not a lot of time off, you might say.” He also said to say hello to Gary Smith for him.

Blue Perkins BLUE Perkins from Epping rolled in to the Caltex at “the Forest” the other day for a

quick refreshment break, driving a schmick “Vaucluse Agricultural Company’s” 2009

plenty of variety and work all over the place which is good too. Being a large outfit our main problem now days is getting good young drivers, with adequate training, into the job.” “In fact, Les is happily an innovator, and he is well known for his efforts to train young people and get them into the Industry.”

Josh Bennett Western Star Constellation” with a 550 Series 60 Cummins up front, and towing a tri-axle tipper on his way from the Epping property to Cressy. “The company have their own property of about 11,000 acres and we basically cart our own freight around, in this case it’s grain and we have plenty of that to move this year owing to an exceptionally good season and substantial opening rains. “I’ve been with them now for about 20 years and they are a good outfit to work for, and I reckon it’s a great job as I enjoy being outdoors and all the variety as well. “I reckon I’d better get on my way now though as there is rain coming and I’d like to do this delivery and then get home and clean up before it gets here.” We asked him how he spent his time off and he told us: “All the usual family stuff, and a bit of hunting when I get time.”

IT was great to catch up with Josh Bennett from Scottsdale the other day, when he dropped in to the Caltex at Epping Forest for a refreshment break, and a hot cuppa, just as the rain began falling. He was driving an eye-catching A & A Cassidy 2013 T-909 Kenworth with a 600 5S Cummins up front, and he was towing a Lusty quad float back to Scottsdale after picking up a grader in Launceston on his way at the time. “I’ve been here with Adrian for almost five years now, in fact my whole working life on the road, as I got my licence here with him, and you couldn’t possibly find better people to work for, or, in my opinion, a better job, or truck.” “My full-time job is out on the grader, but I get to do float work whenever it comes up, and I must admit I really do enjoy getting out on the

road and especially in the Kenworth, it is just a great truck and really suitable for this job. “One way and another you could say it suits me down to the ground, plus they are keeping me flat out and that’s the way I like it. There isn’t a lot of Tasmania that I haven’t seen now, and I am loving it.” We asked him how he

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spent his time off, and that drew a smile, as he replied: “After polishing the truck, and I’d like to say that keeping the truck looking the way it does wouldn’t be possible without all the help and assistance I get from my boss, Adrian, then if there is any spare time left, I like to get out on my YZ 250 Yamaha motorbike.”

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Truckin’ In The Tropics Lynton Bruce

MUCH travelled truckie Lynton Bruce was deep in the tropics at Townsville when Big Rigs saw him parked up and taking a well earned break. Based in Adelaide, Bruce was far away from home. He works for M&C Meaney Transport which is in Korunye in SA and was driving a 2013 Kenworth Director Series number 39 – and loves it. Bruce had glowing in his praise of his boss Joel who he said ensured all company trucks were in tip top shape. “Joel makes sure they are well maintained and I feel really safe and I also make sure it is clean when I can,” he said. “I travel all over Australia and enjoy life as a truckie,” Bruce said. “I have brought up stock lick for Townsville Port and am waiting for a backload for Kununurra in the NT,” he said. His favourite roadhouse is the Caltex Stuart Wells which is 80km south of Alice Springs. “I have been a driver since I was 18. The people at that roadhouse are so friendly and used to run another one at Pimba in SA,” he said without revealing his age at first. He later repented and told me he was a young 53 and who could argue with that. Although he was super

friendly, he was not afraid to express his opinions on the good and bad of the road transport industry. When asked to nominate the worst road he travels on the lad had this to offer. “The Burke to Moree stretch in NSW is dreadful in places,” he said. Bruce doesn’t use an electronic log book and is passionate about authorities providing more truckie friendly rest areas. On this subject which is important to all truckies Lynton didn’t just call a spade a spade, but a shovel. “We need rest areas where we can have a piddle and a number two and there isn’t anywhere near enough of them,” he said. Although when asked to declare one which meets his standards, Bruce gladly obliged. “The Dingo Hill rest area south of Katherine in the NT – you can have a call of nature there,” he said. Bruce said he enjoys driving to many remote places in the NT, WA and SA and gets to meet many interesting people along the way. You could tell by the big smile on his face just how much this enthusiastic truckie enjoys his work.

with Alf Wilson

James Hewitt EVEN though it was raining the day I saw truckie James Hewitt, who was parked up along the Townsville Port Access Road, he was more than happy to have a yarn to Big Rigs. Aged 50, Hewitt works for B&K Bulk Haulage which is based at Gladstone and he was driving a Kenworth T909 towing a quad. “I have cement bound for Cloncurry,” he said. The outback town, also known as Long Gully is 780km along the Flinders Highway from coastal Townsville. “Parts of the Flinders Highway can be rough although it is no worse than the Blackwater to Alpha section of the Leichhardt,” he said. Experienced Hewitt has been a truckie since he was 18 and even had 15 years driving around America and Europe.

“I did 10 years in the USA and drove through many countries in Europe including Italy and Spain,” he said. Hewitt was praiseworthy of staff and facilities at the Townsville BP Cluden Road-

house. “The food is good and the facilities are clean with plenty of parking and staff remember your name from your face,” he said. Friendly Hewitt was born

at Auckland, New Zealand and arrived in Australia back in 2008. Sporting impressive tattoos on his arms which he is proud of, Hewitt barracks for the Cowboys in the NRL.

I asked Woodall if he found it boring and a challenge to travel the 360km highway between Winton and Boulia. Along that stretch there is only one building, the Middleton Hotel, which more than 100 years ago had been a Cobb and Co coach station. “I actually like driving along that highway as there is usually not much traffic,” he said. Like many drivers who work

and live in the tropics Woodall is a passionate supporter of the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL. The Cowboys may not be travelling so well in season 2021 but Woodall is confident they will improve over coming months. Outside work, Woodall enjoys shooting feral pigs and other activities such as camping and four-wheel driving. When he does manage to snare a few days off, Woodall said he enjoyed a Great Northern beer or a Jack Daniel’s to quench a thirst. “The people where I live are generally very friendly,” he said. Near Woodall was veteran truckie Steve Deal who described him as a “genuine bushie”. “Splinter is the sort of bloke we need in the road transport industry and is a young fellow as well,” Deal said. After such glowing praise I had to feel that Woodall was indeed the “real deal”.

John Woodall WHEN young outback driver John Woodall told me his nickname was Splinter, my curiosity buds were tantalised. From Winton in Queensland, 25-year-old Woodall drives a Kenworth 909 for Woodham Petroleum Services which is based at Walgett in NSW, but has depots at other places around NSW and Queensland. A chip off the old family block, Woodall told me that his father John, who is his genuine role model, was also a truckie. “Dad’s nickname is Woody so they started calling me Splinter which is a small piece of wood. That is how the nickname came about,” he said. It was raining lightly the day I saw Woodall along the Townsville Port Access Road. Woodall was carrying fuel in his triple between Townsville and Boulia which is 1000km away. “I live in Winton but travel around and love the job and life in the outback,” he said.

A truckie for the past four years Woodall likes stopping at the Morven Roadhouse near Roma when in the area. “It is very good there for truckies and the staff are very friendly,” he said. He was wearing a cap with a screen printed pic of the Julia Creek Roadhouse on the front. Julia Creek is 650km west of Townsville and its roadhouse is also well patronised by drivers.

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Why it pays to make Shell Card part of your business

FORGET paper receipts, lost dockets and end of month reconciling. With Shell Card you get a single tax invoice and statement that itemises the GST for fuel purchases, making fuel claims easy. But saving time and money is only one reason you should seriously consider Shell Card. When you’re on the road convenience is crucial, and Shell fuels are available at a growing number of around 1,300 strategically located outlets Australia-wide. This extensive network includes truck-friendly locations built along major truck routes, for the convenience of drivers and to help fleet managers optimise their scheduling for greater cost-effectiveness and minimal disruption. Shell’s network is constantly being upgraded, expanded and improved. Truck-friendly locations offer services tailored specifically for the road transport industry, including an increasing number of service stations with: • High flow diesel pumps • Healthy food options • Showers • Laundry facilities • Truck parking and canopies • Driver lounges • 24/7 operating hours Shell also services remote areas with unmanned sites that feature less queuing (because they’re designed for commercial vehicles only), faster refuelling with ultra-high flow diesel pumps, convenient outdoor payment terminal (OPT) technology and competitive prices. Drivers and fleet managers can locate truck stop services while on the road, or when scheduling journeys, with Shell’s convenient and interactive Truck Atlas. It’s the easiest and fastest way to get your trucks where they need to be. If you’re worried about security, all Shell Cards are protected with anti-fraud technology and individual PIN numbers. They can also be embossed with a vehicle number or a

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driver’s name if you want. For added security, you can set up alerts and purchase controls through the easy-to-use online portal, which gives you complete 24/7 control over how your cards are used. Did we mention that you can earn flybuys points every time you fill up at Shell Coles Express? Build up your points and then choose from an enor-

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Simply visit shell.com.au/ driver and use the promo code DRIVER. Shell Card has been helping to drive transport businesses forward for over 50 years. It doesn’t matter if you drive one truck or run an entire fleet, with a valid ABN you can make Shell Card part of your business and start enjoying its many benefits and savings.

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Bendix releases brake booster upgrade

BRAKE manufacturer Bendix has released the latest Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster kit using dual-diaphragm technology to improve safety for 4WDs towing or carrying heavy loads. Designed as a direct ‘boltin’ replacement for the original equipment single-diaphragm brake boosters fitted to the vehicle, the new booster is designed to improve brake pedal pressure and braking effectiveness resulting in improved stopping distances. The Bendix Ultimate Brake Booster Upgrade provides more effective, safer braking performance for vehicles carrying added mass such as heavy tradesmen equipment, loaded camping gear, towing heavy trailers, caravans, boats etc. and also those fitted with larger diameter tyres. They are specifically engineered for popular 4X4 wagons and dual cab utes that are commonly modified with suspension lift and larger wheels and tyres such as Landcruiser, Patrol, HiLux, Ranger, Navara, Triton etc. The Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Booster uses dual (tandem) rubber diaphragms to

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

No more polishing alloy wheels

SUPERCHROME wheels take the pain out of keeping your truck looking shiny. In 2021 Superchrome Pty Ltd celebrates 25 years of chroming steel wheels and 20

years of chroming alloy wheels for the truck, trailer and bus markets. Increasing numbers of fleet and owner driver customers are converting their existing trucks

and trailers to Superchrome wheels as well as specifying Superchrome wheels for their new purchases. The reason for this increasing demand for Superchrome In 2021, Superchrome celebrates 25 years of chroming alloy wheels for the truck, trailer and bus markets.

Superchrome wheels are easy to clean and don’t need polishing to get that new shiny finish.

wheels is growing awareness in the transport industry of the advantages Superchrome wheels provide for trucks and trailers. These advantages are a combination of presentation, image, and long-term labour and cost savings. Superchrome wheels are easy to clean and do not need polishing to give that new shiny finish. Also, the hard Superchrome surface increases the life of the wheels by reducing wear. The added bonus to having Superchrome wheels is the increased amount of leisure and family time available to drivers who are responsible for the presentation of their trucks.

Superchrome has invested over one million dollars in research and development over the years to perfect this revolutionary process and that’s why it is able to offer what it says is a world first – a seven year chrome warranty. Superchrome has also upgraded its production facilities in 2021 for a third time, and this, combined with operating two production shifts, will ensure the increasing demand for Superchrome wheels is met. Superchrome makes its wheels easy to purchase by providing them to customers by direct shipment to all locations in Australia. The wheels are also provided

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to truck dealerships on an exchange basis. That is, a chrome set of wheels is sent to the dealerships for the new truck and the new polished alloy wheels off the new truck are returned to Superchrome as exchange, therefore, the chroming process is the only additional cost. New Superchrome wheels are also sent to the trailer manufacturers or the manufacturers send their new polished wheels to Superchrome to be returned after chroming. Superchrome says that it continues to demonstrate a profound commitment to an industry that is also a livelihood by ensuring all orders are delivered on time.

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38 AD FEATURE DRIVELINE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

New heavy-duty wheel takes lightweight champion title

WEIGHING in at just 18kg, the new Ultra ONE wheel from Alcoa Wheels has been heralded the new Lightweight Champion in the world of commercial vehicle wheels. With MagnaForce and Hub Bore Technology added, the new Ultra ONE wheel is now not only the lightest, but also the strongest heavy-duty truck and trailer wheel in the market. Howmet Wheel Systems, the Australian Distributor of Alcoa Wheels, has been innovating aluminium wheels for over 75 years, with the invention of the first ever forged aluminium wheel back in 1948. The wheel debuted on a Mack truck. Since then, this ‘not just

another aluminium wheel’ has been helping fleet and trailer owners shed kilos for increased payload and fuel efficiency by setting a new industry standard as the world’s lightest heavy-duty truck and trailer wheel.

Taking Things to Another Level It was in 2009 that a new wheel took the market by storm, having reached the lightest weight then of 20.36kg. The flagship Alcoa 22.5” x 8.25” wheel had been reduced by 4.5kg over 20 years. Called the Classic (88367X) range, this was the latest wheel technology in the company’s committed work towards increasing wheel strength and

The flagship Alcoa 22.5” x 8.25” wheel has lightened by 4.5kg over the past 20 years, with the new Alcoa Ultra ONE wheel weighing in at just 18kg.

load ratings. “The lighter the wheels, the greater productivity for fleets. Each kilogram we can reduce for trucks hauling heavy loads across long distances every day helps them lower costs and move more goods,” said Ross

The new Alcoa 22.5” x 8.25” Ultra ONE wheel is the lightest and strongest heavy-duty truck and trailer wheel in the market.

Simmons, Managing Director, Howmet Wheel Systems Australia. What makes the new Ultra ONE wheel so strong is the Howmet’s patented 6063 alloy – MagnaForce alloy exclusive to Alcoa Wheels. Up until 2013, aluminium wheels were forged using the industry standard 6061 alloy for commercial truck wheels – and had been since 1968. For the first time in 45 years, MagnaForce alloy had become the strongest yet, offering a 17 per cent increase in strength over existing alloys. What that meant for the industry was higher load rating on a lighter wheel with no compromise on strength. Only Alcoa Wheels are forged with MagnaForce alloy. Heavy-duty without the heavy With the new MagnaForce alloy onboard, the then lightest wheel, the Ultra ONE (ULTRAX) was released in 2014 (not to be confused with the NEW Ultra ONE (ULT39X).

Taking almost 2kg out of the previous 20.36kg LvL ONE 22.5” wheel, this new 18.55kg wheel enabled fleets to lower truck weight, saving nearly 45kg per 18-wheeler versus the previous lightest option, and increasing payload and fuel economy while lowering maintenance costs. The extra strength of the MagnaForce alloy meant the wheels could maintain a load of 3,360kg – that of the classic wheel – while lightening the truck and trailer. Another new technology was added too, which would bring lowering maintenance into the wheel’s repertoire: Hub bore groove technology, designed to reduce metal-to-metal contact in the hub, minimising the surface area where corrosion can form by more than half (up to 64 per cent in fact); allowing for easier wheel removal during maintenance.

emission regulations at truck OEMs, fleets are switching to lighter-weight wheels more and more to offset the weight of technologies needed to remove air pollutants from diesel engine exhausts. Lighter-weight, lower-maintenance wheels also help trucks improve fuel economy to help make up for rising fuel prices and move goods in a cleaner, more fuel-efficient way. In addition to their lighter weight, Alcoa LvL ONE finished wheels are six times brighter than competitors’ wheels, giving them strong aesthetic appeal, and because they are corrosion resistant and do not require stripping and repainting, they lower operators’ maintenance and operating costs. The 22.5” x 8.25” Ultra ONE wheel is available in Standard US 10-285 Fitment and can be finished in all Alcoa finish options: LvL ONE (premium finish on both sides), Polished, and Dura-Bright.

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40 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Mystery loads are not so much of a secret after all SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Secret but no breach of national security CERTAINLY not a breach of national security was Spy’s first thought after yarning to truckies who were hauling gear for the military to numerous areas of Australia. That has been the case a lot in the first months of this year after Spy asked such truckies could he snap some pics of them and their trucks. “You sure can but the loads must not be photographed or even mentioned. We have been told by the military not to,” was a similar response. Now these are champion truckies who keep Australia supplied, so Spy didn’t want to get them in the poo and agreed. However my curiosity was activated on each occasion so I had a Goosey Goosey Gander at what they were carrying. It wasn’t even a sneak preview as none of the loads were even covered. Maybe I had randomly come across a new weapon or such and any mention may breach national security. Not so. Loads included non-Army 4WD vehicles and other items which anybody could see on the trailers. Having said that, Spy had done scores of stories and pics of military matters, including drivers, over the past 30 years. Of course I have abided by

A truck travels through Campbelltown, Tasmania.

Defence Force protocol and have even submitted words and pics to the media section. Every time the reply resulted in approval. So why all the secrecy this year in Covid-19 times? Probably just a case of red tape overkill. Double parking concerns TRUCK drivers who double park in the main street of Campbelltown, which is along the Midlands Highway in Tasmania, will face a hefty fine. Spy has it on good authority that the cops have handed out hundreds of warnings to drivers about such a practice. So far to my knowledge only one had been fined and apparently, he had been warned previously. To be fair, truckies really need to be park close to their delivery point and often this is the only option. Hundreds of trucks pass through Campbelltown daily, so let’s hope a solution can be found which enables our drivers to carry out their

duties without adding dollars to consolidated revenue through fines. 100-1 bonanza A well known road transport identity didn’t believe it when his daughter told him she had backed the 100-to-one winner of a race at Strathalbyn. They both had a day off and were having a modest small flutter at Townsville’s Bellevue Hotel one day in March. The lass picks horses, pacers or greyhounds by a name she takes a fancy to which is not an ideal way to

study the form. On this occasion she opted for number nine Witchachar Star in race five. They didn’t even really know where Strathalbyn is and were told by other punters it was in far off South Australia. Anyway the horse duly greeted and paid fixed odds of $126 for the win and $16 for the place. This watering hole is popular with off duty truck drivers who work in the vicinity of the Port and Access Road. Publican Wayne Hornby heard about the windfall and

the lass was more than happy to show him a copy of the winning ticket. There had been punters who didn’t believe that anybody could snare a winner at such juicy odds. Some doubters viewed a copy of the ticket and then were happy as Larry for the delighted lass. Despite her windfall, she expressed some concerns that she could have won more. “I only invested $1 each way on it and was going to put $5 each way. But I am a doubtful Thomas and when I saw the big odds reduced my outlay cause I thought it had no chance,” she told Spy. Off duty truckies can often be seen enjoying the Thursday night Folk Club music at the Bellevue.

Heart attack in Kalgoorlie? A veteran truckie was far away in Kalgoorlie, WA, when he had chest pains. Thinking he’d had suffered a heart attack, the over 70-year-old sought immediate medical assistance. He was moved to Perth for further tests and after treatment was allowed to return home to far north Queensland a few days later.

The Bellevue Hotel where a road transport punter backed a 100-1 winner.

But he needed many more tests and was relieved to receive a much better diagnosis from his doctor. It was reflux Oesophoagatis which in laymen’s terms is gastric reflux.

No masking their feelings OLD Spy was sitting in an eatery at a big roadhouse the morning after the Queensland Government introduced the mandatory wearing of face masks. That was after an outbreak of COVID-19 in the state capital Brisbane. To say truckies who were having a meal were piddled off would be an understatement. Several let their feelings known but in no way blamed roadhouse staff who were most sympathetic. Several walked out preferring to sit in their truck. The mask ruling certainly cost businesses, including roadhouses, plenty. I heard of one establishment which used to sell 90 ‘specials’ meals on certain nights which dropped to around 20. Big bash for truckies I hear that hundreds of truckies from around the land have organised time off so they can attend the Mundi Mundi bash at Broken Hill. Organisers of the world’s most remote major music festival, the Birdsville Big Red Bash, have confirmed it will expand to a second location north of Silverton in outback New South Wales. It will run for three days starting August 19 and is tipped to bring 10,000 people to the region near the NSWSA border. Paul Kelly, Kate Ceberano,

SPY ON THE ROAD 41

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

The Cane Toad Park at Gordonvale.

Tim Finn and Shannon Noll are among the headline acts. The Big Red Bash is held annually on a sand dune near Birdsville in Queensland on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert, and will now also be held at Belmont Station on the Mundi Mundi Plains. Insects and academics DRIVING through a plague of insects is a regular occurrence for drivers and this is often discussed when they pull up at roadhouses or rest areas. Spy can attest to the fact that about 80 per cent of drivers he speaks to remark that their truck is dirty. At least half of them indicate where they drove into a plague and prognosticate over the species of insect they encountered. Often that is proven from looking at the dead insects stuck to the front of their truck. The other day Spy heard such a conversation in a roadhouse eatery where five lads sitting at two tables and abiding by social distancing, were trying to identify such insects. “I think we must be insectologists,” one quipped. Toads in loads IN recent months a handful of truckies have told me they have discovered cane toads hidden amongst their loads

during checking. These little creatures are public enemy number one with wildlife authorities because they breed big time and eat native insects. Mostly found in Queensland, authorities don’t want them invading other states. A driver who found one placed it in his small freezer to euthanise it humanely. But you do hear of others (not truckies) who belt the hell out of them with golf clubs or cricket bats. One of the drivers told

Spy that if ever I get to Gordonvale just south of Cairns I should check out the cane toad display park there. “They were brought to Gordonvale from Hawaii to eat insects which were destroying sugar cane crops,” he said. They arrived at Gordonvale way back in 1935 and are known as feral pests. So recently I did venture into Gordonvale and found Cane Toad World situated in a park across from the CBD. It is worth having a look at if ever you are in the area.

Change rooms? SOME drivers possess a wonderful sense of humour and that is an apt description of a veteran NSW truckie who sent a pic to Spy. He snapped the image of a ‘room’ at a small hamlet named Corindi between Coff’s Harbour and Grafton. A sign on the building which was the subject of his photo advised that it was a “visitors change room”. “It was at a community sports field and had no walls so I wouldn’t want to be stripping off before a game and

Randall Ross stands near the SA border and a strange shoe sculpture.

changing there,” he quipped. He lamented that at least it had a roof in case of rain. I did a bit of research and discovered they were change rooms for the Red Rock Breakers Football (soccer) Club. Boot pole an attraction THERE are some weird and wonderful objects of interest at state borders around Australia. None more so than a collection of boots and shoes on a sign near the SA border. Trucking enthusiast Randall Ross sent Spy several pics he snapped of it for which I thank him. I recall being on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait a few years ago and was shown a rubber thong collection on a tree in a yard. That sure attracted plenty of interest. Full sign at toilet TOILETS at rest areas are in short supply around Aus, especially for our truckie mates who relish being in the vicin-

The so-called ‘change room’ at Corindi.

ity of one which ticks all the boxes. So imagine the horror of a South Australian driver who was on a delivery run in NSW when he was busting for a Jimmy Riddle. For about 10 minutes he had been busting for a wee and pulled into a rest area he often visited when in the area. Previously he had occasionally seen somebody using the facility, but it had never been fully occupied. Alas, several small buses were there with what looked like several female sporting teams and one group was queued up outside the ladies’ dunny waiting for their turn. Some had even lined up outside the nearby male loo as a team representative was there telling the driver he wouldn’t have to wait long. He couldn’t even head off to a nearby area where there were trees as he would have been in eyesight of many. As it turned out he ended up having his welcome call of nature “just in time”.

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42 COLUMN

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Modern day bush rangers slug truckies in pocket

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Government and Transurban provide spin that suggests their roads like the NorthConnex tunnel are good for the industry. TheyEAGLE tell us the congestion LEGAL busting benefits ROWAN KING of NorthConnex create a benefit to the econPrincipal Lawyer RK Law omy and the bottom line of any transport business. Clearly, the people who think that are rarely caught on roads like the M2 and M5 in congestion periods. At the TWU, we have on record companies and drivers, small and large business operators, talking about the impact that toll road costs have on their business. When NorthConnex opened, one operator told us of the new cost his business faced, $50,000 over a year because he was on the wrong side of the NorthConnex. There is still no free alternative to the NorthConnex, and the gantry cameras, designed to fine truck drivers who would like to use Pennant Hills Road, are now operational and stinging truck drivers with a fine, definitely highway robbery. The money you pass over for doing your job, goes to Transurban. Transurban do

TWU NEWS

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

I am writing this column on April Fool’s Day. Today, Transurban and the NSW Government have raised the costs of toll roads across Sydney, as they do every quarter year. The TWU put a post on Facebook highlighting the quarterly rise and we cannot help but agree with the following response, “Transport for NSW and Transurban are like modern day bush rangers doing highway robbery all over Sydney.” The NSW Government and the publicly listed company Transurban have set up a deal, that leaves us in debt for our future. The deal lasts for decades and was set in concrete with no consultation to our industry, to drivers or the members of the public that use the roads. Backing up the deal, the NSW

When NorthConnex opened, one small operator revealed he would be slugged more than $50,000 a year to use it.

pass a significant amount of cash each year to their CEO, dividends to shareholders, and drop some money into community programs, but in general, there is no support for the transport industry, not even for financial hardship. Maybe Transurban can consider taking on a share of the responsibility for a safer transport industry, build some rest areas perhaps. The NSW Government appear to need

the support. In March, Transport for NSW fronted a Budget Estimates Committee in NSW Parliament. In answers to questions by the NSW Opposition’s Mick Veitch, Transport for NSW told us where rest areas were up to. I quote: “Transport for NSW has now established a project team that is looking at heavy vehicle rest stops as a strategic challenge that we need

to be addressing. That has progressed to the point where we have now done—we are looking at having a strategic business plan produced later in the year.” Where you need to pull off the road, is not yet a “strategic business plan”. I would not be looking to the NSW Government for answers on rest areas soon. The Regional Transport and Roads Minister Paul

Toole told the same committee, “We have a lot of heavy vehicles out there and the numbers will only increase with the amount of freight movement over the years to come.” In that case, Transport for NSW had better get a move on. Tell the TWU about rest areas in our survey. Go to https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/restareas.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

VTA welcomes Road User Charge restraint by TIC VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

THE Victorian Transport Association has welcomed restraint shown by the COAG Transport Industry Council in its recent review of Heavy Vehicle Charges for 2021-22. The COAG TIC – comprised of state and federal transport ministers – at its recent meeting agreed that the Road User Charge would increase by 2.5 per cent next financial year, with these proceeds contributing to the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure. In reaching the decision, Infrastructure and Transport Ministers considered the estimates from the National Transport Commission (NTC) and acknowledged that there was a growing gap between road expenditure and revenue from charges.

National heavy vehicle charges are designed to recover the heavy vehicle share of road expenditure, and while the VTA has always advocated for the lowest – and fairest – adjustments possible, we also acknowledge the importance of maintaining transport infrastructure so that the greatest possible productivity and efficiencies can be attained by road freight operators. We commend transport ministers for taking into consideration the submissions from the VTA and other state-based transport bodies to cap increases in the Road User Charge to 2.5 per cent,

which is consistent with the recommendation we put to them prior to Covid taking hold last year. Notable in the decision was the TIC’s reluctance to accept recommendations by the National Transport Commission for a 13.4 per cent increase, which the VTA consistently opposed. In November 2019, the VTA joined the QTA and former ATA and ALRTA executives at a meeting of the TIC where we raised the lack of productivity improvements, additional increased costs such as tolls, tighter access to the road system and the fact that

regional Australians would be grossly disadvantaged should the road user charge be excessively increased. At that time, freight volumes were down, and operators were competing on price for lower volumes to obtain contribution to fixed costs. Our message that excessive increases would create unjustified and intolerable impositions on the road freight industry is just as applicable today as it was then, particularly in the current climate where Australia’s future economic growth depends on productivity reform. With Covid taking hold and beginning to wreak hav-

oc across the global economy only a few short months after our meeting with the TIC, advocacy groups like the VTA quickly pivoted to calling for any increase to the RUC to be deferred because of the uncertainty in the economy. The TIC deferred any increase in the RUC during the current 2020-21 financial year in recognition of the financial hardship experienced by many transport operators, which has assisted them during what we hope was the worst of the downturn. It is important that operators give due consideration to how the increase in the RUC

The VTA acknowledge the importance of maintaining transport infrastructure so that the greatest possible productivity and efficiencies can be attained by road freight operators.

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FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

New venue for conference

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

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Chair of Transport WomenWomen Australia Chair of Transport

Australia

THE government says that we must live with Covid normal but normal cannot include snap closures of businesses and borders. These destroy lives and livelihoods, such as the disaster of the last Victorian snap lockdownOZwhich was totally unTHE TRUCKER necessary and over Valentine’s MIKE WILLIAMS contributors@bigrigs.com.au Day weekend causing so many Sunday restaurants and other venues such huge losses and so much wastage. All of this makes you want to stop reading the news, as too much of this and everything else that is happening here and overseas can surely lead to depression and as it feels that we are confronted with bad news day after day. However, in the transport LOBBYIST industrySHEARER we have had we two STEVE SA Road Transport Association great stories lately with the Executive Director launch of the Mack Anthem and the 50th anniversary of the manufacture of Kenworth trucks in Australia, cause for huge celebrations. At Transport Women Australia Limited, we have had to move the Driving the Difference Conference due to the

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NSW State Secretary

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Principal Lawyer RK Law

I was delighted to have PowerTorque editor Tim Giles join me as guest on a recent episode of the Driving the Difference show.

Mantra Epping being requisitioned for quarantine purposes, we had worked with them for over a year, and they had been fantastic, so we were upset when they delivered this news. We are fortunate to find two hotels that could hold the conference on the same dates that we had already advertised but one could not host the SafeT360 truck, we are disappointed not to be working with them after they were so

efficient and gracious when providing a quote and a tour of their premises. We are delighted to be hosting the conference at the Hyatt Place Melbourne, at 1 English Street, Essendon Fields, and are looking forward to seeing everyone there. It is a stunning venue and is sure to be an outstanding event. We have all our speakers in place, and we look forward to hearing their presentations, we are excited to be hosting

the ATA Safety Initiative, the SafeT360 track and we have some other surprises in store for the attendees. I was honoured to speak at the ARTIO Women in Transport breakfast in Sydney recently during which we said farewell to Hugh McMaster as he entered his retirement after 13 years as secretary of the ARTIO, we look forward to catching up again with Hugh in his retirement. April is looking busy as we

have the fifth episode of the Driving the Difference show to record, I am speaking at the Southern Monaro Heavy Vehicle Forum and a couple of other commitments. In May, Transport Women Australia Limited is appearing at the Aerotropolis, E-commerce, Transport & Logistics Forum in Sydney, then Coralie will be hosting the breakfast at the Brisbane Truck Show just prior to our conference. To book for the confer-

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.

ence go to the following link, https://www.trybooking.com/ BNXOP all are invited to attend - remember that we welcome all genders and members consist of males and females, as do our speakers. We welcome everybody. If you cannot attend the entire conference, there are options, and you can see these on the trybookings. Any queries please contact me chair@ transportwomen.com.au or 0417422319.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Developing the industry’s next generation of leaders ATA CHAIR DAVID SMITH Australian Trucking Association

LIKE many Australian industries, the trucking industry is facing disruption and innovation as modern technologies change the way we do business, work and live. Our industry can be expected to go through great change but must also address the issues of today including safety, building business productivity, and recruiting skilled and motivated employees. In response to this change, and with the responsibility to ensure a viable future for our industry the Australian Trucking Association together with Daimler Truck and Bus have partnered to deliver the career-defining Future Leaders’ Forum. Now in its fourth year, the Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum is developing the next generation of truck-

ing leaders, shaping them to be strong, experienced, and knowledgeable representatives of their business, community, association, and industry. Over the years we have seen Future Leaders come from all over the country from a wide range of backgrounds and roles including business analytics, driver training, logistics, livestock, compliance, and finance, representing the various aspects of the transport industry. During the Forum our Future Leaders take part in intensive workshops in Canberra where they are mentored by experts in leadership, media, and political training, developing their potential as future leaders of the industry and the ATA’s network of member associations. This political training involves real lobbying meetings at Parliament House with senior politicians, advocating for key industry issues. The Forum also sees Future Leaders undertake industry advocacy projects that are developed in collaboration with their peers. 2018 Future Leader Stacey Davies said the forum was the

best training and development she has taken part in throughout her 10-year career. “It allowed me to not only create valuable and ongoing working relationships with other young leaders in my industry, but also helped me to develop and refine my project

management and presentation skills with the guidance of industry professionals in a safe and encouraging environment,” “After taking part in the inaugural 2018 program, I received a job promotion as I was able to showcase my

commitment, drive and dedication to the business through the implementation of my future leaders project,” she said. Reflecting on his experience, 2019 Future Leader Matthew Allen said the forum is a great development program that stands out from the rest

2018 Future Leader Stacey Davies said the forum was the best training and development she has taken part in.

as it is delivered and backed by people in the industry. “My confidence in presenting and communicating grew after the program and I was given opportunities to continue to develop that in my professional role. This led to an internal promotion about six months after completing the program. “The program puts you on the other side of the fence and gives you an insight into how legislation is created, the association’s role and involvement in the industry as well as providing a safe environment for you to grow and develop your leadership skills,” he said. From the examples of Stacey, Matthew and every single Future Leader who has progressed through this program, it is clear this type of initiative nurtures the next generation of Australia’s transport industry leaders and helps to make the trucking a destination for the country’s finest. To find out more about the Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum or to nominate, head to www.truck.net.au/futureleaders.

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46 EXPERT ADVICE

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Are you managing your tyre pressure for profits? COST CUTTER CUTTER COST CHET CHETCLINE CLINE AIR CTI Air CTIfounder/owner Founder/ Owner

WHAT tyre pressure are you running in your steer, drive, and trailer tyres? If it is 100 psi, like most do, your steer tyres are 20 per cent under inflated, which increases tyre temperature, and reduces steering accuracy. The drive tyres are 33 to WOMEN IN TRANSPORT 300 per cent BROTHERTON over inflated, JACQUELENE Chair ofthe Transport Women Australia and trailer tyres are 85 to 400 per cent over inflated. Optimum tyre pressures at maximum legal loads for 11R or 295 tyres is 120 psi for steer, 75 psi for tandem drive tyres, and 55 psi for tri axle trailers. All tyre manufactures, and the NHVR’s PBS Tyre Review recommend THE OZ TRUCKER these pressures. AIR CTI has been recMIKE WILLIAMS ommending and using these contributors@bigrigs.com.au pressures for nearly 25 years. When the load is removed, tyre pressures should be reduced. On lightly loaded tyres, optimal highway tyre pressures are often only 30 psi. My customers, and my own trucks do this all the time. For instance, many empty tandem drive tray trucks will have only 4 or 5-tonne on eight tyres. That LOBBYIST means each tyre supports STEVE the SHEARER about same weight as a SA Road Transport Association Toyota Prada. No one would Executive Director run 100 psi in their SUV. The correct footprint for an 11R22.5 tyre is 427 square cm or 66 square inches. That is 24cm long, 18.5cm wide. This ideal size exists only if the pressure is matched to the load. For instance, the footprint, the amount of rubber on the ground on an empty tri axle semi is only about the size of a credit card, and we expect the trailer to trail? Go out and have a look at your tyres. The steer tyres

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Lack of warning of air loss means deadly blow outs often end in the scrub, if you’re lucky.

AIR CTI is the absolute best Tyre Pressure Management System.

will have a substantial flat area where it meets the road, that TWU NEWS isRICHARD probably OLSEN 250mm long. It is under inflated. TWU NSW State Secretary Your drive tyres, if loaded, will have a flat area that may be 100mm long, if you are heavily loaded. Otherwise, the tyre will be round at the bottom.

The waste in tyres is at least 30 per cent, but probably 50 per cent! You are wasting thousands of dollars every year just in tyre waste, shortened tyre life, increased punctures, blow outs, and uneven wear. Over inflated tyres act like super balls, amplifying every road bump or irregularity, hammering the suspension, the wheel bearings, axles, and your truck into an early grave. Optimal pressures double diff life, transmission life, triples suspension life, and even doubles suspension seat life. How much does that cost you? Uneven tyre pressures in duals causes one tyre to ride a little higher, carrying a bit more weight. This causes the other tyre to wear uneven, and both tyres to wear quicker. Uneven tyre pressures increase rolling resistance, using more fuel. A complete tyre pressure management system makes pressure management easy, while added safety, reducing costs, and reducing down

This means the outer part of your treadEAGLE is doing no work at LEGAL all. In fact, the outer part is beROWAN KING ing ground Principal Lawyeraway, RK Law causing scalloping or outer rib wear. And the trailer tyres are even worse. Safety is reduced. Braking distance increases. Trailer and truck swing increases. High

vibration levels damage the driver’s health and wears the driver out with excess stress. Steering and handling is worse, increasing driver stress even more. Lack of warning of air loss means deadly blow outs often end in the scrub, if you’re lucky.

A Total Tyre Pressure Management System pays for itself every year, year after year.

time. Your truck is safer and lasts longer. As an example, if trucks are replaced every five years, the cost of the truck (say $200,000 replacement cost) will be around $40,000 per year. If it lasts seven years, the cost reduces to under $30,000. That is a saving of $70,000. Proper Tyre Pressure Management adds at least 40 per cent longer reliable truck service life. Add in the reduced fuel use, reduced tyre use, reduced down-time, reduced breakdowns, and increased profit-time, and a Total Tyre Pressure Management System pays for itself every year, year after year. AIR CTI is the absolute best Tyre Pressure Management System. It’s made in Australia, tough and reliable. AIR CTI fits every truck and trailer, and is the best investment you can make toward your future. See AIR CTI at the Brisbane Truck Show in the foyer, site 027. AIR CTI should be on your truck.

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ANZAC DAY PUZZLES 47

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

ANZAC CROSSWORD ANZACDAY CROSSWORD 1

ACROSS 1 Tributes (9) 7 & 4 Down Heroic pair in the Gallipoli conflict (7,3,3,6) 14 Capital of the country in which the Anzacs trained (5) 15 Dealer in illegal spirit (3-6) 16 Withdrawing from a country involved in WW1 (7,6) 17 Relaxed (5) 18 Produce milk (7) 19 Denoting cross-questioning (13) 24 Prefix indicating oil (4) 26 With head in the clouds (6) 27 What is standard (3,4) 29 Outgoing types (10) 32 Harvest of wine grapes (7) 34 What we revere this time of the year (5,3) 35 & 67 Down Year of the Gallipoli battle (8-7) 37 Socialist leaning political group (4-4) 39 Not very far apart (2,5) 40 Containing iron (6) 42 Is able (3) 43 Shape of land area which contains Gallipoli (10) 44 Former Portuguese colony in India (3) 46 Denoting food of very high standard (6,4) 48 Observe (3) 49 Australian actress; ... Griffiths (6) 52 Abuses (7) 54 Sea near Greece (8) 57 Great WW2 British fighter plane (8) 58 Accumulating (8)

14 16

15 17

18 24 27

31 32

42 44

48 49

56 57

67 70

69 71

78 80

79 81 82

TARGET TIME

WHO SAID WHAT?

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nineletter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary Today’s target: Average: Good: Excellent: 22 words 32 words 46+ words

Match the quote with the person who famously said it.

L D I L O M E N A

1. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”

3. “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight – it’s the size of the fight in the dog”

4. “The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking… the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker”

6. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion”

59 Citizen of Kabul (7) 62 Essential pieces of musical composition (10) 64 Fall asleep (4,3) 68 Indicative of more than one (6) 69 Aged and withered (4) 71 & 1 Down When Anzac Day is celebrated (6,5,2,5) 76 Fragile (7) 78 Disturbed (5) 79 Australians’ companions in Gallipoli (3,10) 80 Reduce expenses (9) 81 Comic strip orphan girl (5) 82 Arrived home after the war in one piece (8,2,3) 83 Careless (9) DOWN 1 See 71 Across 2 Confess (4,5) 3 Chronic blood disease (9) 4 See 7 Across 5 High-pitched cry (7) 6 & 41 First Lord of the Admiralty at the time of the Gallipoli campaign (7,9) 7 Digger (7) 8 Intended (5) 9 Winter sportsman on the piste (5) 10 Tributary of the Amazon; Rio ... (5) 11 Bellini opera (5) 12 More convenient (7) 13 Author of Treasure Island (9) 20 Wandering (7) 21 What the Anzacs faced in Gallipoli (5,5) 22 Entourage (7)

23 Street level (6,5) 25 Finding (8) 26 Tycoon like Donald Trump; property ... (9) 28 Sicilian volcano (4) 30 Record (5) 31 Journalist who popularised the Anzac legend; Charles ... (4) 33 Burundi tribesman (5) 36 Biblical high priest (3) 38 In personally offensive manner (11) 41 See 6 Down 42 Old type of radio (7,3) 45 One who determines level of insurance payout (8) 47 Strip where the Anzacs landed (5) 50 Venomous snake (3) 51 Public house (5) 52 Great musicians or conductors (7) 53 Person regarded as unpleasant (2-3-2) 55 6th of June, 1944 (1-3) 56 Cancel (4) 57 Executions by gunfire (9) 60 Scene where the Anzac legend was born (9) 61 Attack from above (3-6) 63 Conflict from 1899-1902 (4,3) 65 Denial (7) 66 Humble, uneducated farm worker (7) 67 See 35 Across 70 Rectangle (6) 72 Famous Rome fountain (5) 73 Untrue (5) 74 Mushrooms and such (5) 75 Scavenging African animal (5) 77 Choose (5)

GRIN BIN

2. “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf” 5. “If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking”

8. “Nothing is so exhilarating in life as 7. “No good decision was to be shot at with no result” ever made in a swivel chair”

Albert Einstein Dwight D Eisenhower Edmund Burke George eorge S Patton George Orwell Alexander the Great George Patton Jr Winston Churchill

ANZAC CROSSWORD

A W N A F S A D N E S S

U C A M P A I G N W P G

S I D E S R M C L O F E

T P E A C E L O K R I S

R R E C H E S E U D G E

A W I C S O I L A S H N

L I G B I A N W L E T T

I B R G U A N O R D I I

A L I S U T L O U D N M

L O E W E N E A E R G E

I O F R B S S M Y T H N

V D S O T T O M A N T T

E A N T U R K E Y I E S

S D Z E M P I R E G A R

ATATURK WORDFIND: WWI Anzacs were also called diggers

PENCILHEADS

M U D W M I L I T A R Y

F O R C E S O W A R S S

ANZAC TRIVIA

Solutions

1 Laurence Binyon, 2 25 April, 3 1927, 4 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, 5 Sir William Birdwood, 6 Turkey, 7 Roll of Honour, 8 Alec Campbell, 9 Anzac biscuits, 10 True, 11 Red poppy, 12 Queensland, 13 Gunfire breakfast, 14 Right, 15 Australian Imperial Force

1. Edmund Burke 2. George Orwell 3. Dwight D Eisenhower 4. Albert Einstein 5. George Patton Jr 6. Alexander the Great 7. George S Patton 8. Winston Churchill

WHO SAID WHAT

aeon, aldol, almond, aloe, aloin, alone, amino, anode, anole, anomie, daemon, demon, dole, doll, dolman, dolmen, domain, dome, done, eidola, enol, idol, indole, ladino, lemon, leno, lido, lino, lion, llano, load, loam, loan, loaned, lode, loin, lone, mado, MEDALLION, melanoid, meloid, melon, meno, milo, moan, moaned, modal, mode, model, moil, moiled, molal, mole, moll, monad, monied, niello, nodal, node, nodi, noil, noma, nomad, odea, oiled, oilman, oilmen, olden, olein, olla, omen.

TARGET TIME

8. Who was the last Anzac? 9. What biscuits have long been associated with Anzac Day? 10. True or False: Anzac Day is the only legal day to play Two-Up? 11. Worn in remembrance is what kind of flower? 12. In which Australian state would you find Anzac Square? 13. What was the name of the breakfast given to soldiers prior to a morning battle? 14. When wearing medals of honour belonging to someone else, is it customary to wear them on your left or your right-hand side? 15. AIF is an abbreviation for what?

CAN YOU PICK THE ODD ONE OUT: D SPOT THE 5 DIFFERENCES: 1. Hat badge larger 2. Missing button 3. Chin strap has latch 4. Sideburns changed 5. Shoulder badge moved

1. The Ode of Remembrance is taken from the poem For the Fallen which was written by whom? 2. What date does Anzac Day fall on? 3. In what year did all Australian states collectively observe a public holiday on Anzac Day? 4. The acronym ANZAC stands for what? 5. Which lieutenant general is better known as the Soul of Anzac? 6. Where would you find Anzac Cove? 7. The memorial list of names that records and commemorates soldiers who have died during or as a result of war service is called what?

ACROSS: 1 Accolades, 7 Simpson and his, 14 Cairo, 15 Rum-runner, 16 Leaving France, 17 Eased, 18 Lactate, 19 Interrogative, 24 Oleo, 26 Dreamy, 27 The norm, 29 Extroverts, 32 Vintage, 34 Anzac Day, 35 Nineteen, 37 Left-wing, 39 In close, 40 Ferric, 42 Can, 43 Peninsular, 44 Goa, 46 Cordon bleu, 48 See, 49 Rachel, 52 Misuses, 54 Adriatic, 57 Spitfire, 58 Amassing, 59 Afghani, 62 Obbligatos, 64 Drop off, 68 Plural, 69 Sere, 71 Twenty fifth of, 76 Brittle, 78 Upset, 79 New Zealanders, 80 Economise, 81 Annie, 82 Survived it all, 83 Negligent. DOWN: 1 April, 2 Come clean, 3 Leukaemia, 4 Donkey, 5 Screech, 6 Winston, 7 Soldier, 8 Meant, 9 Skier, 10 Negro, 11 Norma, 12 Handier, 13 Stevenson, 20 Nomadic, 21 Enemy force, 22 Retinue, 23 Ground floor, 25 Locating, 26 Developer, 28 Etna, 30 Enter, 31 Bean, 33 Tutsi, 36 Eli, 38 Insultingly, 41 Churchill, 42 Crystal set, 45 Assessor, 47 Beach, 50 Asp, 51 Hotel, 52 Maestri, 53 So-and-so, 55 D-Day, 56 Undo, 57 Shootings, 60 Gallipoli, 61 Air-strike, 63 Boer War, 65 Refusal, 66 Peasant, 67 Fifteen, 70 Oblong, 72 Trevi, 73 False, 74 Fungi, 75 Hyena, 77 Elect.

ANZAC TRIVIA

40 PUZZLES PUZZLES 48

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 7

6 11

8 14 15

14 SUDOKU

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 17 18 199. box contains the digits 1 to 20

QUICK 1

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 Which inventor (Thomas ____) took out more than a 4 12 Name a prized wool (6) (6) thousand patents fine in his lifetime? What last word (6) 7 13 What isisa the crack, gap, of or “Rule otherBritannia”? opening (8) The Misfits in 1961 was the last film starring Marilyn 8 15 What is a sculptured image of a person (6) Monroe and which other actor? (5,5) 9 18 Which is aused in is Nativecrystallised to Central andviolet Southquartz America, tamandua what type of(8) animal? (8) jewellery 19 What cloth is spread over a coffin? (4) 11 What are facial expressions 20 What is an informal word for (7) “a very long time”? (5) 21 Whatoil disease is also known as lockjaw? 13 Which is used in making paints (7) (7)

15 17 20 23 24

Name a short cord for securing something (7) Name a tall, long-necked, spotted ruminant (7) Which chair has arms that support elbows (8) What is a tonsorial artist (6) Which steroid hormone promotes masculine DOUBLECROSS characteristics (8) CROSSWORD 25 To3decapitate, is to 4 5 do what6(6) 7 Find a ﬁnished crossword by deleting one of

the two letters in each divided square.

Down

What is junk mail,10 sent via the email (4) Which term implies that something is free of cost (6) What is12a moral obligation (4) When one encounters someone, one does what (5) Name a champion Australian tennis13 player, 16 Patrick ... (6) 17 6 What do we call the hours of darkness (5) 1 2 3 4 5

23 11

24 25

18 20

19 5x5 R E E D S

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

TODAY: Good 13 Very Good 18 Excellent 24 S M E A D O P E R U T O R N L O V E D R E S T D O E T O T L R E N A L V A G E E M O T O R

HARD

28 30 R U S T P R U S N A I M S E L M T O A S T O S H U N R A A P I E R

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.

U T

M I

DOUBLECROSS

SOLUTION QUICK CROSSWORD amir amrita aria arum atria atrium attar aura auric carat cart Across: 1 Rusts,tart 5 Mead, cram curt marc maria mart raita rata rimu tarmac tiara 8 Proper, 9 Snail, 10 Torn, 11 Moved, 12 Elm, 15 Rest, 18 tract trait tram trauma TRAUMATICToast, trim 21 Doe, 22 Toot, 24 Shun, 25 Renal, 28 Ravage, 29 Pier, 30 Motor. Down: 1 Russet, 2 Spa, 3 Trim, 4 Solo, 5 Meter, 6 Eroded, 7 Dun, 13 Lo, 14 Mature, 16 So, 17 Teller, 19 Sonar, 20 To, 23 Tram, 24 Sap, 26 Ego, 27 Net.

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.

E G R E T

C A

A T

G E A R 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.

SUDOKU

Across 1 Corrodes 5 Honey drink 8 Appropriate 9 Garden pest 10 Rent 11 Shifted 10 12 Tree 15 Repose ALPHAGRAMS 18 Drink to Solve the anagrams. Each solution a one-word 21 isFemale deer anagram of the letters beside it, 22 and the fivecar solutions Sound horn are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution 24starts Avoid starts with J, the six-letter solution with K, and so 25 Of the kidneys 15 16 17 on. 28 Havoc EASEL 29 Jetty DIM RAY 30 Mechanical mover 21 GRANNIE Down ROASTING 1 Reddish brown TRANSPOSE 2 Mineral spring Insert letters to 3 the missing Make neat 5x5 make4ten words — five reading Alone 26 27 across the grid and five reading A G R down.5 Measuring instrument 6 more Worn Note: thanaway one solution I G Greyish brown may 7 be possible. 13 Behold! S A E 14 Ripe R E 16 As stated 17 Bank Allemployee puzzles © T S S The Puzzle Company 19 Echo sounder 20 In the direction of 23 Public transport 24 Plant juice 26 Self 27 Meshed fabric

WORD GO ROUND

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)

SOLUTIONS

EASY

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)

HARD

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

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 A star that suddenly brightens then gradually fades is called what? (4) 9 To be affected with pain, is to be what (6) 6 Which film, 1984’s Best Picture Oscar winner, was 10 What might filmed in Prague? (7)we call one who deals in leather (7) 9 12 Where was Louis Armstrong born? (3,7) arachnid (6) Name an eight-legged predatory 11 Which woman was married on 29 April 1945, and died 14following What,day? perhaps, the (3,5) describes the hoi polloi (6) 1216 What is theare widening of or a river wherepersons saltwater(6) What rough,channel coarse, uncouth mixes with freshwater? (7) To be silly, whatsilver? (5) (6) 1418 In heraldry, whatisisto thebe colour 1619 Millions of records which UScapacity immigration Name the unitfrom of electrical (5)entry island are accessible on the internet? (5) 21 Which term describes a method (4) 17 Which English college was founded by Henry VI in 1440? (4) 22 When one chills something, one does what (4)

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 4 Merino, 7 Aperture, 8 Effigy, 9 Amethyst, 11 Aspects, 13 Linseed, 15 Lanyard, 17 Giraffe, 20 Armchair, 23 Barber, 24 Androgen, 25 Behead.

E R I N O A I F F I G Y T H P E C T S R P I N Y A R D A E C H A I R O C R O G E N S S

G D M E R T U R E A T E E T H Y S T I A S N S E E D D R L A R A F F E B A R M O R B E R L A N D E H E A D

S A P A A M I L I I N G I N B A N B E

Down: 1 Spam, 2 Gratis, 3 Duty, 4 Meets, 5 Rafter, 6 Night, 9 Ailing, 10 Saddler, 12 Spider, 14 Rabble, 16 Yahoos, 18 Inane, 19 Farad, 21 Mode, 22 Ices.

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

FRIDAY JUNE 12 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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FEATURE 49

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Hay runners spread joy in NSW on Easter weekend

They made a few stops on their voyage, with more trucks joining in along the way.

There were around 30 truckies who spent their Easter weekend delivering hay to the farmers who desperately needed it. Photos: Need For Feed Disaster Relief Facebook page

AROUND 30 truckies have come together to help put smiles on the faces of flood affected farmers in NSW through the Need For Feed Disaster Relief Easter Hay Run. A group of trucks began loading up on Thursday night and left southern Victoria on Friday morning,

meeting up with more hay loaded trucks along the way. “There were other trucks that met up with us in Jugiong on the Old Hume Highway, then the next, we met with more trucks at Barnawartha, and then at Marulan,” said Need For Feed founder Graham Cockerell. The trucks began arriving

on Saturday afternoon, bringing hay and hampers to farmers who have been doing it tough. Some of the areas they travelled to included Taree, Wauchope, Rollands Plains and Telegraph Point. Cockerell and his Western Star (along with one other truck) had to be put onto a ferry at Settlement Point, to

get across to five farming families, who were still completely cut off due to flood damage. It was unloaded at Maria River as it was still too wet to enter the farming properties. “There was only one tractor left operating between the five farms and even it had been under water,” he said. “Some of the farmers we met were in tears, some had big smiles – everyone reacted differently. The hay allocation was based on their stock numbers and needs. Some of the bigger farms got whole truck loads, some of the smaller farms had truck loads split between different farms. Each family also got a food

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former farmer who received hay from Need For Feed during the Nathalia floods in 2012. Along with the Easter run, Need For Feed also sent six trucks into NSW’s mid north coast the previous week and more are on their way, with more trucks due to head up from Victoria this week too. Looking ahead, the next big hay run planned by Need For Feed will be the ANZAC Day run. “We’re hoping for a similar amount of trucks for the ANZAC Day run, but we could quite easily handle 50 trucks. There are many farming families that are affected. There’s still a lot of work to do,” said Cockerell.

Graham Cockerell (right) with hay runner Dave Morris, a former farmer who in the past received hay from Need For Feed and is now paying it forward.

This truck was all loaded up and ready to go.

SACKED OWNER DRIVERS REDUNDANT OWNER DRIVERS

hamper that also contained personal care packs, a bag of dog food, a Lions Club teddy bears for the kids and all sorts of stuff. It was really well received of course,” Cockerell added. “There were some big tough truckies who got a bit emotional themselves too. From an organiser’s point of view, it’s such a good thing to be doing for people and we’re really grateful that so many truckies gave their time during Easter to help others in need. Some of the truckies would have only got back last night.” Among the truckies who took part was Dave Morris, a

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50 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Calling all future leaders

NOMINATIONS for the 2021 Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum, a program that aims to shape the next generation of trucking industry leaders, are now open. Chair of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) David Smith said that in an industry that is constantly evolving, it was vital to have strong leaders who can build a stronger, safer and more productive industry. “Like many Australian industries, the trucking industry is facing disruption and innovation as modern technologies change the way we do business, work and live. Together with Daimler Truck and Bus,

we are looking for the next generation of leaders,” Smith said. Part one of the 2021 Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum will be held in Canberra on June 21-22, where participants will take part in intensive workshops and collaborate to develop industry advocacy projects which will be presented at the ATA’s Trucking Australia 2021 conference from September 29 to October 1. Participants will also be mentored by experts in leadership, media and political training during the forum, developing their potential as future leaders of the industry and the ATA’s network of

member associations. “The Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders initiative has helped nurture some wonderfully talented young people in the road freight industry since its inception in 2018,” Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead said. “The team at Daimler Truck and Bus is excited to continue backing this fantastic initiative that helps provide a clearer pathway for future leaders of our vital industry.” 2019 Future Leader Matthew Allen said the forum is a great development program that stands out from the rest as it is delivered and backed by people in the industry.

“My confidence in presenting and communicating grew after the program and I was given opportunities to continue to develop that in my professional role. This led to an internal promotion about six months after completing,” said Allen. Participants must be involved as an owner or employee in a trucking business that is a financial member of an ATA member association or TruckSafe. A participant could also be a direct member of an ATA association that offers individual membership. For more information on how to participate, contact your ATA member association or visit truck.net.au/futureleaders.

2019 Future Leader Matthew Allen said the forum is a great development program.

Nominate your top apprentice for prizes and accolade

2020 Capricorn Rising Stars winner Gabrielle Clift (far right) with the team from Highfields Mechanical including fellow Capricorn Rising Stars nominee Tarquin Pay-Fernandez (far left).

CAPRICORN Members across Australia have until the end of April to recognise the efforts of their star apprentices by nominating them in the 2021 Capricorn Rising Stars competition. The overall winner receives $5,000 from Castrol, a Capricorn Rising Stars trophy, along with all of the prizes that the top five finalists receive. These include $1,000 from Castrol, a $1,000 Repco voucher and tickets to two Repco Training Masterclasses.

The other four finalists also receive $1,000 from Castrol, a $1,000 Repco voucher and tickets to two Repco Training Masterclasses. The prizes don’t stop there, with the Capricorn Member workshops who nominate the top five finalists also rewarded with a 12-month Repco Autopedia subscription. Additionally, the overall winner’s workshop will receive enrollment in the Workshop Whisperer’s Service Advisor Pro online pro-

gram, which is valued at over $3,000. Capricorn CEO Automotive and judging panel member, Brad Gannon, said Capricorn Rising Stars continues to be an important initiative to help stop the loss of apprentices to other industries. “The shortage of mechanics remains a challenge faced by our industry. We also know that completing an auto repair apprenticeship is no easy undertaking,” said Gannon.

“By showing our apprentices that they have a bright future ahead of them, we can help keep them committed to their workshops and the auto repair industry more broadly.” The competition’s unique judging criteria also creates a level playing field for first to fourth year apprentices across all automotive service and repair disciplines, said Capricorn. For more information on the competition, visit capricorn.coop/ risingstars.

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CAREERS AND TRAINING 51

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 16 2021

Young Blade sharpens his skills in dream truckie job AGED just 24, Nick Blade hopes to continue to be a truck driver for many years and would recommend it as a career to young people. Blade drives a 2013 Kenworth T909 for Dawson’s Haulage which is based at AlREFORM LEADER bury/Wodonga on the NSW GARY MAHON and Victoria border. Queensland Trucking Association CEO The Kenworth is powered by a 550hp Cummins motor and has an 18-speed manual gear box and Blade said it was a great truck. He had carried steel from Sydney to Townsville and had a backload of cars to take back south when Big Rigs caught up with him. LIFE WITHsaid KERMIE Blade he had been GRAHAM with the HARSANT company for four contributors@bigrigs.com.au and half years. “I started off with the company in their depot yard and

had a rigid licence and worked my way up to this. Dawson’s has been really good with providing training,” he said. Enthusiastic Blade said he had driven in all Australian States with the exception of INDUSTRY ADVOCATE Tasmania and also is still to BEN MAGUIRE get into the Northern TerriAustralian trucking Association CEO tory. The first truck Blade drove was a Volvo FM460 and he likes stopping at the Mobil Jugiong Roadhouse in NSW when in the area. “The food is home cooked and good and I like the crumbed lamb cutlets. Facilities are great as well,” he said. TRUCKIN’ VICTORIA When INasked the worst GRAHAM roads he HARSANT travels on, Blade contributors@bigrigs.com.au said that many in Queensland needed work. “Especially the ones around Moonie, Goondiwindi and Dalrymple,” he said. However, the most boring road Blade gets along is the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane. “The road is in good conWELCOME dition, but MESSAGE it is just so boring MARK as you BAILEY drive on it,” he said. Qld Minister for Transport and Main Roads Married with no children, Blade enjoys life at Albury and when he gets time off

REFORM LEADER SAL PETROCCITT

LEGAL CORNER SARAH MARINOVIC

TRUCKIN’ AROUND OZ ALF WILSON contributors@bigrigs.com.au

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, CEO

Armstrong Legal

I STARTED OFF WITH THE COMPANY IN THEIR DEPOT YARD AND HAD A RIGID LICENCE AND WORKED MY WAY UP TO WA CAMPAIGNER CAM DUMESNY THIS.” Western Roads Federation CEO

doesn’t mind popping into the Railway Hotel for a cold soft drink. “I grew up at Rye on the Mornington Peninsula and went to school there,” he said. I SPY ON most THE ROAD The unusual load ISPY@BIGRIGS.COM.AU Blade ever transported was a giant Australian Rules Sherrin football to Ungarie in NSW. “It was 3m wide and 5m high and was in honour of the Daniher family,” he said. The footy weighs almost a ton and recognises the contribution to football made by the Daniher family, in particular brothers Terry, NeINSURANCE ale, AnthonyGURU and Chris, who MARK played BROWN a combined 752 AFL Manager, TBI Insurance Services matches for Essendon and the Swans. One of Blade’s biggest role

TELEMATICS EXPERT SHANNON KYLE

Safety solutions specialist, Teletrac Navman

AirRoad is a leading National road freight distribution and logistics company. As an independently owned and Australian company, AirRoad offers high quality services to our clients, with goods being delivered in full and on time with no damages. We are actively looking for two highly motivated and experienced Sydney based Interstate Drivers. Initially being offered a casual position, this role will transition to permanent full-time in due course. Positions include: • One Sydney to Melbourne Interstate Driver • One Sydney to Perth Interstate Driver (Will join another driver to create a 2-up team) To be considered for this position, it is essential you have: • A current MC Drivers License • Previous experience driving Interstate • BFM Accreditation • A satisfactory driver history record • In depth knowledge and understanding of WHS policies and procedures If you have the above skills and are looking for a rewarding career, please apply today. Send your resume to hr@airroad.com.au or contact AirRoad’s HR Department on (02) 9741 0300 Only successful candidates will be contacted. Remuneration will be discussed with you upon successful application. www.airroad.com.au

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT JACQUELENE BROTHERTON

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

AIR CTI founder/owner

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

NICK BLADE

Interstate Drivers – Sydney based

Equal opportunity employer, encouraging men and women of all ages and backgrounds to apply.

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE

Chair of Transport Women Australia

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Blade drives a 2013 Kenworth T909 for Dawson’s Haulage which is based at Albury/Wodonga on the NSWOZ and Victoria border. THE TRUCKER MIKE WILLIAMS models is his 55-year-old facontributors@bigrigs.com.au

ther Ron who is a long-time truckie. “Dad just started work

TWU NEWS RICHARD himself OLSEN with Dawson’s,” TWU NSW State Secretary

he said. Blade is one happy young driver who can’t think of a

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING in the country better place Principal Lawyer RK Law

to live at. “Albury is a cross between city and country living,” he said.

LOBBYIST STEVE SHEARER

F & A Scarcella Pty Ltd (Scarcella Transport) is a family owned and operated transport company based at Campbelltown NSW with depots in Dubbo NSW and Yarrawonga (Darwin) NT

SA Road Transport Association Executive Director

We have been operating a twice a week express road train service into Darwin for the past twenty two (22) years. We are looking for Roadtrain experienced MC drivers, who are prepared to join/be part of a two (2) up driving (express) team. Our express teams depart Sydney on either Tuesday or Friday evenings for Darwin, returning on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons/evenings. All express trucks are late model Kenworth T909s, fitted with double bunks, 240 inverters, microwave ovens. Your duties require you to collect your loaded trailer from one of our customers around Sydney. You will travel to Dubbo and collect the 2nd trailer and then to Bourke and collect the 3rd trailer. Once in Darwin, you will be required to either drop the trailers at our depot or to the various customers around Darwin. Returning from Darwin, your trailers will either be loaded for you or you will be required to travel to one of our customers and load produce or general freight and then return to Sydney. If you load produce you will be required to unload at the Sydney fruit markets. As mentioned you MUST have experience in road train work, be able to use a road ranger g/box, being mechanical minded is an advantage. Both our Campbelltown and Darwin depots have air conditioned motel style (individual) sleeping quarters. If you ‘fit the bill’ then telephone Cody (ops manager) 0418 461 115 during business hours

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