Big Rigs 11 November 2022

SERIOUSLY BADASS.

WHEN ONLY A REAL TRUCK WILL DO.

The most-tested Western Star ever, the all-new X-Series is seriously tough. Boasting our legendary Star durability, the X-Series features a powerful integrated driveline, advanced safety systems, and superior comfort - even in the most rugged of applications. But talk is cheap. Experience it for yourself.

ERA OF THE

Address: 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008

Phone: 03 9690 8766

Email: editor@bigrigs.com.au Web: bigrigs.com.au Accounts: 03 9690 8766 Subscriptions: 03 9690 8766 Classifieds: 0403 626 353 Circulation and distribution queries: 03 9690 8766 info@bigrigs.com.au

EDITOR

James Graham: 0478 546 462 james.graham@primecreative.com.au

REPORTER

Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au

GENERAL MANAGER

Peter Hockings: 0410 334 371 peter.hockings@primecreative.com.au

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

MANAGER

Treena Heit: 0403 626 353 treena.heit@primecreative.com.au

Consignor in hot water over load

THE roadside intercept of a vehicle found to be sub stantially over mass, with a load that wasn’t properly re strained, has led to the con signor being held accountable under the Chain of Responsi bility (CoR).

The vehicle was carry ing metal, aluminium and car parts. According to the NHVR, its investigators found that the consignor had no procedures, training or induction materials in place for mass or load restraint re

quirements.

An Improvement Notice was issued, requiring the con signor to develop and imple ment a documented risk man agement process, procedures, systems and staff training in cluding control measures to manage risks associated with mass requirements.

The NHVR also issued two improvement notices the operator in relation to mass and load restraint practices.

NHVR acting executive director statutory compliance

Belinda Hughes said the Im provement Notice reinforces the message that responsibility sits with all parties in the sup ply chain.

“If you are not a transport operator but you engage the services of a transport opera tor, you must ensure the safety of that activity, it’s a shared re sponsibility,” she said.

“This particular investi gation demonstrates that the NHVR will investigate all par ties in the chain to ensure they meet their obligations.”

Sentencing for theft of $1.2m

CONVICTED fraudster Amanda Marie Dyer, 58, has been sentenced in the Ade laide District Court to seven years and nine months with a five-year non-parole period for stealing $1.2 million while working as a bookkeeper for Rick Cobby Transport.

Dyer stole a further $90,000 from Normanville’s Lady Bay Hotel before an anonymous tip-off alerted management and she was sacked.

Earlier this year, the court heard Dyer stole $58,976.45 from Rick Cobby Trans port between April 10 and December 31, 2013. She stole a further $299,431.70 in 2014, $438,949.82 in 2015, $287,546.87 in 2016, $117,981.70 in 2017, and $63,130.99 between January

1 and July 20, 2018.

Rick Cobby’s son Jamie told The Advertiser newspa per that Dyer also asked for two payments of $100,000 from his father to help with cash flow.

“Then she asked for more and he didn’t have any more,” he said.

The fraud led to the liqui dation of Rick Cobby Trans port in 2018, which eventual ly led to Dyer’s stealing being discovered.

“It’s such a shame Dad’s gotten to this point of his life and everything he’s worked for is gone,” said Jamie.

“He can’t afford to go on holiday now.

“He’s not only lost a mul timillion-dollar business, he’s lost his personal money and his reputation.”

cmihino.com.au

parts@cmihinomelbourne.com.au parts@cmihinoadelaide.com.au

The vehicle was carrying metal, aluminium and car parts. Photo: NHVR

Amanda Marie Dyer stole $1.2m while working as a bookkeeper for Rick Cobby Transport.

amid talk of

THE federal government’s ap proval of further increases to the road user charge (RUC) could spell disaster for truck companies, warns Kennedy MP Bob Katter.

Katter was reacting to a cur rent National Transport Com mission industry discussion paper that proposes an RUC increase of as high as 9 cents per litre (cpl) over the next three years.

Katter said if you believed that this cost wouldn’t be passed on to the consumer, “you believe in the tooth fairy”.

“Transport companies in my electorate are already warn ing growers that they are going to have no choice but to pass the cost onto farmers,” Katter said.

“Farmers already burdened by labour shortages, and a re cent doubling of freight, fer tiliser and packaging costs –will be left with two choices: go bust or get a higher price for their fruit and vegetables.

“Put simply, if the consum er is not willing to pay higher prices for Australian fruit and vegetables our supermarket fruit and vegetable shelves will be empty.

“Immediate action from the federal government to over turn this ridiculous decision is required to support Australian farmers, not crucify them.

“I don’t know of any truck ies that are flying in private jets or going off on overseas holi days so the expectation they are to absorb these costs and survive is laughable.”

Townsville transport oper ator Clynton Hawks said the industry lacked transparency and that increases to the RUC would decrease the fuel tax credit (FTC), a crucial cost al leviation for truckies.

“We’ve already been hit with inflated prices of diesel, insurance and AdBlue and now we are being told we have

to absorb a 9 cpl increase – it’s just wrong,” Hawks said.

“The federal Labor govern ment was elected as the ‘gov ernment of transparency’, in troducing a federal ICAC, but they can’t even disclose where these funds will be spent. It’s a closed-door process conducted by the Transport Commission, and we get no information as

to where they get these in crease numbers from or why.

“Any decrease to the fuel tax credit means everyone loses out and what they are talking about here is an 9 cents per li tre tax increase to the already existing to the road user charge.

“If the government thinks the truckies are in a financial position to absorb these cost increases – and we are told more are coming – well it’ll just be a matter of time before thousands of truckies assem ble on the lawns of Parliament House.

“Trucks will park up if they can’t pass on these costs. And they shouldn’t be expected to absorb them either.

“The road user charge is supposed to be used for road works across the country, but we have no idea whether this money is being spent in areas it’s supposed to be.”

Big Rigs understands that Katter spoke with the Minister for Transport Catherine King’s office requesting it considers including transport bodies in the National Transport Com mission’s state and territory PAYGO reporting process and a consideration to move to an

indexation model for setting the RUC.

When Big Rigs contacted King’s office for more details of the potential increase, a spokesperson deflected talk of a 9 cpl spike, focusing instead on the 0.8 cpl increase from September 29.

“The modest increase to the RUC – much less than inflation and much less than the amount required to re cover costs from heavy ve hicles – should have only a very modest impact on freight operators, producers and consumers,” they said in an emailed response.

“At the same time, the temporary cut in the fuel ex cise ended on September 28, meaning heavy vehicle oper ators are again able to claim back Fuel Tax Credits for fuel purchased from September 29 onwards – which helps offset the RUC increase.”

The spokesperson, however, also added that in recent years, the NTC estimates a large gap of around 24 per cent, or $847 million each year, has opened up between the level of charges and increased road expenditure to be recovered.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter, left, and operator Clynton Hawks address media on the RUC issue in Townsville.

BY JAMES GRAHAM

TRUCKIES will have a seat at the table when the $140 million Rest Area Program (RAP) gets underway shortly, promised Assistant Transport Minister Carol Brown.

Although exact details are still to be ironed out, in an emailed statement to Big Rigs just after Labor’s first federal budget was announced late last month, Brown confirmed that drivers will play a key role in the record spend.

“The $140 million Rest Area Program will priori tise the delivery of rest areas on stretches of roads where truckies need them most,” said Brown, who also writes a column on the subject for Big Rigs on page 8 of this issue.

“The RAP will engage a steering committee made up of truckies and industry experts. This government knows that putting the expe rience of people who do the work day in, day out at the centre of the process is how we can deliver the best out comes for truckies.”

WA Labor Senator Glenn Sterle said truckies should

be excited about the rest area budget, which is made up of a pre-election pledge of $80 million, and an additional $60 million from the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program

“I know there are a cou

ple of keyboard warriors, but done with the right people and intent, I tell you what, it’s a $140 million we didn’t have,” said Sterle, a former full-time truckie himself be fore entering politics.

“The best part of it is, it

won’t be suits and ties telling us where it should go.”

Sterle says he’s looking forward to the imminent announcement from Brown on the make-up of the steer ing committee – he’s put his hand up for a slot – and the

timeline for how the project will roll out.

“Nothing’s set in stone until you see it in the bud get, and now I’m rapt. I got a pleasant surprise about the extra $60 million too.

“It just gives it that boost and gives it more cred, makes so much more sense so I am excited. I just want to get to work. I hope I get the gig.”

Meanwhile, Sterle says his message to Big Rigs readers is to “hold your horses” and un derstand that the Labor gov ernment has a raft of other issues to work through.

“As much as the rest areas are important to us, it’s just one of many things that this government is trying to do.

“The committee will be put together, the men and women who drive the trucks and sleep in these bays will be having the say and the

recommendations go to the minister for her consent, but crikey, we’ve never had that before.”

Truckies’ safety advocate Rod Hannifey has also put his hand up to be on the same steering committee.

Hannifey says it’s vital that working truckies are close ly involved with where the money will go.

“It’s been a long time com ing and is very much appreci ated, and now what we need to do is get the best value out of it to help provide good sleep opportunities for driv ers so they can manage their fatigue and be safe on the road,” said Hannifey.

“Yes, it is not the complete answer, but it’s a fantastic first step.”

Hannifey, who is also the president of the National Road Freighters Association, hopes this committee might also open the door to give truckies more of a say on oth er issues.

“Because like everything that happens out on the road, unless you live out here, what they do may have good in tent, but doesn’t always deliv

Senator and former truckie Glenn Sterle, centre, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.

Photo: Facebook

THE BEST PART OF IT IS, IT WON’T BE SUITS AND TIES TELLING US WHERE IT SHOULD GO.”

SENATOR GLENN STERLE

er what we need.

“That’s why drivers must be involved, not just in this decision, but in many oth ers in the future as well as to what happens on our roads.

“It is often very hard to have a say because we’re on the road and we can’t just drop things and be at meet ings and tell people what we need.

“But because of that we’ve often been excluded by de fault, but we are the ones who live out here, it is our lives at risk, and we are the ones who have to be compliant with all these laws.”

Hannifey hopes that one of the first projects for the

rest area committee will be to consider spending a small portion of budget on more green reflectors, a simple, cost-effective initiative he started more than 10 years ago to help guide truckies into informal parking bays.

Hannifey also believes the funds could be used to make better use of the estimated 5000 stockpile sites around Australia that he says are only functional for three months every three years.

“They’ve got good shade, they’ve got hardstand, they might need a tidy up, that might be all they need, and all of a sudden we’ve got an other 1000-2000 parking

bays and it’s cost us bugger all, $1000 each.

“That’s something that can be done initially, within the next three to six months, and the biggest issue current issue that is glaring us in the face is a lack of a changeover facility on the Pacific High way around Kempsey or Cly bucca.

“The biggest thing is that we get value for money and we can help drivers be safe on the road because we’ve wait ed a long time for things to improve.”

Hannifey believes the next step will be for the rest area committee to ask drivers to nominate places they believe are critically in need of more capacity, or improvements.

In conjunction with that, he’s also calling for changes to the laws relating to truckies parking in cities.

“For example, Sydney, where I’m asking that we do something about changing that law that says that you can’t park a heavy vehicle in an area with a system of street lighting or guttering for more than an hour.

“And Heathwood in Brisbane is a good example. You’ve got signs up there that say trucks only parking at night. We can legally park in there as an industrial area.

“But you go and park in an industrial area in Sydney and go to bed, when there’s no one there, there’s no fac tories working, there’s no homes, and they come out knock you off for sleeping there.”

Gary Mahon, CEO of the Queensland Trucking Associ ation, says he’d like to see the RAP underway “sooner rath er than later”.

“What we would strong ly encourage is they need to look at the linehaul route that’s predominantly used around the country, and at the very least, have a strategic placement of decent rest areas along those routes, he said.

“Again, I would say there’s a ton of enthusiasm in this country for authorities to en force logbook rules, it’s about time that they also provide the means to rest.”

As for rest areas on his wish-list for Queensland, Mahon says he’d like to see

plans for one at Gin Gin progress, and a site in and around Tiaro be very much part of the discussions.

“Along that middle space between Rockhampton and Mackay. We’d also like to see something a lot more decent built at Clermont.

“As a part of the inland freight works, more and more operators are telling me that Clermont would almost be certain to be a staging point.

“So, we’d like to see much better provisions made for rest and parking and the like in and around Clermont, along with Belyando. They are some of the standouts. The same down around the Ralston area.”

ISRI SEATS

SYDNEY

510 Victoria Street, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Ph. 02 9756 6199, email: isri@isri.com.au, www.isri.com.au

BRISBANE

DEALERS

3/120 Gardens Drive, Willawong QLD 4110 Ph. 07 3275 2044, email: sales@isribrisbane.com.au, www.isribrisbane.com.au

MELBOURNE

Unit 1/569 Somerville Rd, Sunshine West VIC, 3020 Ph. 03 9311 5544, email: sales@isrisunshine.com.au, www.isri.com.au

MACKAY

110 – 120 Maggiolo Drive, Paget QLD 4740 Ph. 07 4952 1844, email: admin@isrimky.com.au, www.isriseatsmackay.com.au

PERTH

Unit 2/12 Adrian Street, Welshpool WA 6106 Ph. 08 9362 6800, email: info@mmtisri.com.au, www.mmtisri.com.au

DARWIN

Mobile Sales and Service Ph. 08 8927 0986, email: info@isridarwin.com.au, www.isridarwin.com.au

ADELAIDE

TAMDELE, 21 Hakkinen Road, Wingfield SA 5013 Ph. 08 8347 1222, email: sales@gitsham.com.au, www.gitsham.com.au

NEWCASTLE/HUNTER VALLEY

Unit 2/13 Hinkler Ave, Rutherford NSW 2320 Ph 02 4932 0600, email: sales@hvss.com.au www.isri.com.au

Seating - on a higher level.

Rod Hannifey’s green reflector project helps alert truckies to spots where they can rest.

Truckie Rod Hannifey has put his hand up to be part of the rest area steering committee.

QTA CEO Gary Mahon says he’d like

the program underway

soon

possible to give truckies better facilities for rest.

Labor to work side-by-side with truckies on rest areas

ment the Labor Party took to the election brings the to tal commitment in dedicated funding for heavy vehicle rest areas to $140 million.

VOICE IN CANBERRA CAROL BROWN Assistant Transport Minister

FOR the first time in 10 years, a Labor Budget was presented to the people of this country last month.

A budget which is respon sible, right for the times and ready for the future.

The Albanese Labor Govern ment is well aware that making good decisions now is critical to making sure no one is held back and no one is left behind.

I am so proud to say that this government is delivering on our commitment to truckies through a $80 million commit ment to new and refreshed rest areas. This funding is in addi tion to the $60 million already set aside to fund rest areas and supplements the existing Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program funding.

The $80 million commit

In delivering the Rest Area Program, the government will be working side by side with truckies and industry experts to deliver a suite of heavy vehicle rest areas across the country. Truckies will be at the table, providing their expert advice for the targeted rest area projects.

On top of this, the govern ment has committed $12.4 billion to infrastructure this fi nancial year and $55.1 billion dollars over the next four finan cial years.

The funding the govern ment has committed to through the budget will include up grades to freight routes heavily used by truck drivers across the country – from the Bruce High way in Queensland, through to the Bass Highway in my home state of Tasmania.

We’re continuing to invest in the Roads of Strategic Impor tance (ROSI) initiative which supports the upgrade of key freight routes, and to help con

nect regional businesses to local and international markets, and better connect regional commu nities.

The ROSI initiative is en suring our key freight roads efficiently connect areas of re gional and remote economic activity to ports, airports and other transport hubs. ROSI is delivering works such as road sealing, flood immunity, strengthening and widening, pavement rehabilitation, bridge and culvert upgrades and road realignments.

We know that the improved access provided through the ROSI initiative is making work easier and, importantly, safer for truckies by improving freight

routes you travel often.

Further, the Albanese Labor Government has committed $65 million per year through the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program. The program provides funding for projects which work to make our most utilised freight routes safer for truckies, and other road users.

Infrastructure is critical to building the nation we all want. Through the Budget the Alba nese Government is investing in infrastructure that delivers the best outcomes for the Australian people now and into the future.

The budget takes an import ant first step in ensuring the Commonwealth’s infrastructure

spending is responsible, afford able and sustainable.

After a decade of neglect, this government – your gov ernment – is committed to un locking and valuing the talent, potential and contribution of all workers in Australia.

This is a responsible budget, a budget that starts to clean up the mess the Liberals left behind and begins to build a better fu ture, a future that all Australian’s deserve.

On top of the budget mea sures, during budget week the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, introduced the ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ Bill.

The Bill proposes new laws around work flexibility which will mean that parents of school aged children, carers and work ers over 55 are able to negotiate more flexible hours.

Under the Bill, if an employ er refuses a request for roster flexibility, an employee can seek the assistance of the Fair Work Commission, first by concilia tion and then, if necessary, by arbitration.

Further, the Bill opens up

access to multi-employer bar gaining by giving workers per forming work in workplaces with common characteristics the ability to negotiate for the one collective agreement. Im portantly, the Fair Work Com mission will decide on whether multi-employer bargaining is appropriate and in the public interest.

Our government recognises the importance of the TWU’s ‘Safe Rates, Save Lives’ cam paign. The ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ Bill aims to lift wages and standards across the country; from transport through to early childhood education, aged care and beyond.

I am immensely proud that Minister Burke, and Labor, has introduced this legislation and look forward to seeing it through to being enshrined in law.

From a budget that puts working people first, through to legislation that will make real, meaningful change to the lives of millions of Australians, the Albanese Labor Government is working towards the future you deserve.

Albanese’s budget highlights trouble ahead, warns HVIA

THE Albanese government’s first budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in Canberra, forecasts skyrocket ing energy prices and ongoing inflationary pressures, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has warned members.

HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking said the government’s forecast of energy increases as high as 56 per cent over the next two years is dire for large energy consumers, including heavy vehicle manufacturers.

“The Treasurer’s commen tary implied some sort of in tervention mid-next year, but we need to see action sooner rather than later,” Hacking said.

“The government has rec ognised the vital role of Aus tralian manufacturing, how ever the unrelenting pressures

being placed on industry are paralysing.

“If the cost of energy is prohibitive, that is not going to protect Australian manufac turing; it will just force more manufacturers offshore, or to just close their doors.

Hacking said Australia’s en ergy security is already on the table as industry looks to con tribute to bringing down emis sions in line with the Labor government’s commitment to net zero by 2050.

“Our industry is fully in vested in the journey to a low carbon future, however the value proposition to make that transition will not stack up un til we address Australia’s outof-control energy situation.”

The Albanese government’s first budget includes a $15 bil lion National Reconstruction

Fund for projects that drive productivity and strengthen supply chain resilience.

“We are encouraged by that news,” Hacking said.

“HVIA will continue to prosecute the case that those government spending priori ties need to include Australia’s innovative, world-class heavy vehicle manufacturing indus try – the industry that services and supports our vital road transport sector.

“If the last few years have taught us nothing else, surely Australians now understand how crucial the heavy vehicle industry is to our nation’s re silience.

“If it weren’t for our indus try standing up in the tough est of times, the supply chain wouldn’t be just stretched – it would be haemorrhaging.

Hacking said the industry’s innovative high productivi ty combinations enable our freight task to be managed efficiently across extraordi nary distances, and in spite of the impediments thrown at us during the pandemic.

“The vehicles and technol ogy produced by our manu facturing sector are the envy of the world, not just for their productivity achievements, but also for their impressive safety records.”

Hacking praised the gov ernment’s announcement promising 480,000 fee-free TAFE places and communi ty based vocational education places, and the implementa tion of the New Energy Ap prenticeships and New Energy Skills programs.

“Through the HVIA-LI

TE project, our members and training stakeholders from around Australia are work ing to progress action on zero emission vehicle skills and training priorities,” Hacking added.

“There is a mix of skills and knowledge required to ensure safety for any technician work ing on and around high volt age electric heavy vehicles.

“The skill requirements in clude workplace safety, electri cal safety and best practice for body fitment and the fitment of common accessories such as tail lifts and cranes.

“HVIA is also advocat ing for national consistency in funding arrangements to subsidise electric heavy vehi cle training and upskilling of technicians to improve the in dustry uptake and transition.”

The National Road Trans port Association says the fed eral budget commitment to road infrastructure spending is welcome but is disappoint ed that time is running out for the instant asset write-off.

The popular measure is due to end in June next year.

HVIA CEO Todd Hacking.

Truckies will be at the table, providing their expert advice for the targeted rest area projects.

Truckies’ voices count

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

NEWS of the $140m in funding for rest areas for truckies reminded me of the long-running ‘gold standard’ project currently underway by Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds.

There we were at this year’s ATA conference on the Gold Coast listening to two well-intentioned consul tants telling us how they were leaving no stone unturned in devising what the perfect rest area would encompass.

Yet, on the same stage we had high-profile truckie Rod Hannifey clutching a sketch of his version that didn’t need months of costly ‘research’, just years of life lessons on the road. For me, this mo ment embodied where it’s all been going so horribly awry for drivers: too many bureau crats and executives calling the shots. Truckies need a seat at the table too.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WITH state and federal minis ters considering an increase to the Road User Charge (RUC) for heavy vehicles in the near future it is very important to understand the full effect.

With the reinstatement of the excise and FTC in Sep tember, the RUC is now be ing considered for increases by

government while we also have significant increases in shipping costs, and a depreciating Aus tralian dollar.

When accounting for any increase in the RUC heavy ve hicle road freight is going to ex perience yet another significant increase to major input costs.

Consumers, who now pay

the full fuel excise will also ex perience significant freight cost increases to an all time high as these major input costs have to be passed on for the road freight industry to remain sustainable.

For every increase in the RUC in real terms that means a decrease in your fuel tax credit. For example, if the RUC was

increased by 6 cents per litre what that means is a 6 cents per litre decrease in your fuel tax credit.

When you consider in this country we build roads for cars and let trucks use them when can any justification be made that the RUC be increased any more than the indexation in

crease applied to the fuel excise.

The continuing review of the RUC over the years still has no transparency being offered about what the charge pays for or what specific priorities for road freight are being delivered on.

This continuing push to increase RUC well above index

ation will indisputably elimi nate or substantially reduce the FTC for road freight operators and will by necessity, be passed into cost of living increases for consumers.

- Gary Mahon, CEO of the Queensland Trucking Associ ation.

HOT WEB TOPICS

‘Not for the faint-hearted’

WHEN we spoke to experi enced outback truckie Wil liam Rosie, 48, he spoke of what he loved most about the job, while also highlighting some of the industry’s biggest issues, including driver licens ing, which drew in plenty of commentary and support from our readers online.

“Great story. Good on you for putting it simply and how it is,” wrote Russel Walsh on the Big Rigs Facebook page.

Terri Dan commented, “You said it exactly the way it is. Too many lazy new drivers

out there whom after doing a three-day MC course they think they can immediately operate a quad and want to get paid top dollar without

doing the hard yards.”

Kevin Mcintosh added, “I did it for 50 years and yes, they should learn properly like we all had to, not like now.”

‘Gut-wrenching’ decision

AS the news came that another family-owned transport busi ness was closing its doors, many shared their concerns at the rate at which this is occurring.

port was started in 1958 but had to make the tough decision to shut shop recently due to staffing issues and driver short ages.

mented on social media, “That is sad, they are a good compa ny that pays well and on time. That in itself makes it hard to compete against those that don’t.”

Clint Kennedy had worked for the company over the years. He said, “It’s sad to see the doors close. A great company. I have never heard or had a bad word about them, always open to training and giving young people a go. Best wishes to all at the round table – a hard call to make.”

Paul Yandle added, “Unfor tunately more and more just shutting the doors.”

Rest area cash splash for truckies

IN the federal government’s first budget, an additional $80 million has been com mitted for heavy vehicle rest areas over the next four years. That’s in addition to a further $60 million in rest area funding that was already offered up, bringing the total rest area commit ment to $140 million.

Though many truckies have welcomed the news, others weren’t sure of how far the money will go.

Erny Ernst is hopeful af ter hearing the news. “Sen ator Brown is probably the one that will do most of the

heavy pushing in this one and has already spent a lot of time with truck drivers across the board – feeling more hopeful than ever. We will still need a National Build standard rather than state-based guidelines.”

Rebecca McIntosh was more sceptical, “Consid ering it costs $80 million to build a roundabout, I wouldn’t plan too much,” she said.

Bruce Skelton agreed, “That’s one rest area. That’s how much they waste on design consultation tenders, etc.”

Young gun enjoying the ride

SECOND generation Gold Coast truckie Sienna Hick ey began driving trucks four years ago but has been honing her skills since she was in her teens.

“Driving a truck most of us dream to drive four years in, you go girl!” wrote Sarah Scott on our Facebook page.

Rose Violet commented, “It’s grouse when you see fe males drive. I’d love to drive a big truck one day. You’re doing amazing.

“Be proud lovely, as we all are of you. Your dad must be proud of you as well. Enjoy

your journey in your truck and drive and stay safe.”

Allan Carlson said, “Ab solutely awesome, great stuff, more women are getting in the

NEEDING REPAIRS?

can provide assistance with all makes and models. In addition, our Spare Parts department carries all the major brands warehoused onsite so we can have you back on the road as quickly as possible.

• Specialising in scheduled maintenance activities.

• EBS specialists.

• On-Site servicing and repairs - all brands.

• 24/7 Breakdown support.

• Fleet Management.

• OEM Engineering Support on call.

• Authorised Inspection Station/ Defect clearance.

• Accident damage repairs.

• Wheel Alignments.

• Electrical repairs.

• Fibreglass and body work repairs.

• Refurbishments.

And we don’t just do Krueger. We will service, repair and support any brand, make or model of trailer for our customers. We have all your expertise and needs for all axle makes, and can work on rigid bodies trailers aswell.

So if you need servicing, however complex, urgent, or simple, give our branches a call today and speak with the team to help you get back on the road sooner.

game and doing the job!” While Russ Matthews agreed, “It’s great to see the girls getting more and more into the industry.”

KWR Logistics/Kitco Trans

Rebecca McIntosh com

Labor is offering a record $140 million for rest areas and a seat at the table for drivers to help decide where that money will be spent.

Family owned and operated, Ron Townley started Kitco Transport in the Koo Wee Rup and Bayles area of Victoria.

William Rosie has been driving trucks since he was 15, and now carts general, oversize and machinery across WA.

Sienna Hickey with the 2017 Kenworth K200 with quad dog she steers for Heavy Machinery Transport in Ipswich.

IN BRIEF

$50m to fix potholes

The NSW Government has announced $50 mil lion in funding that will go towards helping regional and rural councils fix over 420,000 potholes plagu ing the state’s roads.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway says under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, councils could apply for funding to help them ad dress their highest priority pothole repairs.

Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Re pair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed by January 1, 2024.

$20k to upgrade your truck

If it wins the state election later this month, Victo ria’s Labor party is offer ing truck operators up to $20,000 to upgrade their vehicles in a bid to im prove air quality on inner west Melbourne streets.

The plan is part of Labor’s 10-year clean air strategy. Labor will spend $15 mil lion on those subsidies if successful at the polls on November 26, and a further $5 million worth of grants would be made available to local councils to seal roads, to reduce dust pollution from trucks, and “give communities in the west a breath of fresh air”.

NHVR appoints new board member

The NHVR has an nounced the appointment of a new board member, along with details of its re appointed members.

Patrick Conlon has joined the board, after ministers unanimously agreed on his appointment, which fills the vacant position created after the resigna tion of Ken Lay in June.

Deputy chairperson Julie Russell and fellow board member Catherine Scott have been re-appointed for a second term.

Duncan Gay will also con tinue on as NHVR board chairperson until Octo ber 2024, as will board member Robin Stew art-Crompton.

Hero truckie to the rescue

A truckie is being hailed as a hero by witnesses after his quick-thinking ap pears to have stopped an alleged carjacking in the Melbourne CBD recently. The alleged attempted carjacking occurred at the intersection of King and Collins streets at about 7.40am.

Witnesses told the Today Show that the truck driver parked his vehicle in front of the Audi to stop the al leged carjacker from get ting away in it.

Police who were patrolling nearby then arrived on scene and arrested two men, aged 37 and 29.

Class action firm files claim against Hino

HINO Motors and its Austra lian sales subsidiary Hino Mo tor Sales Australia (HMSA) are facing a class action proceeding lodged in the Supreme Court of Victoria over the falsification of emissions and fuel economy data in Japan.

Earlier this year, the Japanese truck maker suspended the sale of several vehicles in Japan after admitting to “misconduct” in its fuel emissions tests, blam ing “internal pressures” to meet certain targets and deadlines placed on Hino employees.

The class action in Austra lia, initiated by Gerald Malouf and Partners (GMP Law), seeks compensation on behalf of all Australian purchasers or lessees of the affected Hino vehicles (including the 300, 500, and 700 Series) from as early as 2003.

A media statement from GMP Law says compensato ry damages are being claimed against both companies with an additional claim for exemplary or punitive damages against the Japanese parent company.

“It is claimed that the mis conduct in relation to emissions and fuel economy of Hino ve hicles has caused not only fi nancial loss to consumers of these vehicles but also environ mental damage and damage to human health through excess emissions,” said GMP Law.

Matthew Lo, special coun sel of GMP Law’s class action division, said the statement of claim alleges two causes of ac tions against Hino, firstly alleg ing that Hino had not indicat

ed correctly the capabilities of the vehicles in question.

The second alleges that there has been a non-compli ance with emission standards in Australia.

Lo estimates that there could be anywhere between 40,000-50,000 affected vehi cles in Australia over the 20year time frame under investi gation.

Lo is hoping for a resolution in two years but adds that legal battles of this nature can take up to six or seven.

“You’d often see a lot of back and forth in legal cases of this kind, and we do expect a big fight ahead,” he said.

Lo says the next stage of the proceedings involves the court procedures required to get the Japanese head company “into the case”, before moving on to the discovery phase.

“The currently available findings are based on the inves tigations that Hino themselves have done and published, but that initial report by Hino of 1 August 2022 has already been superseded with additional findings being released by Hino

on 22 August 2022 indicating additional vehicles affected by the reported misconduct, and that’s not including regulato ry investigations in Japan and elsewhere, so we would want to identify the true extent of what has happened,” said Lo.

“Hino themselves have ad mitted to a variety of misreport ing. The issue for us is, what is the extent of that.”

“That’s what court discovery will involve, getting the relevant materials directly from Hino Japan and Hino Motors [Aus tralia] so that we can separately analyse them.”

GMP Law, which is seeking a Group Costs Order from the Supreme Court of Victoria in this case, so that they will not charge legal fees and expenses unless the claim is successful, is

prepared to support consumers in the case for the long haul, added Lo.

“We can only commence a case if we believe there is a rea sonable chance of success, so we are reasonably confident.”

Meanwhile, GMP Law has also joined forces with USbased legal firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein which is running parallel legal pro ceedings against Hino USA and Hino Japan in federal court in the US in the Southern District of Florida.

“This is a significant win for consumers affected by Hino,” said David Cossalter, managing Partner of GMP Law.

“The two firms with paral lel proceedings against Hino working together will create synergies that better support

both cases and achieve better outcomes for all those affected by Hino’s appalling miscon duct, in Australia and the US.”

In a statement to Big Rigs, Hino Motor Sales Australia, the distributor of Hino vehicles in Australia, said it acknowledges the statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

“HMSA would like to reit erate that the reported miscon duct concerning engine certi fication in Japan relates to the certification process and does not affect the driveability of the affected vehicles and raises no vehicle safety concerns,” the statement said.

“HMSA is committed to working with dealers and cus tomers about these issues and engaging with the relevant Au thorities in Australia.”

Weed killer destroys driver records: $98k fines

THE former director of an SA based transport company has been convicted and fined in a South Australian court after using weed killer to destroy thousands of driver records.

Following a lengthy inves tigation by South Australia Police, Anatasios Babanio tis, 51, appeared in the Berri Magistrates Court in the Riv erland in October.

This comes after pleading guilty to two counts of failing to comply with the Heavy Ve

hicle National Law in June.

Babaniotis is the former director of interstate transport company Todiam Freight lines, which had previously pleaded guilty to an addi tional two counts of the same charge.

In sentencing, two of the four charges were dismissed.

Babaniotis pleaded guilty for failure to exercise due diligence in complying with a safety duty and was fined $14,000.

A Prohibition Order was imposed for a period of 12 months, excluding Babaniotis from engaging in any trans port activities. This order is the first Prohibition Order that has been made under the HVNL.

Todiam Freightlines was also convicted of one count of failing to comply with its safe ty duty. The court indicated a fine of $120,000 but it was reduced to $84,000 due to a guilty plea.

In handing down the pen alties, Magistrate Alexandrides said, “The offences committed by each of the defendants are a significant breach of their re sponsibilities under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

“The failure of the compa ny to take reasonably practical measures available to the com pany to ensure the safety of its transport activities was grossly negligent.”

Magistrate Alexandrides added that a significant quan

tity of business and work re cords were found in a large container with weed killer, which damaged or destroyed those records.

“The fact that the records were found in those circum stances … starkly underlines the failure of the company to take reasonable measures to manage the relevant records and for the second defendant to show due diligence with re spect to the record keeping for the company.”

60 defect notices issued during DG vehicle blitz

LAST month in Sydney, heavy vehicles transporting dangerous goods were the subject of a blitz in which over 150 vehicles were intercepted.

The operation was con ducted by National Heavy

Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) safety and compliance officers (SCOs), with the assistance of the EPA and NSW Police Highway Patrol Officers.

NHVR SCOs intercepted 155 vehicles and inspected

258 units for compliance. There were 60 defect notic es issued, 15 of which were labelled ‘self-clearing defects’ and two that were classified as major notices for defective brakes.

Details on what the re maining notices were issued for have not been released.

Director of operations Central Region at the NHVR, Brett Patterson, said mainte nance and roadworthiness of heavy vehicles transporting dangerous goods has been a focus area for the regulator.

“We remind operators to effectively manage hazards and risks by completing a vi sual inspection of the vehicle,

particularly brakes and cou plings, to ensure it is safe and compliant before every jour ney,” he said.

“Ensure every vehicle’s load is restrained adequately to prevent significant safety risks.”

The NHVR also revealed that body worn cameras have now been issued to all SCOs in NSW, following the transi tion of heavy vehicle regulato ry services.

These cameras have been in use by the NHVR since 2020 in South Australia, Vic toria, the ACT and Tasmania.

The cameras capture audio and video recordings of inter actions between officers and

those involved in heavy vehi cle transport activities.

According to the NHVR, officers will notify drivers and operators that the camera they are being filmed at the start of an interaction.

“Footage collected is stored and retained in a secure digital evidence management system in accordance with relevant evidence management re quirements, and all access to BWC footage is monitored, tracked and auditable, similar to other agencies that operate BWCs such as police. Footage from BWCs can be used as evidence in court, and for in vestigative purposes,” revealed the NHVR.

Hino Japan has already admitted to misreporting emissions figures for its trucks.

Matthew Lo, GMP Law’s special counsel, class action division.

NHVR SCOs intercepted 155 vehicles in the operation.

Goulburn operator wins coveted NatRoad award

GO ULBURN-BASED earthmoving and bulk haul age operator Andy Divall has received the prestigious Ted Pickering Memorial Award for his outstanding contri bution to the Australian road freight industry.

The co-owner of Goul burn business Divall’s Earth moving with brother Mick received the honour at the 2022 National Road Trans port Association (NatRoad) conference at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast last month.

“Andy has been an out standing advocate for the transport industry and an ac tive promoter of truck driv ing as a career,” said NatRoad chairman Paul Fellows.

“His company, Divall’s Earthmoving, holds ‘come and try’ days for people to get a feel for trucks and earthmoving machinery to sow the seed of them joining

the industry.

“Andy speaks at schools and conducts a Women Be hind the Wheel program in which his business sponsors female driver training and li censing.

“He also sits on the Con voy for Kids committee, rais ing money to support chil dren with special needs in our community.”

Andy and his brother Mick started their operation in 1989 with one truck, af fectionately known as ‘The Gravel Sniffer’.

In 1991 they consolidat ed the business, based in the highlands of NSW, with the purchase of their third truck, ‘Cause for Divorce’.

Today, Divall’s employs more than 350 people in transport, civil construction and also in retailing through a sand and soil business.

The company continues to grow, winning major con

tracts including haulage for the Goulburn Bypass.

The Ted Pickering Memo rial Award is awarded each year to an individual for their outstanding contribution to the Australian road transport industry. First awarded in 2012, it is named after one of the founding members of NatRoad, Ted Pickering.

“Andy is a 20-year Na tRoad member, and Austra lian Truck Association board member and a director of Trucksafe,” Fellows said.

“On top of all of this he is a loving and devoted hus band to Jodie and father to Jack, Harry, Meg and Zoe.”

Divall’s also celebrated another major win at the Na tRoad awards with Jamie-Lee Hayes taking the gong for Excellence in Operational Support.

The NTI-sponsored award recognises an individual with a demonstrated commitment

to the road transport industry and outstanding customer service, whose positive ap proach, enthusiasm towards their job and demonstrated leadership potential, reflects positively on them, their em ployer and the road transport industry as a whole.

Hayes commenced her employment with Divall’s on March 20, 2017 in the transport administration of fice and quickly progressed to her current role of senior logistics officer.

She is known for her cando attitude, commitment for continued learning and per sonal desire to achieve a high level.

“Jamie-Lee’s commit ment to her role has seen her flourish in her pursuits, she’s an inspiration to others and demonstrates the integral role operations staff play in our businesses,” Fellows said.

Daniel Thornton from MG & KJ Boland Transport in Winton, Victoria, is Na tRoad’s Professional Driver

of the Year.

The Professional Driver of the Year award, again spon sored by NTI, recognises a truck driver whose demon strated skill, safety record, professional approach and overall performance reflects positively on them, their em ployer or company and the road transport industry as a whole.

Thornton has been em ployed by Boland Transport since May 2020. With little interstate experience prior to joining the team, he was on a “very steep and concentrated learning process”.

“Daniel takes the time to work closely with new em ployees, is always available to offer advice whether it be correct load restraint require ments or making sure they’re aware of their obligations with the ever-changing safety requirements,” Fellows said.

“Daniel has an amazing ‘can do’ attitude, is always smiling and ready to step up and help out when needed.”

The NTI-sponsored award recognises a young employee (30 years and un der) working in any part of the road transport industry, whose positive approach, enthusiasm towards their job and demonstrated leadership potential, reflects positively on them, their employer and the road transport industry as a whole.

Liddicoat, who is from Karratha in Western Aus tralia, has been working as a truck driver for GC & GE Liddicoat for three years, regularly stepping up and running the business when owner Gerard Liddicoat is away.

“He is a very safe and alert driver. Having trained a me chanic he goes out of his way to check company vehicles, making sure minor issues don’t become big problems,” Fellows said.

Volvo Group celebrates 50 years of manufacturing

VOLVO Group Australia celebrated its 50 years of Australian manufacturing milestone by handing over two special trucks to two key customers.

Scott and Regina Harvey at SRH Milk Haulage were handed the keys to a 50-year branded Volvo FH700XXL, and Nathan Stephens of Ips wich-based JR Stephens took delivery of a 50-year themed Mack Anthem.

SRH Milk Haulage was started in 1996 with just one Volvo at Hexham, NSW. To day, it operates across three states, with over 60 trucks wearing the Mack and Volvo badges.

“It’s been an adventure that’s for sure,” said Scott Harvey, managing director at SRH Milk Haulage. “But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through. For me it’s the people and the relation ships that make it work. The

backup and support, espe cially when you’re on milk 24/ 7, has always been there for SRH without a doubt.”

For JR Stephens, the rela tionship with Mack Trucks extends many decades.

Tom Chapman, vice president at Mack trucks Australia said: “We’ve actu ally been building trucks in Australia for 59 years now, and this year marks 20 years of Mack trucks being built at our Wacol plant. And JR Ste phens have been here from the beginning, they have been with us on the journey for the entire time. They are also a logistics supplier to our factory which I think is testa ment to the relationship.”

President and CEO of Volvo Group Australia, Mar tin Merrick, added that while this is a celebration of the brand’s success and longevity in a tough trucking market, it’s also a celebration of cus

tomer success.

Merrick says without long term customers like SRH and JR Stephens, the man ufacturer wouldn’t be able to mark this special occasion.

“Our customers challenge us to go on the journey with them. As they grow and suc ceed, we too grow and suc ceed,” he said.

“These companies are just a small part of the co lourful tapestry of characters and stories that make up the Australian transport industry yet their contribution to our society and our economy is invaluable.”

Volvo Group Australia’s Wacol manufacturing plant in Queensland was estab lished in June 1972. Since then, over 70,000 Volvo and Mack trucks have been pro duced at the site. Production of battery electric trucks is also expected to commence at the Wacol plant by 2025.

NatRoad’s Youth Employ ee of the Year 2022 winner is Denham Liddicoat of GC & GE Liddicoat Transport.

[l-r] Warren Clark, Denham Liddicoat, Jamie-Lee Hayes, Daniel Thornton and Mike Edmonds.

[l-r] Paul Fellows, Andy Divall and Roger Pickering at the NatRoad awards on the Gold Coast.

[l-r] Craig White, key account manager VCV; Martin Merrick, president and CEO Volvo Group Australia; Gary Bone, vice president Volvo Trucks Australia; Per-Erik Lindstrom, senior vice president Volvo Trucks International; Regina Harvey; Scott Harvey; Johan Selven, vice president truck sales and marketing Volvo Trucks International; Philippa Wood, Volvo retail sales manager VCV.

A new star is born: Penske launches X-Series

After months of build-up and testing, the X-Series range is finally here, and includes the largest cab on the Australian market.

DISTRIBUTOR Penske Aus tralia has unveiled the brandnew Western Star Trucks X-Se ries for the Australian market.

The “most tested Western Star ever”, the X-Series was designed from the ground up and comprises the 47X, 49X, and Australian-exclusive 48X.

Highly versatile, the 47X has a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload flexibility, a setback front axle, and choice of power with the Cummins L9 or the Detroit DD13 Gen 5, either the Detroit DT12, Alli son fully automatic, or Eaton Fuller manual transmission, and various sleeper options.

Designed specifically for Australia, the 48X is powered by the 450-525 hp Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or 500-600 hp DD16 engine, features a set-forward front axle, and has a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 113.5 inches yielding a flexible solu tion.

The “toughest of the tough” 49X is powered by the 500600 hp DD16, has up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cabin options, including the largest cab on the Australian market, the 72” Stratosphere sleeper.

“We are thrilled to unveil the brand-new X-Series to our Australian customers,” said

Craig Lee, executive general manager of on-highway, Pen ske Australia.

“Our team has worked closely with Daimler Trucks North America on the design of these three models, includ ing the 48X which is a global exclusive, to deliver a product that is bespoke to our local needs.

“We’re excited by what the X-Series means for Australian customers. We have passionate Western Star enthusiasts who will want a 49X 6x4 with the 600 hp Detroit DD16, drum brakes, spring suspension, and an Eaton Fuller manual trans mission – a space in which we are renowned – and we can de liver that.

“On the other side of that, for a fleet operator after a 47X or 48X to haul B-doubles with Detroit’s DT12 transmission and all the advanced telematics that comes with that, we can deliver that too.

“The Detroit DD13 13-li tre engine in the 47X and 48X also open up new markets for Western Star, such as local distribution or B-double intra state.”

Featuring a powerful inte grated driveline, an advanced safety package, and superior comfort, even in the most rug ged applications, the X-Series

is underpinned by the legend ary durability that customers expect from a Western Star.

“The new X-Series is light er, safer, stronger, and more spacious than any Western Star before,” said Kurt Dein, head of Western Star Trucks, Penske Australia.

“Ingrained with the tough Western Star DNA for which we are renowned, the X-Se ries-specific cab is reinforced with steel for added strength ensuring customers can con tinue to depend on Western Star in the most challenging of applications – whether that is heavy haulage on-highway or heavy haulage off-road.

“Inside the cab, premium

noise and temperature insu lation and triple door seals deliver a quiet and comfort able environment, and the multi-function steering wheel and primary instrument clus ter result in a highly intuitive workspace.

“From the 36” mid and trench sleeper options to the market-leading 72” Strato sphere sleeper, the cabin op tions are unbeatable. The 72” Stratosphere is seriously spa cious and includes a 65-litre fridge, generous storage solu tions with microwave prep, and either a Murphy-style bed – with a foldaway dinette/ work table – or a double bunk option.

“With Active Brake Assist 5, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, side guard assist, tailgate warning, brake hold mode, an improved visibility package, and a Roll Tek driver’s seat with rollover restraint and a seat-mounted airbag, drivers and fleet oper ators can have complete peace of mind that their Western Star will protect their most im portant asset, the occupants.”

For more information on the all-new X-Series, visit west ernstar.com.au.

Watch out too for the November 25 edition of Big Rigs in which Big Rigs writer Graham Harsant shares his ac count of test driving the X-Se ries at the media launch event at the RACQ Mobility Centre at Mt Cotton in Brisbane ear lier this month.

Sleeper/cab specs

Truckies can really stretch out in style.

49X road train

72-inch Stratosphere Sleeper

• 20” Cab/ sleeper cab side extenders with black flexible ends

• 40” wide 8” thick inner spring mattress, liftable

• LH and RH luggage doors

• Fold-able upper inner spring mattress with removable cover

• Digital alarm clocks in driver display and flush mounted in sleeper Tall closet with writing surface and upper storage in sleeper Microwave shelf with upper storage

• Factory installed 65L fridge freezer with thermostat and interior light Auxiliary heater/air conditioner with outlet temperature control Cab

• 121.5” BBC X-Series steel-reinforced aluminium cab 70 Degree opening X-Series steel doors

• Air cab mounting

• RH/LH electric powered windows Remote key-less entry, and 2 transmitter

• Black C-bar mirror system with electric RH/LH, door mounted One-piece roped-in

windshield

• Four spoke 450mm leather wrapped steering wheel with chrome switch bezels

48X B-double-road train Sleeper

• Mid Rise sleeper with air kit

• 12” Cab/ sleeper cab side extenders with black flexible ends 35” wide 8” thick inner spring mattress, liftable

• RH access door & luggage door

• Auxiliary heater/air conditioner with outlet temperature control Cab

• 113” BBC X-Series steel-reinforced aluminium cab 70 Degree opening X-Series steel doors

• Air cab mounting

• RH/LH electric powered windows

• Remote key-less entry, and 2 transmitter

• Black C-bar mirror system with electric RH/LH, door mounted One-piece roped-in windshield

• Four spoke 450mm leather wrapped steering wheel with chrome switch bezels

• Digital alarm clock in driver display

After months of testing in local condtions, the all-new Western Star range is ready to roll.

Penske takes the covers off the eagerly-awaited Western Star range that should prove popular in a variety of configurations.

The new Western Star is more spacious than its predecessors.

42 job applications before getting his foot in the door

Insurance and new drivers

Far too often we hear the reason given for new drivers not finding a driving job is because the insurance companies won’t give any new drivers a start.

As a specialised transport broker, Mark Brown, manager at TBI Insurance Services, says he is “tired of hearing this rubbish.”

“All too often insurance companies are used as the excuse to not employ a new driver, but the fact is, that the insurance companies that we deal with daily are usually more than helpful when it comes to accommodating new drivers,” said Brown.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

AMID the constant reports of driver shortages and com panies struggling to find truck drivers, this newly li censed truckie is perplexed at why it was so hard to get find someone who’d give him a go.

Based in Canberra, Alfred Fripp, 55, got his HR licence almost two months ago and plans to eventually work his way up to his MC. But he applied for over 40 truck driving jobs before having any success in securing a job.

Prior to turning to truck driving, Fripp owned a café/ restaurant near Greenway in Canberra. But the impact Covid had on the hospitality industry took its toll and he closed up in July this year.

The decision to get into truck driving didn’t come en tirely out of the blue. Prior to

running his café, Fripp ran a refrigerated van courier busi ness. “I love driving and have been involved around driv ing for a long time. I wanted to get back into it but didn’t want to drive vans, so I went for my HR,” he said.

“Driving trucks has al ways been something I want ed to do, ever since I was a kid. I enjoyed driving the vans, but with couriering, there’s not a lot of money in it anymore. I didn’t think it would be easy to get into, but when I saw that people were looking for truck driv ers all the time, that’s when I made up my mind to give it a go.

“I’m 55 now, which makes me the least employable de mographic in Australia, just purely because of my age.”

Fripp says no matter where he went or who he spoke to, “you have no experience” was

Reader reaction

Col Moore

“Experience...Everyone wants a readymade operator. No one wants to train a clean skin for someone else to poach. The in dustry is its own worst enemy in this regard.”

Ian Browne

“I did the sort of work for nothing by ‘going for a ride’ but always helped load/un load and eventually I was giv en a start on 1/2 a wage. The problem these days seems to be rip-off insurance compa nies who will only cover ‘ex

perienced’ drivers but they don’t want to help people get that experience.”

Joe Brice

“The problem is that the in surance to hire someone who has not had their licence for 2 or years is going through the roof. A bloke I worked for was looking for someone but when I mentioned I knew someone he told me straight up about the insurance issue.”

Michael Vella “Most insurance companies

one of the first things he kept hearing.

“I just wanted to find someone to get me started in HR and allow me to work my way up,” he said.

“When I was young, a company would take on a driver and train them up as an investment in that em ployee. That hasn’t happened for a long time, and the in dustry is paying for it now, and that’s why there aren’t any young drivers coming through.

“From what I can gather, most of them were scared of insurance and stuff. When I put a post on Facebook, a lot of owners were pointing to the insurance issue. They need to stop letterboxing people and saying this what you’re going to be like be cause you’re new. A lot of them seemed to be worried we’d ruin the trucks too. It’s a

very close-minded attitude.”

But after countless appli cations, finally an employer answered the call, with re frigerated freight business Roadmaster offering Fripp a job, delivering refrigerated freight across Canberra and its surrounds. He started there three weeks ago.

“With Roadmaster I didn’t submit an online ap plication, I decided to go in and hand them a resume. They gave me an interview on the spot, and then called back the next day to offer me a job,” explained Fripp, who is grateful to have been giv en the opportunity to get his start.

Surprisingly, Fripp says he’s the youngest driver there apart from one person in his thirties.

“Most of the drivers are older than me, they’re all heading to 70 and older, so

are all going to stop driving at some point soon. For me to be one of the youngest drivers is in itself another is sue,” he said.

For Fripp, he plans to stay in the industry for the long haul. “This is it for me, I don’t want to look for an other job again. And these guys at Roadmaster have said they’d be happy to sit me through to my HC once I’ve done the one year that is re quired,” he said.

“I have seven kids who are all grown up. I’d like to get into interstate – I don’t have commitments, so would be happy to do anything that involves time away from home, so long as I get back home occasionally. MC is my ultimate guy. To be able to jump into anything and drive it interstate would mean there would always be work available.”

“Let’s be honest, truth be known, the only reasons for not putting on a new driver is more than likely one of the following.”:

1. The company/ business, simply don’t want to spend money and/ or time to train a new driver.

2. You have a poor driving history.

3. The new driver doesn’t want to start working in the smaller or older trucks working within a smaller radius to earn their stripes before they get a crack in a big banger.

4. The business needs to start using a specialised transport insurance broker.

will only insure you if the driver has held that class of licence for at least two years.”

Steven Lynch

“If businesses want expe rienced only there will be a driver shortage, then the need for driverless trucks.”

Bruce Skelton

“Company I work for gave two drivers a start, no expe rience, two trucks totalled on first day – no more.”

Russell Geary

“Most of the time it is the insurance companies that dictate to the company that wants the driver.”

Ray Christie

“I feel like I say this every day lately… Just because you passed a (very) ba sic truck driving test and gained your MR/HR/HC/ MC does not mean you are a skilled and experienced truck operator. This only comes with time, mistakes (we all make/made them!) and knowledge.”

Glenn Outten

“Insurance is a big issue for new drivers.”

Luke Thorneycroft

“Well done and good luck! Good to see you got a go!”

Shaun Schofield

“It’s just a cost issue with ‘proper’ training. Once you know what you are do ing in handling the truck and weight, you can walk into any company and just have to learn the job specifics.”

Rod Baldy

“Who in their right mind is going to chuck someone in $500,000+ of truck and load with no experience ??? Simple - get the big licence ( HC or MC ) then start at the bottom and work up in a HR job. Little steps wins the race. Tut the insurance issue.”

Ron

Taylor

“Do what I used to do, work for free to give them an idea of what you can do! I always got paid!”

After more than a few knockbacks, Alfred Fripp (inset) finally got his big break behind the wheel with Roadmaster.

Rare White takes flight

Kilmore enthusiast Scott Hough takes the covers off a stunningly restored 1953 White 3000, much to the delight of admirers at the recent American Truck Historical Display in Echuca.

BY DAVID VILE

IN such a big place as Austra lia, when you come across a truck which is only one of 37 to have ever been put on the road in this country, it certain ly stands out from the others.

When it has also been beautifully restored, it really makes a visual impact and a talking point for those who see it.

Such is the case of a 1953-model White 3000 which is owned by Scott Hough that hit the road for the first time earlier this year after a comprehensive resto ration and overhaul.

Originally put to work as a prime mover for Mayne Nick less Tanker Services the White had a succession of owners before being acquired by Hough and his partner Jenny Cotterell, with the truck today fitted out with a 4-metre tray.

Loaded with a 1930 A-Model Ford, Hough had the truck on display at the recent American Truck Historical So ciety Display in Echuca, with the truck drawing a steady crowd of admirers across the September weekend.

“We bought it as a rolling static truck, it had gone up to Alice Springs in 2015 on a float as a bit of eye-candy, and we had seen it at a few shows like the White Truck Muster at Kyabram in 2018 so we knew it was about,” Hough explained.

“Jenny always liked that rounded shape-art deco look and when we were asked if we

wanted to buy it she nearly jumped out of her skin! It sat at home for 18 months and when winter came around I reckoned it was time to crack it open,” he continued.

With restoration underway the truck was fully stripped back and a pusher axle which had been fitted along the way by one of the trucks owners was removed.

The full restoration took place over a nine-month pe riod, with the project not without some issues as Hough detailed: “It was that rusty, if it was an old Inter you would have just sent it for scrapthey only bought 37 of these into Australia so being pretty rare it was worth persevering with.

“The top of the roof had been popped in at some stage so we had to weld a new sec tion of the roof in.

“We bought three other trucks for parts; we were going to use bits and pieces off them but because the cabs were all hand-made back in the day, none of the panels were inter changeable.

“We repaired what was there, re-fabricated bits for the A and B pillars, and put a new floor in from front to back, there’s a lot of work gone in.”

As a vehicle built in the post-war years the truck had some unique features and was solidly built to cope with the increasing transport require ments of the era.

“They were the dearest truck on the market at the time because they were so well

made and heavy spec’d. They came out of the factory with full air S-Cam brakes, and it has a very heavy front axle and steering box.

“White Motor Company back in the day after World War 2 re-purposed the bombdoor actuators from B-52 bombers to lift the cabin, so it is a factory-electric tilt cab… they were way ahead of their time,” said Hough.

Under the cab sits a Cum mins 6BT rated at 160 horse power, with the power going down the line via a 6-speed ZF Eco Life drivetrain, with the truck today having both good road speed and fuel economy with a vehicle on the back and towing a caravan.

“They came out in Ameri ca with the 160hp Cummins 6BT in them, in Australia they only had a side-valve 6-cylinder petrol which were rated fuel-wise at .8 of a mile per gallon so you couldn’t af ford to run one of them these days!” said Hough with a grin.

“With the Cummins, in top gear she’s doing 200 revs at 110k’s and with the cara van on the back and the car on the tray we are getting 17 litres per 100k’s so that’s pret ty good.”

The chassis was left at its original length with Hough fabricating a 4-metre tray body himself, along with a set of 2.4 metre ramps sliding in under the tray to allow a car to be loaded easily.

The White was painted inhouse in a deep Holden Spe cial Vehicles ‘Spitfire Green’

tone, which is not too far off its original paint colour, and inside the cabin has been re furbished and air-condition ing fitted.

long

to

three days before that, so it was big ask, but nothing went wrong. It hadn’t been sign-written then so this is its maiden trip as a finished truck,” Hough said.

“It was registered about

“We had to drop the tyre pressures down a bit as she used to buck a bit but now it’s good, we sat on 100km/h with the van on no worries coming up.”

With a White Road Boss and a Western Star at home as part of his earthmoving business, along with a restored White 9000, Hough thinks he might have a bit of an obses sion for the White product.

Subsequently he reckons there could be another project in the future with the trucks he did not use for parts on his recent rebuild.

“The other three trucks are still in the shed so we might do another one down the track. We have sort of cornered the market having 4 of the 37!” he said with a smile.

But for the moment he reckons the 69-year-old White bearing the Huffy and Co Highway Haulage name cer tainly ticks a lot of boxes.

“We are planning to drive the wheels off it and do a heap of trips around Australia in it. Its economical, easy to drive and has a heap of room in the cab.

“It’s a bloody great old truck, it’s come up pretty well and we are really happy with it.”

Taking to the road earli er this year, the White’s first

run was

Gundagai for the Sylvia’s Gap Run over the June long weekend, with the truck managing the run up the Hume well from Scott’s hometown of Kilmore.

The interior has been overhauled and makes for a comfortable driving environment.

A proud Scott Hough with his White: “It’s a bloody great old truck”. Photos: David Vile

The restoration of the White has been beautifully done. With its classic rounded lines, the White certainly stands out from the pack.

Dancing to a different tune

This former professional ballerina trades her ballet slippers for steel caps and a new career as a fulltime truckie.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

AT only 20 years of age, Em ily Coe had spent years per fecting her craft as a dancer, but after getting a taste for truck driving, she has no plans of turning back.

Based in Wollongong and working for Hornby Trans port Services, she currently holds an unrestricted HC licence and plans to upgrade to her MC as soon as she can.

Coe started ballet when she was only two-years-old. “My mum originally put me into dancing because I used to trip over my feet when I was walking, so it was to help with my coordination. Once I got to around 10 or 11, that’s when I started pushing myself really hard.

At that age most people ar en’t thinking about a career, but I knew that if I didn’t do it then, it wasn’t going to happen,” explained Coe.

She turned to home schooling so she could begin dancing full time by the age of 13, and then at 15 was ac cepted into the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.

“I went to New York on my own so I had to grow up really fast. The hardest thing was that if I got sick or needed anything, I was so far from home.

“I knew my parents didn’t want me to go but they wanted me to do what was going to make me happy. I don’t think they expected

AFTER YEARS OF DEDICATING MY HEART AND SOUL TO DANCE, I REALISED ONE DAY THAT I WAS A PROFESSIONAL BALLERINA LOOKING FOR A CAREER CHANGE AND TRUCKING WAS WHERE I WANTED TO BE.”

EMILY COE

things to happen as quickly as they did, but they sup ported me.”

Her stay in New York however was only shortlived. Coe was there for just two months when she ended up breaking her foot.

“Not long before that I was off with an injury for close to 12 months due to stress fractures down my shins. I was doing dancing in the pool because it was weightless and I was on crutches, so I could slowly get back into dancing. Then I was doing stuff where I could hold onto a bar or something like that, so I had the support. I came back for a couple of months, then went to New York, where I broke my foot.

The thought of getting out of dancing altogether had crossed her mind nu merous times before she ul timately made the decision to call it quits.

“It’s a very tough indus

try to be in mentally. Before I actually quit, there were a couple of times I wondered why I was doing this to my self. I felt like I was torturing myself physically and men tally,” Coe revealed.

“Ballet’s a career that de mands punishing practice routines, pain and tears; as well as skipping nights out with friends to stay in the studio to perfect routines ahead of big performances.

“It’s a career that requires

commitment and dedication from a young age. It’s also a short-lived career, and you’re always battling against time to reach perfection, so you need as much of it on your side as possible.”

According to Coe, a ca reer in ballet dancing usually lasts until just 25 – though some can push it out to around 30 if they’re lucky. “It’s purely the fact that’s it’s a lot of pressure mentally and physically. There comes

a time when your body gives up on you, so you know it’s time to give it up,” she said.

“The teachers who trained me were very strict, even with eating. Unfortu nately, a big part of ballet has to do with the way you look. You have to be very thin, which is a horrible thing.

“After years of dedicating my heart and soul to dance, I realised one day that I was a professional ballerina look ing for a career change and

trucking was where I wanted to be.”

And with that, Coe came home in March 2018.

Though the switch from ballet to trucking might seem like a giant leap, for Coe that wasn’t the case.

She grew up around trucks as both of her grandfathers, and her uncles, were drivers. And she used to be in the truck with them a lot as a kid.

In the truck with her grandfather Russell Coe, as a baby.

Emily Coe says the support she’s had from her employer Hornby Transport Services has been incredible.

Emily Coe moved to the other side of the world at just 15 to pursue her passion.

Career shift keeps former ballerina on her toes

From page 22

DESPITE trucking being in the family, the thought of driving them had never real ly crossed her mind. “I never really expected to be driving trucks, it wasn’t my plan, but here we are. I was a profession al dancer prior to this, so it’s definitely a big career change,” said Coe.

“I always did love trucks – I loved going out with my pop

and everything like that. It was something I was always inter ested in, but dancing was my main thing. However dancing careers don’t really last for too long. I got to a point where I wondered if it was something worth doing, when I wasn’t going to have a long-term ca reer out of it.”

Initially Coe thought her career with trucks would be under the hood rather than

behind the wheel. “I wanted to be a heavy diesel mechan ic, but being as little as I am, I’m not really a physically strong person, so I knew that wouldn’t be the best option for me. A few people turned around and said why don’t you drive trucks. I didn’t want to do that at first. It wasn’t un til about six months before I turned 19 that I made the de cision to get my licence.”

By 19, Coe had her HR licence and approached Horn by Transport Services looking for a job. “A day or two after I got my licence, I brought in my resume and they took me on straight away. They asked if I was sure that this was what I wanted to do. I told them if they were going to give me a chance, I’d do all I can to be the best driver I can be. It’s been non-stop support ever since. It’s more than I ever ex pected and more than I could have asked for.

“They took me on at 19 and gave me a go. It was a big thing for them as well as for me. A lot of people had told me I wouldn’t be able to drive trucks because of my size and because I was so young. I’ll be forever grateful to the compa ny for giving me a go.”

Started in 1976, Hornby Transport Services is a fam

ily-owned and run business, with scrap metal logistics play ing a major part in the compa ny’s operations.

Coe is the youngest truck driver at the company and says the training and support pro vided by the Hornby family has been incredible. She went through a week of training in a rigid before being sent out on her own, driving a small 10-wheeler. As soon as she turned 20, she progressed to her HC.

“Before I went for my HC, my supervisor and allocator took me out and taught me in a manual because I had never driven a manual before,” said Coe, who ended up passing her test with flying colours.

“Then they really put me to the test. They put me in an old manual Mack and said this is how you’re going to learn. I was in that for about

EMILY COE

three weeks with another driv er. They weren’t going to let me go out on my own until I was 100 per cent confident in myself. Then they gave me some training to do what I do now. When they asked if I was ready to go out on my own, I said hell yeah, I couldn’t wait.”

These days, you’ll find Coe running the Pacific Highway somewhere between Wollon gong and Newcastle, carting heavy and shred metal in a Freightliner Cascadia, which she’s been driving for the past few months.

Six months on since secur ing her HC, Coe already has her sights set on something bigger, holding a learner’s per mit for her MC.

“Every day is a new experi ence and there’s always some thing new to learn. Personally, I love it. This has become a big passion for me and I couldn’t imagine myself doing any thing else. I think this will be a career for the rest of my life.”

And as for her dancing, she says she’d like to get back into it at some stage. “It’s still a big mental thing for me. I started my professional dancing ca reer so young that I don’t ever remember dancing as a hobby. But dancing still holds a spe cial place in my heart.”

These days, she’s loving life behind the wheel of this Freightliner Cascadia.

Emily Coe says the support she’s had from her employer Hornby Transport Services has been incredible.

She says ballet is a very tough industry, both physically and mentally.

Coe experienced lots of success throughout her time as a ballerina.

THEY ASKED IF I WAS SURE THAT THIS WAS WHAT I WANTED TO DO. I TOLD THEM IF THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE ME A CHANCE, I’D DO ALL I CAN TO BE THE BEST DRIVER I CAN BE. IT’S BEEN NON-STOP SUPPORT EVER SINCE. IT’S MORE THAN I EVER EXPECTED AND MORE THAN I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR.”

Fuelling Australia’s trucks since 1901.

For more than 120 years, Shell has been supporting Australia’s truck drivers with high quality fuels.

We’ve come a long way since 1901. Today we offer a wide range of driver amenities, a national network of strategically located truck-friendly Shell service stations, and a price discount every time you refuel with Shell Card. And that’s just for starters.

Talk to us about Shell’s Australian Truck Network, and how we can help drive your road transport business towards a better future.

shell.com.au/trucknetwork

Miner strikes gold with custom Mack Metroliner

IN looking for a concrete agi tator specifically designed for the most extreme underground conditions, Hanson found a solution in the form of a highly customised Mack Metroliner.

About 30 minutes northeast of Bendigo in Victoria is the Fosterville Gold Mine – a completely underground mine that runs 24/7, all year round.

To prevent the mine shafts collapsing, miners spray high-density, rapid-drying shotcrete onto the walls and ceiling. It’s a great solution to an age-old problem, but the question was in how to get the concrete down there.

Hanson’s concrete plant manager, Matthew Bray, was handed this problem when the company first started negotiat ing for the contract. He knew from the start that conditions in the mine are extreme, and that any truck going down there

needed to be tough enough to handle it.

“It’s a harsh, incredibly dusty environment that often turns to mud and slurry the moment it is exposed to water from the water carts or mining machines,” Bray said.

“The temperature down the bottom can get up to 50°C. Truck filters clog up quickly which compound into a vast array of truck faults.”

That’s where Hanson’s su per-customised Mack Metro liner comes in. The three new Metroliners are expected to enter service within a month or so and will work around the clock.

“We’ve got 13 drivers do ing 12-hour days, seven days a week, with a week off, then the same schedule at night,” said Bray.

“We’ve got the Guardian system installed to keep an eye

on the drivers, and it vibrates the seat if it detects any signs of fatigue. The trucks never stop, they do two or more trips each per shift, and it’s a three-hour round trip down and back. We service them every 400 hours, and we change every filter every time.”

Hanson installed all the heavy-duty fittings on the Metroliners, including extra layers of paint and rust-proof ing, large custom external trays and a single conveyor guard over the drive wheels with ad ditional bracing to handle the bumpy and steep conditions.

“We go through about 10 tyres a month so the sin gle guard will give us more room to change the tyres out. The single guard allows us to mount larger external trays on top, which hold the chutes and some custom wheel chocks we’ve had manufactured,” Bray

explained.

“When the floor is under water, conventional chocks can float away, and if we’re on an extreme gradient they can slip. Having these handy around the truck gives us a bit of reas surance and prevents the truck sliding.”

Bray and his team worked closely with Mack engineers to customise all aspects of the Metroliners, using an agile development process that saw them making changes on the fly as new truck data came to hand from the mine. A good example is keeping the trucks slow enough to stay in control.

“The track is a steep and narrow tunnel that reaches a 7-to-1 gradient in places,” said Bray.

Slowing the truck down enough on the descent is a ma jor safety issue, especially when the roads are wet. If the driver

sits on the airbrakes all the way down, the compressor can’t keep up and you risk running out of air and not being able to stop.

“Besides the obvious poten tial damage caused to the truck, sliding into the tunnel wall could also cause large safety and structural concerns, so this was a large challenge we worked with Mack to engineer out.”

To get around this, Han son imposed a speed limiter of 30km/h on the engine, in stalled a transmission retarder to reduce the need for braking, and lowered the diff ratio so the retarder cuts in earlier than usual at low speeds.

“Ideally, we want the driv ers to be able to get down there without using the brakes much at all. The retarder is crucial to that, it’s the way we’re expecting to control the descent, especial ly when the roads are slippery.

“The drivers are super-ex cited about it, they’ve had the experience of hubs overheating from riding the brakes and the seals blowing, and we’re confi dent this approach will solve that.”

In the confined space of the tunnels there’s very little room, so Hanson went with a single-steer model Metroliner and added a four-way camera system so the driver can see all around the vehicle.

“We also added rollover pro tection on the top just in case,” said Bray.

“We had to modify that so it was fully-enclosed and remove all the bolts along the top to make it smooth – we wouldn’t be popular if we ripped the air ventilator bags along the roof of the tunnel.”

Designing and engineering trucks locally in Australia allows Mack to create fully customised trucks for unique tasks.

“Pushing the boundaries to drive application excellence is a very strong pillar of the brand and something we’re very proud of,” said vice president of Mack Trucks, Tom Chapman.

“Partnering with Hanson to trailblaze safety and technolo gy advances for the Fosterville Gold Mine project is a great example of this. It’s a real testa ment to what can be achieved with a strong business partner ship where there is a commit ment to mutual progress and success.”

Bray says the plan is to run the three new Metroliners for at least five years.

“Mack driver trainers are coming down to help our driv ers get the most out of them. It’s a complete package, and Mack really pulled out all the stops to build exactly what we were af ter,” he said.

Mack engineers have customised the cab for drivers.

Three new Metroliners from Hanson are about to go into service at the Fosterville Gold Mine.

Local engineering allows Mack to create fully customised trucks.

Hanson installed all the heavy-duty fittings on the Metroliners which will be working around the clock.

A truckie’s story that was lost but not forgotten

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

DONNY Williams once lived and breathed trucks, but due to dementia, he no longer re calls his trucking days. Now his granddaughter is on the hunt for anyone who can help to piece together his story.

A veteran truckie, Donny –now 75 – was on the road for many years, but suffered a ter

rible accident while behind the wheel two years ago. Though he did initially get back behind the wheel, it was only shortlived.

“He’s been driving for the longest time. Until his accident he still drove but it eventually put him into retirement and he got dementia. Trucks were his whole world. His life was on the road and I was so lucky to

be raised by him and around trucks. But I’m left wondering who he was on the road,” said his granddaughter Tamika Wil liams, 21.

Donny started driving trucks at around the age of 19 and originally lived in NSW before moving to Queensland. He travelled all over the coun try in his truck, with Tamika lucky enough to join him on many trips.

“I was in the truck all the time as a kid. We used to love singing old songs, especially Slim Dusty, that was his favou rite. He always used to make sausages and baked beans on the side of the road for break fast when I was with him,” she said.

But sadly Donny can’t recall his many stories from the road. “He doesn’t remember driving trucks anymore so I really like hearing about what he did so I can hold his memories for him.

“He also frequently talked about a man named Terry Wil son. I know that was his best

friend. That’s as far back as I can remember from when he would talk to me on the road when I was young.

“My grandfather is an ab solutely amazing man, and has 100 per cent left a massive impact on people’s lives around him. It amazes me how much he really loved driving and how many people love him just as much as me,” Tamika added.

He drove a bronze Scania 104 called ‘Bronzed Aussie’ for many years and also worked for companies that included Exo das, Rogers Transport, Nolan’s and MRT.

When Tamika initially put the call out in a message on Facebook, numerous people immediately recognised Don ny and shared their memories, with many commenting on what a “top bloke” he was.

On Facebook, Stefan Slattie said he had worked with Don ny at Coastal Express around 20 years ago. “I remember when they picked up the Bronze 104 and named it Attitude. I gave Donnie a lift down to the sign writers to pick it up. I’m still in touch with Terry Wilson and he keeps me updated on Don nie’s condition. So sad, he was a top bloke.”

After reading Slattie’s com ment, Tamika said she never knew about the truck’s nick name but remembers a sticker on his car that said ‘attitude’. “That’s amazing to know where it all began,” she said.

As the story goes, the 104 was supposed to be painted brown with a gold stripe to match two SARs, but it end ed up being painted bronze. “When I first saw the truck I thought it looked terrible, then after the sign writing and pin stripes, totally changed the look of it,” Slattie added.

Nathan Bennett comment ed, “He certainly was a hard worker mate, that’s one thing I do remember about him, he

could punch out the k’s that’s for sure.”

While Glenn Kennedy wrote, “Yeah I used to know Don when he drove for Cluffy and then Exodas, used to run Brissy with him, top bloke.”

Neill Barnes said, “I have so many memories of spending time with you Donny. Used to love going to the WIlliams house as a kid and checking out the Bronze Aussie or whatever Don was driving… Learnt so much from Don and enjoyed lots of catch ups on the road.”

Peter Spalding added, “Yeah I remember him well. Used to travel the coast with him. Sorry to hear about his accident and illness. I remember when he got the Bronzed Aussie. I have an idea if I remember correctly, he also did a bit of stunt driv

TAMIKA WILLIAMS

ing in Mad Max. He took the Mack out there and no one could drive it.”

And Alexander Buckley wrote, “Donny’s me mate, he drove a blue T909 Kenworth when I was at MRT. He’s a good fella and I always had time for him.”

Mental health caravan hits the road to support truckies

health – spreading the message that it’s okay not to be okay.

A former firefighter, over a decade ago, Shefford had been struggling with his mental health and sought help. “I had mental health trouble and end ed up in the looney bin for a couple of nights. I’m not proud of it but I’m not ashamed of it neither. My employer was aware of it and it didn’t become a problem until about six years later,” he explained.

ers too, who are often on the road at all hours of the day and night.

If the truckies couldn’t come to him, he decided he would go out to them, purchasing a caravan which he could bring to rest stops, offering tea, cof fee and biscuits, as well as a chat and friendly ear.

truckies,” explained Shefford.

The caravan is teamed up with a Suzuki SUV that reads “Truck This & Truck That”. Though at times (especially when Shefford is event-bound) you might see it hooked up to his Nissan CK20, with a race tractor also in tow, which he built two years ago.

MENTAL health advocate

Robbie Gooserooter Shefford is doing his bit to support truckies’ mental health, thanks to his latest initiative across the ditch.

Having struggled with mental health in the past, Shefford volunteers his time to raise awareness for mental

“They sent me a letter say ing I was being dismissed but I challenged it and I won – then I left. I had planned on leaving anyway but I wanted to do it on my terms, not theirs.”

For years, Shefford has dedicated his time to support mental health, doing motiva tional talks for farmers, Lions Clubs and various companies’ headquarters and at events. But he was looking for a way to target long-haul truck driv

Though he initially planned to purchase a 40ft refrigerated trailer and convert it, the cost and time it would have taken, meant that idea was quashed.

Instead he has his trusty car avan, easily recognised by the large lettering that reads: “It’s ok not to be ok” and “It will be okay in the end, if it’s not ok, it’s not the end.”

“I want to take the message out to the people, bringing it from the bottom of a conver sation pile where it’s barely talked about, to a dinner table conversation. This is all about getting out and talking to the

Shefford first started head ing out to rest stops about a

month ago and it’s been an immediate hit. “The week I started, I had about 75 people stop in, truckies, farmers, en gineers, the police and random travellers. I park up and the truck drivers and farmers stop in. A lot of the truckies who can’t stop, give us a toot and a wave on their way past and then call in a couple of days later when they have the time

to stop,” he said.

“The idea is to get out to the truckies during their breaks. And for those who are experiencing mental health problems, there’s that look of relief when they realise they aren’t the only ones going through it. Just being able to tell my story was enough for many drivers going through it to open up.”

Donny Williams and his granddaughter Tamika Williams.

Donny spent many years as a truckie and was known as a top bloke.

He drove this bronze Scania 104 called ‘Bronzed Aussie’ for many years.

TRUCKS WERE HIS WHOLE WORLD. HIS LIFE WAS ON THE ROAD AND I WAS SO LUCKY TO BE RAISED BY HIM AND AROUND TRUCKS. BUT I’M LEFT WONDERING WHO HE WAS ON THE ROAD.”

If truckies couldn’t come to him, Robbie Gooserooter Shefford decided he’d go to them.

He heads out to rest stops across New Zealand, aiming to put the conversation about mental health front and centre.

What it’s like to drive an emissions-free eCanter

QUICK, quiet and efficient.

That’s how Fuso eCanter driver Lance Valentine de scribes the fully-electric Bev Chain truck he uses to deliver Toohey’s beer kegs to Sydney suburbs.

Each day, Valentine com pletes three to four loops out from Linfox subsidiary BevChain’s Lidcombe base, delivering fresh Toohey’s kegs to pubs in a radius of 40km.

Valentine plugs the truck into a fast charger when he returns to the BevChain base in order to briefly top up the batteries, and heads out again.

Depending on traffic con ditions and route, total mile age for Valentine’s daily deliv eries could be up to 150km.

“When I get back to the yard after the first run, the battery still has decent range

thanks to some regenerative braking,” he said.

“With the fast charger, I easily top it up in a very short time and that gives me enough to get out and back without having to worry about range.”

The eCanter uses six liq uid-cooled lithium ion bat teries mounted in the frame that store 82.8kW/h of elec tricity and feed a permanent magnet synchronous motor.

As for what it is like to drive the pioneering eCanter, Valentine is clear.

“It is smoother, more com fortable and there is hardly any noise,” he said. “It is also really easy to drive.”

The near-silent operation is also a big plus for residents in the areas the Toohey’s kegs are delivered.

“Beyond the fact it is pro

LANCE VALENTINE

ducing zero emissions, the quiet operation is also really important,” he said.

“Driving around heavily populated areas without the noise of a diesel is a big pos itive when you think about noise pollution in a neigh bourhood.”

Valentine didn’t know what the electric truck’s performance would be like and certainly didn’t expect it

to be quick.

“I had never driven an electric car, so I didn’t know that they have really good performance and are quite zippy,” he added.

The eCanter’s power out put is 135kW and 390Nm of torque can be delivered the moment the accelerator pedal is pressed.

Valentine also likes using the electric version of engine braking that also recharges the battery when pulling up the truck.

“The regenerative braking is so good that I hardly have to use the brakes,” he said.

“I tend to look ahead and see what I can do to harvest energy with the regenerative

braking, like lifting off to charge going down a hill or using the regenerative brak ing to pull up rather than use the brakes.”

It is so effective that the traditional brakes are used very little.

Valentine said the truck, which carries a special paint scheme explaining that it is fully electric, gains a lot of attention.

“It is a real head-turner,” he said.

“I have a lot of people come up to me and ask about it. They mainly want to know whether it really is an electric truck.

“When I drive off hard ly making a sound, it just

blows them away.”

As for his role as one of the few drivers to pilot an electric truck in Australia, Valentine said it is something to be proud of.

“I’m really happy to drive a zero emissions truck and actually be part of history,” he said.

The eCanter was launched globally in 2017 and was in troduced to Australia last year after a local evaluation pro gram.

Leading transport opera tors have adopted the eCant er including Linfox (which operates trucks with partners Bunnings and Coles) as well as Australia Post and Centu rion.

Electric prime mover makes light work of big alpine test

THE new Mercedes-Benz eActros 300, which recently premiered at the IAA Trans portation 2022 trade show in Hanover, has successfully crossed the Arlberg Pass in Austria loaded to 36.2 tonnes.

The tests in Tyrol covered a total distance of 111km, in cluding Bludenz, Stuben, St. Anton and Lech, at times at an elevation of more than 1800m.

The experts from Mer cedes-Benz Trucks subject ed the battery-electric prime mover and trailer to tests to validate its performance and durability.

A special focus was put on energy recovery through recu peration, which can be used extensively in the alpine to pography of Tyrol.

During recuperation, ener gy gained during braking is re turned to the eActros’ batteries and is then made available to the drive unit. In this way, the electric prime mover was able to recover a total of around 180kWh of energy.

At the end of the demand ing tour, about 40 per cent of

the energy was still available.

In total, the electric semi-trailer climbed 2300m in altitude during the test –the maximum grade was at 13 per cent. On the way to the test area, the truck’s batteries were only charged at public charging stations.

“The intensive tests in Austria have shown our elec tric truck can reliably fulfill its tasks, even in a particularly challenging topography with extreme uphill and downhill grades,” said Stina Fagerman, head of sales, marketing and services at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

The electric semi-trailer prime mover is based on the same technology as the eActros 300/400. Three battery packs, each with an installed battery capacity of 112kWh, enable a range of up to 220km on a single battery charge.

The technological heart of the electric truck is the drive unit, an electric rigid axle with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed gearbox.

The two liquid-cooled

motors generate a continuous output of 330kW and a peak output of 400kW. The eAc tros 300 prime mover can be charged with up to 160kW.

The three battery packs need a little more than an hour to be charged from 20 to 80 per cent at a standard DC fast charging station with a charging current of 400A.

Series production launch of the eActros 300 semi-trailer prime mover is planned for the second half of 2023.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is scheduled to begin a local evaluation program for the all-electric eActros in Aus tralia early next year.

Initially, four eActros trucks will get to work in Australia and one unit will hit the road in New Zealand, with addi tional units to follow.

No announcement has been made yet on which mod el or configuration will be in the local evaulation program, but Big Rigs understands that they will be mainly aimed at metro duties, with some intra state work.

The tests in Tyrol covered a total distance of 111km, including Bludenz, Stuben, St. Anton and Lech, at times at an elevation of more than 1800m.

The eCanter uses six liquid-cooled lithium ion batteries mounted in the frame.

Lance Valentine plugs the truck into a fast charger when he returns to the BevChain base.

DRIVING AROUND HEAVILY POPULATED AREAS WITHOUT THE NOISE OF A DIESEL IS A BIG POSITIVE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT NOISE POLLUTION IN A NEIGHBOURHOOD.”

THE TRUCK AUSTRALIA TRUSTS

More power, same great truck

The 11L Quon just got even better with its latest enhancements improving its already outstanding performance.

The upgraded driveline features an improved ‘GH11 Engine’ with increased horsepower and torque, and the legendary ESCOT 12-speed automated manual transmission is now even better with new software enhancements that have to be tried to be believed.

These upgraded features have the added bonus of delivering an even smoother ride for comfortable driving with minimal fatigue.

For over 85 years, UD Trucks have delivered ultimate dependability. No wonder this is the truck Australia trusts.

Going the Extra Mile

To find out more, contact your UD Trucks dealer on 1300 BUY A UD or visit udtrucks.com/australia

Follow us on

Truckies turn out in force for Sydney fundraiser

BY COLIN HENDERSON

OVER 100 trucks, hot rods, classic cars, three motorcycles and a NETS NSW Ambulance rolled from Sydney Dragway to Hawkesbury Showground at Clarendon for the 32nd Convoy for Kids Sydney, on Sunday, October 30.

Mark Smallwood, presi dent of the Convoy for Kids

Sydney, was thrilled with the turnout from truckies and the money raised for the Newborn and Paedri atric Emergency Transport Service – NETS NSW.

“A great Sydney day, an early start and we know that after everything we have all been through, truckies are still caring for kids, wanting to be part of the convoy,” said Smallwood.

“Small fleet owners were enthusiastic and brought in their staff and trucks in great numbers. There were plenty of classic vehicles on the road for the day, and even an old Sydney double decker bus. The Convoy for Kids committee is thrilled so many wanted to take part, and next year more are also welcome.”

Convoy for Kids Syd

ney have been raising funds for the NETS NSW Am bulance service for many years.

Nets NSW themselves say that one in 49 children will use their service some time during their child hood. NETS Services an area of 815,810 square ki lometres across both rural and metropolitan areas of NSW and the ACT.

“NETS NSW relies on community support to maintain and renew the equipment and the am bulances they use,” added Smallwood.

“Convoy for Kids earlier this year purchased an elec tric trolley which carries the transport system for sick children on planes, and on the road in a NETS ambu lance. Truckies are happy

to help NETS NSW with their shopping list.”

Convoy for Kids Sydney will return at the end of October in 2023, and or ganisers are putting out the call for sponsors who can help build the funds raised for the NETS NSW Ambu lance Service.

• Turn to page 34 for more pictures from this year’s event.

The classic Mack was a real crowd-pleaser in the convoy.

GRS Towing, flaming good sponsors.

Kenworth meets Yogi Bear at the Sydney convoy.

‘Buckets’ has been an ardent convoy supporter for many years.

Bakewell Haulage’s fleet of Kenworths are an imposing sight in the early morning light at Marsden Park. Photos: Colin Henderson

Truck drivers and their families caring for kids.

The revolutionary new Volvo FL Electric

We’re on Emission

At Volvo Trucks, environmental care has long been central to our vision of the future. We care passionately about the world we live in, and as the shift towards electric vehicles gathers pace, we are more committed than ever to driving progress.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our all-electric medium duty truck range for Australian transport operators.

The new Volvo FL and FE Electric medium duty range meet the demand from society and customers for dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions. To simplify the transition to sustainable transportation, the trucks are offered together with service and support packages for electromobility needs.

We are proud to partner with you in the transition to an electric truck future. Learn more by visiting www.volvotrucks.com.au/electrictrucks. Volvo Trucks.

Sydney Convoy for Kids gets bigger every year

Bakewell Haulage brings more trucks each year.

MMM Logistics remembering family.

A stunning 1982 International S-line is still going strong.

A classic bulldog from the Johnstons Transport fleet.

One of many trucks from sponsors Winston Express Haulage.

Event sponsor AirRoad turned out in force to show support for this great cause. Photos: Colin Henderson

Well over 100 trucks rolled from Sydney Dragway to the Hawkesbury Showground at Clarendon.

The ever-reliable Camsons crew also turned out in big numbers to play their part.

The Alpha Heavy Towing fleet took up the load for the kids.

More event dates for your diary

HERE’S a look at some of the major trucking events to add to your calendar in the coming months.

NOVEMBER

Convoy For Kids Goulburn

November 19, 2022

Goulburn, NSW convoyforkidsgoulburn. com.au

Convoy for Kids Goulburn provides support for local children with cancer, termi nal illness and permanent dis abilities, by providing finan cial assistance to the families of such children with special needs. For the first time in two years, the Convoy Carni val Day will be run in its en tirety, with a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest parade of trucks, entertain ment and plenty of kids ac tivities.

Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show

November 19, 2022

Bathurst Showgrounds, NSW bathursttruckshow.com.au

The Dane Ballinger Memo rial Truck Show will feature plenty to see and do for the entire family, including over 200 market stalls, food stalls, entertainment and kids rides.

The Bathurst Swap Meet Car and Bike Show will be held as part of the same weekend.

Illawarra Convoy November 20, 2022

Illawarra, NSW illawarraconvoy.com.au

Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Il lawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families affected by potentially life threatening medical condi tions, together with charities that work with these people, and local hospitals.

Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show November 26-27, 2022 Castlemaine, Victoria castlemainetruckshow.com

This is the 34th year for the annual event, which celebrates the important contribution of the trucking industry, with entertainment on offer for the whole family. Event proceeds will go towards local youth and community projects.

JANUARY

Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show January 14-15 79 Breakwater Road, Geelong classictruckandmachinery. com.au

The event showcases a huge display of classic trucks, trac tors, cars and machinery. There will also be over 15 ful ly operational steam engines, 12 permanently installed oil engines, a 1000hp marine steam engine, a wool scouring machine, and a large collec tion of steam models. And

the Vintage Tractor Pull will return for the eighth consec utive year.

Koroit Truck Show January 28, 2023 Koroit, Victoria After a Covid-enforced hia tus, the Koroit Truck Show will return with a bang during the Australia Day long week end.

FEBRUARY

Newcastle Truck Show & Convoy

February 26, 2023

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSW newcastletruckshow.com.au

The Newcastle Truck Show & Convoy is a fun, family day where the community and transport industry come together to celebrate and ap preciate the contribution of the transport industry to our nation. The convoy departs at Newcastle Markets and ends at McDonald Jones Sta dium, where over 200 trucks will be on display.

MARCH

East Gippsland Convoy for Kids March 4, 2023

Great Lakes Airfield, Lakes Entrance, Victoria facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100064776454174

The convoy will commence at Traralgon and Orbost,

coming together at the Greater Lakes Airfield at Lakes Entrance, where there will be plenty of trucks on show, with previous years attracting more than 200 ve hicles. Money raised will go towards the chosen charities: Angel Flight, Camp Quality and the Ronald McDonald House.

White Truck Muster March 18-19

Kyabram Show Grounds, Victoria facebook.com/whitetruck muster

The White Truck Muster is a celebration of the White

truck brand, with displays of trucks, cars, tractors, crawlers and memorabilia. The event is open to any vehicle man ufactured or marketed by White or White owned com panies, however other makes of trucks are also welcome.

Trucking Australia 2023 March 29-31 2023

Novotel, Sunshine Coast, Queensland new.truck.net.au The event will discuss the industry’s biggest challenges and spark solutions to shape the future of our industry.

Registration opened in early November

MAY

Brisbane Truck Show May 18-21, 2023

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre brisbanetruckshow.com.au

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and South Bank Parklands will be wall to wall with the lat est and best trucks, trailers, technology, components and equipment when the show returns in 2023.

Have you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to editor@bigrigs.com.au.

The Koroit Truck Show returns during the Australia Day long weekend. Photos: Facebook

The Geelong Classic Truck and Machinery Show will feature a huge display of vehicles and machinery from days gone by.

Coffs Harbour

JOBCOMMANDDONE

COMMANDDONE RESPECT

A demanding business demands a powerful truck. And with a commanding 510hp up front, you can’t look past the 13 Litre Shogun 510 – the most powerful Japanese HD truck in the land.

Since power belongs in safe hands, every Shogun comes with the world-leading safety features you’d expect from Daimler Truck. Add the peace of mind of a 5yr/500,000km warranty* and the only stops you’ll be making are the ones you want.

FOR MORE ABOUT THE FUSO SHOGUN 510 VISIT FUSO.COM.AU

Mercedes-Benz

ACFS Port Logistics recently took delivery of its 50th Mer cedes-Benz Trucks Actros.

The largest privately-owned container logistics operator in Australia, which runs 15 warehouses around the coun try, received the special Mer cedes-Benz Trucks model at its

Port of Brisbane facility.

AFCS Port Logistics fleet and compliance manager, Alan Guest, was there to receive the keys for the special truck from Daimler Trucks Gold Coast’s Brock McGarity

ACFS Port Logistics, which moves a remarkable 1.2 mil

lion TEU (20ft equivalent units) every year, has another 50 Actros units on order such is its confidence in the truck and the support of Daimler Trucks Gold Coast team.

Guest was instantly im pressed when he trialled an Actros in 2019, with both the

standard safety features and inherent fuel efficiency of its Euro 6 engines standing out.

ACFS operates a mix of 530hp 13-litre and 580hp 16-litre Actros models.

“The Actros delivered sig nificant fuel savings over the truck it replaced and it con

tinues to deliver fuel numbers that are absolutely brilliant,” said Guest.

In order to cut emissions and fuel use even further, Guest has always enabled the Actros models to switch off their engines after three min utes of idling. It is a measure that saves a vast amount of fuel and emissions over the whole fleet.

As for safety, the Actros comes with safety systems including the fifth genera tion radar/camera Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) called Active Brake Assist, which can now auto matically perform full emer gency braking for vehicles and pedestrians. All Actros models also come standard with Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and Attention Assist (AA).

ACFS adds its own task-specific safety items on top of the suite of standard safety features including five cameras and data telemetry system, as well as fitting its trailers with all the latest fea tures including electronic aids.

“Safety is critical for ACFS,” adds Guest. “The level

of standard safety in the Actros is welcome because we want to do everything that we can to maintain the safety and well being of our people and those they interact with.”

The cabin, which features two large high-resolution tablet screens and a modern ergonomic layout, has been well-received by drivers, as has the performance of the Mer cedes-Benz Trucks engines and the 12-speed AMT transmis sion.

“The comfort and the fea tures are just sensational and the drivers just love them,” said Guest.

The 50th Actros is one of two trucks that ACFS operates as an A-double, which is able to carry 80 pallets to leading supermarkets from the Port of Brisbane.

ACFS is also looking a range of other higher produc tivity combinations including a trial of AB-triples.

It is also actively investi gating zero emission transport solutions and is especially in terested in the battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell technology being developed by Daimler Truck.

Australia,

SINCE 1970, Lelox has spe cialised in the manufacture of stainless steel and alumin ium mudguards, as well as high quality metal mudguard mounting accessories for trucks and trailers.

All of its mudguards are made at its Sydney factory, using high quality stainless steel and aluminium, sourced from the best mills in the world.

An in-house foundry also

makes aluminium mudguard mounting brackets and chas sis pipes.

Due to the brand’s con tinued growth, Lelox moved into a larger and more func tional space in September 2020, that would allow the brand to crank things up an other notch. Fast forward to two years later and the new, bigger facility is running at full capacity.

Lelox’s strength in the mar ket lies in its local manufac turing. With most products kept in stock, turnaround times are also kept to a min imum. Even custom mud guards can be manufactured in as little as one business day. Lelox products are then shipped, not only nationally, but also worldwide too.

In the USA, Lelox’s mounting accessories are marketed as the heavy-duty option to their locally pro duced products; renowned for their toughness and un wavering reliability.

Lelox is an ISO 9001:2015 accredited company, which means quality policies are stringently managed and maintained so they can best

serve the trucking industry.

Stories of Lelox’s mud guards lasting for the life of the truck are the norm, rather than the exception. Every thing that comes out of the Lelox factory is built to go the distance, tackling all that Aus tralia’s rugged conditions have to throw at them.

And Elwin Bell from Bell’s Amusements is testament to this. The Lelox mudguards on his 2003 Western Star 4008 Constellation Series have last ed for 1.4 million kilometres, and are still going strong.

But Lelox’s success doesn’t

mean it can rest on its laurels. Over the last few years, the company has invested sig nificantly into research and development, new machinery and new technology.

Lelox has also diversified into gasket and seals man ufacturing for different in dustries including water and power services.

Recently, Lelox also launched a brand new prod uct, with the release of its pat ented Quick Release Mud flap Clamp and Coverstrip, which suit both stainless steel and plastic mudguards, as

well as tipper options too. Developed with design and functionality in mind, the Quick Release Mudflap Clamp and Coverstrip is the perfect finishing touch to your Lelox mudguards. Not only looking the part, they also allow access to dual tyres, maintenance of mudflaps or quick change of mudflaps on the side of the road.

Lelox is located at 100 Ar gyle Street, South Windsor, NSW. For more information or to check out the range of products, visit the website at leloxtruck.com.

All of its mudguards are made at its Sydney factory, using high quality stainless steel and aluminium.

Lelox has been specialising in mudguards since 1970.

Reader Rigs proudly supported by

Month

Share your truck pics to win with Shell Rimula

SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so now there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots.

Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfT heMonth, with the lucky win ner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card.

Keep an eye out for our reg ular posts on the Big Rigs Na tional Road Transport News paper 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 tak en. 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!

Aimee Booth enjoys the serenity while taking a break in Bringelly, NSW.

James Hadley says he made a quick dash across the Newell in a pair of socks to catch this “mad sunset”.

“When night time is the right time,” thanks for sharing Wayne Agius.

Filip Schubert snapped this shot while on an early morning job at the rail.

“A quick trip across the paddock. Chasing dreams in the big girl,” says Damian Toms.

Daniel Shaw waits to load asphalt out of Cairns in this great shot.

Congratulations to Toby Darrell Shingles, who has won a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card for this great shot, snapped just north of Meekatharra, WA.

Tom Charlton stops for a break at Benaraby, Queensland.

All shined up and ready to roll in Shepparton, thanks for sharing Jo Jeffers.

“Pink bits waiting patiently for her driver to stop admiring her in the afternoon sun!” – thanks for sharing Danyelle Haigh.

Third generation truckie Luke Moylan sent a great shot of this 2007 Western Star 6900 he drives for Mansell Transport, while travelling from Toowoomba to Darwin.

Blake Appsy sent in this great shot of the Western Star 4900, pulling a 19m B-double set of tippers.

Kate Yonge snapped this great shot, after the storm had passed, at Quirindi, NSW.

When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going

BACK in 2015, when Simon Sutherland decided to start a small business in his back shed, in the town of Coota mundra in NSW, he could not have imagined that in 2022, his company would be serving customers all around the world.

NXT Journey launched its first product, a work bag spe cifically designed for truck drivers, in November 2015. Over the following seven years, the original ‘Truckie Bag’ has evolved through 10 versions. Continuous im provement has always been the company’s core value.

“Our aim when we start ed was to deliver a work bag for truck drivers that would stand up to long weeks out on the road – a bag that you could trust. We never envis aged that one day our bags would be used by some of the largest companies in Aus tralia,” Sutherland explained.

NXT Journey has ex panded its range of bags for those in the transport indus

try, with the introduction of Safety Bags in 2018. The safety range has particular ly become popular in the rail industry, with compa nies such as Aurizon, Pacif ic National and Southern Shorthaul Railroad being great supporters.

Sutherland says that NXT Journey wants to stay true

to where it all started. “Our focus has always been trans port, and we will continue to strive to get better with our designs and manufacturing processes,” he said.

The next chapter in the NXT Journey story is fo cused on the USA.

Although the company’s American plans were ini tially delayed due to Covid travel restrictions, 2022 has enabled the company to travel over there twice. “We exhibited at the Mid-Amer ica Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky, in March 2022, and then did a follow-up trip to Texas in July,” added Sutherland.

In November, he’ll be travelling back to Dallas, Texas, to exhibit at the Women in Trucking Accel erate Conference. To make the trip that little bit more interesting, this time Suther land is travelling with one of Australia’s well-known truck ies, Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall, who many would recognise

from his regular appearances on popular television show Outback Truckers.

“I met Yogi at the Bris bane Truck Show in 2017 and we have developed a great friendship over the fol lowing years,” Sutherland ex plained. “Yogi was supposed to go to MATS with us in March, but things didn’t fall into place. When the Dallas trip came up, he locked it in.”

The Accelerate Confer ence brings together many

of the largest trucking supply companies in the USA. “We are very excited to be able to attend such an event, espe cially considering we will be the first Australian company to do so,” said Sutherland.

NXT Journey’s core busi ness has developed to make it one of the leading bag sup pliers for the trucking and rail industry in Australia.

“Many companies pur chase our bags with their logo embossed. They give them to employees, clients, and other business stake holders,” Sutherland added.

“We want to see a shift away from gifts that are just ‘throw away items’ that peo ple don’t think twice about. We have all received cheap, poor-quality items at confer ences or tradeshows. These things usually end up gath ering dust in people’s ward robes, or worse, in landfill.

“When someone re ceives a NXT Journey bag, they can see straight away that quality and thought has gone into the design. We want the recipient of a NXT Journey bag to get the WOW factor.”

NXT Journey has developed into a leading bag supplier for the trucking and rail industry in Australia.

NXT Journey founder Simon Sutherland will be heading over to the Mid-America Trucking Show with Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall.

MAXIMUM

FOR DRIVERS... THERE’S ONLY ONE CHOICE

In transport there’s no one size fits all. That’s why we have a wide range of sleeper cabs locally engineered to maximise the living quarters of your most important asset, your drivers. When it comes to comfort and well-being, size matters. kenworth.com.au

Here’s

BEFORE smartphones were launched, life was very different. We relied on our landlines and making or taking calls wherever the handset was plugged in. Now we can talk on the run, manage our calendars, pay bills, check our bank balance, take photos and so much more just from the phone. They are an integral part of our day and adoption of technology has helped us get there.

Similarly technology has helped the transport in dustry achieve substantial productivity gains across the board. And it contin ues with engineers at Knorr Bremse Australia working closely with the KnorrBremse technology experts both in Germany and North America to bring a new suite of applications for transport professionals. And access isn’t just for the big fleets.

Knorr-Bremse “tech” will be on show at the 2023

Brisbane Truck Show with the latest solutions from the truck to the trailer for big rig operators.

With safety technology and driver assistance systems being mandated in the com ing year, new Truck ADAS (Advanced Driver Assis tance Systems) is firmly em bedded in Knorr Bremse’s R&D roadmap.

Knorr-Bremse is develop ing reliable ADAS that can consistently and accurately detect and analyse real-time traffic conditions. These assistance systems are spe cifically intended for use in commercial vehicles. Typical ADAS solutions in the port folio include:

• BSIS (Blind Spot Infor mation System): This blind spot assist system warns drivers of possible lateral collisions with pe destrians or cyclists, for example when turning.

• MOIS (Moving Off Information System): Warns drivers of possible collisions with pedestrians

or cyclists as the vehicle is moving off from stand still.

• Adaptive cruise control and proximity control: With stop-and-go func tion.

• Lane Keep Assist (LKA): Predictive warning of unintentional departures from the vehicle’s current lane, accompanied by cor rective steering (AHPS).

• Traffic sign recognition: Traffic signs identified by cameras are immediately displayed on the driver’s dashboard screen.

For trucks, Bendix Fu sion integrates camera, radar and brakes that advances commercial vehicle driver assistance technology to a new level of performance. Plus the latest release of Fu sion significantly enhanc es Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Autonomous Emergency braking (AEB).

For trailer and particu larly HPVF – High Produc tivity Freight Vehicles – the new iMass Smart on-board

mass (OBM) system, uses digital technology to collect and transmit data from ve hicles in a reliable and stan dardised way. Having won the Application of Tech nology Award at the 32nd Australian Freight Industry Awards in September 2022, this is the first product in the market that uses existing Knorr-Bremse TEBS infra structure, cutting implemen tation costs significantly.

For serviceability, new tools and service solutions, software access as well as training access is being en hanced as part of the Truck Services proposition. Utili sation of interactive display talking to service informa tion for everything from traditional pneumatic valves right through to modern electronics.

Driver assistance sys tems and smart innovation are the basis for the current and future solutions which Knorr-Bremse will showcase at the Brisbane Truck Show in 2023.

Knorr Bremse Australia has been working closely with the Knorr-Bremse experts in Germany and North America to bring a new suite of applications for the transport industry.

TASMANIAN transporter

Stephen Gray and his wife Wendy started-off their busi ness 40 years ago with a sec ond-hand truck worth about $5000.

Now they have a fleet of four latest model trucks, in cluding a brand-new Fuso Shogun 360.

Stephen Gray Transport operates out Smithton, which sits at the far north-east coast of Tasmania.

It covers all types of freight, from refrigerated cargo to con tainers, cars and tractors, ser vicing Burnie, Devonport and Launceston.

Business has been so strong that the company has decided to add a new heavy-duty truck.

With a mix of European and Japanese trucks in his sta ble, Stephen Gray started the selection process with an open mind.

The truck he ended up se

lecting was a Fuso Shogun 360 provided by Blake Williams at Burnie CJD, who delivered the truck with his own ute on the back so that he could drive it back.

Blake organised the tilt-slid er body from CTE Custom Truck Equipment in Dande nong, Victoria, and it handles various cargo that including 20ft containers, telehandlers, 4WDs, cars and a huge array of everything else that needs shifting, with ease.

The truck was specified as a 6x2, a decision that some would suggest was brave on an island that gets more than its share of rain, but Stephen says traction is not an issue as long as you don’t stray onto surfaces that you shouldn’t be on.

So why go 6x2 instead of the traditional 6x4?

“Choosing a single rear axle rather than a tandem increases my payload by around 600- Gray says traction is not an

issue as long as you don’t stray onto surfaces that you shouldn’t be on.

700kg, which is a lot,” he said.

“It also reduces wear and saves fuel, so it makes a lot of sense for me.”

The Shogun 360 is the junior burger of the Shogun range with the smaller displace ment 7.7-litre six-cylinder from the Daimler Truck port

folio, but it gets along nicely with 360hp and 1400Nm of torque at the ready. Stephen describes the fuel economy as excellent, loaded or not. The engine meets the strict Euro 6-equivalent JPNLT emission standard, which is more strin gent that the current Euro 5 mandated emission level in Australia.

It is teamed up with quick shifting 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission with crawler mode that Stephen de scribes as smooth, responsive and quick-shifting.

He was encouraged to choose the Fuso partly because of a 1998 FV549 Fuso that never missed a beat.

“I loved that truck and hardly put a spanner on it and

I had it for 14 years,” he said.

Even so, the generous man ufacturer warranty that came with the Shogun 360, which covers the truck for five years or 500,000km, whichever comes first, was also a big plus, just in case something does go wrong.

“The warranty was signifi cantly better than the other trucks I was considering, by quite a margin,” he said.

Stephen explains that he reckons a decent warranty is something every truck should come with.

“I’m of the view that if you buy a new truck, you shouldn’t have to put your hand in your pocket, other than for servic ing, for years,” he said.

So, how does Stephen rate the Shogun now that he’s had it on the road for a few

months?

“Ten out of 10,” the 65-year-old said without pause.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to get another one.”

Like all Shoguns, the 360 comes standard with a full suite of active safety features. These include the latest gen eration Advanced Emergency Braking System that now uses camera and radar camera tech nology to provide enhanced pedestrian sensing capability, making it able to completely stop for a moving pedestrian in the event the driver does not respond to an audible warn ing. This system is standard on all Shogun models, as is radar adaptive cruise control.

Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), a driver air bag, Electronic Stability Pro

gram (ESP) and Hill Start Sys tem (HSS) assistance function continue as standard elements of the Shogun safety package.

The Shogun 360 is also available with Active Side guard Assist. This system uses a radar to detect a vehicle, cy clist, pedestrian or any physi cal obstruction on the passen ger side blind spot when the truck turning left or moving into a lane to the left and issue a warning. It can even initi ate braking in addition to the warning in order to avoid or mitigate a collision or impact at speeds of up to 15km/h.

In addition to the 7.7-litre Shogun 360, customers can also opt for an 11-litre Sho gun or the new 13-litre Sho gun that produces 510hp - the most powerful Japanese truck on sales in Australia.

Stephen

burger of

Shogun range with the smaller displacement 7.7-litre six-cylinder from the Daimler Truck portfolio.

STEPHEN GRAY

“The excitement and the nervous energy have been bubbling through the Double R team at Tamworth to take on Isuzu Trucks and every thing’s set to deliver outstand ing results.”

The first Double R loca tion sprang up in 2005 in Mudgee, NSW, when Russell decided to change paths after a highly successful career with Caterpillar in Australia and overseas.

Within a short span of time, Double R was able to grow from a one-person busi ness with a single service ve hicle, to opening the first of many locations in Mudgee, then expanding to include Hunter Valley and Gunnedah in NSW, plus Karratha and Leinster over in Western Aus tralia.

A strong contingent of the former Peel Valley Tamworth team will stay on with the dealership, as it transitions to Double R Trucks Tamworth, ensuring customers are kept in good hands.

Double R Trucks is also excited to have a national

champion come on board and join the team. Brad Hickey, better known as Brad Hick ey, is a highly skilled service technician who took out top honours at the Isuzu Nation al Skills Competition in July and somewhat of a local leg end.

“We’re super excited in supporting Hicksta as he pre pares for the global compe tition. It’s a real win to have him on board with us,” Rus sell said excitedly.

Hicksta and fellow techni cian Louis Holt from Bendigo Isuzu competed against teams from more than 40 countries in the prestigious Isuzu World Technical Competition, the I-1Grand Prix (I1GP), on November 4, as Big Rigs went to print.

The pair represented Australia, after standing out among a pool of more than 60 technicians and apprentices in the national competition.

It turns out Hicksta is not the only Isuzu celebrity in the Double R Truck ranks either.

“Drew Murden, our work shop manager, who coordi

ISUZU Australia Limited (IAL) has welcomed a new player from north-western NSW into its dealership stable.

In the first Isuzu truck deal ership acquisition for Double R Trucks, the team has cele brated the recent acquisition of the former Peel Valley Tam worth Isuzu dealership.

Bringing a foundation of diversity, with sales and ser vices across the agriculture, transport, construction and mining sectors, Double R has been in operation for nearly 17 years.

Beginning as an equip ment repairs provider, Double R delivered on and off-site maintenance solutions to in dustry and equipment owners before eventually branching out into new equipment sales.

Commenting on the changing of the guard in Tam worth, IAL chief of sales and aftersales Ben Lasry welcomed

“We’re really pleased to have Double R Trucks on board, representing the coun try’s top truck brand in north ern NSW.

“The team at Double R have an excellent read on the market in and around Tam worth, and we’re excited to see what the future holds.

“After spending time with the team in recent months, I can say with great confidence that truck customers in re gional NSW are in the safest of hands with Double R,” Lasry said.

According to Double R Trucks managing director Rusty Russell, the recent news is a momentous achievement for the whole team.

“We’re excited about part nering with Isuzu Trucks is an excessive understatement,” he said.

Double R to the Isuzu Trucks family.

The team at Double R Trucks is excited to be partnering with Isuzu Trucks.

Brad Hickey also took out top honours at the Isuzu National Skills Competition in July.

nates the workshop team, was a finalist in the Isuzu National Skills Competition in 2017,” added Russell.

“Drew went to Japan with the Australian team, where they collected the bronze medal.

“It’s exciting to have Hick sta and Drew there to offer that senior support and ad vice to the team. I could not be prouder of the Double R

Trucks Isuzu team containing two nationally awarded Isu zu technicians, here in Tam worth.

“It’s so exciting to be in volved with a brand like Isuzu Trucks to really acknowledge the skillset and the training that is put in by the tech nicians as they go through apprenticeships and then post-apprenticeship educa tion.”

Russell continued, “And that’s why Double R Trucks was so eager to work with Isuzu. They acknowledge the pressure that’s placed on ex perienced service technicians, and despite skill shortages and labour pool demands Isuzu has proven time and again that they support tech nicians along with their full range of staff.”

Tamworth is a region that is currently undergoing growth and expansion, so it’s clear that Isuzu Trucks is the perfect partner to team up with Double R Trucks, to meet the broader transport needs of the region. With plenty of infrastructure and construction jobs underway, the team will surely be kept on their toes.

“Thirty-three years as truck market leader is a tes tament to Isuzu and demon strates the quality and integ rity of the brand.

“Any business that can stand by a reputation of 50 years of trading trucks in Australia is a business that Double R Trucks looks for ward to learning from and working with.”

Brad Hickey, AKA Hicksta, in action at Double R Trucks.

Double R Trucks managing director Rusty Russell says Tamworth is currently undergoing a high rate of growth and expansion.

BEN LASRY

American beauty: Cascadia bedazzles Wodonga boss

A

It has been put to work running as a road train haul ing food-processing byproduct between Wodonga, in Victo ria’s far north, and Charleville, in South West Queensland, weighing in at around 79-tonnes.

The Freightliner Cascadia is the best-selling heavy-duty truck in the United States. It is produced in Charlotte, North Carolina, with an engine man ufactured from Detroit, Mich igan.

G.A.B.S operates a fleet of

13 heavy-duty trucks and the Cascadia is the first Freight liner.

“I’ve always been a Ken worth operator, but I’m very impressed with this Cascadia so far,” said G.A.B.S director Ross Spargo.

Spargo said he was initial ly interested thanks to the value proposition of the new Freightliner, a factor that made him take a closer look at the specs of the model that was launched in Australia after a comprehensive local test pro gram.

Now, after a several months on the road, Spargo is glad he took the plunge with the Cascadia and he highlights

the performance, fuel efficien cy and comfort levels of the truck.

“It has all the creature com forts, more horsepower, better vision and good fuel, it’s an in credible truck to drive.”

So, what do the drivers think of the big Freightliner, which mixes old-school Amer ican muscle with some pretty advanced technology?

“The drivers love it. The current driver is a Kenworth man, but he thinks the Casca dia is great and doesn’t want to get out of it,” said Spargo.

Cascadia is available with a 13-litre DD13 Detroit engine that produces up to 505hp and 1850lb-ft, or a 16-litre Detroit

16-LITRE Freightliner Cas cadia 126 with all the creature comforts is making an im pact at Wodonga-based fleet G.A.B.S.

G.A.B.S director Ross Spargo has been impressed with the performance from his first Freightliner Cascadia.

Spargo also selected a 60-inch sleeper for the Cascadia, which makes it a comfortable home away from home.

six-cylinder DD16 engine that pumps out up to 600hp and 2050lb-ft of torque.

The G.A.B.S truck has the bigger engine, using the com monsense idea that you can’t go wrong with more power.

Although it is available with an advanced Detroit DT12 Automated Manual Transmis sion (AMT), Spargo opted for

the old-school 18-speed Eaton manual.

He noticed early on that the Cascadia was extremely good on fuel, even in challeng ing conditions, and also used very little AdBlue.

“We are very happy with the fuel numbers. It is getting the best fuel numbers in the fleet on that application and uses very little AdBlue,” Spar go said.

He selected a 60-inch sleeper for the Cascadia, which makes it a comfortable home away from home. The set-up includes a TV and a fridge, while it also has an Ice Pack to maintain the high level of comfort. The same designers who shape Boeing interiors were involved in the creation of the Cascadia cabin with the

goal of ensuring that it was both practical and ergonomic.

Spargo and the G.A.B.S team is rightfully proud of their fleet and all the trucks get a little bit of love and stainless steel before they hit the road.

The Cascadia benefits from some understated scrollwork and pin striping, along with stainless wheel guards, sunvi sor and bonnet guard, while there are plenty of LED lights across the top of the wind screen and on the cab skirts to make sure no-one misses the rig out on the open road.

Its inherent fuel efficiency gives the Cascadia extra range, while Spargo selected four fuel tanks with a combined capac ity of 1249-litres to ensure the G.A.B.S truck can go a very long way between drinks.

The operator noticed early on that the Cascadia was extremely good on fuel, even in challenging conditions, and also used very little AdBlue.

The Cascadia benefits from some understated scrollwork and pin striping, along with stainless wheel guards.

ROSS SPARGO

IF you thought you may have seen Transformers favourite Bumblebee running up and down Sydney’s highways, you’re not mistaken.

A bright yellow K200 stands out amongst the traffic, with its huge Bumblebee mural captur ing plenty of attention.

After coming across the im pressive looking Kenworth, Big Rigs wanted to know more.

It turns out the truck be longs to Sydney based heavy haulage business Megatilt, which has been owned by Greg Taylor since 2016.

“I’ve owned Megatilt for six years now. It was previously owned by Steve Sarkis and had about 15 trucks. I was his trans port manager, so when he de cided to get out of it, I bought some of his trucks and contin ued, including the Bumblebee K200,” Taylor explained.

“We move all types of heavy and light loads. We also move machinery daily in Sydney metro and throughout the east coast,” he said.

“I couldn’t purchase them all, so the other trucks were auc tioned off. A lot of photos get taken of that Bumblebee truck when you pull into truck stops,

but it’s so hard to keep it clean at the moment with all this rain.”

At one point, the Megatilt fleet sported quite the array of superheroes and action charac ters. “It started with the Bum blebee truck, then went to Spi derman, Wolverine, Captain America, The Thing and more. I believe the Wolverine truck is in Brisbane now and the Cap tain America one went to Ade laide,” said Taylor.

The Bumblebee truck is a 2013 model and it’s used pre dominantly for carting cranes and drill rigs. Purchased espe cially for heavy haulage, it is rated to 186 tonne.

Taylor’s foray into transport started with his father. “He was in transport and cranes, so it progressed from there. I was originally a crane driver and got into heavy haulage 20 years ago.”

He was with Megatilt for about three years before the opportunity came to take over. The fleet currently has two Kenworth K200s, with anoth er one due to arrive in coming weeks.

“This is our third truck, so we’re going to try and get bigger and better. The future is look ing pretty bright, there’s a lot of work out there.”

GREG TAYLOR

The K200 fleet is used to move all types of heavy and light loads, including machinery.

The Bumblebee K200 was purchased by Megatilt’s previous owner.

The bright yellow 2013 K200 stands out on the highway. Photos: Facebook

I COULDN’T PURCHASE THEM ALL, SO THE OTHER TRUCKS WERE AUCTIONED OFF. A LOT OF PHOTOS GET TAKEN OF THAT BUMBLEBEE TRUCK WHEN YOU PULL INTO TRUCK STOPS, BUT IT’S SO HARD TO KEEP IT CLEAN AT THE MOMENT WITH ALL THIS RAIN.”

Digital solution for better road network access

SAL PETROCCITTO National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, CEO

TO progress a safer, more effi cient and productive industry that continues to meet the de mands of Australia’s growing freight task, we must continue to invest in our digital capabil ities.

The National Heavy Ve hicle Regulator (NHVR) and state authorities are working together to deliver a single na tional network map and fully digitising and automating ac cess management.

Our goal is to work with road managers to shift the focus away from managing permits, to managing and de livering a safe and economic network on a single national map.

This solution will support a move to more access being provided under notice and address key challenges faced by the industry, such as man

ual processing times, routing issues and outdated platforms unable to keep up with the rapid network changes.

The single national auto mated map will replace the current multiple state-based maps and deliver one single source of truth of the legally enforceable network - improv ing the ability to plan cross border journeys and providing

improved compliance certain ty for industry.

The map will be accessed through the NHVR Portal that has become a single-en try point for the heavy vehicle services – including accredi tation, PBS, access permits, compliance and registration information.

The enhanced platform will allow for immediate approval

of pre-approved routes that represent networks already as sessed by the road managers as an interim step before gazett ing networks. The new feature will instantly add the route to an operators permit as soon as the access application is sub mitted, ultimately reducing permit turnaround times and provide improved certainty for industry.

Supporting pre-approved routes is the ability for road managers to build networks and update network data in real time on one platform –meaning access conditions can be changed by the click of a button. This will allow net works to be planned, managed and published in the one loca tion.

The solution will provide road managers with a nation al database of the capacity of local government assets and a digital Asset Rapid Assessment Tool (ARAT).

The ARAT will assess bridge capability for heavy ve hicles in a matter of minutes, to provide near instant assess ment results for road managers and industry.

The NHVR Portal will also

provide operators with their full fleet of vehicle configura tions from the NHVR heavy vehicle database and will auto matically match assembled ve hicles with up to date, dynam ically generated networks.

Operators and drivers will be able to choose their pre ferred route specific to vehi cles and the access options available. We look forward to providing further updates as we continue to invest, unlock and deliver digital capabilities that enhances the safety and productivity of the heavy ve hicle industry.

Industry benefits of the NHVR national approach:

• Single national heavy vehicle access map

• Dynamically generated network maps

• Instant view of the current access arrangements

• Self-serve tools for the road managers to build, manage and publish their networks

• Fully automated heavy vehicle access under notice

The NHVR Portal will provide a national map of the heavy vehicle enforceable network so the heavy vehicle industry knows where they can legally travel.

Dynamic routing in the NHVR Portal will allow drivers to enter their vehicle dimensions to “snap” them onto a preferred route.

INDUSTRY REGULATION

IT is here, announced in the recent federal budget, an $80 million commitment by the federal government to build and upgrade rest areas for heavy vehicle operators.

We have a solid commit ment towards an essential as pect of a driver’s workday, the ability to manage fatigue.

I want the NSW gov ernment and Queensland governments to take note, apparently, you will be able to access funding from mid2023 for the building of rest areas.

Across the states, the inad equacy of rest areas is a testa ment to the previous lack of responsibility taken by state governments on road safety. The TWU has been pointing this out for some time.

The TWU spoke to driv ers at rest areas across the road network. Transport workers

told us that when it comes to rest areas, they kept driving because they could not find a parking spot.

They found toilet facili ties were dirty or inadequate; they could not access water or a shower; they could not rest because cars and caravans were parked in truck parking spaces. Drivers also told the TWU that there not enough adequate rest areas in roads they used.

Whether it was the inad equate rest areas on the New England Highway, or the ab sence of rest areas on roads like the Toowoomba bypass, truck drivers are angry that they are not consulted about their needs.

Drivers have told us they are “tired of squatting in the

rest areas will

bush” because there are no toilets, they are tired of hav ing to use the shit spade at Mount Boyce to bury their waste, because there is no toilet. They are tired of not being heard.

Plenty of conversations are being held with drivers about how to manage fatigue, but it is painfully obvious that the basic facilities that help them manage that fatigue are missing. Government must ensure that we improve the rest areas along all routes. State governments must not squander this new opportu nity.

Consultation is the key. I am calling on government to speak to the transport work ers, the main group of peo ple who use rest areas. Make sure they are at the top of the list of people to engage with when it comes to planning.

Speak to drivers about where to put them, speak to drivers about how rest areas can be designed to take larg er vehicles, speak to drivers about the problems they face as they do the job. Come talk to us, come find out from transport workers, what their needs are.

Truck drivers pay out a lot of money through fuel levies, Transurban toll road costs and more. Yet that money has not been put back into facil ities like rest areas that keep drivers safe.

Governments have fo cussed on roads and produc tivity. NSW Minister for Re gional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway recently said:

“We want projects that build better, safer roads and bridges with higher speed and load limits that improve access for freight on the local and re gional road network.”

That has not included rest areas; it has been about find ing ways to make truck driv ers more productive.

With funding now be coming available, the TWU

is calling on the state govern ments and local councils to do better.

The building of ade quately provisioned rest areas across the states’ road net works, which are properly maintained and will enable the separation of heavy vehi cles and other road users will save lives in the transport in dustry.

This spade at the Mt Boyce rest area is just one example of the sub-standard facilities that truckies are forced to endure.

TWU

TWU NEWS RICHARD OLSEN TWU NSW State Secretary

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING Principal Lawyer RK Law

Training over experience

THE VTA received a positive reaction to the column in the last issue of Big Rigs, which dealt with labour shortages and how overhauling our migration system to attract highly-trained and qualified drivers to Aus tralia would go a long way to addressing the crisis.

That article combined li censing and migration reform, outlining what we feel are highly practical solutions that would deliver safer and better trained drivers, irrespective of their country of origin.

Training and licensing have reared its head again with the Austroads’ deadline for re sponses to its National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework Consultation RIS (Regulation Impact State ment).

The Austroads review was commissioned with the aim of delivering a harmonised Australian license training and assessment framework that produces safe and competent heavy vehicle drivers.

Areas of proposed change are: managing driver risk to en sure eligibility for drivers with out serious driving offences; making competency require ments specific to each license class with provision for min imum course length; embed ding hands-on experience and minimum behind-the-wheel time pre-licence and supervised driving sessions post-license; and experience-based progres sion options to progress drivers to higher license classes more rapidly.

Our submission advocat ed for a nationally-consistent, competency-based licensing regime that prioritises training over experience, largely con sistent with the aspirations of Austroads’ proposed changes.

Australia needs thousands of well-trained and capable heavy vehicle drivers to deliver the growing freight task. That starts with effective licensing.

Under the current timebased graduated system, an as piring driver can only attain the entry level heavy vehicle license at the earliest age of 19, after holding a car license for a year. It then takes another year to graduate to the next level and a further year still before a license can be granted for all heavy ve hicles on Australian roads.

This has led to a basic de ficiency of the current system where the necessary skills and

competencies are being learned on-the-job rather than prior to taking the job.

We also expressed concern that licensing is not sufficiently focused on risk. Heavy vehicle crashes are serious because of their size and weight. It is the skill, knowledge and training of the driver that maintains a safe outcome for all road users. While the current system satis fies the criteria of our institu tionalised licensing system, it is not recognised by industry as being able to produce compe tent, safe, low risk drivers.

Our submission also high lighted the inability of statuto ry authorities to provide license applicants with the skills and training to ensure they can drive a heavy vehicle in a safe and low risk manner.

Given licensing services are consumed by those wanting to enter the road transport in dustry, heavy vehicle licensing should prepare applicants by ensuring that they receive ade quate practical hands-on train ing in driving environments they are likely to be exposed to on a daily basis.

On this measure, the VTA opposed Austroads’ proposal for its lack of practical time be hind the wheel.

Austroads’ proposed min imum 6-10 hours behind the wheel training for rigid license holders is insufficient and does

UNDER THE CURRENT TIME-BASED GRADUATED SYSTEM, AN ASPIRING DRIVER CAN ONLY ATTAIN THE ENTRY LEVEL HEAVY VEHICLE LICENSE AT THE EARLIEST AGE OF 19.”

PETER ANDERSON

not provide adequate time to effectively cover the 130 plus areas and competencies re quired to produce a safe, low risk heavy vehicle driver. This is a major limitation and de ficiency of the Austroads pro posal.

We also called for focussed training at the ‘front end’ of the licensing process, with ade quate time to ensure candidates are well trained before being employed. Drivers will require further on-boarding, but the necessary training must be pro vided at the beginning of a can didate pursuing a license.

The submission also reaf firmed VTA support for people to be trained at an early age to drive a heavy vehicle, putting it at odds with Austroads. Whilst the Consultation RIS acknowl edges ‘some industry members are wanting to explore oppor tunities to introduce young

drivers to heavy vehicle driving at an earlier age’, it indicates driving heavy vehicles at an earlier age is not under active consideration, which is dis heartening.

Young drivers will need to be carefully screened for ‘atti tude, aptitude and awareness’

but this can be done as a means of prequalifying for admission into a training course. This is essential if we are serious about attracting and providing career pathways for young people and ensuring that we have properly trained heavy vehicle drivers for the future.

SMART DASHCAM

A new approach to reduce risk by using video AI to protect your drivers

Video AI uses in-built sensors to provide real-time insights into behaviours via audible alerts to the driver.

Digitised coaching & training via a dedicated driver app to help focus on improving performance.

Create a balanced program that rewards positive actions and communicates areas for improvement.

Helps to reduce costs through improved behaviour by managing areas of harsh usage and efficiency.

Australia needs thousands of well-trained and capable heavy vehicle drivers to deliver the growing freight task.

VTA COMMENT

PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

Joining forces to help women who are in need

tralians suffering already from the high cost of living, with many of our farms un derwater and people impact ed by the flooding, there seems to be no relief in sight.

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport Women Australia

SO great to see money for rest areas in the budget, now we can hope to see that these are built swiftly with ameni ties, some shade and in the right places.

Although as we need them everywhere, we could build them anywhere and then more money to build even more would be grate fully accepted.

With all the flooding we are having throughout Aus tralia now, so much money will have to be put back into repairing the roads or even rebuilding in some cases, so I am sure that they will expect us to contribute to making that happen.

Let us just hope the promised money for the rest areas does not get diverted elsewhere.

There are so many Aus

We need a plan that sup ports industries in need, those feeding us and keeping our country moving, and we need to stop spending mon ey on unnecessary projects. Money that could be put back into roads, schools, hospitals, police, ambulance and essential services.

Transport Women Aus tralia Limited has been busy over the last few weeks join ing with the National Rural Women’s Coalition to get on board with the issues of women in rural and regional areas.

We have been shooting a video to promote TWAL to a greater audience so we can hopefully increase our sponsorship and find fur ther funding to allow the organisation to continue to grow and to expand its pro grammes.

We have finalised plans for end of year functions to be held, beginning in Perth

on November 22.

I will then be Zooming from the US, then we have Wodonga on November 29, the day I return to Australia, followed by Melbourne on December 1, Brisbane on December 6, Wollongong on December 7, Sydney on December 8 and Dubbo on

December 14. Tickets are available now via trybook ing.

Information is available on our social media or can be obtained by emailing chair@ transportwomen.com.au.

The Driving The Dif ference scholarship appli cations have closed and the

winning applicants will be announced on November 16 and will be presented with the certificates and cheques at the end of year functions closest to where they live.

We have had some amaz ing applications and it will be a big job trying to decide

on just five recipients. It is always amazing to see how many women we have in our industry looking to fur ther their education and the wide variety of subjects or courses they want to study, because our industry goes beyond the licence.

These scholarships allow a wide variety of courses and have no age restrictions, so we have a much broader field of choice for applicants and judges!

We are also working with other groups to bring the transport and logistics industry to schools, trade shows and skills fairs.

We have other job pro grammes now interested in our Creating Connections mentoring program, we are expanding our Women Driving Transport Careers female licencing program, and will soon be offering a leadership programme too.

The big news is that we have signed off on our new website and the developers should have it ready in the coming weeks.

Keep a lookout on our social media.

The TWAL branded truck at Ross Transport, which was used in the new promotional video.

BY AUSTRALIAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

A NEW Federal Govern ment is in town. They have had time to find their feet. But is there a reform agen da for this industry? That is not clear.

The Australian Truck ing Association has provid ed some ideas for them to consider. But there are three clear premises:

1. Government needs to en gage with industry; not ‘consult’ and forget.

2. That engagement must be at a senior level.

3. Time is of the essence. In this edition, the ATA sets out its advice on safety. The next edition will focus on productivity.

Safety target

The ATA’s target is zero deaths and zero injuries. The improvement rate over the ten years to December 2020 was only 2.5 per cent per year.

more ambitious targets are needed to get safer results.

Our recommendation: set a target of 25 per cent re duction of crashes involving trucks per year. Here’s how:

• The Australian Govern ment funding and operat ing all major freight roads

• National standards to guide road spending, rest area improvements and safety

• Enable the use of modern truck combinations that are safer

• An additional 10-year, $5 billion truck roads and rest area program

• Full expensing for trucks and trailers for newer, saf er, more sustainable trucks

• No-blame safety investiga tions of truck crashes – les sons learned

• 100 km/h speed limit ev

But the selection, deliv ery and funding options are invisible to the industry as customers.

The recent decision to re move freight road specialists from the Infrastructure Aus tralia board is poor. So now we need a better process. Freight project selection and delivery should be agreed between government and industry annually. Delivery and funding updates need to be published. By program, each six months.

Industry needs coordi nated transport infrastruc ture plans which include access and future investment priorities to fix network gaps. This year’s additional budget announcement of an extra $80 million is great. But it is

trucks with no emission standards (except smoke).

Less than half of Australia’s truck fleet meets the latest emission standards. Older trucks have poor communi ty impacts, including noise. Older trucks perform poor ly and have a greater toll on drivers.

Some solutions:

• Full expensing for trucks and trailers for newer, saf er, more sustainable trucks on our roads

• A purchase incentive for zero emission trucks.

Safer speeds

The evidence is clear. Too many Australians die on our roads because of speed. Cars zipping around heavy vehi cles is dangerous and kills

Truckin’ In The Tropics

Clayton Walker

CLAYTON Walker was driv ing an Iveco Stralis for Main freight when Big Rigs saw him one evening, carrying general goods from the south, bound for Townsville, Cairns and Mareeba.

He said fuel costs were a

major problem for the indus try at present.

Aged 44, Walker was checking his load when he pulled up at the BP Cluden Roadhouse.

“I have a backload of pro duce to pick up at Mareeba

for the Brisbane markets,” he said.

Based at Brisbane, Walker said there was “definitely not enough quality rest areas for drivers in Queensland.

“There are a lot beside the Newell Highway in Victoria,” he said.

His favourite roadhouse is at Larapinta in Brisbane, as he said it was good for truck drivers.

Walker’s hobbies outside work include water skiing on a dam at Toowoomba.

“It is full at the moment with all the rain down there,” he said.

Walker has been a truckie for decades and an owner-op erator for the past four years.

Like many other drivers, he keeps a gas cooker with him. “I love cooking steak on it and that shows I support the Australian beef industry. Salad with it is also good,” he said.

It had been very hot in the tropics for the previous week, with temperatures reaching 35°C.

However just before I spoke to Walker the heavens opened up over Townsville, which produced welcome amounts of rain. It also re duced the heat, making it much more comfortable for truckies like Walker.

Ted Markwort

A big storm was in the vicinity when Big Rigs saw owner-op erator Ted Markwort near his truck at the BP Cluden in Townsville.

The 61-year-old is based at Deniliquin in Victoria and drives a 2007 Western Star.

He has been a truckie for 38 years and an owner-oper ator for 20, and said fuel and registration costs were major concerns.

“I have plenty of work

though and like what I do,” he said.

His company name is ECM Haulage and Mark wort had a load of pipes from Melbourne, bound for Townsville.

“I have to pick up cotton on the way back in NSW,” he said.

Markwort said the Newell Highway was in a bad state overall. “They need to stop the water seeping under the

surface to fix it up,” he said.

This quietly spoken gen tleman of the highways and byways cooks most of his own food whilst away, on a gas burner. “I really enjoy a T-bone steak,” he said.

Born at Longreach in Queensland, Markwort has German and Aboriginal her itage.

He likes the Western Star, which he’s named ‘Takin Care of Business’.

Veteran truckie Ted Markwort has worked as an owner operator for the past 20 years.

Clayton Walker drives an Iveco Stralis, working for Mainfreight.

with Alf Wilson

IT had been raining heavi ly just before I came across Shane Hurley in Townsville on October 26, but the driver’s comfort level had improved after a recent heat wave.

Hurley, 54, works for Tareve of Brisbane and was driving a Kenworth C509 with a Cummins 480hp motor, carrying refrigerat ed goods for Townsville and Cairns.

Hurley was parked up at the Port Access Road check ing his load and was delight ed to have a yarn. “I have a gas cooker with me and love spaghetti bolognese,” he said.

Hurley nominated the worst road as the section of the Newell between Goondi windi and Narrabri.

A truckie since 1990, Hurley is a friendly driver who enjoys the job and pos sesses a witty sense of hu mour.

In fact he didn’t mind me in the least describing him as a road transport “comedi an”.

“I don’t take life too seri ously and enjoy it,” he said.

That was evident when I asked Hurley why he loved the life. “Like any bad habit you always seem to go back

to it,” he said.

I asked Hurley how Covid had affected his life over the past few years. “I haven’t been able to go on so many overseas holidays and my mates will know what I am talking about,” he said.

As for football, Hurley said he didn’t have time to watch television so didn’t have any football teams to follow.

“I go against what every body else does, for example if I am in NSW when the State of Origin is on I barrack for Queensland,” he said.

Based at Brisbane, Hur ley said there was a gener al shortage of rest areas for truckies but did nominate one he rates as excellent.

“It is the Cape River rest area along the Belyando be tween Charters Towers and Clermont. It has toilets and tables and seats with shade,” he said.

His hobbies include chas ing feral pigs around the Condamine and St George regions.

If he does have an annoy ance, it is the antics of some grey nomads in caravans.

“I never have any worries with them because they can see how big I am,” he said.

His favourite roadhouse

is the BP Cluden, which at the time I saw him a few ki lometres away at the Port Ac cess Road, had many trucks parked there.

If you run into

The first truck Hurley drove was a 1989 N-11 Volvo for Crosses Transport at the Central Queensland mining town of Moura.

Originally from the north island of New Zealand, Hurley came to Australia in 1982 and it is now his per manent home.

Hurley on your travels, I am sure he will have a joke to tell you. What a refreshing character he is.

Shane Hurley drives a Kenworth C509 for Tareve of Brisbane.

with Alf Wilson

AFTER losing his father when he was just eight years old, third generation truck ie Shane Mitchell, 35, says he has an old neighbour to

thank for teaching him ev erything he knows.

Originally from New Zealand, Mitchell was lured to Australia by its big rigs

and rugged landscape. Now based in Wodonga, he’s called Australia home since 2011.

For Mitchell, a love of

Truckin’ In The Outback

trucks began at an early age. “My father and grandfather drove for our local council in New Zealand. After my father died, my neighbour from across the road, Larry, who was also a truck driver, took me under his wing. I would’ve been stuffed with out him. I got taught how to do things the right way and the old school way by Larry and a few other friends,” he said.

On moving to Australia, Mitchell added, “I wanted a bit more freedom and inde pendence, where I could do my own thing and do what I wanted to do. I’d always been interested in road trains and I really liked travelling, so there probably wasn’t a better place for me to move to. I’ve seen a better part of the country now, but there are still many places I haven’t yet seen.”

His career in trucking started across the ditch, as he worked his way through the ranks. First it was work ing in the yard, then in the workshop doing trailer and body repairs, before securing his truck licence at age 18, in 2004, and starting out in a little tray truck. Then by 2007, he had progressed to

long distance work across the country.

When he arrived in Aus tralia, he had his HC licence equivalent and quickly se cured his MC.

Mitchell’s driving career down under started with Kelvin Baxter Transport, where he worked for a few years before heading to the US for an extended holiday. Upon his return, he scored a job with Dawson’s Haulage

and has been there ever since – that was over seven years ago now.

Dawson’s Haulage op erates three depots, located in Baranduda (Wodon ga), West Wyalong and Toowoomba. The company offers specialised logistics and Mitchell says the work takes him to all corners of the country.

“We do a lot of flat top road train work, extendable

Shane Mitchell travels near and far, and loves tackling the dirt roads.

He carts all manner of freight across the country.

Mitchell caught the trucking bug at a young age and has never looked back.

Truckin’ In The Outback

oversize work, as well as a bit of tautliner work here and there. We’ll have a crack at anything you can put on a trailer. There is a saying writ ten on our trucks – ‘She’s no ordinary show’ – and that pretty much sums up what we do, it’s a bit of every thing. I go all over the coun try,” said Mitchell.

You’ll find him behind the wheel of an impressive 2020 Kenworth C509, which he’s had since brand new. “The truck is absolutely perfect. It would be very hard to go back to anything else. The slipper front end we have on the truck is great on the dirt roads.”

Mitchell says his truck is always packed with enough clothes for four weeks, so he’s

ready for whatever comes his way. “If we do Perth and back, it’s about 10 days, and Darwin is about the same. But then we get odd jobs here and there too. The longest time I’ve been away was for seven weeks. That was for a job that took us up to Weipa in Queensland. Next week’s job is towing a road train out of Adelaide to Moomba, with about 18.5 metres on each trailer.”

Most of Mitchell’s work is double road trains, with the occasional triple when required. “We can’t pull a triple out of the Wodonga yard so that’s why we do a lot more of the doubles,” explained Mitchell, adding that the Peninsula Develop ment Road and the Tanami

are some of the toughest roads he has to navigate.

And yet, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love travelling to Far North Queensland, Perth and Dar win in the winter. I don’t do much work into the big cit ies, it’s mainly regional stuff. I love going anywhere I can be on the dirt. I enjoy the freedom of an outback road.

“I like seeing the differ ent geographical terrain as it changes out on the dirt. You can go from red dirt to limestone in the space of just 10 kilometres. It’s absolutely stunning. I like to stop and take a lot of photos.

“At the depot, I’m known for taking the scenic route. There was one particular job recently where we took over

size huts to Kings Canyon in the NT. Once we finished unloading, me and two other drivers paid a helicop ter pilot to take us over the canyon. The terrain is just unreal over here in Austra lia. There’s a reason I haven’t moved back to NZ. I love it here. And I met my partner over here too.”

As for roadhouses, Mitch ell’s favourite one to stop at is the Barringun Roadhouse near the NSW/Queensland border. “I love that place. It feels very homely. Quite of ten the owner will sit down and have a cup of tea with you while you have your breakfast and have a chat. I always make an effort to go there when I’m up that way,” he said.

“The terrain is just unreal over here in Australia,” he said.

Mitchell began working with Dawson’s Haulage around seven and a half years ago.

He’s driven this impressive 2020 Kenworth C509 since new, and says it’s a perfect fit for the job.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

MY NEIGHBOUR FROM ACROSS THE ROAD, LARRY, WHO WAS ALSO A TRUCK DRIVER, TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING. I WOULD’VE BEEN STUFFED WITHOUT HIM. I GOT TAUGHT HOW TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY AND THE OLD SCHOOL WAY BY LARRY AND A FEW OTHER FRIENDS.” SHANE MITCHELL

TTA celebrates industry

THE Tasmanian Transport As sociation (TTA) celebrated the industry’s high achievers during its Gala Dinner and Awards Night, held on Saturday Oc tober 29, at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston.

The 2022 Tasmanian Trans port Industry Achievement Awards were a highlight of the night. “We congratulate those businesses and individuals who were recognised this evening for their outstanding contribu tion and commitment to the Tasmanian transport industry,” said TTA chairman John de Bruyn.

Here are the 2022 winners:

Calvin ‘Bimbo’ Jones

The NTI Industry Achieve ment Award went to Calvin ‘Bimbo’ Jones. A third-gener ation trucking veteran, he was inducted into the Australian Road Transport Wall of Fame at Alice Springs in 2017.

In presenting Jones with the award, Tasmanian business development manager at NTI, Shane Fairhall, said, “As a teen

ager, Bimbo’s introduction to the industry was propped in the driver’s seat of a ten-yard tipper in the steep north-east Tasmanian logging country. At 18, he was driving interstate in a 1973 single drive Internation al, hooked to a bogy-axle trailer with general freight Melbourne to Sydney for Lanes.”

After 12 months, he re turned to Tasmania and formed a transport company with wife Susanne. Four decades on and CR & S Jones has grown into a prominent Tasmanian timber haulage company, providing deliveries for the last remain ing sawmill in the Northeast district.

Bruce Webb Webb was presented with the TWUSUPER Transport Ev ery Day Hero award, which recognises the industry’s quiet achievers.

He is the Bell Bay operations manager with SeaRoad. Origi nally employed at Bell Bay 11 years ago, he oversaw the entire branch and small fleet, before

being promoted to Launces ton fleet operations manager in 2012. In June 2021, Bruce returned to Bell Bay to man age the day-to-day operations. Speaking of him, his employer said, “Bottom line for us is –if you need something done, Bruce can do it.”

James (Jamie) O’Brien

Also presented with the TWU SUPER Transport Every Day Hero award, O’Brien is the maintenance coordinator for the Northern Tasmania opera tions of Veolia Environmental Services.

He is the central contact for all equipment related tasks. His multi-skilled abilities are piv otal to the success of Veolia’s operations. His employer said, “Over close to 12 years Jamie has grown into an extremely valuable member of our teams, he is our Superman.”

Kym Lawrence

Named the NTI 2022 Pro fessional Driver of the Year, Lawrence’s willingness to jump

behind the wheel of Recycal’s 35m PBS configuration and his consistent excellent safety and efficiency scores on the Scania’s telematics data were praised.

The grandson of a truckie, he joined the industry at age 19, driving MR trucks for fur niture removals. He upgraded to his HC and was tasked with delivering precast concrete pan els in the Brisbane/Gold Coast areas and interstate between Brisbane and Sydney, before moving to Tasmania. Lawrence has now been driving with Re cycal for around four years.

De Bruyn’s Transport –Hobart depot

Recognised for a range of ini tiatives designed to increase diversity and inclusion, De Bruyn’s Transport’s Hobart depot employs a significant number of new arrivals to Aus tralia and has over 20 per cent of the Hobart depot workforce from countries outside of Aus tralia. The award was accepted by Hobart branch manager Roger Stone.

Tony Piper

Taking out the AEI Transport Insurance Brokers Award for Safety, Quality and Environ ment was Tony Piper of SRT Logistics.

Based at the Brighton head office, Piper’s original focus within the business was work health and safety, but it wasn’t long before the scope was ex tended to include training, COR and compliance, and responsibility for the SRT Lo gistics Melbourne depot.

These days, he’s responsible for driver assessments for po tential employees and internal audits on existing employees, overseeing the comprehensive SRT Logistics induction pro gram for new recruits, monitor ing compliance to SRT policies and procedures, and working with depot managers to en sure standards remain high for HACCP, food safety, COR and the HVNL. With a background in emergency response and cur rent volunteer paramedic, he is a mental health first aid officer within the business too.

Stephanie Nichols

The Gallagher 2022 Trans port Industry Young Achiev er Award was taken out by Stephanie Nichols, media and communications officer at Bonney Energy.

“Hardworking, resource ful, motivated and deter mined, Steph has a proven ability to provide outstand ing customer service and has excellent administration and organisation skills. Steph was admitted to the Institute of Project Management as a Certified Project Officer in 2019,” said Dion Guest of award sponsor, Gallagher.

During the evening’s proceedings, CEO of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Sal Petroccit to, also announced a grant of $260,000 for the TTA’s Open Road health and well being initiative. The program was developed in partnership with Rural Alive and Well (RAW) and the University of Tasmania.

Calvin ‘Bimbo’ Jones (left), who received the 2022 Industry Achievement award, with wife Susanne and NTI’s Shane Fairhall.

Corrie Summers from TasRail, Roger Stone from De Bruyn’s

Transport Hobart depot, which picked up the 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Award, and CEO at TasRail, Steven Dietrich.

Every Day Hero Award winners James O’Brien (left) and Bruce Webb (right), pictured with independent chairman at TWUSUPER, Nick Sherry.

Tony Piper at SRT Logistics, who picked up the 2022 Quality, Safety & Environment Award, and managing director at AEI Insurance Broking Group, Tim Wedlock.

2022 Professional Driver of the Year Kym Lawrence with Shane Fairhall from NTI.

Stephanie Nichols at Bonney Energy was presented with the 2022 Gallagher Young Achiever award.

Potholes galore causing headaches on the road

Potholes galore

A veteran driver with more than 40 years’ experience re ports he has never seen so many potholes around sec tions of the Hume Highway in Victoria.

“It is crazy around Seymour and Wodonga – there are so many on a section called the Wang Strait – lots of cars be side the road with flat tyres,” he said.

He added that there were a few work gangs repairing them but did say that may change once the rain subsides.

“We have had a lot of rain,” he said.

The lad also said there was lots of potholes near Hol brook in NSW but “not as many as in Victoria.”

Another almighty clash

A South Aussie driver who thought he was being a good samaritan by helping some body says he ended up being labelled a bad guy and isn’t happy about it.

He contacted Spy with his story after just returning home from a trip in WA.

“I pulled up at a parking bay going west just short of Balladonia, WA. Got up in the morning and a caravan couple had no power in their batteries/vehicle as they left too many things on. Easy, jump start them. My mate (another company), even un hooked to get right up close to jump their Land Cruiser for

them. I helped of course and got them started. All good… NOT!” he said.

“The family took the num ber and transport company off the door and now are want ing damages to their power system on their car and van, saying that my mate hooked it up wrong and FRIED all their electrics,” he added.

“F… Off. We helped them to get started and they were so happy that they were mobile when we left. Can’t help any one in the outback without getting shafted,” he said in conclusion.

WA rest area concerns

A lack of rest areas for trucks is a genuine concern for long time drivers in WA.

Especially on the 550km section of the Great Eastern Highway between Perth and Coolgardie.

“There is not enough rest areas along that highway and the ones there don’t generally have facilities for us drivers.

Six parking bays have also been removed which adds to the problem,” one truckie told Spy.

It does get busy with traffic and another said that some of the rest areas are difficult for trucks to access.

One long time driver con tacted Main Roads about the issue and was told it was a funding matter.

“Something needs to be done about it and soon,” he said.

Several work interstate and wish there were some rest ar eas with facilities like those that are more common in NSW.

NT rest areas as well Some NT drivers have been critical of the shortage of rest areas between Darwin and Al ice Springs; and also along the 800km between Darwin and Kununurra.

“There are few facilities for us and many of the rest areas are dirt,” one said.

They

A Big Rigs celebrity

Drivers

that they are genuine celeb rities.

Spy hears of a Darwin based driver with more than 10 years’ experience who knows how it feels.

After his recent interview and pic graced our pages this truckie walked into the big Darwin Central Roadhouse

and got a big surprise.

“Some other driver had grabbed every Big Rigs from a pile there and opened the pages to where my story was,” he said.

Spy knows an SA driver who was in our paper who had been dubbed ‘Hollywood Truckie’.

say amenities are few and far between especially when compared with most states.

who appear on the pages of Big Rigs are often told by colleagues or mates

SPY

The Julia Creek Roadhouse in outback Queensland.

Tasmania.

Several WA truckies working

Spooky reunion

A group of drivers from around mainland Austra lia meet every 10 years for a reunion of sorts and it takes them to various destinations.

It is coming up over the break in December and this time the lads have chosen Tasmania as their destination.

As part of this trip they are going to meet at Port Arthur and do a tour of the historical site.

Part of that day will in clude a visit to the Isle of the Dead, which was Port Arthur’s tiny cemetery island and is the final resting place of more than 1000 convicts, military and civil officers, women and children, who were buried here between 1833 and 1877.

The Isle of the Dead has two separate burial sections – convicts were laid to rest in mostly unmarked graves at the island’s southern end, while the higher northern end was reserved for free and military burials, marked by headstones. The anonymity of the convicts was some what redressed after 1850, when some convict graves

were given headstones.

To get there you trav el aboard a boat and take a guided tour and hear per sonal stories of convicts who were transported here from across the world, the soldiers who gave their lives to guard the prison, the officers, and their families who followed them to the ends of the earth.

Spy has been to the Isle several times, and whilst many may consider it a spooky place, it certainly re sults in lots of conversation afterwards.

Coincidence in emergency

You never know how many people from diverse jobs and backgrounds read Big Rigs, and Spy is surprised by this often.

Never more so than re cently when in the emergen cy department of a hospital a mention was made of a young female truck driver who featured in our pages a while ago.

We yarned to her at Miles when she was driving a light rig carrying cattle from the family station at Richmond.

Anyway a nurse in the

ward spoke to a truckie and mentioned she had seen the story about somebody she knew and it was her.

“I saw the story as it was posted on Facebook,” she said.

Sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a subject of ten spoken about by truck drivers.

Old Spy was enjoying breakfast at an establishment frequented by drivers and some of their partners and almost choked on his corn flakes when he overheard one conversation.

When her hubby went to the rest room one partner told of how he had been di agnosed with the ailment but was now using a CPAP ma chine for treatment.

“Before he snored so much that he sounded like a freight train at full throttle. I had to sleep in a different room but all is well now,” she said.

Her comment caused a laugh from most in earshot.

Julia Creek Roadhouse

When I phoned up the Puma Julia Creek Roadhouse in outback Queensland I could tell the woman who an swered was English.

It was the cook Hannah Bird, a delightful lady who was happy to talk about truck drivers who stop there and their habits.

“I have been here for two months and we average about 40 a day stopping. We open from early in the morn ing until 9pm at night with plenty of parking. They love to have a yarn,” she said.

Half a dozen truckies had contacted Spy nominating the Puma there as a great place to stop.

She reckons their favour ite tucker is a variety of burg ers and a cold soft drink.

Julia Creek is along the Flinders Highway and about 650km from coastal Towns ville and 250km from Mount Isa in the opposite direction.

It is normally a quiet town with friendly residents, as you find in most country towns.

Gold Coast activity

“There’s always something going on around here and recently it was the famous Coolangatta Gold,” a retired truckie wrote in an email he sent to Spy with a pic.

It was of an Izuzu ute which would climb a 45-de gree ramp, then the ramp would tilt down. “It was one of the trade displays,” he said.

Thanks to all you blokes who contribute, much appre ciated.

Trash to treasure

There is one Victorian truck ie who got a part time job at a dump going through rubbish which had been brought in.

Our handyman soon dis covered that some of the items which were going to be buried could be useful.

He started picking up a few and making items from them such as small orna ments.

When he displayed a cou ple at home, friends asked if they could purchase them, so old mate now has made a hobby from it all.

And earns a few extra Ox ford Scholars to add to his weekly wages.

An Izuzu ute climbs a 45-degree ramp at the Coolangatta Gold.

Burgers are a popular choice among truckies stopping at the Julia Creek Roadhouse.

The Coolangatta Gold event.

A trucking good time as these newlyweds say ‘I do’

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

THIS MC driver bride ar rived at her wedding in style, driving herself to the cere mony in a shined-up Ken worth T909, with her father and maid of honour in tow, as she married her farmer beau.

Callie Sandilands and Aidan Newton tied the knot on a not-so-sunny day at a lush green sheep and cattle property, just out of Candelo in southern NSW.

The 70mm of rain fore cast left Sandilands, 37, a lit tle nervous that the convoy of three trucks might not be able to make it through the dampened paddocks, but thankfully there was noth ing more than a light drizzle, which did little to dampen the mood during the cer emony, which she says be came a “comedy of errors”.

“Everything that could go wrong did. We had about 200mm of rain in a couple of weeks leading up to the day, and were really worried about getting the trucks bogged, which was a huge stress, but thankfully the rain held off. The music also

went wrong, the microphone broke, and it was windy, so the guests were standing out in the freezing cold, but in the end it all ended up okay.”

Huge rolls of hay and a polished cattle truck were strategically placed to act as a wind-breaker. “Because the weather was so wet and

crappy, we parked the cattle truck next to us and it took pride of place,” Sandilands laughed.

She’s been driving trucks since her early twenties and in the past 15 years has done all sorts of work, including fuel tankers, tippers, gener al freight, float and logging work.

These days Sandilands drives a 1998 Kenworth T900 truck and dog for Greenlands Garden Centre in Moruya, NSW. “I’ve been there a bit over a year now but have known them for many years. I do local work at the moment because I have a little son who is threeyears-old and my eldest is

13,” she said.

When it came time to start planning the big day, Sandilands says her husband Newton was all over her idea to include the trucks.

First in the wedding con voy of three trucks was a fully restored 1987 T650 owned by Gary Twyford, a white T950 owned by his son Chris Twyford (both carry ing the bridal party), and at the back was a T909 driven by Sandilands and owned by Jimmy Russell from Russell’s Transport.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds hopped into the T909 and Sandilands drove them to the reception.

She says the day was a

THAT COULD GO WRONG DID.

WE HAD ABOUT 200MM OF RAIN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE DAY, AND WERE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT GETTING THE TRUCKS BOGGED, WHICH WAS A HUGE STRESS, BUT THANKFULLY THE RAIN HELD OFF.”

CALLIE SANDILANDS

dream come true with guests partying in a huge marquee until the cows came home.

The wedding took place on a farm property just out of Candelo in southern NSW.

Sandilands drove herself to the wedding in a shined-up Kenworth T909.

Truck driver Callie Sandilands and farmer Aidan Newton tied the knot recently.

Wedding guests braved the cold to be part of the couple’s special day.

EVERYTHING

DOWN 1 Whichchess piecesare mostnumerous? (5)

2 Whatbrightyellow powder is usedfor flavouring in Asian cookery?(7)

of vitamin D (7)

Whatare lengthwisethreads on a loom? (4)

Whatisthe capital ofLiberia? (8)

In 1982 who madethe firsttelevised147 break in snooker? (5,5)

Whichinventor (Thomas ____)tookout more than a thousandpatents in his lifetime? (6)

Whatis the lastword of“RuleBritannia”?(6)

15

3 InearlyEngland,what was a smalllandholder between gentry and labourers? (6)

What is a person of eminence or distinction (7)

TheMisfits in1961 was the last film starring Marilyn Monroeand which otheractor? (5,5)

colloquially are discarded partly smoked cigarettes (7)

Native toCentral and South America, a tamandua is whattypeofanimal? (8)

When

What cloth isspreadover a coffin? (4)

16

17

Which term also describes regions (7)

4 Whatbranch ofmedicine isconcerned with diseasesand abnormalities ofthe heart?(10)

What are words spoken in undertones (6)

What FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

5 A star that suddenly brightens then gradually fades is called what? (4)

To wash lightly is to do what (5)

6 Which film,1984’s BestPicture Oscar winner, was filmed inPrague? (7)

9 Where wasLouisArmstrong born? (3,7)

boat basin offers dockage for small craft (6)

Whatisaninformal word for “avery long time”? (5)

What diseaseisalso known as lockjaw? (7)

be of low character is to be what (7)

have prodded or goaded is to have done what (7)

one entertains one does what (6)

in cookery are formulas for preparing dishes (7)

is another term for understanding (7)

an English orchestral conductor; Sir Thomas ... (7)

are distinctively marked and shaped anchored floats (5)

one makes certain one does what (7)

is a printing of a newspaper (7)

Name a more common term for a seraglio (5)

the capital of Iran (7) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 QUICKCROSSWORD Across:1Denim,5Ruby,8Uranus,9Actor,10Luck,11Never,12Odd,15Rest, 18Noise,21Roe,22Lame,24Coat,25Robin,28Tirade,29Omen,30Seers.

is the capital of which South American republic (7) Down:1Dragon,2Nut,3Iron,4Mare,5Ruler,6Usurer,7Yak,13Do,14Dilate, 16So,17Tennis,19Satin,20Em,23Eras,24Coo,26Ode,27Bee.

Which slender pieces of metal join potions of wood together (5)

Name a large white bear (5) 20 Name a hard heavy durable wood most highly prized when black (5)

11 Whichwoman was married on 29April 1945, and died the followingday?(3,5)

12 Whatis the widening channel of a river where saltwater mixes with freshwater?(7)

14 Inheraldry what is thecolour silver?(6)

16 Millionsof records from which US immigration entry island areaccessible onthe internet? (5)

is a clear transparent mineral resembling ice (7) Down:1Beecham,2Buoys,3Edition,4Trilby,5 Harem,6Reefers,7Nails,13Rickets,15Magnate,16 Spheres,17Asides,18Rinse,19Polar,20Ebony.

might we call a native of Jerusalem (7) GENERALKNOWLEDGE Across:4Teheran,8Ecuador,9Israeli,10Crystal, 11Bumpers,12Marina,14Amuses,18Recipes,21 Ignoble,22Needled,23Entente,24Ensures.

HEAVY Vehicle Industry Aus tralia (HVIA) has revealed Southern region finalists for its National Awards, during a spe cial event held in Melbourne.

Safety innovation finalist Scania Australia – Securing the Future of Workshop Safety Scania’s Battery Electric Vehi cles (BEV) Safety Management System (SMS) ensures employ ees have a safe work system when interacting with electric vehicles.

Scania’s BEV safety struc ture details responsibilities against each staffing level with in Scania Australia. To become a qualified authorised Scania BEV technician, employees undertake online learning and face-to-face in-house training. Only authorised technicians can perform electrical work on BEVs.

Product innovation finalists Knorr-Bremse – iMass iMass is a TCA Category B Certified SMART On Board Mass (OBM) System devel oped by Knorr-Bremse locally in Australia.

The iMass system meets the OBM requirements for high productivity freight vehicles. The system accuracy is well

within 2 per cent of a certified weighbridge.

SEA Electric – SEA 300-45 EV

With its 4.5-tonne GVM, the SEA 300-45 EV can be driven on a car licence. A patented SEA-Drive 70-7power-system fitted to the truck features maximum power and torque ratings of 134kW and 700Nm. Packaged with an 88kWh bat tery, the SEA 300-45 EV has an unladen range of up to 300km with a fast-charging time of un der two hours.

Hyzon Motors – Hyzon Heavy Rigid

The Hyzon Heavy Rigid plat form is the first Australian designed and manufactured FCEV. It will be tested and validated locally for Australian conditions.

The product has been de signed to seamlessly integrate with the base vehicle, offering an easy transition from the IC powered vehicle to FCEV.

Community leadership fi nalists

Morris Finance Morris Finance supports a number of initiatives includ ing Food Bank Australia, genU Inclusion, Geelong

Connected Communities and Bethany Giving Tree. Along with numerous other fund raisers, Morris has supported young and upcoming sporting talent through its sports am bassador program for over 12 years.

For its consecutive year running, Morris hosted its Goals to End Hunger initia tive in March, where it do nated $500 for every goal the Geelong Cats scored during the game. With the Cats tak ing home the 66 point win, Morris rounded up the dona tion total to $20,000.

MaxiTRANS

Under the new ownership of Australian Trailer Solutions Group, MaxiTRANS is fo cussed on giving back to the local Ballarat community where it operates its largest manufacturing site. In the last 12 months it has provided al most 60 casuals with perma nent roles, donated $20,000 to local charity Blakes Army Ltd in support of the fight again bone marrow failure, hosted a free community fun day, visited local schools to introduce year 10-12 students to trade skills and advice on career pathway opportunities

within

Apprentice of the Year fi nalists

Samuel Allan – Ballarat Isuzu

A fourth-year apprentice technician, Samuel Allan is studyiny a Certificate III in heavy commercial vehicle me chanical technology at Ballarat Isuzu.He’s worked there since early 2019. “As time passed and training was provided by both TAFE and manufactur er level, he began to grow as a person and an apprentice. Samuel will be an integral part of the future of the Isuzu Bal larat dealership and the Isuzu product,” his nomination says.

Samuel Sherriffs – CMV Truck & Bus

He began his apprenticeship with CMV in 2018 at 18 years of age and has demon strated a keen attitude to learn and grow his technical skills and knowledge. His nomina tions says, “I have witnessed a slightly immature young boy grow to a respected young man in a short period of time. A very keen interest in the heavy industry is evident with every conversation.”

Benjamin Gusman has ap plied himself since being signed on as a first-year ap prentice, during a very chal lenging time. With industry shortages across the industry, he was able to step up and absorb all the training he was given and apply that into his work within a short period.

Peter Langworthy Award

ning. He is now a team leader of a CMV Truck & Bus deal ership and is positively influ encing senior technicians and young apprentices.

All award finalists will be eligible to attend the HVIA Gala Awards Dinner in Bris bane on November 25, where national winners will be an nounced.

the industry, donated $5000 towards the 2022 Kids Variety Bash and more.

Benjamin Gusman – Fuso

Port Melbourne

finalist

Thomas Baggaley – CMV Truck & Bus

Joining CMV Truck & Bus in 2018 to begin his heavy vehi cle apprenticeship, Thomas Baggaley has demonstrated leadership from the begin

Hyzon Motors’ Heavy Rigid platform is a finalist in the product innovation category.

The SEA 300-45 EV has an unladen range of up to 300km with a fast-charging time.

Knorr-Bremse’s iMass is a TCA

B Certified SMART On Board Mass System.

Thomas Baggaley of CMV Truck & Bus is a finalist in the Peter Langworthy Award.

Apprentice of the Year finalist Samuel Allan, from Ballarat Isuzu.

JAS training team proves popular

JAS Oceania’s auto electrical diagnostics and parts/equip ment training has grown sig nificantly since the program was officially launched at the Australian Automotive After market Expo in April 2022.

Industry specific training programs have been designed and conducted by JAS Oce ania using the experience of one of Australia’s last true auto electrical specialists in the market, taking advantage of the training team’s more than 85 years of auto electrical industry experience.

JAS Oceania hosted a Cer tificate II Air Conditioning training course at its dedicat ed Adelaide training facility in August 2022, resulting in the first 13 of many more in dustry professionals receiving their Cert II and AC Licence from the Australian Refrigera tion Council (ARC).

The JAS Oceania Train ing Team also enlisted the services of the country’s most renowned and experienced air conditioning trainer, Grant Hand, to conduct this highly specialised training course.

This successful training program builds on the foun

dations of the services to the industry that JAS Oceania is providing to best assist its customers to deal with the constant technological, op erational, and regulatory de velopments that are evolving with vehicle modernisation.

The JAS Training Team provides technical tips and support on products that suit a wide range of vehicles, from passenger and light commer cial all the way through to heavy vehicle agricultural ap plications.

The team is also consider ing that any training on auto electrical products covers the

broad base of knowledge to the JAS product range based on its market application, which would include heavy vehicles.

“Our core focus is to ulti mately provide added support to our customers and to keep them informed of technical changes and updates in the industry,” said Mark Bailey, JAS Oceania Group training manager.

“With the constant techno logical development in vehi cles, JAS has always recognised the importance of training to best support what customers are facing in the field.

JAS Oceania is an inte gral part of Bapcor Limited, which is Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket spe cialised company. There are 37 JAS Oceania branches nationwide employing more than 200 staff, servicing the auto electrical requirements of repairers, mining com panies, contractors, govern ment departments and local councils.

To find out more about JAS Oceania’s training ser vices to the industry, contact the JAS Training Team via email at training@jasoceania. com.au.

Free digital course for Qld truckies

TRUCKIES can now enrol for a free online course to get the best out of their mobile devices while on the job.

Developed by TAFE Queensland, in consultation with the Queensland Trucking Association, the Driver Digital Literacy Program has been de signed to prepare employees in the transport and logistics sec tor to “utilise the full potential of their mobile devices within the workplace”.

There are four learning mod ules in the program that cater to different knowledge and ability levels and use animated videos with easy-to-follow instruc tions. Each module takes only 5 minutes to complete and can be repeated at anytime.

“This is another training program being offered to assist employers to upskill and sup port staff as they transition to new technology using paperless systems,” said QTA CEO Gary Mahon.

“The necessity for drivers to be able to operate mobile devic es and tablets is ever increasing as more businesses are adopting integrated compliance and ad ministrative technology systems to create efficiency and improve productivity.”

The QTA says this pro gram was developed from the challenges highlighted during Covid when drivers were under pressure to complete online border entry forms, upload covid test results and

photos, and communicate these to employers.

“This video based instruc tional training is appealing for not only drivers but anyone challenged by mobile device technology as it is practical and can be completed anywhere, anytime and only takes up a few minutes,” Mahon said.

The program was devel oped with funding provided by the Department of Em ployment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) Workforce Transition Support Program (WTSP).

WTSP is a one-year gov ernment initiative that targets specific regions facing econom ic uncertainty or significant change, supporting workers to gain new skills required by their current employers.

The Driver Digital Literacy Program is open to all drivers and transport and logistics staff operating in Queensland and can be accessed via the website coursegateway.tafeqld.edu.au.

The free course is developed by TAFE Queensland.

The team at JAS Oceania is looking to expand its range of training courses, which include applications for the heavy vehicle aftermarket.

‘Just-in-Time’ training the key for Isuzu technicians

ARISING from the pandem ic, an online video training program from Isuzu Australia Limited’s (IAL’s) Training De partment is helping to keep the brand’s technicians sharp on all the skills required by them.

Tech Aid is designed to de liver ‘just in time’ training in an online setting. The program has been retained as an ongoing, dedicated resource.

It’s proving particularly use ful for situations that don’t pop up very often. For example, if a technician hasn’t completed a particular task for a long time and is worried they have for gotten the steps, the training videos offer fast format training advice, which is extremely easy to access.

IAL national training man ager David Smith said the three-minute videos were de signed to refresh the memories of Isuzu technicians on tasks they are required to do infre quently, such as the procedure to reset transmissions on new N and F Series models currently on Australian roads.

“Obviously, if you do some thing nearly every day, you re member how to do it,” Smith said. “But for tasks that you

don’t do very often – if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

The videos are a step-by-step tutorial on technical procedures that don’t arise regularly at ser vice centres. “The whole point of the tech-aid videos is that it provides what we call, ‘just-intime’ training,” Smith said.

“They’re only three minutes in duration, and they provide the important information the technician needs to move along with the remainder of the pro cess relatively autonomously.”

The videos been viewed 1500 times by Isuzu’s 700-plus qualified technicians around Australia since they were intro duced last year, and Smith said the feedback from technicians had been great.

“What started as a bit of stop gap has evolved into a gen uine tool for our techs and we couldn’t be happier with how the program has been received,” he said.

“It’s about finding the solu tions that resonate, prompt some autonomy and mastery of the craft, and ultimately, pro vide the best return possible for our customers – be that both in the form of uptime and bang for buck.”

IAL has a dedicated 1700 square metre training centre at its head office and six full-time staff in the training department.

This is coupled with its own learning management system that’s been in place since 2011.

“So we are able to offer a blended mix of training types, from face-to-face to web-based plus the tech-aid videos,” said Smith.

The tech-aid videos were part of Isuzu’s extensive suite of training opportunities, which included the Technicians Guild Program and the an nual National Technical Skills Competition.

The Technicians Guild Pro gram aims to arm technicians with the most up-to-date Isuzu truck product and industry in formation, as well as rewarding

them with cash prizes.

After enrolling in the guild, technicians receive a series of articles and questionnaires throughout the year, followed by an end-of-year closed book written exam.

The technicians are then sorted into three levels – mem ber, senior and master, with cash prizes that increase de pending on the level attained.

Smith said Isuzu’s dedica tion to training its technicians was linked to the company’s commitment to providing the best customer service possible.

“We aim to keep our custom ers happy. And that means having Australia’s top techni cians delivering world-class service, backed by a breadth of knowledge and top-of-the-line skills.”

Tech Aid is designed to deliver ‘just in time’ training in an online setting.

The videos are designed to refresh the memories of Isuzu technicians on tasks they do infrequently.

A FLEET YOU WON’T FORGET.

Highly versatile, the 47X has a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload flexibility, a set-back front axle, and choice of power with the Cummins L9 or the Detroit DD13 Gen 5, either the Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, or Eaton Fuller manual transmission, and various sleeper options.

Designed specifically for Australia, the 48X is powered by the 450 525 hp Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or 500 600 hp DD16 engine, features a set forward front axle, and has a bumper to back of cab (BBC) measurement of 113.5 inches yielding a flexible solution.

The toughest of the tough, the 49X is powered by the 500-600 hp DD16, has up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cabin options, including the largest cab on the Australian market, the 72" Stratosphere sleeper.

WHEN ONLY A REAL TRUCK WILL DO.

ERA OF THE