Big Rigs 8 December 2023 by Prime Creative Media

FRIDAY, December 8, 2023

ONLINE www.bigrigs.com.au

EMAIL info@bigrigs.com.au Cover photo: Truckspotting Ararat

Nationwide fatigue blitz Pages 4-5

Shutting down bullies at work Page 16

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Call for freight-focused road funding

IT’S time to stop building roads just for cars and put more focus on key freight routes around Australia. That was one of the key messages from a Queensland delegation that met with Infrastructure Minister Catherine King in Canberra on November 29 to lobby the case for more spending, as we were going to print with this issue. King has already hit the pause button on the proposed $1 billion Inland Freight Route (IFR) and ordered a business case study before deciding if

The poor state of the Flinders is hurting productivity between the state’s north west mineral and renewable energy province and the Port of Townsville, says the QTA.

she’ll make good on the previous federal government’s promise to co-fund the project on an 80:20 split with Queensland. To honour its end of the IFR deal, on the day the delegation was due to meet with King, the Queensland Government announced it was committing $107 million to an early works package on what is being billed as the Second Bruce from Mungindi to Charters Towers. That would include two bridge upgrades between Injune and Rolleston on the Carnarvon Highway; Major culvert upgrades between Roma and Injune on the Carnarvon Highway; and two road strengthening and widening projects (in sections) between Clermont and Charters Towers on the Gregory Developmental Road in the vicinity of Belyando. This follows $109 million in jointly funded upgrades recently delivered on the Inland Freight Route and key feeder roads, as part of the Roads of Strategic Importance program and road economic stimulus packages. Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) CEO Gary Mahon was part of a select

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between $600 million and a $1 billion per year. Given the federal government receives about 80 per cent of all taxes, and that Queensland punches well above its weight in terms of “significant” economic inputs to GDP, the new funding formula doesn’t add up, he added. “We need a reasonable boost for regional freight routes,” Mahon said. “I’ve been quoted before, and I’ll be quoted again that fundamentally we build roads for cars in this country and we let trucks use them. “It is time for us to genuinely focus on key freight routes. That means some bridge replacement and design changes to the way these freight routes accommodate trucks so that they attract the big multis. “Australia is unique in the use of heavy multis. We’re a large country by geography, relatively low population dispersed widely. So, the efficiency of every truck trip is paramount.” Mahon expects the state will step up and play its part, but appreciates that it is limited by its smaller slice of the total tax take.

QTA CEO Gary Mahon is calling for more federal investment in key state freight routes.

“What we’re also mindful of is that his [the funding changes], might also put pressure on states universally to look at other ways to source revenue to build roads. “Are they going to take a relook at the road user charge?

Are they going to look at the wider use of toll roads? Are we going to suffer over-andabove CPI increases on vehicle rego? “One way or the other they’re going to try and raise the money to fill this gap.”

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group, which included regional mayors, invited to join Queensland’s Deputy Premiere Steven Mills in Canberra to lobby for a “fairer hearing” for road infrastructure in the state. The IFR is one of five key corridors that sit on top of QTA’s priority list: the others are, the Flinders, Peak Downs and Gore Highways and the progressive improvement of the Bruce Highway. “I could pick out dozens, but we’re picking out three that are in particularly bad shape [Flinders, Peak Downs and Gore] and have a very high economic draw,” Mahon said. “They’re all corridors that bring big multis into the coast and/or Cairns. In some cases, they’re limited because of the condition of the road so we can take them part of the way, but not all of the way. “What we’re saying is that they should be sufficiently improved so that they are key corridors for multis.” Mahon said he agrees with the assessment by state transport minister Mark Bailey that the recent change to the federal road funding model is “shorting” the state by somewhere in

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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Regulator defends safety campaign timing

A TRUCK driver who has been on the road for over 40 years says the news of the NHVR’S month-long fatigue blitz leading into Christmas has pushed him to consider quitting the industry. James Camrolakis, 63, said his stress levels are “through the roof” and the constant threat of being fined is taking a serious toll on his mental health. “I’m at the end of the rope,” he told Big Rigs. “The end-to-end trip is a constant worry. “Am I going to get through the cameras without getting

pulled up for something?” Camrolakis, who is based in Berri, SA, argued that more leniency is needed when it comes to things like Basic Fatigue Management and logbooks. “Has a spelling area got anything to do with safety? Or being three minutes over in your logbook? “I understand that random checks are a part of being a driver, but it’s the way that people get treated and these unbelievable fines that are causing us so much anxiety. “I saw one bloke on Facebook, the prosecutors wanted

to fine him $108,000. Can you imagine the stress of something like that? That could ruin a person’s life. “I really don’t want to quit - I’m only 63, I’d like to make it to proper retirement age, but I don’t think I’m going to last that long.” The regulator and police are out in force on the roads this month in what is being billed as Operation Forager. According to the media release announcing the joint operation, it is being run to raise greater awareness about the importance of managing fatigue

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The NHVR is joining forces with police for a month-long safety campaign leading into Christmas.

when driving. It also aims to provide information across the heavy vehicle industry in regard to on-road compliance and staying safe on the roads during the busy holiday period. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said heavy vehicle driver fatigue is one of the three biggest killers on our roads and the regulator is reminding drivers to ensure they are well rested before setting out on their journey this holiday season. “In the past year there have been 167 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles in Australia and 190 lives lost,” Petroccitto said. “While the holiday season is a fantastic time for families and holidaymakers, more road users mean it’s critical for heavy vehicle drivers to be extra cautious. “We know we have fantastic drivers and operators doing the right thing, so we need them to keep up the good work by practicing safe behaviours, like focusing on rest, taking meal breaks and looking after themselves on the road.” Interstate truckie Rod Hannifey, however, said Operation Forager has sent the wrong message to the general public. “By not recognising the

NHVR chief operations officer Paul Salvati.

good that we do and targeting us with things that I don’t think we are the biggest cause of, particularly at this time of the year,” said Hannifey, the president of the National Road Freighters Association. “If they spent this campaign money on a message saying truckies are delivering all your Christmas food and all your Christmas cheer and presents and ask that you have a little bit of empathy for them on the road, and stay safe and give them plenty of room, I reckon that’d be a far better spend. “We’re not the ones who are the problem from where I sit, and if they put it out that

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 way, then the public just think we’re the problem again. “I would like to think that based on their information that we’re better at maintenance, we’re better at fatigue, generally. I’d like them to credit us for that, instead of focusing on ways to pick us up on little things. “We’re all still waiting for this HVNL review and we’re still losing more drivers and then they go and do something like that with the view to catching us out.” NHVR chief operations officer Paul Salvati tells Big Rigs that this month’s joint operation shouldn’t be construed as a ‘blitz’ and truckies should not feel like they are being unfairly targeted. “In hindsight, we probably would have pitched it a bit differently,” Salvati said of the initial announcement. “We always talk about how 70 per cent of those fatalities involving a heavy vehicle and light vehicle are the fault of the light vehicle. We say that all the time. “We didn’t say it in the release and we should have, we acknowledge that.” Salvati said the main purpose of the fatigue operation is to raise awareness about the importance of managing fatigue, looking after yourself and making sure employers aren’t forcing drivers to do more hours than they should at the busiest time of the year for many truckies. He was also quick to allay fears among some drivers that the operation is all about

James Camrolakis, 63, pictured inset, said his stress levels are “through the roof” and has thought about parking up for good.

“revenue raising”. “That not how we operate. Almost none of the revenue from infringements comes to us. So, there’s no point in us writing infringements because we don’t get any benefit from it directly. “The only benefit we get is if we can change someone’s behaviour, we don’t set targets, we never do. “The whole role of this operation, as we communicated to our staff, is about educating drivers and reminding drivers about the importance over this period of time to make sure that you’re managing your fatigue.” To stress that point, Salvati said that in the last 12 months the NHVR had done over

2100 hours of roadside education on fatigue and work diaries. “Each of those educations is between five and 10 minutes and every single one of those was because someone either didn’t fill out the work diary properly was doing something wrong. “If we’re about revenue raising that 2100 hours would be like 10,000 infringements. That’s just not what we’re about.” Salvati said most of the NHVR’s messaging in the media over the last 12 months is also not pointing fingers at truckies, instead focused on helping light vehicle drivers drive more safely around trucks, via campaigns such as

‘Don’t #uck with a Truck’ for younger drivers and ‘We All Need Space’. “While people may have looked at this as pointing the finger at truckies, our track record pretty much does the opposite. It shows how we’re saying everyone on the road has to make sure the roads are safe. I think there’s some creative license in calling it a blitz. We’ve never called it a blitz and we’re not expecting an increase in revenue. “But what we are expecting is a heck of a lot of conversations and education with drivers about managing fatigue. I’ve been on road a couple of days with staff and I’ve seen these conversations happen where people have had issues with the work diary and our staff are taking the time to work through how to do it properly.” Salvati concedes that if staff do see a “serious enough issue” they can issue an infringement; it all comes down to what the “safety issue” is that they’re seeing and the pattern of behaviour of the driver. “But our focus really is around raising awareness and education.” Salvati also admits the question posed by one Big Rigs online reader around whether fines “fix the accident” is a good one. “My answer is that it depends. At its face value, a fine is a deterrent for repeating the same behaviour and works for some people. “A fine, really, for us reflects the level of safety risk to the

driver and other road users. Does it change behaviour? It depends on the individual. For some individuals, education is what they need because they don’t know how to do it properly; they don’t know how to manage fatigue. “Others are intentionally breaching road rules and breaching the fatigue rules; a fine might be what is needed to change their behaviour.” Salvati said the interactions with truckies he’d been part of during the early days of the operation had been “really positive”. He cites the example of a rookie driver who had just bought a truck but she had six different “issues” with her work diary. “Our staff then spent time walking her through how to do it properly. She was keeping the yellow copies in the glove box of her truck. “There were a lot of things she was doing wrong. We did some education with that driver, gave her links to our YouTube videos and sent her on her way. The driver knew enough to know she needed a work diary but had no idea how to fill it out, so that was an incredibly positive interaction and to me that is exactly what this operation is all about.” Salvati’s other message to drivers during Operation Forager is the importance of calling the NHVR’s confidential reporting hotline (1800 931785) if they are feeling pressured by their employer to drive when they are tired.

Truckie Rod Hannifey believes the campaign sends the wrong message.

“We’d love to see not a single driver lose their life on the road. That’s our goal, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve through campaigns and operations like this one. “We’re there to keep people safe. We don’t value infringements; we value safety and everything we do is around trying to keep people safe.” Salvati believes that overall the industry is improving on the score of fatigue management with issues dropping almost every year. “By and large, industry is on the right truck and should be credited.” He promised to release the results of Operation Forager to Big Rigs early in the new year. • For more on this campaign, turn to page 60 for a response by SARTA boss Steve Shearer and a column by Paul Salvati on page 62.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Connect Logistics fined $2.3m for serious breach

CONNECT Logistics, the company involved in the tragic death of four Victorian police officers in 2020, has been fined $2.31 million for the most serious offence available under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (NVNL). The company’s managing director Corey Matthews was also fined $22,000 and given a supervisory order at the Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court last month. NHVR director of prosecutions Belinda Hughes said this will be the first time a local court has issued a fine of this magnitude, reflecting the severity of the breach. “The company was fined a total of $2.31 million and is prohibited from operating for 12 months – this is the highest fine we’ve ever seen under the HVNL,” Hughes said. “This case demonstrates the national reach of the HVNL, with the company and managing director based in New South Wales, but the incident occurring in Victoria. “This outcome sends a strong message to those taking the deadly risk of breaching their primary duty.

“Executives need to ensure they have effective systems in place to support fatigue management across their business and to empower all levels of their organisation to take fatigue management seriously. “As we heard in court ‘no one should have to worry that they or their loved one will not come home from work’.” Hughes told Big Rigs that the company has 28 days to pay the fine, with standard collection procedures from Revenue NSW to be followed. A prohibition order was sought against the company to prevent further operations and reoffending. She added that the fine imposed on the director is in addition to professional costs sought by the NHVR and his personal legal expenses. Matthews is also under a court mandate to complete chain of responsibility (CoR) training. The NHVR has also successfully made an application for 50 per cent of the fines under Taskforce Paragon to be directed to the NHVR. This amount when paid will be directed to support the families of the victims through the Vic-

The NHVR said the outcome sends a strong message to those taking the deadly risk of breaching their primary duty.

toria Police Legacy. “We believe this outcome sends a strong message to both companies and executives in the industry, and is an extremely important reminder that right across the CoR, no matter what role you play, you need to ensure your organisation has effective systems in place to support fatigue management.” NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the regulator is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, with this significant result set to influence safety

outcomes into the future. “Chain of responsibility requirements form part of the HVNL primary safety duty and executives are required to exercise due diligence to ensure a company complies with this duty,” Petroccitto said. “This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the consequences that can occur when there is a failure to ensure safe transport activities. “Fatigue is one of the leading factors that affects safety and heavy vehicle crashes, and

NHVR director of prosecutions Belinda Hughes said the fine reflects the severity of the breach.

this catastrophic incident exemplifies what can happen when fatigue management requirements are blatantly ignored. “Our thoughts are with the families of the four officers involved.” The officers killed in the 2020 crash were leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constable Josh Prestney. Mohinder Singh was high

on methamphetamine and lacking sleep when his semi-trailer ploughed into the officers who’d stopped a speeding Porsche driven by Richard Pusey on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway. Singh is serving more than 18 years behind bars for his role in the crash. As head of the Sydney-based company, Matthews admitted having failed to exercise due diligence in ensuring the compliance of his drivers. At the time of the tragedy, Connect Logistics held a lucrative contract with poultry supplier Inghams delivering chickens to KFCs and supermarkets across metro Melbourne, as well as shuttling slaughtered animals to processing plants. NHVR prosecutor Jennifer Single told the court in the months before the crash, Inghams had raised concerns about the hours drivers were working, believing them to exceed the legal limit of 12 hours a day. Four months before the crash, Inghams filed a formal issue relating to Melbourne supervisor and driver Simiona Tuteru, whose time sheets showed on multiple occasions worked between 18 and 20 hours a day.

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8 OPINION

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Stay safe on roads

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

BY the time you read this, most of us will be counting down the days to some time off. But for many of you, our hard-working drivers, the busiest time of the year is in full swing. That’s why this month’s fatigue managemenet ‘blitz’ - or safety campaign as the NHVR would prefer it to be called - has ruffled so many feathers. You’re the ones that are doing all the work making sure the general public get their presents and have full fridges during the holidays, but the clear inference here is that truckies are doing it all wrong when it comes to fatigue management. The stats tell us that’s clearly not the case. It’ll be interesting to see what the operation results show when the NHVR share them with readers in the new year. Until then, on behalf of all the Big Rigs team, pictured right in another ripper toon from Ryan Lee-Taylor, we wish you a very merry and safe Christmas. We’re back at all your usual outlets again from January 19.

HOT WEB TOPICS

Truckies react to ‘filthy’ facilities

Truck drivers say the facilities used to be much cleaner.

OUR story about the filthy facilities at a popular rest area in Dirranbandi, Queensland got a big reaction online. Many of our readers have seen the disgraceful conditions

for themselves and are frustrated that more isn’t being done. “True story, I stop there regularly and it’s bloody disgusting,” wrote Steve Tattam. Andrew Martin agreed: “It’s been happening for a long time, but nothing gets done about it.” Another cohort of readers said the facilities used to be much cleaner, but have since gone downhill. “When I first came across the Dirrenbandi facilities, I was impressed,” Christine Thiel said.

“The last time I went through they were very clean. What ungrateful, disrespectful savage would do this?” Other readers shared their disappointment in truckies who fail to show respect for the facilities: “It’s so disappointing that the minority can just f**k it for the majority of hard-working people,” David Gaudron commented. Daryl Bartram added that he hoped it wasn’t truckies at fault, suggesting it might be “the younger generation who don’t respect drivers’ facilities.”

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

Readers wish drilling family well OUR interview with Outback Truckers star Danyelle Haigh about her family’s move to a remote farm north of Alice Springs prompted a lot of encouraging comments from our readers. Haigh opened up about the challenges the family have faced since moving, from the difficulties of setting up a new business, to having to battle nearby fires to keep their home safe – and readers hope it all works out for them. Peter Evans commented: “You’ve put everything on the line but you still have to go drilling for water to keep some

Danyelle and Anthony Haigh and their two boys – nineyear-old Heath and fouryear-old Theo.

cash flow going, you’re doing a great job. Keep up the good work.” “Proud Aussie family, keep up the great work,” Steve Mc-

Connon added. Valerie Waddington said Haigh was an “inspiration to many” and she hopes her family’s hard work rewards them very soon. Other readers chimed in to say they love Outback Truckers and Haigh’s newest TV series, Outback Farm. Karen Chalmers said: “Love this show, never miss it. Great to see women drivers on there.” “Great show, hopefully it comes back on again,” agreed Venloe Fletcher. “They are a great family, good on them for giving us a glimpse of their life change.”

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Regional operator slugged $6.6k in speed camera blitz

BY ALF WILSON

A NORTH Queensland small fleet operator has accused the state government of blatant revenue-raising after four staff drivers were fined $6656 for allegedly speeding in the small town of Malanda in the Atherton Tablelands. They are amongst more than 400 people who were slugged for $500,000 in a two-week period by a “sneaky” speed camera. Cirsty Kidner-Bonadio the owner/office manager for Bono’s Excavations based on the Atherton Tablelands has called for an investigation into the accuracy of the cameras claiming that some of those breached were not breaking the speed limit. The company runs 10 trucks and the subject of the claims is a 60km/h sign and a nearby camera in place at the entrance to Malanda which hundreds of trucks travel through each day. “I was fined myself and have no doubt the camera gives inaccurate readings and it is

near one of those instruments which flashes and could affect reading and result in an incorrect assessment,” she said. “This is blatant revenue-raising and the fines are crippling people including small businesses. I know of one single mum who has been breached seven times.” Kidner-Bonadio believes the camera is placed at an illegal location and said some of those fined may contest them and have already enlisted the services of an Tablelands solicitor. “The locations have to be approved by the government and this one isn’t, I believe. In any case my drivers are responsible and are safety conscious.” Some of those fined multiple times have already lost their licences which affects their ability to earn a living in tough financial times. Despite having a population of around 2500, more than 400 people have received more than 600 fines since the camera was deployed in September. A Transport and Main

A yellow arrow shows where the camera is placed.

Roads Department (TMR) spokesperson from the Cairns regional office told Big Rigs that over 94 per cent of motorists who passed the camera at Malanda in the period were not issued with a speeding fine. “There were 342 offences at more than 20km/h over the speed limit and eight offences at more than 40km/h over the speed limit. “The highest speed in the 60km/h zone was 124km/h,” the spokesperson said. TMR is responsible for the cameras and uses a managed service for some tasks including deploying the camera on site. All adjudication of potential offences is conducted by the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO), according to the spokesman. “The accuracy of speed cameras is paramount in ensuring that infringements are trustworthy and that they maximise deterrence from speeding. “Both TMR and the service provider confirm all calibration, validation and resultant accuracy has been achieved

Hundreds of trucks drive through the scenic town every day.

across all deployments ensuring only valid infringement notices have been generated and issued. “Several validations and checks are undertaken, prior to infringements being issued from TRSCs.” Local MP for Hill Shane Knuth told Big Rigs he has written to the Transport Minister Mark Bailey demanding a full official ministerial inquiry into the accuracy of the device and the validity of its placement. He has requested that all payments of fines be reimbursed and called for demerit points to be recredited.

Knuth said it is immoral to issue multiple fines from a device stationed for two weeks at a location just outside a small township, where there have been no serious instances of speed related crashes over the past five years. “I firmly believe the device was malfunctioning. At the very least there should be a procedure put in place by the department that once a motorist is allegedly clocked at exceeding the speed limit from one of these devices, they should be notified immediately via text or email. This would immediately change behaviour.”

From left are Bono’s Excavations workers from left Josh Davis (Peachy), Regan Bonadio and Mark Wood in front of some trucks.

He said the current delay means some people are receiving multiple fines up to a month later with no time to appeal. He knows of a trainee ambo who has received nine fines totalling $7000 and a health worker who has received seven fines totalling $3200, who is now on mediation because of fear of losing her licence and job. Transport Minister Mark Bailey confirmed the camera, which was positioned on an incline, had detected hundreds of drivers over the limit, including 342 travelling at more than 20km/h over the 60km/h speed limit. Bailey insisted that all the cameras deployed to regional and rural areas were working correctly. ‘Given the largest number of fatalities in over a decade recorded last year, it is disappointing to hear state MPs suggesting spurious claims about speed camera accuracy instead of sending out a clear and strong road safety message condemning speeding given the higher level of fatalities in regional and rural areas compared to urban areas,” he said. He said several validations and checks are undertaken, prior to infringements being issued from TRSCs.

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NEWS 11

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

‘How does a road train get up to 74km/h in 1.5km?’

THE first speeding infringement this truckie was prepared to take on the chin, but two from the same day has the experienced Queensland driver seeing red. A recent $464 fine along with three demerit points for speeding in Barcaldine in a triple road train was from an incident he says was clearly his fault and he has no plans to contest. But for the life of him, the driver, who did not want to be named or identify his truck for fear it could be detrimental to the review process, can’t fathom how he could be fined an identical penalty in Torrens Creek for allegedly doing 74km/h in a 60km/h zone a few hours later. The truckie had been coming north from Barcaldine through Aramac, so drove over the railway line before turning right on to the Flinders Highway at Torrens Creek. “I’ve measured it on Google Maps and from where I’ve come on to the Flinders Highway to where the speed camera was is 1.5km and they claim I’ve got that road train up to 74km/h in that dis-

The truckie was allegedly caught speeding on the outskirts of this tiny outback town.

tance,” the frustrated truckie told Big Rigs. “I’ve got a bit of an issue with that. With all the other issues people have had with this camera I believe there is a drama there somewhere. “To say I have got a fully-loaded road train to that sort of pace over that distance is stretching the friendship for what they’re trying to ping me for.” The truckie said he’ll more

than likely dispute the fine through the normal channels, even fronting in court if he has to, but he doesn’t want to pay, even though that can be the cheaper option, because it would be an admission of guilt. He’s also approached local MP Robbie Katter”s office in Charters Towers in the hope he can spark a formal investigation into the accuracy of the cameras in question.

The truckie is adamant that he could provide conclusive proof of his innocence by loading the truck with a similar weight and taking off from a standing start. “You’ve just got to clock any loaded road train from a standing start over 1.5km and see how fast he gets to.” Big Rigs was first alerted to issues with the speed cameras in the tiny outback town earlier this year, with several sourc-

es questioning their accuracy. When we asked TMR for comment, a spokesperson said all cameras have been calibrated independently from the camera vendor, with a number of checks to ensure their accuracy: • Firstly, the cameras must be independently calibrated. • When the trailer is setup, the speed of vehicles recorded from the trailer is reviewed by using a different speed camera device to ensure they are both measuring the same speeds. The trailer will not go into enforcement mode until after this verification. • All offences detected are verified using a secondary verification method where two images of the vehicle taken are reviewed to check their speed, using time over distance calculations. Only offences supported by the secondary verification are sent for adjudication. When Big Rigs asked why TMR decided to put speed cameras in the town, the department told us that the Torrens Creek location has shown excessive amounts of

TO SAY I HAVE GOT A FULLY-LOADED ROAD TRAIN TO THAT SORT OF ACE OVER THAT DISTANCE IS STRETCHING THE FRIENDSHI FOR WHAT THEY RE TRYING TO ING ME FOR.” speeding. “Infringement numbers are not available but approximately 3000 offences were detected for speeding prior to the verification and adjudication process.” TMR also said that in 2022 along there were 88 fatalities involving speeding drivers/riders in this “general location”. “When a motorist exceeds the legal speed limit, they are endangering themselves and other innocent road users. The Queensland Government is working to prevent any serious injuries and deaths from occurring on Queensland roads and the speed camera program is a vital tool to enable us to achieve this goal.”

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12 NEWS

IN BRIEF Fitzroy bridge opening

Main Roads WA has announced the new and improved Fitzroy River Bridge will reopen to all traffic on December 10. That’s less than a year after the old structure was destroyed by a one-in-100-year flood triggered by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie in January. After the bridge was wiped out, many transport operators were forced to travel from Perth, to Port Augusta to Katherine to Kununurra, a journey of more than 12,000km. A two-lane stop-gap was hastily built as a solution, but was closed in mid-September ahead of the wet season, leaving just a single lane causeway, 4km upstream of the new bridge, which remains open. Western Roads Federation CEO Cam Dumesny heaped praise on all those responsible for building the new structure at such speed.

Second season

Jon Kelly has confirmed there will be a second season of his television show Aussie Truck Rehab. “We have started filming snippets of certain trucks that we’re doing in the next series now,” said Kelly. Season 1 of the program followed Brisbane-based Kelly and his team as they restored and upgraded trucks. It premiered on Discovery earlier this year. Kelly originally shot to fame through the hit 2012 show MegaTruckers, which followed his since-collapsed business Heavy Haulage Australia. Since then, Kelly has founded a new truck dealership and a refurbishment business, Heavy Haulage Assets.

$12.2m port upgrade

Esperance Port will receive $12.2 million in upgrades to improve safety, access and efficiency. Stage 1 works are underway, comprising a $7.4 million upgrade to Hughes Road, the sole heavy vehicle access road into the port. Stages 2 and 3 will be a three-year program of works to renew essential road infrastructure. Future works will also include the reconstruction of degraded areas of road pavement on existing heavy vehicle roads, as well as changes to the existing port access intersection layout to accommodate the growth in triple road trains accessing it.

Electric winner

Volvo’s heavy electric truck, the Volvo FH Electric, has been named the International Truck of the Year 2024 during an event held in Europe last month. It’s the first time an electric truck has won the award. In Europe, Volvo Trucks is currently leading the market for heavy electric trucks, with a market share of 49 per cent. Though it’s the first time the manufacturer’s electric variant has won the title, this is the fourth time that Volvo’s FH model has been named Truck of the Year.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Police crackdown on overweight caravans

In 2022, a Queensland wide operation found nine out of 10 intercepted caravans were overweight. Photo: Facebook

BY DANIELLE GULLACI AS the busy holiday season gets into full swing, police are cracking down on overweight caravans, with fines and demerit points being handed out for those doing the wrong thing. Overweight caravans pose a huge safety risk for all road users out on the road. Apart from being illegal, it reduces stability, increases braking distances and greatly increases the risk of a crash. In a Queensland wide operation last year, authorities found nine out of 10 caravans were overweight. And roadside checks conducted in Longreach found nine out of 12 caravans to be overweight. As this was an educational exercise, no fines were issued, but police are now cracking down. Those caught exceeding weight limits while towing

caravans in Queensland can expect fines of up to $287 and three demerit points, $469 and three demerit points in NSW, $238 to $1580 in Victoria, up to $591 in South Australia, and $130 to $735 in Tasmania. But is this enough of a deterrent? “As truck drivers, a lot of our fines are for things that do not affect road safety like over $700 for not ticking a box on your log book,” said veteran truckie and truckies’ advocate Rod Hannifey. “I don’t think that’s a fair level of fine and I don’t think $287 is commensurate with the risk. But I’d like to see more education first because not finding out and doing the wrong thing could kill someone else.” Caravan road safety researcher and campaigner Ken Wilson, who is also manager of the popular Truck Friendly caravan movement, believes the issue of overweight cara-

vans largely comes down to complacency and people not getting their caravan set-ups weighed. “Instead they’re assuming instead of going and finding out the facts,” he said. Each month, Truck Friendly posts a list of mobile scale companies around Australia for caravans to get weighed. “They offer a great service of weighing each wheel and the tow ball to give you an idea of where the weight lies. They also offer assistance in moving weight around from the caravan to the towing vehicle to get all the weights correct to ensure compliance,” Wilson explained. “Interestingly one of the things the 2022 police checks found was that rear axle loading was one of the largest issues. A caravan is typically towed using an overhung hitch. When you apply weight to the hitch, it lifts weight off the front axles – that weight

has to go somewhere so it goes onto the rear axle. That can equate to 140-150 per cent. This means that 300kg on the tow ball can mean about 450kg on the rear axle.” Hannifey believes the issue of overweight caravans on our roads is one that has been largely ignored up until just a few years ago. “But we see it all the time. As truck drivers, we are monitored, we are controlled, we go into weigh bridges and get weighed,” he said. “For caravanners, there’s no need for them to do any training whatsoever. From having never towed a caravan, they can go straight out but the tragedy is that some don’t even make it through the first part of their holiday. “It’s a hazard if they don’t know what they’re doing and creates a problem on the road – and what many caravanners don’t recognise is if they are involved in an accident and are overweight, it voids their insurance.” And Hannifey has seen this sort of caravan incident firsthand. “I had one happen right in front of me when I was about 18. He had a Statesman and a really big caravan. The van started swaying and then tipped in the scrub. He was lucky though because the car managed to stay in the lane.” Hannifey points to information from 10 years ago that showed 80 per cent of crashes involving a trailer – this included caravans, horse trailers and boat trailers – were attributed to loss of control. “This is one of the biggest factors that contributes to crashes where people lose their lives. If you told truck drivers

that 80 per cent of us were doing the wrong thing, authorities would be on top of us like a tonne of bricks,” he said. According to Wilson, many caravan sales people are also letting the industry down. “There are some great ones out there but unfortunately we only get to hear about the bad ones,” he said. “I recently received a message from another reader stating that when they were at the Canberra Caravan Expo, they enquired about caravan weights and the salesperson told them: ‘Caravan weights are far too complicated. You wouldn’t possibly understand’. “A lot of vehicles are leaving the dealerships with overweight caravans. The tare weight stamped on the caravan is not to be relied on because that’s as manufactured and doesn’t include any extras – like the solar panels or the slide out kitchen. “I strongly believe that no caravan should be sold without an accurate weight certificate.” Meanwhile NSW Police have urged motorists to be considerate of trucks when it comes to occupying large vehicle parking spaces in rest areas. In a statement, the police said all drivers are encouraged to manage their fatigue while driving, but also to be aware that heavy vehicle drivers have rules relating to taking compulsory rest breaks. “It is legal for you to stop and rest in these sign-posted spaces. We are just asking you to consider other alternatives if fatigue isn’t an immediate issue for you,” NSW Police said.

Truckie’s recovery after losing both his legs

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

AFTER a horror crash hat saw him spend three and a half weeks in a coma and lose both his legs, this Gympie truckie is taking things one day at a time. Kadeem Darlow, 31, was seriously injured in a crash on the D’Aguilar Highway at Moodlu, about 60km north of Brisbane, on October 5. He was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after being trapped in the wreckage of the truck for more than an hour. As his wife Maghon Darlow explained, “He was placed into a coma because of complications with his legs. They tried to save his legs, going back and forth with operations every second day. He’s had about 120 hours of surgery. After the accident they operated for 14.5 hours, then he came out of surgery for two hours and they had to rush him back in for another 10 hours of surgery.” A diesel mechanic by trade, Kadeem got his truck licence when he was 18. He had driven professionally on and off for

the past 10 years, but got into driving full time about four years ago. “He did local and interstate and went wherever the boss needed him to go. He’s been with that company for 18 months. One week it would be Townsville, another week could be Sydney. He carried a bit of everything,” said Maghon. “I know he liked the freedom and the open road. He definitely loved it once he started working in this job.” With the family based in Gympie and Kadeem recovering in Brisbane some two hours away, Maghon remained by her husband’s side – while their children, aged six and nine, and their niece and nephew who also live with them, aged 12 and 15, remained at home. “The kids have been back home with my mum. We’re trying to keep it as normal for them as we can with school,” said Maghon, though she admits it’s also been difficult being kept apart. “Kadeem has found that

Spent three and half weeks in a coma following the horrific crash.

hard too because normally on the weekends, he’d be at home with the kids. They’ve been coming to visit every second weekend with Mum. “The kids have also struggled a bit, but they go to a really good school and the school has been great.” Since Kadeem woke from his coma, Maghon says things are starting to look up. “He is doing better. It’s just waiting on everything. He’s just had his last skin graft so we’re hoping that takes. “Once the plastic surgeons

are happy with the skin grafts, it’s just letting that heal before he goes to a rehab centre. We’re hoping to send him down to the Sunshine Coast so it’ll be closer to home as well. I haven’t been able to go to work this whole time, so that will mean I get back to work too. “He broke all his ribs and the main bones in his arms so he can’t move his arms and wrists, so he’ll need to learn how to get from the bed to a wheelchair. After rehab, he’ll come home in a wheelchair first, because it’s 12-18 months

before he can be fitted with prosthetics.” Maghon added that Kadeem is hoping he can one day walk again, through the use of prosthetics but knows it’s a long road ahead. “He really wants to walk again because it just makes life a bit easier but he understands that some days it will be too painful so he’ll just need to use the wheelchair.” Despite everything that’s been thrown his way, Maghon says her husband is coping much better than she thought possible. “I think it’s been because everyone has been so supportive. His boss has said there will still be a job there waiting for him in the office. For now, it’s one day at a time – and we’ll have a new normal,” she said. “I think his work being so supportive has really helped and having all his mates calling him while they’re out on the road has really helped too.” A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise funds for Kadeem’s recovery. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/ help-kadeem-please.

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16 FEATURE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

End workplace bullying

Bullying and harassment in the workplace can take many different forms, but however it’s put, it’s never okay.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

A RECENT call from a distressed truck driver facing bullying at work was the catalyst for Big Rigs to dive deeper into the issue and the prevalence of bullying in the workplace – particularly in the transport sector. “It’s belittling and you can’t even say anything without getting your head chewed off. My boss rang one day and said if you don’t like working here, why don’t you leave,” said the experienced truck driver, who’s been on the road for decades. “I’ve told them that what they said to me is uncalled for. And when I pull them up on it, they tell me to keep my cool. It’s really hard and intimidating. They’d rather watch you suffer than help you,” she continued. “Management looks at you like you’re just a whinger. But if management does not do anything about it, then them not acting on it is another class of bullying because they think it’s okay.” Sadly, stories like this are not at all uncommon. As employment relations manager at the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), Jim Challis, explained, “From an employer perspective, employers have to ensure that they have a bullying and harassment policy in place. There are plenty of templates around that employers can use. And they have to ensure that this policy is part of the onboarding process when someone starts work with the company. It’s about letting staff know what’s expected of them. “And if you’re experiencing bullying in the workplace, you must report it. Once it’s reported, then the managers need to act on it immediately. It’s just not fair for someone to be experiencing bullying.

WiTA CEO Lyndal Denny fields constant calls from female truckies who are being bullied at work.

If managers are unsure of the process, they can contact the QTA and we can guide them through that.” According to the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) annual report for 2022-23, there were 681 applications for an order to stop bullying, and a further 27 applications for an order to stop bullying and sexual harassment. In reality however, the number of people experiencing bullying in the workplace is far greater, with many cases going unreported due to a fear of possible repercussions among other reasons. The FWC defines bullying as when a person or a group of people behaves unreasonably towards a worker or a group of workers, and this happens more than once and this creates a risk to health and safety. This can include behaviours such as being aggressive or intimidating, using abusive or offensive language, mocking or humiliating someone or holding ‘initiation ceremonies’. As Challis reiterated, “The definition of bullying is just repeated, unwanted, unreasonable behaviour. I’ve had some instances in the past where people say they’ve been bullied, when it’s been a once-

“If you’re experiencing bullying in the workplace, you must report it,” says QTA employment relations manager Jim Challis.

off comment, which isn’t defined as bullying. But if it’s repeated and discriminatory, the managers have got to respond to it. “And confidentiality must be maintained. You can have a confidentiality document that you can get management to sign. The manager investigating it also has to remain impartial. It’s also important to keep records of what’s been said.” Though this wasn’t the case for the truckie who contacted Big Rigs. She said when she approached management, an email was circulated that added further fuel to the fire. “It does all get to you – I know I’ve been in the industry for long enough, but I’ve never been picked on so much as I have at this company. It’s constant verbal abuse. A lot of it has to do with fact that I’m female. They think I’m new to the industry because of the way I look,” she said. “I love driving, I love doing my job, but it’s getting to the point now that I don’t want to go back to the depot, I just want to hide. I shouldn’t have to do that though. I want to go to work, I need to go to work and I want to be happy in my work.”

Bullying can include behaviours such as being aggressive or intimidating, using abusive or offensive language, mocking or humiliating someone or holding ‘initiation ceremonies’.

But what do you do when management sweeps workplace bullying under the rug? Workers can apply to the FWC for its assistance in dealing with claims to stop workplace bullying, which starts a legal process. CEO of Women in Trucking Australia (WiTA), Lyndal Denny, says she is fielding constant calls from female truckies experiencing bullying at work. “It’s so prevalent in the industry – week after week I have women calling me about appalling behaviour,” she said. “WiTA reached out to five women who’ve dug deep to revisit and share their stories of enduring multiple instances of excruciating workplace bullying. Their experiences offer lessons that can help us all.” Most of these five women were the first females to have been employed in their workplaces. “All these women have suffered depressive symptoms ranging from sleeplessness

Many cases of bullying go unreported due to a fear of possible repercussions, among other reasons.

I LOVE DRIVING, I LOVE DOING MY JOB, BUT IT’S GETTING TO THE POINT NOW THAT I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE DEPOT, I JUST WANT TO HIDE.” BULLYING VICTIM

through to experiencing suicidal ideations. It seems bullying occurs across-the-board in small, medium and large companies,” said Denny. “Given the complete lack of support from management, in every instance, these women I interviewed had resigned.” According to Denny, the current disproportionate split – with 98 per cent of truck drivers being male and only 2 per cent being female – leaves women far more vulnerable to workplace bullying than men. “Businesses urgently need to take action to keep these talented women in the sector. Misogynistic behaviour runs deep with many bullies failing to recognise their behaviour as an issue,” Denny explained. “Given the difficulties many women face finding work – the threat of losing their livelihoods is highly stressful.” Of the five women who recently opened up about their stories with Denny, the bullying took many different forms. “I was subjected to supervisors degrading me and my skillset openly to my crew and in front of me,” said one victim. “I was expected and told to use broken machinery; and forced to drive trucks that didn’t meet safety standards,” said another. “Rumours began to spread that I wasted mechanics’ time with my truck needs,” added another. From their colleagues, these victims of bullying reported things like nasty notes being left on their trucks, hav-

ing dirt thrown in the truck cab, having others refusing to sit with them, being referred to as the cook, being mocked for their weight, being ignored for months at a time, being humiliated and made a spectacle of while learning to back trailers, told the wrong information for a run or given difficult runs continuously, being degraded over the radio – the list goes on. To make matters worse, in the majority of these cases, management also turned a blind eye. “There have been occasions where management are the bullies,” one of the victims said. “There’s been no support from management – they degraded, blamed and threatened me.” Another commented, “I’ve never felt supported by management in any trucking job I’ve had.” Health in Gear provides free counselling and 24/7 phone support for transport and logistics workers and their families. According to Health in Gear, which was developed by the OzHelp Foundation, truck drivers represent the second highest occupational group, after construction workers, at risk of suicide. Its support line is answered by trained professionals, with afterhours support provided by Trauma Centre Australia, where a team of psychologists continue to offer tailored support. WiTA is also currently in the process of setting up a free and confidential helpline to support female drivers struggling with a range of issues – including workplace bullying – providing counselling and industrial relations support. It is due to be launched in early 2024. • Health In Gear: visit the website or call 1800 464 327. • Lifeline: visit the website or call 13 11 14. • Beyond Blue: visit the website or call 1300 22 4636.

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18 COVER STORY

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckie is back in a big way

After taking a five-year break from the wheel, this rejuvenated driver returns to the road feeling excited about what the future holds for his business.

Tim Driller found a niche carting oversize loads and hasn’t looked back.

HORSHAM truckie Tim Driller, 50, should be hauling another oversize load about now, but instead his prized 1998 Peterbilt 379 is parked up at the local workshop when Big Rigs calls. The stunning big-bonneted behemoth is in for a new cylinder head and turbo, and Driller is bracing himself for a $20,000 bill to get him rolling again, but all things considered, it’s a minor bump in the road. After taking five years out from the driver’s seat to “follow a different pathway” and focus on spending more time with his three children, Driller, aka Drillbit, is back with more enthusiasm than he’s ever had in his 30, or so, years behind the wheel. A long-time grain farmer around truck-driving duties, Driller had tried his hand at a few other things during his break – including welding – but no matter what new road he ventured down, his thoughts always turned back to his first love of trucking. “My heart wasn’t in the farm, and I always had the urge to get back into it – it gets under your skin – and I wasn’t happy in what I was doing and needed to get back in a truck again,” explained Driller, who also credits partner Sarah and her children Aiden and Lexi for support in helping him chase his dream. “I knew I didn’t want to

I DIDN’T EVEN TAKE IT FOR A DRIVE TO BE HONEST; I JUST LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, ‘YEP, WE’LL TAKE IT’.” TIM DRILLER

go carting grain – that’s what I mainly did before that – too much waiting around. “Around this area there really wasn’t anyone doing oversize cartage, so I thought there’s a bit of an opening there, so I decided to go fulltime trucking driving again. So far, it’s worked out quite okay.” A Peterbilt had always been on Driller’s wish-list so when he spotted one for sale on Facebook, running a 12.7 Detroit premium out at 570hp, he bought a one-way ticket to the seller’s place in Brisbane, and ended up driving the truck home. “I’d always kept my eye out for a Peterbilt – always wanted one – but when I rang up the bloke he said he had it sold but the buyer was waiting on finance. “He’d been waiting for three months – being an older truck it was a bit harder to get finance. “I knew I was probably going to before I even got up there. I didn’t even take it for a drive to be honest; I just looked at it and said, ‘Yep, we’ll take it’.

Optimus Prime promises to be a big hit with younger speedway fans this season.

“It had a rebuild 15,000km before I bought it. It had a chassis/engine rebuild, a brand new gearbox and two brand new diffs, so I thought it was a pretty safe bet.” Aside from minor setback with the aforementioned head and turbo, the distinctive Peterbilt with the equally eye-catching Drillbit rego, has soaked up every task Driller has thrown its way in the 70,000km he’s clocked up. The week he has his children at home, that’s mainly doing local work, but every second week Driller heads interstate, either to Perth, Brisbane or somewhere in Queensland. “I prefer more the outback places. It’s just not as busy and you get to see a bit of the country.” Driller hauls a lot of headers, but also self-propelled boom sprays for Agrifac Australia all over Victoria, into South Australia and as far afield as Townsville in Queensland under the company banner, Driller Transport. In his spare time, he also races a speedway truck at the Blue Ribbon Raceway, 18km north of Horsham, the only track of its kind in Australia. Driller races a mean machine called Optimus Prime, which boasts a Dodge chassis and a 1973 Kenworth S2 cab that he has grafted on to it – everything has to be pre-1975 to comply with race rules.

Business is booming for Driller and his Peterbilt. Photo: Truckspotting Ararat

Inspired by a mate who painted his speedway truck as Tow Mater from the Cars movie, Driller opted for the Transformer theme to play his part in helping to entice kids along to race nights with their parents. The truck used to be powered by a 327 Chev engine but because he “keeps blowing up engines”, this year Driller has a customised 350 Chev being built, running a two-speed Powerglide transmission. Driller has been racing now for around seven years all up – three before his break and four since – and admits it was a steep learning curve, even coming off second best in a collision with a wall at one stage. He credits Wes Bell, a farmer “up the road” who was like a second father to Driller in his younger days, for giving him the push to try. “I started in one of Wes’s, number 11, a Dodge, same as what I’ve made my truck out of, but one of the first trucks on the track ever. “I crashed that one in a big way and pretty much wrote it off down in Hamilton, so I rebuilt it all for him. “I enjoyed doing that, so I decided I was going to rebuild my own and build it to my own specs. It was an out of chassis, no-expense spared rebuild.” The race season kicked off again on December 2 with

Drillbit Transport focused on carting grain before the switch to oversize loads.

The first race truck Driller drove belonged to his former neighbour Wes Bell.

the next event on the sixmonth calendar scheduled for January 6, 2024. As for enticing his children into his burgeoning transport business – he’s looking to expand the operation in the new year – Driller reckons his youngest son, Harry, 17, has his mind set on a career as an electrician after just starting an apprenticeship. But daughter Nellie, 14, is mad-keen on trucks and jumps into the cab every chance she gets, and oldest son Jack, 19, has indicated he might switch from welding to follow in the old man’s footsteps. “He’s nearly finished his

apprenticeship as a welder and then he’s looking to travel a bit first, but when I mentioned to him this other job that might be coming up that might suit him as a learner-driver, he said he might be a bit keen to have a go. “Kids like the big glory stuff these days,” Driller added when asked what the secret is to entice more youngsters into the industry. “The first truck I learnt to drive in was an old Volvo G88. It wasn’t a very good-looking truck but back then we didn’t care what it looked like, it was more about getting out there and experiencing it.”

The first truck Driller bought, a 1993 Western Star 5964.

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20 FEATURE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Veteran truckie looks back at long life on the road

Nicknamed after the American gunslinger, Doc Holliday started out as a driver back in the ‘60s and is still sharp as a tack at the age of 85.

BY ALF WILSON

VETERAN driver Doc Holliday has the same name as a famous American gunslinger, and he became emotional when a friend gave him a copy of Big Rigs which featured a DCO-F International. The 85-year-old Holliday was sitting near his caravan at Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory on October 13 when he phoned me about a story by David Vile which had appeared in our May 12 edition. “I used to drive one of these back in the ‘60s and have loved reading this. These trucks were very few and far between,” he said. Then Holliday spoke about his long career as a truck driver and later a coach driver, working all around Australia. “In the ‘60s I drove for Dyer Transport out of Renmark in South Australia, delivering oranges and driving a three-cylinder Commer. I have been in transport most

THE BEST TRUCK I EVER DROVE WAS A 1418 MERCEDES-BENZ WITH A SINGLE DRIVE. IT COULD CARRY A HEAVIER LOAD LEGALLY THAN A BOGIE DRIVE MACK AND IT WAS REALLY COMFORTABLE.” DOC HOLLIDAY

of my life and still do parttime work as a bus driver in SA for some of the year. But I come up to the NT the other times to escape the cold down there,” he said. A genuine character, Holliday was born on December 28, 1937 and said coming into the world so close to Christmas day had its disadvantages. “I generally only got one gift for Christmas, and nobody had any money left for a birthday present as it was three days after,” he said with a laugh. He recalls that in about 1965, he drove the DOC-F

His real name is Don, but everybody calls him Doc, after the American gunslinger.

International from Renmark to Sydney markets and was behind the wheel of various trucks from SA well into the ‘70s.

A shot of Doc Holliday today in front of a truck at Pickering Transport in Renmark.

“The best truck I ever drove was a 1418 Mercedes-Benz with a single drive. It could carry a heavier load legally than a bogie drive Mack and it was really comfortable,” he said. After that he got a job driving trucks at the Lajamanu aboriginal community in the NT and loved the work. “After about two years I got promoted to run the general store there and the people were so friendly and good to me,” he said. From there, Holliday got a job in the early ‘80s with a company called FBI Transport out of Adelaide. He drove to Alice Springs and even further afield to Perth in WA on buses.

Holliday drove for Dyer’s Transport in South Australia in the 1960s.

“The roads were bloody bad back then and I used to stop at a roadhouse regularly along the way. But nowadays with the roads better and the speed limit higher, it doesn’t take as long to get to destinations and many of the roadhouses have disappeared.” I asked Holliday what his favourite roadhouses have been over the years, and he nominated two in the NT. “They would have to be at Daly Waters and Dunmurra,” he said. The worst road he has ever travelled along would have to be the notorious Tanami Track. “It was bloody terrible and still is, from what I am told. There are some shockers in Queensland too,” he said.

Doc Holliday during his early days in the transport industry.

After that, Holliday was offered a job as a coach driver. He enjoyed the work and it even snared him three trips to the USA for seminars. I asked this true gentleman what his real first name is, and he had to think for a moment. “Gee whiz, yes, my real name is Don but nobody knows that. Everybody calls me Doc, after the American gunslinger,” he said. Married for 56 years to his wife Marlene, Holliday said she stays in Remark on the River Murray in SA while he’s in the NT. “She can’t stand the heat and I hate the cold,” he said. We spoke about the differences truckies and van drivers can have on the roads and with experience in both he was an apt person to ask. “Some of the van drivers are not so good but there are also truckies who need manners. In my day we were courteous to each other and had signals well before UHF radio,” he said. Holliday may be in his twilight years but still is as sharp as a tack and I reckon he still has some good years ahead driving the roads in SA and the NT. In the meantime, he is enjoying reading back editions of Big Rigs, which he said took him for a welcome trip down memory lane. Footnote: The story Holliday was referring to, by David Vile, was about the only known DCO-F still on the road in Australia along with its owner, which did the hard yards on the Nullarbor between Sydney and Perth when the road was not much more than a dirt track. To read more, visit bigrigs.com. au and search for ‘This 1965 DCO is a rare find’.

POWER YOUR SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY WITH DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS In Australia, transport contributes 19% of the country’s total carbon emissions. By 2030, it is estimated that the transportation sector will become the country’s largest source of emissions. Driven by this concern, many organisations are starting to adopt Electric Vehicles (EVs). In 2023, Australia has seen a 120.5% increase in the sale of EVs as compared to a year ago. For fleet managers, transitioning an entire fleet is a gradual and complicated process. From ensuring that the new EV fleet reduces its carbon footprint to maintaining operational objectives in a cost-effective manner, here’s how telematics can contribute to a seamless transition process.

Telematics as a powerful and smart assistant during fleet transitions Telematics assists fleet operators navigate the complex transition by providing data and industry-leading support. As the transition usually occurs in batches, organisations run on a mixed fleet strategy before they turn fully electric. With Geotab’s data-driven telematics and comprehensive reports, operators can learn how to effectively manage their mixed fleet while operating the new EVs. Telematics provides fleet operators with improved visibility over all vehicles on a single platform, easing the transition process. Geotab provides heavy equipment fleet managers with both integrated and hardwired options to manage their vehicles. Ruggedized telematics solutions like the GO Device combines traditional fleet management tools with industry-leading data analytics to provide rich, actionable insights.

Telematics takes the guesswork out of the transition process, provides transparency over emissions, fuel consumption and maintenance costs for existing ICE vehicles. Geotab’s Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment (EVSA) report gathers data about a fleet and compares it with the manufacturers data for EVs in each country, empowering fleet owners to make informed decisions. After making the switch, remote monitoring and diagnostics capabilities allow access real-time data, enabling prompt and effective vehicle maintenance. Telematics also optimise range management, addressing the common concern of range anxiety and promoting greater confidence in EV usage.

An exciting road ahead As the climate crisis builds, the need for cleaner forms of transport becomes more prevalent. Telematics will support the expansion of EVs by giving fleet managers the transparency they need to make the change successfully, and by helping governments assess their infrastructure needs.

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22 FEATURE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Lucky streak helped ownerdriver achieve life’s dream A truckie who became an owner-driver this year has opened up about taking the leap, and why he has no regrets. BY KAYLA WALSH SCOTT Brady is a third-generation truck driver from Sydney who always wanted to be his own boss, but was never able to make it happen – until a miraculous run of luck. The 35-year-old told Big Rigs: “Having my own truck has always been my dream. “I was always trying to work towards it and saving money, and then something else would happen in life. “I don’t own my own home so getting financed for a truck was really difficult. “I failed 12 times to make it happen, and it got to a point where I was so disheartened, I thought ‘Maybe this isn’t meant to be.’” With all the disappointment he’d been through, a friend of Brady’s convinced him he needed a holiday – and after that, things suddenly started to go his way. “I hadn’t been on holiday in a very long time – we’re talking 10 years – but I agreed to go on a cruise with my friend. “On the third night of the cruise, I won $10,000 on the pokies.” After he got home, Brady told himself not to make any rash decisions. He went back to work for Precision Logistics, where he had been a driver for the past four years. “I told myself to be smart, and I went back driving fulltime interstate. “About a month later I was down in Sydney and due to go back to Melbourne, but the freight that we had lined

Scott Brady is very proud of his Freightliner, which was one of four made for Harley-Davidson.

up got cancelled. “My daughter rang me and said, ‘Let’s go have dinner at the pub’, so we did. “She went home, but I still had half a schooner left so I said I’d have a go on the pokies. “I won the jackpot again and this time it was $22,000.” Emboldened by his incredible run of luck and $32,000 better off, Brady decided it was time to give buying his own truck one more go. “All of this happened, and I thought, ‘You know what? Let’s do this.’” The day he finally got approved for financing, Brady said he was “s***ing himself ”. “I can’t even describe the emotion. It took me two days

to calm down. “I had been trying for so long. I just couldn’t believe it was finally happening.” He started shopping around, but prices were through the roof for new trucks, and he was worried about what might go wrong with a used one. “I’m a Kenworth man at heart, so I was adamant on buying a Kenworth,” he said. “But I kept on eyeing up this thing that used to sit in the shed at Precision. “It was one of four trucks that Freightliner made for Harley-Davidson, to do their shows and promotions. “It only had 79,000km on it, and it still had the plastic on the mattress!”

Brady said he’s always been a Kenworth man, but he loves his “phenomenal” Freightliner.

Brady’s dad Max poses beside his old Kenworth W Model, with a young Brady behind the wheel.

Long story short, Brady was able to get a great deal on the 2014 Freightliner Coronado from his boss, Rob. “Buying it was purely a business decision, but it’s actually a phenomenal truck,” he said. “It’s got everything except the kitchen sink.” After Brady bought the truck, his boss asked him what he planned to do next. “I said I was planning to go working with it, and he said he wanted me to stick around. “He doesn’t normally use any subbies because he got burned a number of years ago. “But he’s made an exception for me.” Brady said Rob has been a major source of support and advice for him since he became an owner-driver. “I’ve picked up some of my own work, but I mainly subcontract to him,” he said. “I do a lot of runs up and down the East Coast, and sometimes to Perth or Adelaide. “I’ve probably driven Rob mad with all my questions, but he’s guided me and put me on the right path. “I wouldn’t be where I am now without him.” Being an owner-driver hasn’t been a walk in the park by any means, and Brady has dealt with a lot of stress while trying to get set up. “I didn’t realise how much things were going to cost,” he explained. “There are a lot of hidden costs, from registration to insurance, etc. “I was running out of money, and the truck wasn’t even on the road yet. “I was eating spaghetti and baked beans every day. I never want to see a tin of baked beans again, I can tell you.

The 2014 Freightliner Coronado has a 500 horsepower Detroit engine.

“I was wondering how the hell I was going to afford diesel, and praying nothing went wrong with the truck because I wasn’t going to be able to afford to fix it.” Brady said some people thought he was crazy to go out on his own, while others were jealous. “People said ‘You’ve either got big balls or you’re stark raving mad!’ “I definitely learned who my real friends are, because there were only a select few who were genuinely happy for me.” He’s very proud of what he has achieved and how far he has come in life. “When you’re your own boss, you’re somebody of stature. You have substance on the highway – you’re not just driving for someone else. “When I was young, I got in with the wrong crowd and I was running amok, getting into a little bit of trouble. “All I ever really wanted was for my dad to be proud of me. He was so proud of me the day I got my truck, and I’m proud of myself too.” Brady says his dad Max, who has been a truckie all his life and now works for Hy-Tec

Concrete in Sydney, taught him everything he knows. “My dad is a very professional operator – he drove for various companies over the years and he’s still driving, he’s a stubborn bastard! “He taught me everything from how to drive – when I was just 10 years old – to how to load various freight profiles. I am so grateful to my dad for his support over the years. “I also owe a lot to my brother Daniel Cool, who is a mechanic with Precision Fleet Maintenance and has done a lot of work on my truck.” Sharing his goals for the future, Brady said he’s not out to become a millionaire, but plans to keep working hard and slowly build up his business. “One day I would like to have five to 10 trucks, and ultimately, I would love to be in a position where I could give a job to someone who really needs it. “I left school in Year 8, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a good worker, or that I don’t have any value. “I just needed someone to have some faith in me, and I’d love to be that person for someone else.”

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24 FEATURE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Old Bulldog still has plenty of bark left to offer on road

After a top-to-bottom restoration, this classic Mack is back to its former glory, and still doing the hard yards. BY DAVID VILE “I REMEMBER as a kid sitting on the side of the road and hearing one of these V8s coming and thinking: ‘That’s the way to go’,” recalled Tom Nicholson. “A lot of people go for the Series 2s as they were a bigger truck but I had a soft spot for the Series 1s and I always wanted one.” The dream became a reality for Nicholson a few years back with his purchase of a 1983 Series 1 Mack Super-Liner, which has been beautifully restored and has been earning its keep as part of his family earthmoving business in regional Victoria. Part of a strong Mack contingent at the ATHS American Iron Show at Echuca in September, Nicholson’s Super-Liner had seen over four decades in the Queensland sunshine for several owners before he purchased it in 2019 and undertook a major overhaul and restoration. “I bought it out of a place called Tara in Queensland from a fella called Brian Renkie. He had had it since 1985 but sold it to Duncan’s Dozer Hire in Claremont in 2000,” he explained. “He bought it back off them a few years later and put it in the shed - he had too many other projects on the go so it was put up for sale.

A proud Tom Nicholson and son Luke at Echuca with the Mack Super-Liner.

I went up and had look at it, did a bit of wrangling and bought it home.” With the aim of both restoring the truck and keeping the original heritage of it intact, the Mack was sent across to Peter Clapton of Sherwood Restorations in Castlemaine where it received a rebuild and makeover as Nicholson detailed.

“I put it in the shed and said, ‘Lets roll!’ They threw everything at it and didn’t stop, it went in in September and was back on the road by March. They split the rails from the cab backwards. With all the bush work it had done, the amount of dust we got out of it was unbelievable.” The Super-Liner received some close attention with the

Nicholson’s Mack is a head-turner from any angle. Photos: David Vile

The Super-Liner received a full restoration from bumper-to-bumper.

red and white Nicholson colours applied which were fairly similar to the trucks original paint scheme. Originally built as a heavy-duty truck with a 440 Horsepower V8, 12-speed gearbox and a 115-tonne rating, the Mack had stood the test of time. “All it had ever done was livestock and heavy haulage. You would have thought it

would have been knocked around over the years, but it was in pretty good nick really. We did the motor and gearbox but left the diffs, and put a new interior in it as well,” he said. As well as being a project truck, the Super-Liner has also been on duty in recent times, working out of the Nicholson Earthmoving depot at Sunday Creek just north of Melbourne. Hooked up to a tri-axle float, Nicholson has been giving the E9-V8 a solid workout hauling his three graders and Cat D7 bulldozer between job sites. “I have my main float truck, a 1999 Mack Trident being overhauled currently, so this has been working 3-4 days a week since November last year. “We do lot of city work, running from Sunday Creek in and out of Melbourne, and we have a farm at Cobram, so we also cart a bit of stock. It gets well used. “I love throwing the dozer on it; the more weight on it the better it goes. The pulling range is unreal. You get to 1300-1400 revs, and she just holds. It’s fairly low geared so it’s at full noise doing 100k’s, it will drop back to 80 but it will hold and pull like a train.” It would be fair to say that the Mack brand is well entrenched in the Nicholson operation with a 1979 Super-Liner and an R-Model also part of the fleet. Nicholson has some plans afoot to give the ’79 model Super-Liner the full restoration treatment in the near future. “I have just pulled it off the

WITH ALL THE BUSH WORK IT HAD DONE, THE AMOUNT OF DUST WE GOT OUT OF IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE.” TOM NICHOLSON

road so that might be the next project. It will be a pure ‘show’ truck. It has a bit of history behind it as it was the sixth Super-Liner built and the first with a Mack engine in it. “The other early ones had Cats and so forth in them and this one is fitted with a six-cylinder unit as they weren’t initially bringing them out with the V8s in them, so it’s a bit of a rare truck. “Originally it went to the Northern Territory. It was Bob Dodd’s truck which was painted in the Buntine colours as he was a subbie to them at the time.” The Nicholson Super-liner was well received at Echuca and was also a hit at the Alexandra Truck Show earlier this year, taking out a couple of categories including the trophy for Best Mack, and no doubt the ’79 Super-Liner when restored will make a good stablemate for its younger brother at shows in the future. In the meantime, the ’83 model will still turn a wheel for its owner and turn a few heads as it makes it way down the road. “It’s great to restore them to the era of the truck, but you have to be able to use them – when we get the Trident back on the road this will go into semi-retirement again, but I will still be using it - everyone loves it when she rolls coal.”

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26 WALL OF FAME

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Honouring our trucking legends

Cattle carter looks back on career with fond memories

Although still carting cattle today in his T401, this 2023 Wall of Fame inductee has a lifetime of riveting stories to share from his heyday behind the wheel.

[L-R] Shell’s Nick Lubransky, Edward Russell and Frank Bilato at the 2023 induction into the Wall of Fame.

BY AINSLEIGH BILATO

“I’VE never thought of it as doing anything special,” says Edward Russell. “I just did what I had to for our family.” Ed’s proud wife and children, his countless kilometres behind the wheel, and his 2023 induction into the National Road Transport Hall of Fame tell a different story. Ed was born in 1953 in Bridgetown, Western Australia, into a farming family. It follows that there was always a truck of some description around, typically an 8-ton Austin, for Ed to fill the passenger seat of while his father carted his cattle. In 1973 Australia’s 15-year agreement to supply beef to Britain ended as the UK entered the EU, and unfortunately timed against the backdrop of mounting recession. Cattle prices tanked and Ed’s father took to driving trucks to supplement the lost income. The Bridgetown apple juicing factory, opened in 1971 by Bush Boake Allen

Inc., was a beacon of hope, albeit brief, for many in the region. Ed and his father would cart apple juice concentrate in drums from the Bridgetown factory to Perth, where it would be used as a sugar and acid substitute in soft drinks. When Ed’s father became ill, Ed, aged 17, was granted a special licence to cart apple juice himself. In 1975, when Gough Whitlam’s Labor government removed the rule that allowed soft drinks that used apple juice a sugar replacement to be sold without sales tax, the Bridgetown factory was all but closed. By then, Ed’s love for driving trucks had firmly taken hold and he continued what would be over 50 years and counting balancing his pastoral and transport pursuits. While Ed modestly describes one of his earliest solo trips to a drilling camp north of Meekatharra as a “learning experience”, most would appreciate the experience was nothing short of a baptism by fire for an 18-year-old. Ed was loaded with 20 drums of fuel, a couple of

Mustering cattle before the call to collect the new Super-Liner.

Arriving at Roy Hill Station after collecting the Mack Super-Liner.

Ed is still carting cattle in his Kenworth T401.

pallets of canned food for the camp and some motorbikes. With vague instructions to drive 40 miles north of Meekatharra and ask the way when you get to Mulgul Station, Ed paid his union fees and set off. What awaited him was almost 200km of dry creek crossings 15 to 20 feet high. Ed had to back up and take a run at the crossings to get across. The busted tyres he saw discarded along the route were explained when Ed got to the camp and was told his International Acco 345 was the first two-wheel drive truck to have made it to the camp. Ed and his one spare tyre made it home safely, where a fellow driver explained to him: “Well, they can’t tell you how far it is because nobody will go otherwise!” Ed and wife, Coleen, were surviving as farmers, running sheep and pigs, but “never seemed to have any spare money.” Deciding to make the switch to cattle freed up more time for Ed to go driving. “I was like a spare man for anybody who needed”, he explains. “If someone was going on holidays, or if someone

was sick or hurt, they’d ring me up. It worked well for us because I would do the farmwork in the meantime.” Never working for one person for more than three months, there was one year that Ed drove 17 different trucks on jobs. You can trust Ed’s expertise when he names a Cummins-powered Western Star as his favourite truck to have driven. Regardless of which truck he was behind the wheel of, Ed always made a point of looking after the gear as if it was his own. The result of a broader goal to do the right thing by a person if he was working for them, Ed has tried to instill the same values in his four children. “I’ve always said to them if you’re going to do a job for someone, do it properly. Even if it doesn’t work out, don’t let them say you didn’t try your hardest or you didn’t do the right thing by them.” Ed carted everything from grain and logs to potatoes and pigs. A memorable load for Ed was when he was tasked with moving a B-train of 35 horses from Parkes in NSW to Perth. While the pens of mares and foals were light work, there were five stallions in the front that

An Acco carting lights to a Port Hedland building in 1977.

The impressive Western Star was his favourite truck.

were “just crazy!” Ed preferred cattle when it came to carting livestock. Despite the long hours and distances, Ed says the proudest moments in his career were getting a load of cattle to where they needed to be safely. The hospitality he experienced from the pastoralists was always appreciated and helped bridge the time spent away from home. Having visited 50 cattle stations in WA alone, Ed remembers fondly the people he crossed paths with during his travels. Carting cattle allowed Ed to see parts of the country he would have never otherwise seen: wading across the Fitzroy River’s mossy concrete crossing at a foot deep with a seven-deck trailer, loading boats off the wharf in Broome, or passing Uluru on route to Kalgoorlie. “It was almost like a bit of a scenic holiday,” he recounts. “I miss that part of it, actually.” Although, Ed recalls not all trips offered the same relaxing holiday experience. Driving a M-Series Volvo with a log loader on the back from Melbourne to Perth, Ed was involved in an accident that saw a car and caravan roll. By the

time Ed stopped, the truck had hit the caravan. First responders from Kimba, South Australia, instructed Ed to use the log loader he was carting to lift the caravan onto a trailer. Having been given a brief crash course in how to use the log loader at the depot in Melbourne, Ed pulled the machine up alongside the caravan, picked up the upside-down caravan by the axel and loaded it onto a trailer for them. Thankfully, everyone was uninjured, with the caravan owner reassuring Ed that “there’s at least seven eggs in the dozen in the caravan that are still good”. Today, Ed is still carting cattle in his Kenworth T401 and dog trailer. He’ll occasionally see a road train somewhere and think, ‘Oh, wouldn’t mind going for a proper drive again’. True to the mission of the Hall of Fame, Ed correctly observes, “unless someone asks you, you don’t tell your stories”. The National Road Transport Museum is honoured to be able to celebrate Ed’s ongoing contributions to industry, using his stories to give expression to Australia’s intertwined pastoral and transport history.

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28 FEATURE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Long-time transport mates gather for special reunion

Malley, 83, makes the first cut of the cake at the reunion.

BY ALF WILSON ON the last weekend in October, about 200 former employees, subbies and industry friends and their families travelled from all around Australia to meet at a property in Yabulu, North Queensland, for a reunion of Malley’s Transport. The star of the show was retired small fleet owner Mal ‘Malley’ Bakon, who was a pioneer of transporting bananas around and from the Far North, from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s. Not only were guests keen to catch up with the now 83-year-old Malley, but it was a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect with old mates, reminiscing about old stories and great memories from earlier days, when many of the loads were handstacked on to flat top trailers before heading to southern markets. “They started arriving before the Friday at the property of Peter and Jenny Bakon, where many guests camped for the weekend,” one of the organisers, Trevor Southern, told Big Rigs. “The big celebration was on Saturday, and for some

Mally, seated centre while surrounded by family, said his beloved wife Nancy, pictured left, was the backbone of the business.

Ken Andrews.

Leanne and Chris enjoy the festivities at Yabulu.

‘legends’, it went on until the early hours of the morning.” Many stayed on and had bacon and eggs for breakfast the next morning whilst continuing to yarn about the good old days. Guests came from Mt Isa, Queensland’s south-east, NSW, the Northern Territory and many other places in between, with legendary truckie Bruce Horsefield travelling from Molong in NSW. “I picked him up the airport and he camped with us and when he got back home, he phoned saying he wants to do it all again next year,” said

No one went hungry during an unforgettable weekend.

Guests came from all over Queensland, the NT and NSW.

Southern, who worked for Malleys for 20 years. Malley now lives a quiet life in Kennedy, which is 10km past Cardwell along the Bruce Highway. Malley described the reunion as “emotional and happy” when I spoke to him soon after the milestone event. “It was a great reunion, and great to see lots of old mates,” he said. “Some couldn’t come because they are too old and not able to travel. That included many from Perth.” Octogenarian Malley said being raised on a farm sparked his interest in trucks. He ended up spending 45 years in the road transport industry as

a driver and owner operator. “When I was a kid I liked trucks on the family farm and ended up with my own in the Toowoomba area, which had cows and grew crops such as oats and barley,” he said. So, what inspired Malley to take the leap and buy his own trucks? “I didn’t want to be milking cows all my life!” he said. In his heyday, Malley ran 35 trucks and employed 60 to 70 people, some of whom were family members, in addition to using 70 subcontractors. “My late wife Nancy was the backbone of the business and we never used to stop work at 5pm when most of

Gozzo and Kendra get into the spirit of the occasion.

Reunion guests Alex and Sandy Pantovic.

the employees went home. Often, we were at the depot until 2am,” he said. I asked Malley why he decided to retire after more than 40 decades travelling the highways and byways and helping to keep Australia running. “There is too much red tape now, and rules and regulations. Back in the good old days, you could stop at a roadhouse and purchase a log book,” he said. On the big night of the reunion, Malley had such a good time that he didn’t get to sleep until nearly midnight. “I really enjoyed the breakfast the morning after and the cook Eric Ross did a wonderful job,” he said.

Unlike many people of his age, Malley has embraced modern technology – to a point. “I have a computer, which was in the cupboard until a few years ago. But I know how to use it now for electronic banking,” he said. As for his health, Malley said he is travelling along well. “I am going okay for an old bloke, but do have a few aches and pains,” he said. • For a detailed look back at the fascinating life of Mal and Nancy Bakon, check out the special reunion story compiled by Helen Southern at bigrigs.com. au. Search for O’Malley’s Transport.

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30 EVENTS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies turn out in force to honour a local legend CATEGORY WINNERS Best Tanker: Fenech Haulage Best Curtain Sided: James Miller Best Tray Top: Chris Watkins Transport Best Tipper 2020-2023: Raygal Best Tipper up to 2019: J & CB Haulage Best Intrastate: Ball Haulage Best Interstate: Bondwoods Transport Best Tilt Tray 2020-2023: Metropolitan Towing Best Tilt Tray up to 2019: Davtrans Tilt Tray - Heavy Haulage Best Prime Mover 2020-2023: Jody Thompson Best Prime Mover 2015-2019: Raygal Best Prime Mover up to 2014: McSweeney Transport Best Tanker Painted: Inland Petroleum Best Pantech 2020-2023: JDN Transport Best Pantech up to 2019: Winston Express Haulage Best Tautliner 2020-2023: Winston Express Haulage Best Tautliner up to 2019: James Miller Best Flat Top: WJ & RM Brand Best Logging Combination: Sunchip Group Best Stock Crate: Kooran Pastoral Best Tipper: A & R Magill Transport Best Tipper/Dog: Raygal Best Interstate 2020-2023: J Xerri Transport Best Interstate up to 2019: Lawrence Transport Best Intrastate 2020-2023: Winston Express Haulage Best Intrastate up to 2019: Melchers Transport Best B-double 2020-2023: Sunchip Group Best B-double up to 2019: Lawrence Transport Best Prime Mover & Low Loader: Winston Express Haulage Best Old Working (1994 - 2014): Lawrence Transport Best Specialised 2020-2023: Winston Express Haulage Best Specialised up to 2019: Muscat Logistics Best Business/Ute 1 tonner: Bob Thompson Best Total Rebuild: Blackhurst Trucking Co Best Tarp Job: Ball Haulage Best Traditional Paint & Signage: Cranstons Transport Best Modern Art: JDN Transport Best Fleet: JDN Transport Longest Distance: Chris Watkins Transport Best Display: Sunchip Group Truck of Show: Fenech Haulage Bathurst’s Best Large Car: McSweeney Transport People’s Choice: TDH Bulk Haulage Sam’s Choice Award - R&J Le Poidevin Transport Ford: Chris Watkins Transport Freightliner: J & B Lidster Transport Isuzu: Dynamic Fleet Maintenance Kenworth: S.A Edwards Transport Mack: Garry Spicer Mercedes-Benz: Winston Express Haulage Mitsubishi: Metropolitan Towing Peterbilt: S & S Plant Hire Scania: James Miller Western Star: Ball Haulage DAF: Tippings Transport Volvo: DJ & BD O’Connell UD: All Go Express International: Muscat Logistics Bedford: Gary Medcalf Chev: Bob Thompson Dodge: Peter Barnes

THE regional city of Bathurst, NSW, was buzzing as hundreds of people turned out for the annual Dane Ballinger Memorial Show. Some 174 trucks were registered for the event, with organiser Haylie Osborne proclaiming it a “big success”. She told Big Rigs: “It was such a good day. “We were really lucky with the weather, the sun was shining and there was a great vibe. “It was probably one of the best shows we’ve had.” The annual gathering pays tribute to Dane Ballinger, a popular truck driver and former organiser of the event who was tragically killed in a truck accident in 2019.

Osborne, who was a friend of Dane’s, said she’s pleased that the committee have been able to continue his legacy. “This was his event. It’s definitely something that his wife Danielle and the family wanted to continue in his honour and that’s what we’re doing.” She said one of the highlights from the show was seeing Dane’s young son Sam award his favourite truck the ‘Sam’s Choice Trophy’, which this year went to R & J Le Poidevin Transport. Meanwhile, Fenech Haulage was awarded Truck of the Show and JDN Transport went home with the trophy for Best Fleet.

McSweeney Transport won two awards on the day. Photo: Steve Haskell.

Dawson’s Haulage brought this beauty along. Photo: Steve Haskell Adrian Fenech, who won Truck of the Show, with his wife Aymie and daughter Elouise.

Lawrence Transport went home with three trophies. Photo: Steve Haskell. JDN Transport won Best Fleet. Photo: Steve Haskell

Johnny Edwards from S.A. Edwards Transport was awarded Best Kenworth.

Ball Haulage won Best Intrastate. Photo: Steve Haskell

Bondwoods Transport went home with Best Interstate and Best Working Condition.

Ballinger Transport’s fleet were out in force. Photo: Steve Haskell

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32 EVENTS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Illawarra Convoy breaks records with bumper event

THE trucking industry has raised a record $2,850,000 for charity through the i98FM Illawarra Convoy. The NSW event, which took place on November 19, saw 779 trucks and 633 motorbikes travel 70km from Illawarra Coal’s West Cliff Colliery at Appin, through the streets of the Illawarra, to finish up at the Shellharbour Airport. Huge crowds turned out for the annual family fun day at the airport, with approximately 17,000 people in attendance throughout the event. Highlights included performances from Ricki-Lee & Thirsty Merc, supported by local artists The Goat featuring Tim Stevens, Kate Young Angie Childs and friends, The Vandastruts, Altered States and Polly Hazelton. Other entertainment on the day included Kye’s FMX Jam motocross, Cars For Convoy, Little Big Rigs and plenty of rides for the kids. Menai Haulage led the convoy, securing the coveted spot with a winning bid of $300,001, the highest amount bid across both trucks and bikes this year. As he did last year, young Nate Deushain, who is battling leukaemia, rode up front with the best seat in the house. Tiny Tins & Wollongong Crane Trucks contributed $261,000, followed by the RMK Group at $100,000. Best Sheds & Wollongong Car Carriers were next up at $84,000 and Murrell Freight Lines at $80,000, with another 45 groups also contributing to the lead truck pack. Convoy manager Mark Rigby said: “For our fundraising teams and businesses to achieve such successful results, with interest rates and the cost of living rising, is simply incredible. “Many of these teams have held fundraising events right through the year to achieve these results. “We’ve seen some great new fundraising events this year like First Choice Earthworks’ Ferret Race, Tiny Tins & Wollongong Crane Trucks’s ‘Battle of The Businesses’ boxing event, and NGIL’s inaugural Golf Day, and every year the list of events raising funds for Convoy continues to grow.” All of the funds raised in this year’s event will go to the Illawarra Community Foundation, which will distribute funds to local charities and families who are facing life-threatening and life-limiting illness. This year’s effort brings the total funds raised by the convoy to just over 25 million dollars since the event’s inception in 2005. Next year’s convoy will take place on November 17, 2024, and organisers hope the 20th year of the event will be the biggest one yet.

All of the funds raised this year will go to the Illawarra Community Foundation. Photo: Reflections of You

Young Nate Deushain, who is battling leukaemia, rode up front with Menai Haulage. Photo: Grahame Logg

2023 was the 19th year of the event. Photo: Reflections of You

The lead truck auction raised over $1.9 million for the Illawarra Community Foundation before an engine even started. Photo: Grahame Logg

Ross Transport has donated over $1m to the Illawarra Convoy since it started.

Some of the trucks paid tribute to young people who have passed away. Photo: Grahame Logg

McColl’s Transport was there in big numbers on the day. Photo: Grahame Logg

Ross Transport, with its eye-catching fleet, has been a huge supporter for many years.

Ross Transport always goes all out decorating its trucks for the convoy.

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34 READER RIGS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Reader Rigs proudly supported by

#PicOfThe Month

Congratulations to Colin Reid, who has won a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card for this epic shot, snapped while running quads down the Flinders Highway in Queensland.

Share your truck pics to win with Shell Rimula

SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots. Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfTheMonth, with the lucky winner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card. Keep an eye out for our regular posts on the Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper Facebook page, calling

for your best truck photos and add yours in the comments, or email them to editor@bigrigs. com.au. Don’t forget to include a brief note about the truck and where the photo was taken. We’ll feature some of the best photos in each edition of Big Rigs Newspaper, with one winner announced each month. Keep those amazing truck pics coming!

Bryce Lambley snapped this on a recent run to Perth.

Jason Armstrong shared this great shot, taken at Bogan Gate, NSW.

Ben Drake enjoying a break with the boys at the Great Australian Bight.

Tyson English took this ripper shot on the way to Walgett, NSW.

Brandon Henderson sent us this fantastic snap from the Nullarbor Plain.

Woodham Petroleum Services took this pic as they entered the NT.

READER RIGS 35

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going

Thanks to Tom Charlton for sending in this awesome pic snapped at Dalby, Queensland.

Brendan Nicholas sent in this absolute beauty while waiting to unload at Coffs Harbour in NSW.

“Trying to beat the rain at Lalbert Vic” - thanks to Roger Bolding for this ripper pic.

Thanks to Kyle Scott for this pic, taken at the eastern end of the 90 Mile Straight, heading home for Tassie.

Ricky from Freight Movement delivering a 4.3m wide load to Baralabe Mine - another fantastic shot from Milly MC.

Chris Shaw Shawry sent in this sunset shot, between Geraldton and Carnarvon in WA.

Thomas Hill sent us this pic from the Tablelands Hwy in the NT.

36 EVENTS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Castlemaine draws a crowd

BY GEOFF CROCKETT

A QUIET growl turned into a roar as the trucks rolled through the main street of Castlemaine on Sunday, November 26, as day two of the 35th Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show got underway. While Sunday morning’s parade was all part of the show, the otherwise tranquil Victorian town had been bustling since Friday afternoon as nearly 300 trucks rolled in for the fun, including the 265 trucks and their drivers who registered to be judged this year. Organised by the Rotary Club of Castlemaine, the event is pitched at families and enthusiastically supported by local businesses, including long-time naming rights sponsors Heavy Haulage Assets and Larsen’s Truck Sales. Up for grabs were a total

[L to R] Kerry Anderson from the Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show, Zack, with Troy, Rick and Wayne Cornwill, winners of Truck of the Show.

of 30 trophies across a wide range of categories, including the coveted Truck of the Show, which went to Cornwill Transport’s lovingly crafted 2022 Kenworth SAR Legend. The Cornwill brothers created the truck as a tribute to their Pa, adding a range of retro touches including a stain-

Bellevue Panels made the trip down from Bendigo with their Mack tow truck.

less sun visor more in line with the 80s look of the trucks. Castlemaine Rotary president and truck show organiser Kerry Anderson said the show had been a great family event with plenty of activities for everyone, including live music, food, rides, and a truck driving simulator that was popular with the next generation of drivers. She said the oldest truck entered this year was 97 years old, the average age of the trucks entered was 15 years and the average number of kilometres topped one million per truck. “In total the trucks had travelled more than 240 million kilometres and there was 120,500hp on the ground – that’s a lot of trucks!”

HALVE WASH TIMES

The latest model Mack turned more than a few heads at the Mack stand.

McClure Earthmoving rolled in with this classic Mack.

Four Mile Transport brought their Western Star along to meet the crowd.

Freemans Transport made their mark with a pair of Kenworths.

GET ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT TRSS Refrigerated Transport clocked up two wins in the Pre 2010 Working Truck category with their Kenworth T950 (rego TRSS - 06) coming first and TRSS – 01, pictured in the centre, coming second.

JJ Leech & Sons Pty Ltd from Castlemaine even brought along their old Dodge 700 to keep the Kenworth company.

Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire turned out in force with their distinctive green, white and gold truck colours, t-shirts and other merchandise on the day.

There was no missing this red and white Kenworth as it returned to the fields after rolling through town as part of Sunday morning’s convoy.

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Best Tipper Truck: Slingo Earthmoving Best Tow Recovery: Parson’s Towing Best Tilt Tray: ETA Heavy Haulage Best Engine Bay: AMK Services Best Interior: Grand D Inverno Best Paint Artwork: AMK Services Best Paint Traditional: Spinifex People’s Choice: Derham Transport Best Custom: Spinifex Best Restoration/Show:

Spinifex Best Historic Truck: AMK Services Best Fleet: Brown’s Stock Feed Best on Ground: PR Cootes Truck of the Show: Cornwill Transport Best Working Rig (pre-2010) First prize: TRSS Refrigerated Transport Second prize: TRSS Refrigerated Transport Third prize: Campbell Earthmoving Best Working Rig (2010-2015)

First prize: PK Transport Second prize: Maloney Bulk Third prize: Keating’s Transport Best Working Rig (2016-2021) First prize: McCarthy Trucking Second prize: Grand D Inverno Third prize: Bansgrove Trucking Best Working Rig (2022-2023) First prize: Cornwill Transport Second prize: Shamick Transport Third prize: Leech Transport

EVENTS 37

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Email kayla.walsh@primecreative.com.au with your event details

Truckloads of fun in store ground, Sydney TruckFest is a major celebration of the trucking industry, showcasing the latest developments in transport technology, equipment, accessories and much more. There is a dedicated section for older vehicles, but the focus is on highlighting new vehicles and advancements.

The WA Mack Muster is another chance to spot some great rigs.

HERE are a few major trucking events happening near you to mark in your diary.

JANUARY Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show January 13-14, 2024 Geelong Showgrounds, VIC classictruckandmachinery. com.au The Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2024, and tickets are now on sale. The weekend will feature everything from trucks to farm machinery to a vintage tractor pull, with a huge variety of model clubs and hobby displays. You can even catch a cannon firing, a military enactment and an aircraft engine demonstration. Allora Heritage Weekend January 27-28, 2024 Allora Showgrounds, QLD allorashow.org.au The weekend promises lots of fun for all the family, with displays of vintage and veteran cars and trucks, antiques, historical machinery, and more. There will be a swap meet from 6am both days, and camping is also available. For more info contact Graeme on 0428717623.

Tooradin Truck Show and Tractor Pull January 20, 2024 Tooradin, VIC facebook.com/tooradintractorpullandtruckshow The Tooradin Tractor Pull & Truck Show has been an annual event since 1998 and has grown into a family fun day with lots to see and do, from helicopter rides to kids’ amusements. Held at Rutter Park Reserve, the Truck Show runs from 10am to 3pm, with tractors from 3pm to 10pm. It is a non-profit event, with all proceeds going back into the local community. Adults $35, kids $10 (kids under 10 free), pensioners $15, family $65. FEBRUARY Livestock Bulk and Rural Carriers Association Conference 23-24 February, 2024 Wagga Wagga, NSW lbrca.org.au The annual conference is a gathering of fellow truck owners and drivers, government, suppliers and industry representatives to focus on the needs of rural and regional heavy vehicle transporters. Issues range

Country music stars Baylou have been announced for Sydney TruckFest.

from unfair infringements and regulation to unsafe loading and unloading facilities. Attendees can also expect a trade exhibition, the Young Driver of the Year Award presentation, Gala Dinner and Auction Spectacular.

MARCH Kyabram Mack Muster March 16-17, 2024 Kyabram Showgrounds, VIC Facebook: Kyabram Mack Muster The Kyabram Mack Muster is a must-attend for Mack fans, featuring all Mack models and associated brands, but it’s also open to other truck makes. There’s free entry for exhibitors, with a Friday BBQ at the showgrounds and a meal at the Kyabram Club with a guest speaker on the Saturday night. For further details phone Dave Willis on 0428 692 753, John Laffan 0427 484 247 or Tim Daws 0458 868 988. WA Mack Muster and Truck Show March 24, 2024 Byford, WA mackmuster.com.au The WA Mack Muster and

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Truck Show brings Mack and other truck model enthusiasts together at the beautiful Quarry Farm in Byford, WA. The grassroots, family-friendly muster experience promises a fun day out with a truck display, food trucks, a kids’ zone, exhibits, and local trucking celebrities. The committee raise money for cancer research. MAY Sydney TruckFest May 3–5, 2024 Clarendon, NSW sydneytruckfest.com.au Held at Hawksebury Show-

JUNE Alexandra Truck, Ute & Rod Show June 9, 2024 Alexandra, VIC alexandratruckshow.com.au The Alexandra Truck Show in

Victoria is back on the long weekend in June next year, with a Sunday Show ‘n Shine on the town’s main street, as well as live music, a Victorian woodchop tournament, exhibitions, trade displays, kids’ amusements and a raffle. Grab friends and family and come down on Saturday for the local markets, a popular convoy and truck drivers’ memorial service at 2pm and sponsors’ dinner at 6pm. For more details email trucks@alexandratruckshow. com.au, or phone Gordon Simpson on 0409 577 212.

Mitch Underwood and his son Jamie had a ball at the Alexandra Truck Show earlier this year.

Thank you Saint Truckies

for delivering Christmas cheer Australia-wide

38 EVENTS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tinsel galore for big event Les Walkden Enterprises won Best Dressed Truck.

Santa posed up a storm with Tubes Taylor from the Triple M Breakfast show.

THE Tassie Convoy 4 Kids was a huge success again this year, raising over $13,000 for the children’s ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Truckies didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits as they decked their rigs out in tinsel for the Christmas-themed event. Participants paid $100 to register and the public then donated money to the truck they wanted to see leading the convoy.

AG&N Barker came out on top with an impressive $2560 in donations, with Batchelor Civil Contracting following close behind with $2070. Meanwhile Les Walkden Enterprises were the deserved winners of the award for Best Dressed Truck after decorating their Volvo with a Christmas tree, a stack of presents and two Santas. Organiser Emma Bygrave said she was delighted with

Truckies got creative with tinsel.

Mick Townsend from Batchelor Civil Contracting attended with his daughter Georgie Townsend.

Richard, Toby, Elijah and Piper Sutcliffe had a great time at the convoy.

how the day went, and expressed her gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the convoy. “It was a really great event, with 64 trucks taking part and the highest number of spectators we’ve ever had,” she told Big Rigs. “We would like to say a massive thank you to all who attended and those who supported along the way, especially given the weather conditions.

and driven by Tony Large. In 8th place on $280: Truck 8, owned by Batchelor Civil Contracting and driven by Mark Birchmore. In 7th place on $575: Truck 7, owned by Stateline Freight and driven by Allison Morgan. In 6th place on $1440: Truck 9, owned and driven by Jesse Canham. In 5th place on $1450: Truck 6, owned by Athol Barker and driven by Phil Barker. In 4th place on $1600:

“We’ve seen such amazing generosity and still have donations coming in. “Well done to all of the drivers for their amazing efforts in raising money towards their trucks (and getting into the Christmas theme!” The convoy’s Top 10 In 10th place on $100: Truck 3, owned by Danevie Transport and driven by Daniel White. In 9th place on $120: Truck 4, owned by Rayner Transport

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Truck 5, owned by Channel Earthmoving and driven by Brendan Duggan. In 3rd place on $1740: Truck 10, owned by Willie Oakley Longhaul Solutions and driven by David Oakley. In 2nd place on $2070: Truck 1, owned by Batchelor Civil Contracting and driven by Mick Townsend. In 1st place on $2560: Truck 2, owned by AG&N Barker and driven by Bull Barker.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Tributes for tanker legend

Ian Cootes had the highest of safety standards and an immaculate fleet. Photo: Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire/Facebook

VICTORIAN road transport legend Ian Cootes has died, at the age of 82. Industry luminaries have been quick to offer tributes and praise for Cootes, who was inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2003. Posting on his company’s Facebook page, Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire boss Craig Membrey described Cootes as a “true gentleman” and one who was ahead of his time. “So rightfully well respected in the transport industry,” said Membrey who also shared a selection of treasured photos.

“The company employed over 800 people and was the largest private fleet tanker service in Australia. When I was a kid, I met Ian with my late father Jack Membrey. “I watched Ian‘s business grow, and I always looked up for him. I wanted to have a company like him one day, a beautiful fleet. “I used to love watching the drivers’ polished trucks when they were unloading fuel in service stations. It was a standard practice for Ian‘s fleet and a credit to all drivers. “He has left such an amazing

FAMILY, friends and colleagues have shared an outpouring of tributes to container transport icon Maurie Considine, who died on November 26 at the age of 91. Maurie founded Secon Carriers (now Secon Freight Logistics) in 1969 with his business partner Jim Seide. The name Secon comes from the first two letters of Jim’s surname and the first three of Maurie’s. “He often said he is most proud of being able to provide employment for over 150 people,” Secon Freight Logistics said in in a statement on the company’s LinkedIn page. “Maurie was well respected

made on the container transport sector,” CTAA said. “Terry, Vin, Brendon, Paul and Matthew all entered the business, extending a strong family participation in the industry which continues to this day. Tragically, Terry suddenly passed away in 2014, and we are sure that Maurie is now reunited with his son to look down fondly on the Considine family and their futures. “It’s an outstanding measure of Maurie and the values that he and his surviving wife, Maureen, impressed on their children and grandchildren, that everybody who has dealt with Secon as a company over the years witnessed such an

ethical, decent and hard-working team.” The commencement of Secon coincided with the first fully containerised vessels calling at Australian ports, and Secon embraced this “new-fangled” shipping trend. Containerisation went on to revolutionise world trade, and Secon Carriers grew with it. Maurie was also a footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club between 1952 and 1956, and his son Paul followed in that tradition playing for Hawthorn from 1981 to 1985. “Secon was certainly awash with Hawthorn flags during the football season, and you could always see the Con-

legacy that few, if any, in times to come will ever emulate.” In a statement to its members, the Victorian Transport Association said Cootes’ dedication and commitment to our industry has been outstanding. “He was an innovator and demonstrated his leadership in real terms by the way he structured and managed his business. Safety was always at the top and he drove a culture and demonstrated this through every operation of his very successful tanker business. “Ian led the way in professionalism. He developed the

bulk tanker industry in Australia to be acknowledged as one of the safest and most efficient in the world. His fleet was immaculate and his skilled drivers the pride of his business.” By 1965 Cootes had saved enough money for a deposit on a truck, so he decided to knock on the front door of BP in St. Kilda Road, and asked that “if he bought a truck would they give him some work?” That was the start of I.R. Cootes Transport. Cootes was also awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to charity and the transport industry.

Container transport icon leaves behind lasting legacy within the logistics industry and will be missed by many. “We thank Maurie for everything he has done for us, for those before us, and the others that will come after us. As a Secon family, we will miss him dearly. “Maurie had an incredible life, a competitive spirit, and an overwhelming desire to help others.” Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) and its alliance companies also offered its deep condolences to the extended Considine family. “What is remarkable about Secon is the indelible mark that Maurie and his sons, and now his grandchildren, have

Maurie Considine, pictured inset, started the company in 1969 with his business partner Jim Seide.

sidine family coming from a mile away at football functions

in their brown and yellow scarves,” added CTAA.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Special trailer a classroom for budding beekeepers

WHEN Melbourne Polytechnic decided to shift the classroom to where the bees are at work for its budding Victorian apiarists, this special purpose trailer fit the bill perfectly. The specially developed Maxi-CUBE Classic Dry Freight van is being used in the middle of Victorian bushland for students who are learning the trade of beekeeping and honey extraction. Beekeepers, buzzing bees, tutors and students have come together in this mobile classroom, which is pulled a Western Star prime mover, powered by a 550 horsepower Cat engine. The prominent Victorian training provider has been working to move Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses into the future – and this one is quite literally on wheels. Traditionally, Polytech offers a diverse range of courses from

agriculture to engineering. Coinciding with the Victorian pandemic shutdown, the institution identified a regional gap: the absence of a beekeeping course in Victoria, with the nearest option located in New South Wales. James Farmer, a member of Melbourne Polytechnic’s facilities and assets team, spearheaded the design and construction of a mobile classroom designed for teaching beekeeping. Developed in partnership with MaxiTRANS, this self-sufficient, off-grid trailer serves not just as a classroom but also provides practical, hands-on training. The classroom can travel throughout the state for greater flexibility and accessibility. It was decided that a roving educational platform could offer unprecedented accessibility and hands-on training opportunities for students scattered across Victoria.

Following the production of the trailer, a local third-party company completed the fit-out.

The trailer had to be large enough to serve as a classroom while also adhering to road safety and transport guidelines. Farmer reached out to MaxiTRANS, which directed the concept to Maxi-CUBE. Maxi-CUBE engineers designed a dry freight model tailored to the classroom’s specifications, with 3D models offered through the development process to ensure the trailer met all of Melbourne Polytechnic’s needs. To make the trailer more functional and user-friendly, several features were added, including a fibreglass slip-free zircon floor, a side-access door, and underbody storage suitable for ladders and steps. When the trailer came off the MaxiTRANS production line in Ballarat, the next phase was to customise it for its specific educational purpose which was done in collaboration with a local fit-out company. Nine solar panels were installed on the roof, lying flat to comply with height and wind resistance restrictions. These panels power batteries built into the trailer, generating enough electricity to run the equivalent of two households. Beneath the batteries is a water storage unit, providing hot water essential for honey extraction and other tasks. The interior layout includes workbenches for hands-on training and sinks for preparation. “There’s two extractors in there, a warming cabinet, equipment to do repairs to boxes or create new boxes,” explained Farmer. “They learn to rob hives, take the wax off them and run them through the extractors.

This self-sufficient, off-grid Maxi-CUBE trailer serves not just as a classroom but as a revolutionary model for practical, hands-on training.

For usability, several features were added, including a fibreglass slip-free floor, side-access door, and underbody storage suitable for ladders and steps.

There can be up to 20 students and they don’t all need to be in the trailer at the same time. They learn the whole process as they go through.” Since its completion in April 2023, following a project timeline affected by the pandemic, Melbourne Polytechnic’s mobile beekeeping classroom was put into action, with the classroom hitting the road for its

inaugural beekeeping course in August. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the success of this unique educational initiative. The mobile beekeeping classroom serves as a case study in educational innovation with potential applications far beyond beekeeping. Given Melbourne Polytech-

nic’s wide-ranging course offerings, the concept of a mobile, off-grid classroom could revolutionise how vocational courses are taught. There could be scope for mobile classrooms to be used for courses in agriculture, horticulture, or even plumbing and locksmithing, which would greatly benefit from hands-on, on-site training.

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FEATURE 41

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Garden supply business grows in leaps and bounds

Evan Mulcahy, director of Daisy’s Garden Supplies.

A RESTRUCTURE after the Covid pandemic saw this family-owned business triple in size in just 12 months, with the fleet now numbering over 100 vehicles. Like many businesses, the global pandemic and extended lockdowns proved a turning point for Melbourne-based Daisy’s Garden Supplies. Established in 1975, it was set up by Neil and Margaret Mulcahy with a single truck and a ‘can-do’ attitude. Their son Evan started working at the business at just 10, giving the now managing director a

30-year career at Daisy’s. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, the business was supplying garden and landscaping products for residential, commercial and civil projects from three sites in Melbourne. Demand for their services ramped up as the lockdowns were extended. “We were so busy during that period, it was quite overwhelming really,” Evan said. “When we came out of the end of it, we were very, very frantic.” He had the phone glued to his ear all week and spent

weekends driving heavy machinery instead of spending time with his wife and two young sons. So he knew something had to give. “We needed to restructure what we were doing and how we were doing it,” Evan said. Daisy’s engaged a new accountant, who happened to specialise in family business. At about the same time, Evan’s brother-in-law joined the company as commercial director, bringing with him decades of experience. With the new team in place, Daisy’s Garden Supplies began a rapid expansion. The new team made several acquisitions. Some new additions were family businesses similar to Daisy’s but without an up-and-coming generation willing to take over, and some complementary businesses that extended the company’s product offering. At the end of the expansion phase, Daisy’s Garden Supplies had 175 staff at eight retail sites, two production facilities, three quarries and a sandpit. “The business has lots and lots of moving parts,” Evan

said. “It’s certainly hard to manage for one person, so you’ve really got to rely on your team around you. “By growing, we’ve been able to have a lot more people – good people – around the table that can help manage the load.” Before the pandemic, Daisy’s had a fleet of 50 vehicles. Now the company has more than 100 vehicles, including 25 Isuzu trucks in the com-

pany’s eye-catching yellow, red and green signage. The Mulcahy family’s many and varied interests are reflected in the scope of the business, a vertically integrated setup that makes 95 per cent of what it sells from its own raw materials. “We bring in raw materials, then we value-add to them with composts and different products and sands,” Evan said. “We blend and mix all

our soils, which we sell to our retail, trade and commercial customers. “We have a quarry in Porepunkah (in north-eastern Victoria), where we dig out the old tailings from when they would dredge for gold off the Ovens River. We screen that and produce four or five different sizes of river pebbles as well as a couple varieties of crushed rocks and sands that we sell.” Continued on page 42

The fleet now has over 100 vehicles.

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42 FEATURE

Wide range of models

Daisy’s models range from light-duty Isuzu Tippers through to the twin-steer heavy-duty FYJ 300-350.

From page 41 The Porepunkah quarry was originally a farm, which Daisy’s bought some years ago. “We’ve also got 26 acres of grape vines on that property,” Evan said. “We grow five or six different varieties and we make a bit of our own wine that we sell, but the majority of the fruit we sell under contract to different winemakers.” The company has a range of different sizes and models

of Isuzu trucks, which are mainly used for deliveries of soil, sand, pebbles, mulch, sleepers, pavers and firewood from the retail centres. Daisy’s models range from light-duty Isuzu tippers through to the twin-steer heavy-duty FYJ 300-350, with each truck averaging around 50,000km a year. Daisy’s took delivery of two additional Isuzu trucks to assist with the increasing demands on the business.

First-up was a brand-new FXY 240-350 with a tipper body, featuring a GVM of 24,000kg and a GCM of 45,000kg. Powered by Isuzu’s six-cylinder 6UZ1-TCN engine, the FXY also has plenty of punch with power at 257kW (350PS) at 2000rpm and torque of 1422Nm at 1400rpm. The FXY was soon joined by a ‘big brother’ Isuzu, a heavy-duty FYJ 300-350 with a tipper body and a twin-steer front axle, featuring a GVM of 30,000kg and a GCM of 45,000kg. The heavier trucks are used for bulk material deliveries and for transfer of material between each of Daisy’s yards. Evan said all the Isuzu trucks in Daisy’s hard-working fleet had two-pedal transmissions, so they’re not “burning out clutches and gearboxes”. “We’ve got both AMTs and autos in the fleet and it’s the best and simplest option for our drivers,” Evan said. “We’ve always had a good run out of the brand, and this extends into the maintenance, which we take care of ourselves at our two workshops.”

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Scania reveals new facility SCANIA has announced plans to open a new purpose-built facility at Hope Valley, WA. The facility will comprise a new parts warehouse to distribute throughout the state, as well as a sales and service workshop. The warehouse will open next year, while the workshop won’t begin trading until 2025. The facility will be based on a large 19,000 square metre block in a new industrial precinct and the workshop will be able to accommodate multi-combination vehicle sets over an ultra-long maintenance pit, removing the need to decouple in order to carry out servicing and repairs. Large crossovers and hardstands will provide ease of access for vehicles up to 36.5m long. Also included in the design is a purpose-built office with dedicated customer areas. Hope Valley will be Scania Australia’s first true EV-ready facility, with infrastructure in place to handle today’s BEV charging needs and capacity for high volume vehicle charging in the future.

Scania dealer director for WA, SA and NT, Michael Berti.

The design has focused on sustainability, with attention paid to how the site will handle waste and make use of solar power in both the warehouse and workshop facilities. Scania said the selection of Hope Valley reflects the rapid growth of Perth’s southern corridor and positions the company close to major arterial roads for ease of customer access. “Scania in WA has been growing quickly over the past decade and we have attracted

The facility will be based on a large 19,000 square metre block in a new industrial precinct.

more customers both for onroad vehicles running intra-state as well as across to the eastern states, and also within the state’s burgeoning mining industry,” said Michael Berti, Scania dealer director for WA, SA and NT. “These growing segments have required an expansion of services as well as a good deal of innovation from Scania Australia to meet the needs of its customers in a proactive way.” Berit said Scania opened a new dedicated parts distribution warehouse in Welshpool only around two years ago, but such has been the growth of the Scania business in Western Australia, this facility has already surpassed all expectations. “This in part prompted us to further expand our parts capacity at the new Hope Valley site, by doubling our available warehousing space to handle today’s needs and support future developments in both ICE and BEV product ranges,’ he said.

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Telematics solutions in a post-3G world

BY DAVID BROWN, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT SALES, ANZ, GLOBAL CHANNEL, GEOTAB FROM obsolescence to opportunity: Here’s how Australian fleet operators can quickly adapt in the post-3G world. If you plan on driving a truck along the Eyre Highway in June next year, make sure your telematics solutions are up to date. Because if they rely on 3G technology, they might stop working. Unfortunately, this is a hardware issue that providers like Geotab cannot fix with a software update. By next June, Telstra will switch off the 3G signal, with other operators following suit soon after. Any device that isn’t running on 4G LTE or higher will no longer work. With three million active IoT devices still operating on 3G in Australia as of February, many businesses need to upgrade now. This might seem like a hassle, but it’s also an opportunity. New telematics can boost efficiency, drive down maintenance costs and improve safety outcomes.

This could be particularly important in Western Australia, where the rail network is limited, and many rural communities are almost entirely dependent on road freight. The Federal Department of Transport expects road freight to grow 77 per cent between 2020 and 2050. That means more trucks, drivers, and distances travelled on roads in Western Australia, all of which could be more safely and efficiently managed with updated telematics solutions. Additionally, the state’s mining industry is the world’s most advanced when it comes to operating autonomous vehicles, which depend heavily on connected devices. Telematics will be essential to the safe and efficient operation of these vehicles.

The case for a software and hardware upgrade

Australia’s first 3G network launched in 2003, and since then it has helped to accelerate mobile technologies. It is being switched off so that more bandwidth can be dedicated to newer networks. Ultimately, the switchover is good news,

because newer networks will empower better telematics. A hardware refresh to 4G and 5G technologies would enable a faster connection. Newer devices offer more processing power, new features, lower latency and better reliability. To upgrade effectively, fleet managers should take an inventory of their 3G devices, carefully consider their business needs, identify opportunities to upgrade, set a timeline and clearly communicate the plan to drivers and fleet coordinators. With a well-planned programme, they will be able to avoid disruption. A new generation of telematics will enable more powerful solutions for fleet managers, empowering them to better manage drivers, improve visibility over vehicle location and reduce fuel consumption, resulting in cost savings and better sustainability. Fleets can reduce idling by up to 30 per cent using Geotab’s live-tracking function for route optimisation. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into drivers’ behaviour and performance on the road.

By next June, Telstra will switch off the 3G signal, with other operators following suit soon after.

Making positive changes based on this data can lead to a fuel cost reduction of up to four per cent. Telematics can also give a good overview of each vehicle’s health, helping to schedule predictive maintenance. Effective overall fleet performance and efficient fuel consumption can help companies to reduce their carbon footprints and work towards achieving net-zero emissions

by 2040. So too could the adoption of electric vehicles. And although the adoption of electric heavy vehicles is only in its infancy in Australia, telematics solutions could support the transition by enabling a direct comparison between EV and conventional vehicle performance, while providing fleet managers more transparency on technical issues such as how temperature can impact range.

Passing the baton

Australia’s move away from 3G services is an industry milestone, and an opportunity for fleet managers. Embracing new telematics will put them in a better position to adopt upcoming advancements, while leveraging insights to drive better decisions. This will set the stage for more efficient, connected and sustainable fleet management in Australia.

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Truckies through Ararat with Darryl Edwards

A helping hand on the road

Driver: Matty Clark Company: Mt Rowan Towing, Ballarat

Darryl: Hey Matty, thanks for being my first story in Big Rigs. What are you currently driving mate? Matty: A 2019 Isuzu FRD tilt tray, 1983 Kenworth W900 heavy tow truck, 1997 Kenworth T650 heavy tow truck. I grew up with one of my dad’s best mates being a tow truck driver for years and it was always fascinating how recoveries and salvage jobs were done so as soon as I was old enough, I got my truck ticket and accident licence and got into the industry. Funnily enough, the company I started with was then the competition company to the one my dad’s mate worked for, so it made for interesting times. Darryl: How long have you been driving for? Matty: Going on 11 years now. Darryl: Where is your favourite roadhouse for a feed?

Matty: Love the Mortlake Roady but sadly don’t get out that way much. But while I was living in Queensland for a few years running interstate the Shell servo at Gilgandra; always did a ripper feed!

Darryl: Given you’ve been in the industry 11 years, what would your advice be for the next generation of truck drivers? Matty: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. In this day and age, sadly people are too quick to point and laugh if you don’t know how to do something, but I will always help when and where I can. We all had to start somewhere. And I am a firm believer that it doesn’t matter how many years you have been doing it, there is always someone better to learn from so always pays to pay attention to other people doing it and pick up on things here and there. Don’t give it up because it gets too hard. There are people out there that will give you the time of day and help you.

Matty Clark reckons there’s always someone out there who will be willing to help. Photo: Darryl Edwards

Darryl: You obviously see a lot being a tow truck driver so how do you wind down away from work? Matty: I love playing cricket indoor and outdoor when I get the time to and when I haven’t managed to injure myself also. Also have a pretty good collection of cars that I

Manage Fatigue + Ensure you have enough sleep before commencing your shift + Maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise + Pre-plan your journey to allow for regular breaks + Educate yourself on fatigue + Report any medication to your supervisor + Report any secondary employment to your supervisor + Don’t attempt to push through For more information visit nhvr.gov.au/fatigue

don’t drive because I’m always working but there’s always something needing to be serviced or fixed. I also try to be an available ear to talk to regarding seeing some pretty bad stuff to the other local operators here in town too as I have grown a bit of a thick skin when it comes to seeing

the bad sides of the job and I find that sometimes the other boys need to talk to get it off their chest and I enjoy being able to help them through that also.

Darryl: Alright lastly mate, what would be your dream truck?

Matty: If the boss ever decides to sell the W900 I would be first in line to buy that as it’s by far my favourite, the old banga! But would love a 610SAR or a modern W900SAR as a heavy tow truck. Darryl: Thanks mate.

52 DRIVER PROFILES

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin in Tassie

with Alf Wilson

‘It can be very dirty work’ Trusty truck is a common sight around Tassie IT was a former hire truck and since Col Churchill purchased it three years ago this Mitsubishi Canter has been a common sight around the northern region of Tasmania. Churchill runs Rag and Bone Second Hand Dealers, located in the main street of Latrobe which is about 90km from Launceston and just off the Bass Highway. I saw the Mitsubishi parked outside the shop just after 2pm one Sunday. “It has been a brilliant truck since I got it and has Andrew Krause was a butcher for 25 years before starting this job.

IT can be a dirty job but Andrew Krause loves being part of a team which pumps out sewers around Tasmania. Krause drives a 2016 Volvo which is integral when doing the job – and he says it’s a great truck. Big Rigs recently caught up with him at Tribuanna in Tasmania just before lunch time. He works for Hobart Pumping and was with four other members of the gang on the job near the local wharf. “It can be very dirty work.

We travel as far as the west and east coasts and other places and we have five vacuum trucks and four pump trucks,” he said. They were all masked up in case of an expected flow of waste flying out in their direction. I asked Krause what was the most bizarre thing that had happened to any of them recently. “One of the boys Liam was hit in the mouth by a flying condom,” he said.

Before starting the job Krause was a butcher for 25 years and had been employed by Woolworths. When off work, Krause likes watching his children play basketball, as well as hunting wild deer and kangaroos. “I really like spending time with family and enjoying life,” he said. Krause added that his favourite roadhouse is Mood Food at Kempton beside the Midlands Highway.

been around many parts of Tasmania including to Hobart, Smithton and Rosebery. When we close today it will be taking some items to Prospect,” he said. The light rig transports furniture, boxes and lots of other items which find their way to the store. Churchill who stipulated he was not related to former wartime British leader Winston, is a popular identity in the scenic town of Latrobe. Outside the shop on a seat was a skeleton replica

and Churchill grabbed it to pose for a pic in front of the truck. As I snapped his pic several locals who walked or drove past remarked, “Which one is the skeleton Col?” and they all laughed. Churchill told me about an adopted blue and white budgerigar bird which is a shop mascot. “An American left it here about four years ago and we have kept it as a pet,” he said. This trusty Mitsubishi is an integral of this business.

Col Churchill runs Rag and Bone Second Hand Dealers in Latrobe.

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DRIVER PROFILES 53

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Truckin in Tassie

Brothers side by side at family business

with Alf Wilson

Healthy diet is the secret

FARMER Andrew Thompson didn’t look more than 50 when he pulled up in his Mitsubishi FK417 at Richmond in southern Tasmania. When he said he was in fact 60, I immediately asked him the secret to his youthful appearance. “I live and work on my farm at Campania and eat a lot of the vegetables I grow,” he said. The six-tonne capacity Mitsubishi carts hay, lucerne, potatoes and other produce and

gets as far away as Smithton near the end of the Bass Highway. “I have had it for around seven years and it is a very reliable truck,” he said. Thompson also runs a fencing business which keeps him fit and used to play Australian Rules for Bothwell in his heyday. “That was back in the seventies,” he said. With Thompson in his Mitsubishi were his pet farm

John and Justin Rainbird have worked for the family business for decades.

BROTHERS Justin and John Rainbird were delivering food and general freight to the remote Hungry Wombat Roadhouse along the Lyell Highway in Tasmania in a Hino when Big Rigs saw them. It was around noon and it was freezing cold. Snow had fallen just up the road. They work for the family company Derwent Valley Lines and are based at scenic New Norfolk about 45km from the capital Hobart. “We deliver general freight all around the area but the Hungry Wombat is about the furthest we come out this

way,” John said. Elder brother John is aged in his early fifties, while Justin is 46. “This is the family business run by our mum and we have been doing it for decades,” John said. Justin was busy and walked past carrying a container of meat pies into the roadhouse. It seemed many were eating meat pies at the roadhouse which went down well considering the cold. Both the brothers played Australian Rules Football for the New Norfolk club in a

town where a statue of the former champion Hawthorn goalkicker Peter Hudson stands proudly. I asked the brothers what they considered the worst roads in Tasmania and John answered swiftly. “Any road south of the state of Victoria,” he said. Outside his busy work schedule John rides Harley motorbikes and loves life in Tasmania. You could see what a popular man he was when some bike riders pulled up and chatted to John about their Harleys.

Andrew Thompson with his trusty Mitsubishi FK417.

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dogs named Joysie, Chelsea and Roxy which are an integral part of running the farm. He likes stopping at the Mood Food Roadhouse at Kempton along the Midlands Highway and also at another at Conara. The road he finds challenging to get along is at Bronte and he concluded our yarn by telling me that he expected a good crop of potatoes soon. “There will be potatoes for Christmas,” he said.

54 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Talk of enforcement blitz SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Mission impossible

After travelling along many range roads in different states, Spy has come to the conclusion that it’s often “mission impossible” for truck drivers not to cross over double lines on some stretches. That is especially concerning the bigger and heavier vehicles. Lots of truckies I have spoken to from around Oz have agreed with my assumption and I’ll provide some examples. Travelling along the range road between Pyengana Valley and Derby in Tasmania I found there was no way that trucks could escape crossing double lines.

A van travelling along the range road near Queenstown in Tasmania.

Parts of the range road are narrow and require great care by any motorist who negotiates them. I travelled along it at speeds as low as 20km/h to be safe. There are several hair-pin bends and whilst low speed signs are in place on lots of it, even law abiding drivers have

no option but to cross double lines. I saw numerous drivers do just that and it would have been a tragedy if any had been breached. Some signs advise truckies to sound their horns when there are approaching tight bends. It is a real nightmare to drive along but many truckies are reluctantly forced to use it. It was the same scenario along two ranges before you enter the Tassie town of St Mary’s. The other Australian roads I went along during 2023 and found the same thing were at Rex, Kuranda and Gillies Ranges in the north, parts of the Cunningham Highway in southern Queensland and several in NSW.

Sneaky revenue raiser

This truck faces an impossible task not to cross double lines on a range on the way to Derby in Tasmania.

Another revenue raiser which increases the anger level of truck drivers and other motorists are those speed cameras attached to traffic lights around Australia which infringe anybody detected even a few kilometres over the limit. It is common for drivers who are travelling up to a green light to speed up just a touch

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to ensure they get through it before it turns to red. Often these sets of lights are on the outskirts of towns where the speed limit drops to 50km/h and drivers don’t realise that and cruise through at just over 60km/h. Then they get a nasty surprise in the mail a month later with a fine. Some will say if you don’t speed you won’t get caught whilst others reckon this just adds to government consolidated revenue and is sneaky.

Nimbin with supplies. So if you are in the area be wary of the boys and girls in blue.

Underwear and socks

A veteran South Australian driver who had a broken windscreen when driving along a highway in freezing conditions has told Spy how his smelly socks came to the rescue. “I had been driving along

minding my own business and a rock flew up from an oncoming vehicle and smashed my windscreen and my hands were so cold as the temperature was just above zero. So I pulled over when I could and took my shoes off and placed the socks on my hands. They were stinking but did the job and my hands were warm. This can happen to anybody and although I hope it doesn’t, it’s a good bit of advice if it does,” he said. This gent also wears thermal undies when it is extremely cold and swears by them. “I also have thermal long pants as well and they come in handy when I am on the road,” he said. For those who are not fashion orientated, thermal underwear is base layer clothing that’s worn beneath your top layer of clothing to keep you warm in cold climates. Thermal tops, long johns and base layers trap air to insulate your body and generate warmth and for best results, should be worn in a size that fits snug without being tight.

Nimbin blitz

Reports meandering their way to Spy from the NSW township of Nimbin is that truck drivers have been subject to an enforcement blitz in recent months. Nimbin is in the Northern Rivers district and is located about 30km north of Lismore and 70km west of Byron Bay. Police are often in numbers at Nimbin and surrounds because of other enforcement issues not related to the road transport industry and it seems that when things are quiet on that front, truckies and other motorists are scrutinised. The drive to Nimbin up a range can be precarious and a lot of light trucks travel to

A truck unloads in Nimbin’s main street.

SPY ON THE ROAD 55

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

within Tasmania. The majority of mining freight is moved via this road.

Flinders Hwy cameras

More truck drivers are contacting Spy regarding speed cameras which are placed at, and near, Torrens Creek, which is along the Flinders Highway in the north. Numerous drivers have received infringements in the mail, some of which have resulted in a $1200 fine and the loss of six demerit points. Some reckon there is no way they could have been breaking the speed limit between 60 and 80km/h signs there.

A road train travelling through the main street of Torren’s Creek.

The friendly cop beside the highway.

Courteous cop

Police and scalies cop a lot of criticism from truck drivers and often it is deserved. Some can be rude and aggressive when they check out trucks and log books, much to the chagrin of drivers who are trying to make a living. So, when there is one who is courteous and helpful I reckon he, or she, deserves some praise to balance the ledger. I was driving along the Murchison Highway between Rosebery and Zeehan in freezing conditions, with the temperature just above zero and snow falling. After stopping at a rest area around Waratah for a call of nature I left my vehicle and saw a police car pull up behind me. I mentioned to the wife

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that I hope he wasn’t going to book me for some minor traffic offence. However, this cop was so helpful and told us he was heading to a traffic incident just up the highway and even advised where there would be snow on the road and provided other helpful hints. I didn’t get his name considering the circumstances and he didn’t have any idea I was a journalist. His help was certainly appreciated and I hope somebody shows him this mention. The Murchison Highway is a key freight and passenger route connecting the west and north regions of Tasmania. It is critical for the movement of freight to Burnie Port for export and to other locations

Many would like to contest the alleged infringements in court but feel the high cost to do that would not be worth it. However many are awaiting with interest on news of a solicitor who travels through Torren’s Creek on the way to Cloncurry has received two such notices. He paid the first fine and is contesting the second one in court with the case expected to go before a magistrate before year’s end. I will be there for the hearing and will keep those truckies who have high interest in the outcome posted. Continued on page 56

A fatigue warning sign on the Flinders Highway heading towards Charters Towers.

I feel safer knowing there’s an extra set of eyes to protect me out on the road.

56 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Popular stop for truckies sions that has included trucks which have broken down or been damaged. Recently I was driving along a tricky road up to the village of St Mary’s in Tasmania and saw a RACT truck assisting a motorist. Reports have also landed with Spy about many similar occurrences in all Australian states when RAC trucks have proven a godsend. A few months ago I got stuck along a remote highway and required a new battery in what is a modern vehicle. Despite the distance the truck had to travel it was there within a reasonable time and I was back on the road again.

The exterior of the Dover Café.

Negative news praised

Dover Top Shop Eatery owner Jennifer Hampson (centre) with workers Emily and Michelle in front of the menu board.

From page 55

Dover stop popular

It is one of two of the most southern cafés in Australia and many truckies stop off at the Dover Top Shop Eatery to get a meal or a snack. Dover town is in Tasmania beside the Huon Highway and is located 81km south west of the capital Hobart. Some truck drivers informed Big Rigs about the café and I called in just after lunch time one Saturday. It is owned by Jennifer Hampson – and her two friendly staff Emily and Michelle were hard at work cooking and serving food. “I have owned it for two months and keep the food reasonably priced. We get locals, tourists and truckies who park nearby,” Hampson said. I ordered some crumbed fish and it was served up perfectly and was cheaper than the same food I had purchased at other eateries. Most supplies are delivered by refrigerated light trucks and any other ingredients are purchased from the

local supermarket. There are clean public toilets just across the road from the café. There is one other café up the street, which is 19km south. Dover is recognised as the southernmost town of significance in Australia. It is probable that Dover takes its name from the famous English town of the same name. Dover was originally established as a convict probation station and operated between 1844 and 1848. There is now little evidence of the town’s penal past. After the convict settlement the small town developed as a port - the main activity was shipping Huon pine to the world. By 1850 there were a number of sawmills in the area.

Trucks are a godsend

During 2023 I have been to many remote locations where Royal Automotive Club trucks around Oz have come to the rescue of stranded motorists. On many occa-

When Spy overheard a conversation between a Victorian truckie who had his mobile phone on loud speaker at a roadhouse, it looked likely that an argument was about to erupt. He was speaking to his wife who was far away at home. “I have some really NEGATIVE news about you,” she told him. Now Spy pondered over just what such news could be hoping it wasn’t too bad. But Spy got a pleasant surprise when he questioned her about the news. “You bowel cancer test came back NEGATIVE,” she said. The lad had been sent one of those bowel cancer tests in the mail which invited people over age 60 to provide a small sample of their waste and send it to health authorities. It was positive news all round as the truckie feared he may have had bowel cancer.

Going against advice

Many people of various ages are going against the advice of many truckies and leaving other employment positions to become drivers. A lot of truckies are vocal about the state of the industry – citing fatigue laws, rising fuel costs, bad roads and a host of other reasons why job seekers should not become a driver. Many bosses including small fleet operators will tell you it is difficult to find good and reliable drivers and the

This mobile fish and chip shop is located in Huonville.

fact is there are thousands of vacancies for truckies. Despite all of the above, I have found whilst speaking to scores of new drivers from around Australia that they left other industries to travel the highways and byways. They had been chefs, held other hospitality positions, carers, road workers, sales reps, security officers, and the list goes on. So what is the overall consensus amongst these new recruits about why they made the move? Generally they reckon that whatever the future holds, Australia will always need trucks to keep the country supplied.

Ignorant act

Whilst enjoying some tucker at a roadhouse eatery Spy saw what could only be described as an ignorant act which almost erupted into a heated argument. Five truckies were also having a meal and were glued to a big television screen during news hour. It was a good listen which provided lots of news which had them all interested in most of it. There was an older man who was not a truck driver sitting closest to the television and he got up and turned the sound off, leaving a screen with no noise. He didn’t even have the decency to ask the others if they would mind – and one truckie muttered a few angry words in his direction but the fellow either didn’t hear them or didn’t respond. Another truckie settled him down and they walked to a nearby room where there was another television.

He dreams of Jeannie

This RACT truck helped a stranded motorist on the bending highway up to St Mary’s in Tasmania.

There is a friendly and single female roadhouse worker who was asked by a truck driver what her name was and she soon replied: “It is Jeannie.” The driver replied with a rather humorous quote which had people sitting nearby having a good chuckle. “When I open my bottle tonight I wonder if you are going to come out of the top.” The lad was referring to

Megan Wilkins serves fish and chips and other food from the fish and chip truck.

a once popular television program called “I Dream of Jeannie” which starred Barbara Eden and was about a Jeannie who lived in a bottle. This worker also had a laugh and pointed out that she often has that program mentioned to her.

Fish and chip stop

On the banks of the idyllic Huon River in southern Tasmania is an Isuzu from which Megan Wilkins serves fish and chips and other food. Big Rigs saw the Isuzu parked there recently and stopped off to check it out. The business is named Tangarga Kai Strictly Seafood and is located in Huonville township and Wilkins said it had been there for about four years. “We get truckies stopping here as well as many locals and tourists and they can sit on seats by the river and eat their food,” she said. Wilkins said the favourite food was Blue Grenadier fish as well as flake which was sourced from fishermen at Dover up the highway. “Some of the truck drivers park nearby and take their food away,” she said. The business is owned by New Zealand woman Hollie and many of the customers are expatriate Kiwis. “A lot of friendly people stop here and it is good to talk to them,” she said. She said the Isuzu was ideal for the business and oper-

ates from 11am to 7pm from Thursday to Sunday. Blue Grenadier species is also known as hoki and is caught in waters of southern Australian states as well as across the ditch in New Zealand. Locals often try and catch their own fish in the nearby river and those who don’t have any luck can walk over to the Isuzu and purchase a takeaway or sit down on one of the public chairs and enjoy it. Huonville is 36km south of the capital Hobart and is many tourists visit there annually and the river is the fifth longest in Tasmania.

Thanks and Merry Christmas

As this will be the last edition for 2023 I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the Spy column during the year which has gone so quickly. Hundreds of drivers from every state and territory have contacted me with information which they consider important and informative. When I needed info from a particular area I would often ring driver contacts who were always willing to come through with the goods. I wish you all a merry Christmas and happy and prosperous new year. And most of all, enjoy time with family and friends and be safe when keeping Australia supplied.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Outback

Road train driver makes childhood dream come true

As a youngster, he looked up to the truckies he’d see steering triple road trains along the highways – which inspired him to do just that. BY DANIELLE GULLACI GROWING up in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley and watching the countless road trains go past was enough to inspire Chris Pearson, 30, to follow the same path. “The Lockyer Valley is predominantly a farming community, so as a kid, I’d spend my summers on farms picking vegetables and what not – back then you’d see Refrigerated Roadways, Nolan’s and Lindsay Brothers come in and load. Some of the drivers would see me looking and ask if I wanted to take a look in the truck,” Pearson recalled. “Mum would always yell at me to get out of their trucks because they had to go!

“My brother James is also a truck driver for the same reason. As kids, we saw trucks here, there and everywhere, and we grew up idolising the guys that ran to Darwin with three trailers on the back.” And these days, Pearson is doing exactly that, travelling the 3600-kilometre express run from Brisbane to Darwin, driving two-up for Shaw’s Darwin Transport – where he’s been for the past few months. But it was back in 2015 that his foray into trucking began. “I worked at a meatworks for two and half years but had enough of that – so that’s when I went for my truck licence,” he said. Trying to get his foot in the door, he began working for

Brisbane Isuzu. “I started as a yard person, taking cab chassis and new trucks to body builders so they could be fitted out. It wasn’t a real truck driving job but I figured you never start at the top, so I knew I had to start somewhere.” He moved onto Nolan’s Interstate Transport in 2016, where he stayed for about two years, working as a local driver – and it was here that he secured his MC licence. That was followed by time spent working at Bulk Granite Haulage, where he honed in on his tipping skills, and then Baskett Transport in 2017. “I had a friend working at Baskett Transport and he asked if I wanted to come and learn to drive road trains, so

I drove for him for about six months, learning all the basics about road trains like maintenance, servicing, washing and what-not. The work here was from Brisbane to Darwin as well as remote parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland. There were flat tops, tautliners, gates, ropes, tarps, straps – it was a really good experience,” explained Pearson. But it was his next role that had the biggest impact, working for transport legend Phil Hannant, who served as a mentor. Hannant was also this year inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame. “I started with Phil in 2018 and worked for him for

about four and a half years – it would have been longer but he decided not to continue his business so he could retire,” said Pearson. “He had a nice 4800 Western Star and then when I started with him, he told me he had ordered a new T610 which would be there in a few

months, so I had that from brand new. It was tow contracting for Nolan’s – road trains, B-doubles and B-triples. I did 1.26 million kilometres in the time I worked with him.” The son of transport operators, Hannant took over the family business, Hannant’s

Pearson has three kids: Sophie, Zac and Lucy.

The T610 he drove for transport legend Phil Hannant, who served as a mentor.

Chris Pearson started at Shaw’s Darwin Transport a few months ago, driving two-up.

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DRIVER PROFILE 59

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Truckin’ In The Outback

Stopped at the Threeways Roadhouse on the Stuart Highway in the T909.

It was during his time at Baskett Transport that Pearson started on the road trains.

Transport, in 1981. Then in 2005, he began working as transport operations manager for two different companies, before working for Nolan’s Interstate Transport, where he was until his retirement – if you can call it that, as Hannant still hits the road almost daily. “I have a lot of time for my previous employer Phil. I worked hard but although I worked hard, he looked after me. Working for that type of one truck company, when you present yourself to be an asset like the truck itself, they look after you like family. He wants to do a trip up with me to Darwin, so that would be great to do with him.” Pearson’s next role was

way, once you get past Moranbah, it gets quite bad.” At only 30, Pearson still has plenty of years on the road ahead of him. “And I can most definitely see myself doing road train work for a long time,” he said. He is also a father of three: eight-year-old Sophie, six-year-old Lucy and fouryear-old Zac. “In the past, with previous companies, I could take the truck home and they loved playing in the cab and tooting the horn. Every now and then I’d take my eldest with me at Rushways too. It’s unfortunate that it doesn’t happen very much anymore, because this is something I’d love to share with them.”

with Rushway Transport, before securing his current job with Shaw’s. It turned out that Shaw’s had a long-serving two-up team retiring – husband and wife duo Garry and Liza van der Heide, who were known as the ‘A-Team’ and had been with the company for about 15 years. “I’ve started doing twoup but eventually want to go into a solo role. When I started, we had the A-team’s old truck – a five-year-old T909 – but in early November were given the keys to a brand new T909,” said Pearson. He and his co-driver transport general, chilled and frozen goods to Darwin;

with seafood, mangoes, melons and general usually carried on the return leg. The team usually sets off on a Monday evening and returns home by Saturday morning, if all goes well. Pearson takes a great deal of pride in his rig and washes it every week in Darwin. “I make sure it’s all cleaned up and shiny. A quick job of washing the truck takes me over two hours, but a proper wash takes me four or five hours,” he revealed. Though the trip is all on sealed roads, he says some of the highways are in a pretty sorry state. “The Gore Highway is absolutely trashed, as it has been for a long time. And the Peak Downs High-

He likes to keep the truck looking immaculate.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

They’re not being accurate and fair with the numbers INDUSTRY ADVOCATE STEVE SHEARER SARTA executive director

IT was an interesting article published on bigrigs.com.au re the NHVR/police monthlong blitz on fatigue management compliance. In it [NHVR CEO] Sal Petroccitto refers to 190 lives lost from 167 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles over the past year. Obviously, that’s not a good outcome, but once again officials are failing to be accurate and fair on the trucking industry. Any death on the roads is unacceptable but to imply, intentionally or otherwise, that the entire 190 are down to the trucking industry is wrong and they know it. I have just analysed the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) data for the past year to ascertain how many of the fatal incidents involving heavy vehicles were single-vehicle incidents and how many were multiple vehicle incidents, almost all of which are car-truck crashes. This is important because we have all known for a long time, including the NHVR, police and all governments, that the motorist involved in a car-truck crash causes the crash in over 80 per cent of cases. This is NOT a blame game but if we are to identify the scale and nature of the

problem and try to fix it, we can’t just consider the total numbers. We must understand the actual causation. The BITRE data clearly shows that: • 110 of the 167 fatal crashes that involved HVs were in fact multiple vehicle crashes. • 130 fatalities (of the 190 Sal Petroccitto referred to) resulted from those 110. Hence: • The motorists were responsible for 104 of the 190 deaths (i.e. 80 per cent of the 130 from multiple vehicle crashes). • The heavy vehicle sector is responsible for 86 (i.e. the other 20 per cent of the 130 plus the 60 from the single vehicle HV crashes). Eighty-six fatalities caused by the trucking industry is still too high, BUT it’s a damned site better than the 190 quoted by Sal Petroccitto in the article. The next question that arises is what to do about it and whether or not a monthlong fatigue management blitz by NHVR and police is an appropriate and effective response and strategy for lowering the road fatalities? That is debatable, given that we know from the detailed NTARC crash analysis by NTI that distraction/inattention is the greatest HV driver-related cause of HV crashes. Fatigue is a distant third. The next key question is what aspects of fatigue management failures cause fatal crashes? Is it? 1. Occasional errors in the timing of short rest breaks. NO it is not;

2. Errors in calculation by a driver of the total hours they worked in a “Relevant 24-hour period” (i.e. the 24 hours that follows immediately after a legal sleep rest) when the work that puts them in breach occur immediately after the driver has actually taken a second seven-hour break. a) For example, after a legal seven-hour sleep break the driver works say 13.5 hours and takes 90 minutes of short rests and then takes a second seven-hour rest break. That totals 22 of their “Relevant 24-hour period” in which they have worked 13.5 hours. So, under BFM that have just 30 minutes of available work time left in the remaining two hours of that “Relevant 24-hour period”. If they make the common mistake and start work again then by the end of that “Relevant 24-hour period” they would have work a total of 15.5 hours, and the NHVR and police would book the driver for a serious breach (90 minutes over their limit). b) The point is that all 90 of those minutes of work occur within two hours of the end of their second seven-hour sleep break and whilst a breach of the counting rules it is NOT an indicator of, nor does it equate to, the driver being fatigued. Occasional minor shortfalls in the length of a sleep break, such as a driver errs and has a 6.75-hour continuous rest instead of the required seven hours, and yet their work diary clearly shows that in the previous week or weeks, they have always had the required seven hours. So, if the NHVR and

If we are to identify the scale and nature of the problem and try to fix it, we can’t just consider the total numbers.

police blitz focusses on breaches of the rules such as these, then whilst it will be a focus on strict compliance with the counting rules it most certainly will NOT be an initiative genuinely aimed at eradicating or reducing the instance of fatalities attributable to HV driver fatigue. It will also do nothing about the higher percentage of fatal crashes involvingheavy vehicles that are caused either by other HV sector/ driver issues, such as distraction, and it won’t even touch

on the 80 per cent of fatalities from car-truck crashes that are caused by the motorists involved. I am not suggesting that there should not be any attention on fatigue management but let’s not misrepresent as a fatigue management blitz what will inevitably be a blitz on the black-and-white literal enforcement of a set of counting rules that are a poor substitute for effective fatigue management. I would love to think that the results published post the blitz and the media an-

nouncements by NHVR/ police will identify that of the X number of intercepts, Y breaches of the complex fatigue management work/rest counting rules were identified and that whilst most of those were minor counting errors of no fatigue management significance, Z serious breaches were identified that constitute a serious risk of fatigue. Then again, perhaps I am still a small boy at heart, still wishing against the odds for something special for Christmas.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Enhancing road safety with fatigue management ON-ROAD EXPERT PAUL SALVATI chief operations o cer

THE holiday season is upon us, a time when our roads are busier than ever and when many look forward to spending time with their loved ones. For the heavy vehicle industry, it’s a period that sees increased demand, longer hours and, unfortunately, an elevated risk associated with driver fatigue. Heavy vehicle driving is

no easy task, which is why the NHVR continues to work alongside industry to better understand the challenges faced and improve driver safety. Between September 2022 and August 2023, there were 167 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles in a 12-month span. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they are a clarion call underscoring the urgency of proper fatigue management so that drivers can keep themselves and other road users safe. With the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) launching Operation Forager focusing on fatigue, in partnership with police, it is a pertinent time to reflect on the immense responsibility shouldered by

our drivers and the pivotal role managing fatigue plays in ensuring our roads remain safe. Recognising fatigue’s early signs – from physical symptoms like drowsiness to mental ones like reduced alertness – is crucial. It’s not just about feeling tired; it’s about compromised reflexes, blurred decision-making and, at times, a complete disconnect from one’s surroundings. Some other common signs of fatigue include: • Physical signs: Drowsiness, excessive yawning, blurred vision and difficulty keeping your eyes open. • Mental signs: Decreased alertness, an inability to concentrate, increased errors,

and mood swings. • Driving indicators: Near misses’ incident, swerving lanes, and not maintaining a constant speed. Recognising these signs early allows drivers to take necessary precautions, ensuring not just their safety, but also the safety of other travellers on the road. In line with Operation Forager’s objectives and as part of our ongoing commitment to driver safety, here are some practical tips to manage and mitigate fatigue: 1. Plan: Before embarking on a long trip, ensure you’ve had enough rest. Aim for at least 7 hours of continuous sleep. A well-rested driver is a safe driver. 2. Take Regular Breaks:

away winners: Sally-Ann Eather was named NSW Woman of the Year, and Caitlin Barlow won Best Industry Newcomer. We were represented at ATA’s Trucking Australia in the Teletrac Navman Driving Change Diversity Program. We had two members as finalists for Woman of the Year and I came away with an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Trucking Industry. Ron Finemore, of Ron Finemore Transport, was awarded the Don Watson Award for service to the industry. The Brisbane Truck Show Breakfast was an outstanding success. We had four finalists in the Women in Industry Awards, with TWAL vice chair, Coralie Chapman taking out the Excellence in Transport award. We launched the second version of our Living the Dream video, and our song went to number five at the Australian

Songwriting Awards (Australia genre) – an exciting achievement for Dene Menzel, Branthem and the TWAL Board. Joana Feiteira, a 2022 Driving the Difference Scholarship winner, took the prize in the annual photo comp with a photo of a ship she helped refurbish. Along with the Road Transport Hall of Fame and Museum, we held the inaugural Transport Women Unite Red Ball and hosted the first Dream Maker Awards at the Festival of Transport in Alice Springs. On the same weekend, Martin’s Livestock Transport launched their pink Mack bearing our logo at the Women in Lot Feeding dinner in Toowoomba. We were well represented at CeMAT for the first time, with a TWAL event where we hosted an industry panel. We had two finalists at the Australian Freight Industry

Awards, with another member, Kat Attana, taking out the Female Leadership Award. We held our first TWAL event in Canberra for many years and attended an NRWC round-table on How to Achieve Gender Equality for Rural, Regional and Remote Women and the Women in AgriFutures Awards. We also presented at the Future Warehouse and Logistics Conference, the Victorian Major Projects Conference and the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. We joined the National Speakers Bureau for Women in Transport and attended their Sydney luncheon, as well as holding our regular EOY events and awarding our 2023 Driving the Difference Scholarships. Looking forward to seeing you at the Living the Dream Conference from May 30 to June 1 in Melbourne next year.

Lots done but there’s still more to do WOMEN IN TRANSPORT JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport Women Australia

TRANSPORT Women Australia Limited has had a hectic year. We are excited about what we have achieved and what we have ahead of us in 2024. We started the year with a new website and two new Gold Partners in Prime Creative Media and Linfox; joined by Silver Partner, Viva Energy Australia, later in the year. We held a new joint event in Goulburn with Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage, followed by our International Women’s Day events; and the RFNSW Conference, where our two award nominees came

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Don’t push yourself too hard. Taking short, frequent breaks can help refresh your mind and body. 3. Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthily: Consuming balanced meals and drinking enough water can boost energy levels and alertness. 4. Engage in recreational activities: If possible, make the time to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. This can be broken into three lots of 10 minutes. 5. Seek Medical Advice: If you find yourself frequently tired, it might be an underlying medical condition. Don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. Operation Forager is more than just a compliance opera-

tion for the NHVR; our regulatory focus is to inform, educate and enforce. We think this approach is the best way to keep heavy vehicle drivers safe, especially during these peak times, when the weight of expectations and delivery demands bears down on our industry. Finally, should any driver feel pressured by someone to continue driving despite feeling fatigue, they are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Hotline at 1800 931 785. Let’s pledge to make fatigue management a priority, not just during this holiday season but throughout the year. For more information visit nhvr.gov.au.

Joana Feiteira, a 2022 Driving the Difference Scholarship winner, took the prize in the annual photo competition.

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COLUMNS 87

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JUNE 26 2020

64 PUZZLES

Sad day for all in transport

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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

SUDOKU

positives aspects or those issues about which I am most 9 passionate and have a chance of making a contribution to 10 change. I began writing column when I was returned as Trans11 port Women Australia Limited 12 chair in November 2017. THIS article is the ending of In the interim, TWAL has an and 13 era for the 14 transport15indus- had many16 successes 17 18 try with the demise of this achievements. magazine under the restrucIt has 19 20 expanded the relature and rationalisation of tionship with Girl Guides AusNews Corp. tralia 21 and been involved with It is a sad day for all of us in several successful projects with the 22 industry as Big Rigs maga- them, the Victorian Snoozefest zine has been a part of our lives in April 2018, the “Great Bag for almost 30 years. Migration” for the Interna23 For some, their entire ca- tional Jamboree in Sydney in reers so far. October 2018 and other inter24 It will leave huge gap as the actions that are expanding the editors and staff have support- knowledge of the transport ined the industry, provided fair dustry.25 and rational debate and given We launched the Women everyone a fair say in industry Driving Transport Careers indoings to all, as well as stories, itiative with our partners Wopictures and news of our peo- donga TAFE and Volvo Group ple, our trucks and our unsung EASY at the 2018 TWAL Creating heroes. Connections conference. Our lives will be the poorer This initiative has been in for its demise; being a colum- hiatus during the COVID-19 nist for Big Rigs for the past pandemic but all partners are year and half has allowed me excited to move forward to exto fulfil yet another childhood pand the program as soon as dream, to write, and it has possible. given me great pleasure and I We held a well attended hope it has at least been en- and exciting conference in joyed by some. May 2018 and we have plans in While so many are focused place with the date saved and on the negatives of the indus- venue booked for our Driving try, I have tried to focus on the the Difference 2021 conference

9 10 11 12 13 16 19 21 22 23 24 25

What is a defensive covering for the head (6) What are written acknowledgements of having received money, goods, etc (8) What is a list of things to be done (6) Name a translucent, semisolid petroleum product (8) What is a recessed space, as in a garden (6) Which heavy metal has the symbol Pb (4) To capsize, is to do what (5) Which grass-like plant often grows in wet places (5) Name a US frontier gunfighter and lawman, Wyatt ... (4) Which abbreviated term means “belonging to Australia” (2,4) What, in the military, is a unit of ground forces (8) To be borne on water, is to be what (6) In which city areas do minority groups live in conditions of poverty (8) Name a US film actor, Rock ... (6)

Down 2 Name a milk drink containing whipped raw egg, etc (7) 3 What is another term for a trapdoor (7) 4 To make a journey, is to do what (6) 5 When one decapitates, one does what (7) 6 To have joined together, is to have done what (7) 7 What is perfume also known as (7) 13 Which term implies resentful displeasure (7) 14 Name a short garment worn next to the skin (7) 15 What is a white ant also known as (7) 17 To have authorised, is to have done what (7) 18 Name the Secret State Police of Nazi Germany (7) 20 What is potassium carbonate (6)

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1 8

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

Across

Across: 1 Helmet, 8 Receipts, 9 Agenda, 10 Vaseline, 11 Alcove, 12 Lead, 13 Upset, 16 Sedge, 19 Earp, 21 Of Aust, 22 Regiment, 23 Afloat, 24 Ghettoes, 25 Hudson. Down: 2 Eggflip, 3 Manhole, 4 Travel, 5 Beheads, 6 Spliced, 7 Essence, 13 Umbrage, 14 Singlet, 15 Termite, 17 Enabled, 18 Gestapo, 20 Potash.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS: Jacquelene Brotherton (far right) enjoys a night of celebration at a Transport Women Limited event with (from left) Rachel Hesse, Paul Fleiszig and Coralie Chapman. Picture: Contributed

in Melbourne. 1 2 3 In November 2019 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the organisation (TWAL) with 8 gala dinner at The a fabulous Windsor Melbourne where we also presented our first four winners 9 of the Driving the Difference scholarships with our amazing sponsor, Daimler Truck and Bus Asia Pacific. We also presented the inaugural Trish Pickering Mem-

orial 4 Award, sponsored 5 by the wonderful Wes Pickering. This was awarded for longterm outstanding contribution by a female to the road transport industry, the inaugural winner was Pam McMillan the longest serving director and chair of Transport Women Australia Limited. This is an annual award and 12 the recipient of the 2020 Trish Pickering Memorial Award

will 6 be announced later 7 this year at an event still to be determined. We have also launched our Learning Initiatives Breakfast Series with several partners so far, including NTI, MOVE 10and rt 11 BANK health. In early 2020 the Creating Connections Mentoring program was finally ready to commence with both mentors and mentees signing up to the pro-

Across gram. 1 I would Employer like(coll) to thank the 5 Circular fantastic teamcontainer at Big Rigs 8 Temptfor their incredible newspaper 9 Incline support and wish them ongoing success. 10 Greek letter that I coal get the oppor12I hope Burnt-out tunity to continue to work with 13 Literary ridicule some of them and so process work to15 Expels by legal wards making the trucking in18 Ten years dustry a better appreciated, 20 aTool and safer place for our peo21 Rancour ple. 23 24 25

Journey Pays attention Becomes firm

Fighting to end the inequality: Big Rigs15 and TWU played their parts 16 17 HARD

HARD

losing their contracts and the ability to support their families. It appears the government does not care. 21 There are 22 unsafe vehicles, dodgy licences, poor payment times, wage and superannuation theft – just a few of the 23 many things we have called for to be stopped. A reminder to governments 25 and the transport industry clients: the industry that has kept Australia moving during the pandemic is facing an uphill battle. industry as dry as they can. Employer groups should be They want operators to meet their unrealistic dead- standing alongside transport lines and take on more freight workers to unite for a safer and for less or they face the risk of fairer industry.

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policy that should be keeping safe one of the most dangerous 18 19 industries in Australia. To quote one truck driver turned Australian senator, 20 “a death at work Glenn Sterle, or on the road should not be the price of doing business”. The TWU puts it to governments that we must stop the inequality that exists between truck drivers and clients. 24must be paid proper Drivers rates, owner-drivers must be able to trust they will be paid properly for the work they do and on time. Families depend on this. Many of the ongoing problems that occur are down to the big clients squeezing our B O S S B A S I N E N T I C E U E L E T A L E A N R C I N D E R T X S A T I R E P E V I C T S R E D E C A D E I G A L L A X E D T R A V E L S H E E D S S E T S

the owner and the employee. It’s been the voice that calls out for fair pay for the work you do, for safety in the drivers’ cab and on the road, the voice that seeks to relieve the pressure on the driver pushed by clients’ incessant cries for increased productivity for the same rates and conditions. It is obvious we still have a long way to go – we have been through countless road, freight and transport ministers and nothing changes. Truck drivers are still dying at work. It’s a pretty safe bet to say this is due to the lack of strong government policy in place,

Across: 1 Boss, 5 Basin, 8 Entice, 9 Lean, 10 Eta, 12 Cinder, 13 Satire, 15 Evicts, 18 Decade, 20 Axe, 21 Gall, 23 Travel, 24 Heeds, 25 Sets. Down: 1 Belts, 2 One, 3 Start, 4 Sin, 5 Believe, 6 Sued, 7 Near, 11 Text, 12 Credits, 14 Apex, 16 Crave, 17 Sells, 18 Dash, 19 Cede, 21 Gas, 22 Let.

THIS is the end of an era, the last TWU column in the trusted transport industry publication Big Rigs. Over the years the TWU and Big Rigs have played their parts in the role of keeping the top end of town accountable and doing our bit to look out for the rights of the little guy. It’s still about the voice that speaks out for the truck driver,

Down

1 Girdles A final reminder to all Big 2 United Rigs readers: now is the time to 3 Commence unite, now is the time to ensure 4 Wrongdoing equality in this industry. 5 Together Credit we can stand on 6 Prosecuted common ground working to 7 Close by ensure the government continues supportquotation transport work11 toBiblical ers the industry they 12 and Commendations support. 14 Summit TWUeagerly will continue to 16The Desire voice the needs of transport 17 Vends workers to the employers, 18 Morse element their industry bodies and the 19 Yield clients. 21Better Fuel standards mean job 22 Permit security and ultimately a safer and fairer industry for all. We can lift the standards we need together – our lives depend on it.

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COLUMNS 65

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Negotiating the axle mass maze can make you see red

INDUSTRY ADVOCATE WARREN CLARK NatRoad CEO

AXLE mass limits isn’t the sexiest issue for people outside the heavy vehicle industry, but it’s vital to keeping supply chains moving efficiently and safely in this country. That’s why the inconsistency in requirements between states and territories needs to be exposed. Victoria is the latest state to increase axle mass limits for the next generation of low and zero emission trucks. In October, Victoria’s Department of Transport granted a three-year permit to Volvo Group Australia to use a semi-trailer combination with a battery electric prime mover. It has a steer axle load of up to 7.5 tonnes and can operate

on a network of state-owned roads in Victoria. It followed decisions by South Australia and New South Wales to up the ante. SA was first out of the blocks when it announced that zero or low emission prime mover operators would be granted an exemption from current mass limits that apply on state roads, but only on a pre-approved network. At the time of writing, there was speculation the 12-month trial may be expanded. The NSW trial permits zero emission vehicles with up to 8 tonnes on a single steer axle, and up to 18.5 tonnes on the drive axle, where the overall gross vehicle mass (GVM) of the prime mover does not exceed 26 tonnes. In May, Queensland announced a change to its Higher Mass Limits Scheme, but it was specific to Performance Based Standards (PBS) combinations. Up to 24 tonnes loading is

now allowed for trailers fitted with super single tyres that have a minimum 375mm section width, upon approval of an application. Amending axle mass limits was a logical step after the federal government announced an increase to truck width up to 2.55m to bring Australia into line with most of the developed world. These wider trucks must be equipped with blind spot reduction technology, electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, and lane departure warning systems – and no-one can argue with that. The NHVR praised the change, pointing out that it opened the way for manufacturers to bring their latest designs to Australia. The NHVR had long identified width limits as a barrier to the take up of safety technologies. If you’re an operator who’s confused by the inconsistencies in various axle mass limits, you’re not alone.

Victoria granted a three-year permit to Volvo to use a semitrailer combination with a battery electric prime mover.

Imagine being a manufacturer who’s keen to broaden its offering in a market already made complex by its reliance on right-hand drive vehicles? Prior to the recent changes, the maximum legal steer axle limits in all jurisdictions of Australia were 6.0 tonnes, with a concession of 0.5 tonne for vehicles fitted with specified technologies. Road trains are allowed to operate with 6.7 tonnes on the steer axle if fit-

ted with tyres wider than 375 mm. The HVNL provides for three mass types – General Mass Limits (GML), Concessional Mass Limits (CML) and Higher Mass Limits (HML) – for heavy vehicles operating on the national road network. I won’t trouble you with an explanation of each, but if you’re not already aware, you can hit up the NHVR for

a fact sheet. The bottom line here is that Australia’s heavy vehicle regulations are a plate of spaghetti and have long been a source of frustration for the entire industry. Which rule applies to what vehicle and combination types, the maze of differing axle mass and gross mass limits, and the regulations governing who pays for access vary right across the board. For example, NSW and SA are not using a user pays model to cover the cost of assessing vehicles to take part in their axle mass limit trials, while you’ll have to cough up if you want to apply in Victoria. I know the heavy vehicle industry is highly regulated and there’s good reason for that to be the case. But couldn’t our state and territory officials get together online, talk to each other, and reach a compromise on important regulatory issues for the benefit of all concerned?

Grateful for the increased investment in regional roads VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

IN the evolving landscape of Victoria’s transport networks, the importance of robust infrastructure cannot be overstated. As the heartbeat of our economy, efficient road and rail systems are essential for the seamless movement of goods and people. While the spotlight often shines developments in the city, it is crucial not to neglect the arteries that connect our regional communities. As an industry group the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) firmly believes sustained investment in regional road

and rail infrastructure is not just a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental necessity for maintaining and enhancing living standards across the state. Reliable regional transport infrastructure is the lifeblood of economic prosperity. Efficient road and rail connections ensure that farmers can get their goods to consumers promptly, preserving the freshness of perishable goods and minimising transportation costs. This not only supports the livelihoods of regional producers but also contributes to our overall economic health. Modern industries require seamless connectivity to thrive, and well-maintained roads and rail lines ensure that businesses can transport raw materials and finished products with ease. Therefore, investing in regional transport is an investment in the economic future of Victoria.

Beyond economic considerations, the importance of regional transport infrastructure extends to the social fabric of our communities. For many regional dwellers, a well-maintained road network means easier access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and emergency services. It ensures people can commute without enduring the challenges of poorly maintained roads, fostering a sense of connectivity and community. The significance of regional transport infrastructure is especially evident when considering the health and safety of our citizens. In times of crisis, be it a medical emergency or a natural disaster, the ability to swiftly transport resources and personnel can mean the difference between life and death. We saw this last year when floodwaters ruined parts of regional Victoria, cutting communities off for

weeks and months, prompting our calls for $1 billion to repair and reinstate road and rail transportation infrastructure lost to a one in 100-year flood event. Those floods did huge amounts of damage to gazetted freight routes, isolating regional communities, with waters taking weeks to recede, ruining houses, commercial businesses, and other structures and facilities. Their impact continues to be felt throughout the state, with dozens of communities still rebuilding what was lost. Our advocacy is for better co-ordination between Victorian and Commonwealth governments when it comes to maintaining essential freight routes, urging all sides of politics to come together to repair and reinstatement of roads, bridges, and rail lines. We therefore welcomed a significant increase in fund-

ing for two road infrastructure programs by transport and infrastructure minister Catherine King. Her recent doubling of Roads to Recovery funding from $500 million to $1 billion over time, along with an increase in Black Spot funding to $150 million per year, will contribute to greater safety and productivity for regional transport operators, as well as living standards improvements for all. We’re grateful for what is a very substantial reinvestment in our regional roads and bridges nationally, many of which are in varying states of disrepair after fire and flood, and through general wear and tear. As we look to the future, it is imperative that policymakers recognise the central role of regional transport infrastructure in maintaining living standards across Victoria. We continue to advocate for sustained invest-

ment in road and rail networks outside metropolitan areas. This includes not only maintenance but also forward-looking projects that enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and improve overall transport efficiency. Regional transport infrastructure is the backbone of our state and national prosperity and the key to ensuring we all can enjoy a high standard of living. By prioritising the development and maintenance of regional road and rail networks doing so, we strengthen our economic resilience and reaffirm our commitment to creating communities where everyone can thrive. As we approach the holiday season, I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. I look forward to engaging with Big Rigs readers on these pages in 2024.

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66 CAREERS & TRAINING

FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Scholarship winners named FIVE deserving recipients have been named as Driving the Difference Scholarship winners for 2023 by Transport Women Australia Ltd (TWAL). Each can now undertake study to help them in their chosen transport and logistic roles that might otherwise be out of reach. The successful applicants are: Estelle Synaphet of Melbourne, Chloe Wade of Wodonga, Niki Cassianos of Parkwood Qld, and Ainsleigh Thomas and Jennifer Hopcroft, both of Sydney. The scholarships are as-

Ainsleigh Thomas.

sisting the recipients with the following endeavours: Thomas - Compliance: The compliance manager, administer fatigue risk and CoR, fatigue and work diary; Wade - heavy rigid licence; Synaphet - Certificate II

Chloe Wade.

Niki Cassianos.

in Supply Chain Operations; Hopcroft - maritime operations and coastal seafaring; Cassianos - heavy combination licence. “All the candidates provided outstanding applications and

chosen courses that will assist them in advancing their careers within our industry and contribute their companies,” said TWAL chair Jacquelene Brotherton. “TWAL and Daimler are

HINO Australia has announced its newest trio of National Skills Champions: Chris Biancucci from Adtrans Hino, Luke Hanna from Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane and Brandon Healey from WA Hino. Following a series of qualifying rounds, 18 finalists from the Hino Australia dealer network competed against each other in the 2023 Hino National Skills Final on November 16 in Sydney. Sales contestants were challenged in real-world customer role play scenarios and theory tests. Service technicians participated in a series of hypothetical exercises that tested their diag-

nostic, analytical and technical skills. Parts finalists were further examined on their interpretation and research skills on a range of vehicles and engine assemblies through customer role play scenarios. For the second year, all contestants competed in a friendly Sale of the Century-type exhibition quiz hosted by Hino ambassador Neil Crompton. Sam Torpy from Sci-Fleet Hino Nerang was crowned the overall winner after a series of rapid-fire questions. “The Hino National Skills Contest demonstrates the importance we place on the high levels of training and devel-

Estelle Synaphet.

immensely proud to support women as female participation continues to grow within the industry.” Now in its fifth year, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to single out the scholarship

winners, such is the quality of applicants, added Brotherton. “This year we had so many outstanding women apply, and the board was hard-pressed to agree on the final recipients. “It is always so exciting to call the winners but so disappointing that you cannot award them to everybody and writing to those applicants is my least favourite job throughout the year. “We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for these scholarships in 2024 when they become available.”

Hino Australia crowns winners in National Skills Final

[L-R] Chris Biancucci (sales), Luke Hanna (parts) and Brandon Healey (WA Hino) were crowned winners of the 2023 National Skills Contest.

opment of our staff, which in turn results in a highly skilled Hino dealer network that provides excellent service and knowledge to our customers,” said Sam Suda, president and CEO of Hino Australia. “This was the 12th Hino National Skills Contest – we are extremely proud that this is one of the most comprehensive and longest-running events of its type in the Australian trucking industry.” Each skills final winner receives a cash reward and an ultimate VIP experience at the 2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix. Hino National Skills Contest Winners 2023 were:

Service

1st: Brandon Healey, WA Hino 2nd: John Riley, Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane 3rd: Andrew Piffero, Wagga Trucks Hino

Parts

1st: Luke Hanna, Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane 2nd: Rares Luca, Prestige Hino 3rd: Kara Green, Adtrans Hino

Sales

1st: Chris Biancucci, Adtrans Hino 2nd: Stephen Prior, City Hino 3rd: Shane Curtain, Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane

Fuel Driver Opportunities NATIONALLY The Role Toll Group have full time permanent opportunities for experienced MC/ HC drivers and new drivers wanting to expand their career path for our Fuels Business operating nationally.

but all training will be provided • Basic Fatigue Management accreditation preferred • Experienced MC and HC Drivers

Benefits: • Permanent Full Time Opportunity • Great hourly Rates and allowances • Career advancement and training opportunities • Safety Obsessed Culture • Modern Fleet with replacement programs • Varying Rosters to provide a work/ life balance • 5 Weeks A/L

Working at Toll At Toll Fuels we are proud to be a leading logistics provider of bulk liquid, you name it we do it from Metro service stations, Jet and Avgas to Mine site distribution with local and linehaul options.

Skills & Experience • Current MC/HC driver’s license • Current Dangerous Goods (DG) license preferred • Experience in bulk fuel is preferred,

If you are interested in any of these roles, please contact John Markham via email at john.markham @tollgroup.com or phone 0402 965 715 to discuss further.

INDUSTRY LEADING RATES OF PAY & SUPERANUATION OF 15% ROSTERS THAT PROVIDE WORK/ LIFE BALANCE IF YOU WANT TO LEARN FUEL WE’RE WILLING TO TRAIN THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Toll embraces and celebrates a variety of cultures. We continue to build a business that reflects the values of equality, built on the knowledge and understanding that everyone is welcome including the First Nations Peoples, and those of all ages, genders, and abilities. Women are actively encouraged to apply. All applicants must be entitled to work in Australia and be prepared to undergo a criminal history check, pre-employment medical and/ or drug & alcohol testing as required.

CAREERS & TRAINING 67

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY DECEMBER 8 2023

Young achiever proves doubters wrong

BY KAYLA WALSH

AT just 17 years old, Kady Morgan already has two years of experience in the transport industry and a prestigious award under her belt – and says her parents are to thank for her strong work ethic. Morgan started working for

SRT Logistics in Tasmania as a Christmas casual back in 2021. It was intended to be a short-term money-earner, but Morgan ended up loving it – and in February 2022 she applied for a school-based apprenticeship, studying for a Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations.

Kady Morgan was presented with the Young Achiever Award at the Tasmanian Transport Association Awards.

“I went to school three days a week and to work two days a week,” Morgan told Big Rigs. “At first my school was hesitant, but it actually worked really well. “I would be sent home extra work to do on a Wednesday, which was the end of my school week, and I would finish that off by the next Monday.” By the end of the year, Morgan had graduated high school, completed her certificate, and been offered a fulltime job as a freight clerk with SRT Logistics. “I finished school one week and started full-time work the next,” she added. Both of Morgan’s parents are truck drivers, and her mum Allison also works for SRT Logistics. “I always thought that I would become a driver,” Morgan revealed. “I never thought that I would be in logistics, and now I don’t see myself in anything else!” Morgan is the youngest full-time employee at SRT Logistics, and one of the only women.

She had to work hard to prove herself with a few of the drivers. “I had issues with some of them, they didn’t really think I belonged there because I was so young, and a girl,” she said. “Over time, they have accepted it. “My parents and my friends have been a great support to me, and helped me whenever things were difficult.” Morgan, who is from New Norfolk, was recently presented with the Transport Industry Young Achiever Award at the Tasmanian Transport Association Awards. Her trainer and assessor described her as a “fast learner” and a valued member of the team at SRT Logistics. Morgan thinks part of the reason she got the award is her willingness to work hard. “If they asked me to work an extra Saturday or Sunday, I would do it. “I have only had one sick day since I started, and I haven’t really had any holidays! “If they wanted something I’d do it, I’d be there immediately.” When she’s of the legal age,

Morgan started full-time work with SRT Logistics just one week after finishing high school.

she hopes to get her truck licence. “That way, I could swap and change. I’d love to see what a driver does and experience it for myself. “I’d like to see if I could go further into the operational side of things, to see

how that all works.” Sharing her advice to any other young women who might be interested in pursuing a career in the transport industry, she added: “If someone has something to say about it, don’t take it to heart. Just believe in yourself.”

Easter Group Pty Ltd 73 Formation St, Wacol Easter Group, located in Wacol, provides time sensitive road transporting solutions to many companies throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. . We are a family owned business, operating since 1976. We currently have the following positions available:

OPERATIONS ALLOCATORS (Brisbane based only)

You will be required to work on a rotating roster including Days-Nights-Weekends Previous Operations experience preferred.

MC LOCAL, LINEHAUL & 2-UP DRIVERS WANTED

(Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Based) Come and work for us as we are committed to: • Training and further education • Your safety • Maintaining an impressive Fleet On offer are permanent full time and roster positions including paid leave entitlements and public holidays. Drivers will need to be available to be scheduled for work falling across the 7 days of the week. The successful Applicant will: • Hold a current MC licence (minimum two years) • Have knowledge of the HVNL and Load Restraint • Be professional • Be reliable

To apply for the Operations/Driver positions please contact Operations Manager or by emailing your resume to

WORKSHOP MECHANICS & TYRE FITTERS WANTED (Brisbane based only)

To apply for Mechanic positions please forward your resume to Workshop Manager via email to employment@kseaster.com.au

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Due to Fleet expansion and new contracts FCN Logistics has positions available for M.C. Drivers for local and Linehaul work, Brisbane area based. Curtain-siders, Container carrying and Refrigeration work. Apply with Resume: andrew.murray@fcnl.com.au 0408435390 terry.cubit@fcnl.com.au 0412901901

D.D Licence and M.S.I.C an advantage. Successful applicants will be required to take a Company Medical before commencement of duty.

DEALERSHIP