VOLUNTEERS who hand out free tea, coffee and biscuits at the Innisfail Driver Reviver are campaigning to have the Queensland Government reverse the decision to close 23 such sites.
Spokesman for the Innisfail Driver Reviver is police liaison officer Michael Sands who is also a volunteer and has no doubt they save lives.
I travelled the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns and also on various Atherton Tablelands roads and found the Innisfail site was the only one open.
This DR is situated at the intersection of the Bruce and Palmerston Highways just outside Innisfail, and always has a supply of biscuits, tea, coffee, milk for fatigued motorists.
Most have operated for decades at various places beside major highways mainly during busy holiday periods to convince fatigued drivers to stop and rest.
Sands also co-ordinates the supply of biscuits and drinks for the Innisfail DR and these
are supplied free of charge by companies Shell, Bushels, Dairy Farmers, Arnotts and a Tweed Heads sugar producer.
One of the reasons the government has given for the closures is that most of the buildings are old and in need of demolition or repairs, some at great cost.
There are around 20 loyal volunteers at the Innisfail site
including Sands who has been one himself for eight years.
“This building survived Cyclones Larry and Winifred and this site has been here for 30 years. Many lives would have been saved from giving drivers a cuppa, and biscuits and that helps reduce the road toll,” Sands said.
With Sands at the site was 70-year-old Des Haren who
said at least 100 people a day stopped there to get a free drink and a biscuit, use the nearby public toilets and sit on seats under a shaded area.
“We get many different people here from all over the place and often they come back on the next trip,” he said.
Haren said many visitors took advantage of the site as they drove from north to south.
Some of the sites have restricted parking for trucks, however at Innisfail there is ample space in the street behind it which backs onto a cane field.
Haren said that on December 16 the Innisfail site was the only one open between Townsville and Cairns. I can confrim that, having stopped at others which were closed including at Frances Creek near Ingham and Bilyana past Cardwell.
“All it costs the government
is something for electricity. We’re all volunteers and the biscuits, drinks, and cups are donated. This is a vital service which helps cut the road toll,” Haren said.
FOOTNOTE: Sands told Big Rigs that if the state government went ahead with plans to close the DRs, the Innisfail site had a good prospect of staying open. Sands said that the organisers of the Victorian Driver Reviver program had offered help.
FOLLOWING once-in-acentury flooding, flood relief efforts continue in the WA’s Kimberley region, with authorities revealing it could take over a year to repair a major bridge on the state’s only sealed road linking Broome with the rest of the Kimberley and Northern Territory.
Emergency services minister Stephen Dawson said the bridge at Fitzroy Crossing and the Great Northern Highway suffered significant damage, with divers and engineers to determine the level of work required before the bridge can be reopened.
“That will give us an indication of how many months or indeed years to build that bridge back up again,” said Dawson.
“Early indications are that that work will take a significant amount of time.”
Any work on the bridge is likely to begin once the wet season ends.
As Big Rigs went to print, road trains carrying freight for Kununurra and the Northern Territory were being diverted from southern WA in South Australia to travel up the Stuart Highway
through central Australia.
A barge also transported essential goods from Port Hedland to Broome. While flood levels were at their peak, by sea or by boat was the only way to reach some impacted communities.
Centurion was among those delivering vital supplies by road and barge to Fitzroy Crossing and the surrounding communities in East Kimberley.
It sent three fully loaded B-double trucks transporting groceries from Perth in early January via South Australia and the Northern Territory, adding more than 3000km each way to the journey.
Centurion also worked with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and its customers Coles Group and Woolworths Supermarkets to mobilise its emergency barge
service to deliver essential items to affected communities.
The standby service is activated from Dampier and used to transport trailers into Broome in the West Kimberley if the town finds itself suffering from extended isolation due to floodwaters.
Centurion loaded five fully stocked trailers onto the barge to provide crucial food deliveries for local Coles and Woolworths
supermarkets in Broome, Derby and surrounding areas, ensuring ongoing supply of much needed groceries.
Supported by the Department of Fire & Emergency Services, the barge departed Dampier on Sunday, January 8, and arrived in Broome on Wednesday, January 11.
Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci said the company was doing everything it could to support affected communities.
“We’re in constant contact with Main Roads through relationships that were established when the rail line between WA and the eastern states was washed out last year,” Cardaci said.
“We came together quickly
to ensure vital food supplies got through, proving that industry and Government can work together at times like these to ensure communities are looked after and get the supplies they need.”
It will be weeks before the region’s major highways are safe to re-open and damage to road infrastructure will take some time to repair.
Cardaci added that the massive and complex logistical exercise will go on for some time.
“There is a surprising and devastating amount of water in the area, and we’re seeing the benefits of the forward planning we had in place to be able to quickly move supplies to the region.”
A $2.1 billion M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace is expected to reduce congestion by around 25,000 vehicles a day, saving commuters around nine minutes off each trip.
And major construction is edging one step closer. The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the project on an 80:20 basis.
The project will include a 15-kilometre, four-lane extension from Black Hill to Ray-
mond Terrace in the Hunter region.
John Holland/Gamuda Joint Venture will build the 10-kilometre southern section that extends from Black Hill to Tomago, and Seymour Whyte Constructions will build the five-kilometre northern section that bypasses Heatherbrae.
The project is being delivered using two collaborative design and construct contracts, with the extension expected to be open to traffic in mid-2028.
“This is an exciting time for the Hunter and NSW as this project, together with the Coffs Harbour bypass, will provide the remaining major upgrades to complete a free-flowing route between Sydney and Brisbane with no traffic lights, making getting from A to B easier for motorists,” said NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway.
“We delivered the duplication of the Pacific Highway
and now we’re delivering the final piece of the puzzle, which will take travelling in NSW forward.”
Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson added, “The M1 at Hexam is the last bottle neck on the Pacific highway between Sydney and Brisbane. This critical work will ensure thousands of vehicles keep moving, not only North/ South but also locals travelling back and forth from Maitland and Newcastle.”
IVECO’s long-time Australian location in Dandenong South has been reportedly sold for
over $95 million.
The 12.21ha industrial site, which was originally home to
International Harvester before IVECO acquired it in 1992, was sold via broker Colliers to property development, investment and funds management firm Aliro Group and ISPT.
Plans are reportedly in place for a large scale infill redevelopment of the site into a premium logistics estate.
The site was originally home to International Harvester.
IVECO will retain a 1.7ha part of the initial offering for its new innovation centre which the Victorian Govern-
ment had awarded $500,000 in late October of last year.
It’s understood the grant will go to site preparation of IVECO’s Customisation and Innovation Centre (CIC) that will involve the upskilling of relevant employees to properly facilitate the product roll-out and subsequent support of future local zero emission vehicles to be launched at a later date.
“This transformational result will see IVECO embedded to the precinct for the foreseeable future with-
in their transformation hub that will be delivered in partnership with the purchaser,” said Daniel Telling, Colliers Industrial Capital Markets manager.
“The asset is one of the largest and most well-known sites of scale within the premier South-East industrial and logistics market,” he said.
Ahead of building a new head office and validation facility at the Dandenong site, IVECO has temporarily relocated.
Now considered one of the
most active industrial markets for leasing activity over the past three years, Melbourne’s South-East corridor has seen record levels of demand, which have driven vacancy rates to a low 0.2 per cent for stock above 5000sqm.
Freight operators Mainfreight, WridgWays, Gold Tiger and more recently Kings Transport, among others, have invested in Dandenong South where an ALDI distribution centre and Amazon fulfilment site are also located.
DESPITE supply chain issues that impacted manufacturers throughout 2022, the year ended on a high note when it came to the final truck sales tally.
Figures released earlier this month by the Truck Industry Council (TIC) reveal a new record for yearly heavy vehicle sales in Australia; with truck and heavy van sales totalling 44,379 units. That’s an increase of 2975 units, or 7.2 per cent over the previous year.
The final tally was a new record for heavy vehicle sales in Australia, eclipsing the 41,628 new truck sales mark set in 2018, by 2751 vehicles, or approximately 6.2 per cent.
A sizeable chunk of those sales came from truck market sales leader Isuzu, which sold a whopping 13,360 units in 2022 – more than double that of second-place getter Hino, which sold 5867 units, followed closely by Fuso with 5021 units.
While a new overall market record was set last year, it was not the only record set in 2022, with a number of other records broken too. Quarters two and four were the strongest, how-
ever some new records were set in quarters one and three, highlighting the strength of the market throughout 2022. By the year’s end, new sales records were set in both the heavy and light truck segments.
Taking a closer look at the results for the fourth quarter in 2022, 12,144 vehicles were sold – a new quarter four sales record, eclipsing the previous best fourth quarter record set in 2007 (just prior to the Global Financial Crisis) when 11,013 heavy vehicles were de-
livered in October through to December.
Kenworth once again finished at the top of the pack for the year in the heavy-duty segment, recording 3002 trucks sold for 2022, up from 2838 in 2021. Volvo Trucks came in second, with 2539 trucks sold for the year in this segment. Though Volvo recorded higher sales than Kenworth for the month of December, with the brands selling 326 and 281 units respectively. And despite no longer having a dedicated
heavy truck in its range, Isuzu cemented third place, selling 2059 units.
It was also a record quarter for both heavy and light truck sales in Australia. Reviewing the overall numbers for the month of December 2022 in isolation, the total heavy vehicle market of 4112 units, was up a healthy 584 vehicles (16.6 per cent) on the 3528 trucks sold in December 2021. This result was a new December sales record.
The heavy-duty truck seg-
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ment recorded 1481 sales in December 2022, up by 215 units, or 17 per cent, over December 2021.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, heavy-duty truck sales reached a total of 4379, up 484 trucks, or 12.4 percent, over October to December 2021.
Overall, 2022 saw much healthier heavy truck sales and the end of year total of 14,966 was a new record for the segment surpassing the 2018 peak of 14,344 by 622, or 15.1 per cent. Heavy-duty trucks account for 33.7 per cent of all heavy vehicles sold in 2022, trailing the light-duty truck segment for the third year in a row.
The medium-duty segment saw modest growth over the year, though December saw sales slow, with just 688 units sold for the month. The fourth quarter medium duty segment result of 1954 was also down on the final quarter 2021 result of 2030 units.
In 2022 medium duty truck sales accounted for just 17.7 percent of new heavy vehicles sold in Australia, almost half of the 2001 peak of 30.9 per cent.
Isuzu led the pack in the medium-duty segment with 3641 units sold in 2022, followed by Hino with 2295 units, and then Fuso with 1318 units.
In the light-duty truck segment, there was a new sales record in 2022 and the month of December also delivered record sales with 1393 deliveries for the month, up by 190 trucks over December 2021. The fourth quarter total of 4239 unit sales, was up on quarter four 2021 by 437 units and is a new fourth quarter record.
The yearlong sales trend in the light-duty truck segment was also strong, with a total of 16,044 units sold. The light-duty truck segment accounted for at 36.2 per cent of all heavy vehicle sales in 2022, comfortably making this segment the largest.
Unsurprisingly, Isuzu topped the annual sales chart in the light-duty space for 2022, selling an impressive 7660 trucks in the segment.
In second place was Fuso with 2901 trucks sold and then Hino, with 2822 light-duty truck sales.
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Seating - on a higher level.
AFTER months of extreme weather events, the NSW Government has allocated $500 million in funding to assist metropolitan and regional councils to patch up the potholes that have plagued roads across the state; and help with other emergency road repair work.
The spend will go towards the new Regional and Local Roads Repair program, which supports councils to carry out urgent repairs.
NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet said, “We have listened to councils and we understand the pressure they are under from many months of wet weather. This funding boost will help councils continue the huge job of bringing roads back up to scratch to keep our state moving.
“We are making sure our roads are in the best nick possible so NSW families, truckies, farmers and tradies can travel around our state safely.
“We recognise potholes are a major hazard right now. This critical funding injection will help every council across the state patch up potholes as well as carry out other emergency repair work.”
Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, added that the road network had been battered, with hundreds of thousands of potholes opening up across the state and some roads washed away by landslips.
“Families who hit the road during Christmas would have seen firsthand the scale of the damage caused by last year’s flooding and rain,” Toole said.
“This $500 million boost is on top of the $50 mil-
lion already provided by the Federal Government to help regional councils carry out emergency pothole repairs. We always said there would be more support on the way and today we are delivering on that.”
Since the February 2022 floods, regional NSW councils have repaired over 170,000 potholes across regional NSW.
NSW Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Natalie Ward, said the NSW Government is working closely with lo-
cal councils to provide more funding for road repairs and new technology to fix potholes faster.
“Following the heavy rainfall and floods we provided early access to flood recovery funding for impacted councils and this additional funding announced today is to make sure councils can complete those vital repairs,” Ward said.
“On state-owned roads across Greater Sydney, the equivalent of standard football fields 139 times over have
been repaired already and this latest funding will mean the potholes on your local street can be repaired by councils.
“In addition, we are trialling new ways to fix potholes faster with a rapid sealing ‘cold mix’ product and investing in technology that finds potholes before they find you through using vehicles to track and prioritise repairs across our roads.
“This new funding boost will be on top of the Government’s $1.5 billion commitment to maintaining our state
roads each year.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway added that the application process will be simple and the cash will be available immediately so councils can get on with the job of urgently restoring the state’s road network.
“The new funding will start landing in councils’ bank accounts within weeks so work can begin right away on repairing the essential roads locals, tourists and freight operators use every
day,” Farraway said.
“We understand that it’s not just about financial assistance, manpower is also needed, which is why the government has already redeployed 200 Transport for NSW crews to Western NSW to help in the worst impacted areas.”
The funding under the $500 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program is available to Local Government areas in both Greater Sydney and Regional NSW. Repair work must be carried out by December 31, 2023.
THE Australian, WA and SA governments are working with the heavy vehicle industry to help ensure recent flooding does not cut off North West Australian communities from food and essential supplies.
Temporary access will be provided to Class 3 vehicles to ensure the delivery of essential goods to North Western Australia and the Northern Territory via South Australia, in response to key freight route closures caused by the recent flooding.
The National Class 3 Supplementary Access (Western
Australia Assistance) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) will provide temporary access for Class 3 vehicles that are road trains up to 53.5 metres in length to join the Road Train Type 2 network at Port Augusta SA, to deliver essential goods to North Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The notice will allow Class 3 vehicles to travel from the Lincoln Highway and Eyre Highway to provide a safe and efficient alternative route into Western Australia.
“This temporary access will
allow increased freight capacity on alternative road networks to keep essential freight moving and ensure communities in North West Australia have access to food and essential supplies,” said acting Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Madeleine King.
The WA Government has also put in place permits allowing road trains up to 53.5 metres to travel between Coolgardie and the South Australian border.
“The impact to the road
network from this flooding emergency has been significant but the Western Australian Government has moved
quickly to put in place permits that will allow larger road trains to travel between Coolgardie and the South Austra-
lian border,” added acting Western Australia Minister for Transport, Planning and Ports John Carey.
“This exemption notice will ensure those longer road trains can continue their journey on the South Australian side of the border.
“Allowing for larger road trains means we can move freight more efficiently by road to parts of our state’s northwest and the Northern Territory.”
The temporary notice will expire on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
THE National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has registered a new national code of practice developed in partnership with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) to reduce the hazards and risks associated with effluent spillage during the transport of livestock.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the Managing Effluent in the Livestock Supply Chain Code of Practice had been spe-
cifically developed by industry for industry, but would have far-reaching benefits for all road users and communities.
“The ‘Effluent Code’ is a practical guide that helps livestock transporters and other parties in the livestock supply chain meet their primary duty and other obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) when managing livestock effluent during road transport,” Petroccitto says.
“It combines industry knowledge and experience in suggesting measures to minimise effluent loss that can be implemented at each stage of a land transport journey – from
task safer for all road users.”
ALRTA president Scott McDonald says ALRTA had worked with a wide range of stakeholders – including livestock producers, transport
“Historically livestock transport drivers have been left solely responsible for managing livestock effluent in transit,” McDonald said.
“This code is a game chang-
lem that requires a supply chain solution. While the Effluent Code will help to improve road safety, it will also improve animal welfare outcomes, mitigate biosecurity threats and contrib-
Last year brought record rainfall and devastating flooding to many parts of the country, causing extensive road damage and a plague of potholes still waiting to be fixed. The road damage bill in NSW alone is reported to be a whopping $2.5 billion.
With the start of a new year, we hoped to see an end to the relentless downpours that have added extra challenges to our truckies’ day-to-day lives through a barrage of constant road closures. That’s not to mention the countless evacuation orders, and sadly, the lives and homes lost.
But unfortunately, there appears to be no end in sight, with the WA’s Kimberley region now battling its way through what’s been described as ‘once in a century’ flooding. And it could take many months to repair the only sealed road linking Broome with the rest of the Kimberley and the Northern Territory.
As flood relief efforts continue, our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.
I HAVE personally had a career of over 25yrs MC class along with zero fines, a qualified driver trainer, and a course trainer on many transport courses like logbooks, BFM, and load restraint. So yes, I know the rules. Sure I can break them too, I’ve yet to meet the perfect driver. However, I have been let off quite a few times for what
can only be stated as ridiculous so-called heavy vehicle laws.
I personally witnessed a Toll fuel tanker driver attempt to overtake another road train on a double lane, only to be pulled up at the top of the hill for getting too close to overtake. He was 2030 metres back before he pulled out. The cop expected him to be
60 metres back before pulling out to perform the overtaking manoeuvre, all the while slower caravans were traveling behind him 10 feet apart.
Logbooks, don’t get me started... half of those who hand out fines don’t even know the rules. I apparently had over 3k in fines in my logbook according to one
Ceduna cop. None of which involved any breaches in driving hours. Most were stupid clerical points like not naming my records keeping place exactly the same as my depot address. I didn’t write the postcode on the records address spot, that’s all, that one apparently was about $600 because he couldn’t guarantee it
was the same address. It really is laughable. Another for not having an accreditation sticker on the driver’s side in clear view. It was behind the grab rail.
Had an NHVR officer training new recruits and to hear him say to his protégé, “We can’t let them go empty-handed, we need to find at least a caution.” That
was the day I lost total respect for any NHVR knob jockey.
You may laugh but I have had more upfront and honest conversations with some of the old “scalies” from years gone by. At least some weren’t 10 feet up themselves and would listen to why you did or didn’t do something.
– Jay Diesel, Facebook
“HE had a hard fight,” said Frank Lenzi’s beloved wife Margie who was bravely manning the phones at Cleveland Freightlines in Adelaide, fielding calls of condolences and helping to wrap up all the loose ends before the doors close for good on December 30.
Frank died in palliative care, aged 87, on Saturday, December 17.
The sad news came just five days after Cleveland Freightlines confirmed rumours of the company’s upcoming closure on its social media.
Margie said she had been preparing to look after Frank full-time after he only recently stepped away from working the busy fleet due to ill health after 45 years.
“It was a hard decision for Frank to have to make,” said a stoic Margie of her husband’s decision to close the doors at Cleveland Freightlines, which boasts a fleet of 30 and a staff of 60.
“He was on the cliff, then over an abyss and finally in the canyon – that’s how the doctors described it to me.
“It was just so fast. A legend gone.
“It was 7pm on the dot, that was always his lucky number.”
Margie says she’s grateful to the family and wonderful friends in transport rallying in support, including
“I want to thank everyone associated with Frank in any field, be it boat racing or transport,” she said.
“He did an amazing thing for transport, and I know he was admired and loved by everybody.”
Frank was laid to rest on Tuesday January 3, with the funeral service followed by a celebration of Frank’s many legendary achievements in road transport.
A true pioneer and icon of the industry, Frank started the business in 1977 and grew it into what it is today – one of the longest continuously operating transport companies to specialise in the east to west express service.
And it was her father Adrian that gave her the idea of catering to truckies. “He said just come out at harvest so you can feed the truck drivers.”
When she made her harvest debut in 2021, it was an immediate hit. “They wanted us to come back for 2022 but we did it with a different approach and promoted it before I went.”
Sarah would open the coffee trailer at 6am each day, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffees.
At breakfast time, a sit down meal of bacon and eggs was a hit, as was granola and yoghurt.
she discovered, many are quite health conscious but it can be difficult to find healthy options while out on the road.
“Many truckies are 50 and above and some have health issues and are generally concerned about their health and are looking for alternatives other than the classic hot-box,” she said.
“The closest town to us was Meandarra, which is about 30 minutes away. With the café being in the centre of town, it’s
also difficult for trucks to park and stop there. That’s why I chose this location, because it’s easily accessible to truck drivers.”
With her coffee trailer being a definite hit, Sarah is planning on returning to the same location at Inglestone Hall each year. “I think we’ve started something really good so I’m planning on heading back down when harvest begins around October/November.”
Each year, a small rural Queensland town becomes a hub for truckies working the harvest, but unfortunately, access to fresh, healthy food options was difficult – until now.
The daughter of transport operators, Sarah Paton knows all too well of the challenges many truckies face when it comes to accessing healthy, quality food out on the road.
Her father Adrian Paton is a truck driver. For over 20 years, he and his wife Bridget Paton have been running Patons Transport and Logistics, based out of Jondaryan, Queensland,
with a fleet of around a dozen trucks.
And it was Adrian who convinced Sarah to bring her coffee trailer to truckies. Though she’s usually based in Toowoomba, the Inglestone Hall became her base from October through to early December.
Located between Westmar and Meandarra, about five hours west of Brisbane, it was a perfect location to feed the hungry masses of truckies working hard at last year’s harvest – with ample truck parking on both sides of the road for easy access.
Sarah says her catering and coffee trailer business Graze Co. was “a Covid baby”.
“I had studied hotel management and was living and working in Melbourne. When the lockdowns hit, I quickly came back to Queensland. With the catering, I started out with little scone boxes I was delivering locally. Then I bought the coffee trailer in July 2021. A local café was selling it and it was a spontaneous purchase,” she explained.
“Lunch was salad rolls, sandwiches and that sort of stuff. Then for dinner we’d have one option and send out a text so people could let us know if they were coming. As time went on, word spread and it expanded,” explained Sarah.
“We had a lot of the same people coming back every day, so got to know them really well. We would serve around 50-80 customers a day. The majority were truck drivers, but we also had contractors, caravanners and locals stopping by too.”
Sarah says she wanted to cater to truck drivers because as
similar to his original bonneted 1418. “It is putting out around 205 horsepower. In the old days the fuel pumps were opened up a bit more than the spec sheets showed. I think back then there was a bit less concern about the black smoke coming out of them. Ours used to throw a flame out of them in the night time!” he explained with a grin.
ger operators with our 2x1 crates. We would run pigs into meatworks at Homebush, Berrima, Woy Woy and Blayney. In the 1980s and 1990s we would go to Canberra and Melbourne and also to Cobram and Benalla and up as far as Tamworth. We also did a couple of loads over to Adelaide in 1989 when there was a meatworks strike,” said Les.
ALONG with other trucks of years past such as the Mack R-Model and the International ACCO, the venerable Mercedes Benz 1418 has earned a spot in the annals of Australian trucking history, with the model a mainstay of many fleets in the 1960s and 1970s.
While the rounded shape of the bonneted 1418 is familiar to many, the model was also produced in cabover form, with one beautifully restored example being that owned by Les and Greg Bird of Orange in NSW.
The 1967 model was a long-term restoration project for the brothers, who operated a variety of Mercedes Benz trucks on livestock haulage in their 35 years of transport operation. With the overhaul and restoration finished last year, the brothers ventured south to the annual Urana Vintage Machinery Rally late in 2022, where the truck was a popular exhibit, with Mercedes Benz being the feature brand at the event.
“We purchased it around
2010-2011 and we were still working then, so it wasn’t until around 2016 we started the restoration as time and funds permitted. We shared the work – I paid most of the bills and Greg did most of the work!” said Les Bird with a smile. “I had accumulated a few old trucks as possible projects and that’s how we started. We stripped it all apart, blasted and cleaned it up and we progressed from there,” he continued.
With the restoration underway from the chassis rails up, the motor that had been in the truck was beyond salvaging so Les acquired another overhauled unit at a clearing sale. Upon commencing the project the original cab was found to be in a poor state so for the cost of a box of beer, another donor cab was sourced, and from there the project carried along with the truck finished off in a striking brown and beige paint scheme.
“It had been fitted with a ZF gearbox at some stage and we rebuilt the rear diff
out of two we had. We put a new floor in it also. There was a fair bit of work in it as we tried to keep it as authentic as possible,” he explained.
Unlike a lot of other restorations where the vehicle’s history can be a little clouded, the brothers were able to trace most of the truck’s lifespan since rolling out of the factory in 1967, as Les detailed, “We looked at the cab and chassis numbers and we were able to determine it was one of the very early cabover 1418s, number 64 right-hand drive cab out of the factory. It was owned originally by Scott’s Refrigerated Roadways and it was the truck used for a road test by the Truck and Bus magazine in 1968 – they road tested it from Goulburn to Sydney with a load of meat.
“After Scott’s we don’t know who operated it, but Hilder’s of Trangie had it for a number of years in the 1970s, into the 1980s, on country work hauling wool, grain and sheep. From then it went to Ron Shanks in Dubbo deliv-
ering new stock crates.”
While the trucks’ specification and comfort levels would be considered modest when compared to today’s trucks, the 1418 was a solid performer in its day and Les reckoned that the power output of his restored unit is
Also making the trip to Urana was a 1986 V-Series 1925 which was purchased new from West Orange Motors, the local Mercedes Benz dealer, and driven exclusively by Greg Bird until it was retired in 2012. Coupled to a 2x1 stock crate, Greg covered 1.9 million kilometres in the Mercedes with the truck’s original brake linings and drums only 50 per cent worn over that time.
Over the span of the business the Birds’ trucks covered quite a bit of territory on haulage of sheep and cattle and, in particular, pigs. “We were a bit of a niche operator as we fitted in between the farmer’s trucks and the big-
While the brothers are looking at keeping Greg’s V-Series truck unrestored in its ‘retired’ condition, Les believes there are still a few projects waiting to be tackled, and needless to say, they all involve the ‘three-pointed star’.
“We still have a couple of donor 1418s so we have enough bits to do another one. I also have a 1924 as a future project, a 2244 original and a 338 which was the predecessor to the 1418. “We have got the shed and the gear. We have made a few mistakes and learnt a lot with this project, but I think it turned out alright in the end!”
not only in productivity but also safety, Finemore Holdings introduced a world first tandem/tri-axle B-double in 1988 in logging. This concept allowed the use of a standard trailer at the rear.”
Woodward’s career with the ATA extends over 30 years. He first represented the ATA (then called the Road Transport Forum) in 1990 in a technical capacity while working with Finemore Holdings.
“The focus on safety and compliance has certainly changed, which is not a bad thing. But the uptake of technology hasn’t been without its frustrations,” he said.
BY DANIELLE GULLACIAFTER dedicating half a century to the industry, at the age of 72, the Australian Trucking Association’s (ATA) chief engineer Bob Woodward has decided the time is right to embark on his next adventure.
A highly celebrated figure of the industry, Woodward is credited with revolutionising the way freight is carried on Australian roads. Among his biggest achievements were his involvement in the design of the first Queensland B-double, the tandem/tri-axle B-double, the Finemore Stinger car carrier and the 19 metre B-double.
He was also involved with the first central tyre inflation systems introduced in the Australian logging industry and took part in the first meetings that resulted in PBS.
With a career that has been so highly distinguished, there have been many high points, but Woodward credits his role in the development of high productivity freight vehicles as his biggest highlight.
What’s interesting to note however, is that Woodward actually started his engineer
ing career almost by chance. “I was working at a sugar mill in north Queensland where a new tipping truck (a Bedford) suffered a chassis failure whilst tipping. The chief engineer tasked me with determining why,” he explained. And then, as they say, the rest is history.
Woodward’s career began as a cadet mechanical engineer with the Department of the Navy. “This was at a time when engineers and draftsmen weren’t communicating so the department decided to train persons that were both engineers and draftsmen. I then did time in the sugar industry in Queensland and New South Wales – tramway, small trucks, barges, bigger trucks, B-doubles, cane bins, side tipping sugar B-doubles. Then came the car carrier (the Finemore Stinger) road trains, AB-triples, ATA HPFV demo days, and the first NSW BAB-quad at Narrandera in 2009 (thanks to Kelvin Baxter Transport). I still have a laminated copy of the permit,” explained Woodward.
As for his involvement in helping to get B-doubles onto Aussie shores, he modestly says, “I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.
“Bob Pearson was the ‘mover and shaker’ who really made B-doubles happen in Australia. With much support from Ron Finemore who was very progressive
As you’d expect in a career that extends over 50 years, Woodward has seen – and been a driving force behind –a great deal of change in the industry.
“Australian operating conditions quickly identified the weaknesses of early air suspensions – now they are tough as. Engine electronics were initially viewed with much scepticism, now this technology isn’t even questioned. Emissions has been topical, with the heavier trucks typically operating in Australia having a power demand that is considerably higher than in most other parts of the world. Electron-
ic braking systems have been a challenge and have given more than a few brain damage, but the technology has matured, and ABS and roll stability is now a no brainer. Rules and regulations need to be fit for purpose – but bureaucrats are overly keen to simply adopt international and European standards because it makes their job easier!”
Reflecting on the last 50 years, Woodward added, “I have had a great career and have been fortunate to have some great mentors (and believers) along the journey. I’ll miss the many good people and friendships: the mem-
bers of the Industry Technical Council, the Technology and Maintenance Conference.”
Having officially retired in late December, Woodward is looking forward to what lies ahead. His plans include plenty of flying, gliding and restoring a mid-1970s Haines Hunter tri-hull outboard boat.
“I decided to retire while I am fit enough to enjoy it. I maintain a CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) medical and I am the chief flying instructor at a recreational flying school. I enjoy the instructing and will continue to instruct whilst able,” he said.
I HAVE HAD A GREAT CAREER AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME GREAT MENTORS (AND BELIEVERS) ALONG THE JOURNEY. I’LL MISS THE MANY GOOD PEOPLE AND FRIENDSHIPS.”
BOB WOODWARD
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ly angst about having a test because of this very reason.
It seems some will go to one of those discount stores and purchase cheap sets of glasses for less than $10.
There are plenty of roads through mountain ranges around Australia which are challenging to negotiate.
One which came to my attention during 2022, after reports from truckies, was the Rex Range Road in the far north.
It is 7km of winding road which is part of the 25km route between the turnoff from the Captain Cook Highway near Mossman, and the Mulligan Highway from where you can head to Cooktown or Mareeba.
There are many trees hanging over the Rex Range Road and some fall onto the bitumen.
delivery to one.
He pulled up in his light rig in a loading zone at an area nearby to a place where patients can come out and take in some fresh air.
There was a man in a wheelchair in close proximity to where he wheeled his trolley.
Suddenly the man vomited and started yelling out “I’m contagious”.
Our truckie did have a face mask on but didn’t know whether to try and assist the man without getting too close.
He advised an information desk and soon the sick gent was assisted by staff.
Some truckies have contacted Spy in recent months saying they enjoy stopping at the Glendambo Roadhouse in South Australia.
So basically it is a catch 22 situation. They are a pain in the butt when work is in progress but a blessing when complete.
Numerous reports have reached Spy from various states about people leaving garbage bins overflowing at rest areas.
Gangs of workers clear the fallen branches which fortunately don’t result in traffic holdups.
Spy drove the Rex Range Road recently and can report that the numerous trucks I saw travelling it and every other driver I saw abided by the speed limits and put safety first.
It is 592km north of Adelaide and an important stop on the Stuart Highway.
The roadhouse is the only place that offers a range of facilities for people travelling north 255km to Coober Pedy.
One driver who stops there regularly said the food was good, the staff friendly and he never had trouble getting a park.
Many of our truckie mates enjoy a mango when they are in season but if you live outside Queensland they can be very expensive.
In the last few months of 2022 and early in the New Year you can find a lot of stalls beside highways at which mangoes are sold, usually for $10 to $15 a bucket.
Most are the prized eating delicacy – the Bowen mango – as well.
which was outside the establishment,” she said.
The intelligent employee asked for her name and other identification on a card and confirmed it was indeed hers.
“I went in and picked it up and was so thankful that nobody had taken it,” she said.
The next time she was at the outlet she spoke to another customer and told him about her lucky experience.
Over the past month a lot of truckies from different states and territories have complained about the large number of roadworks.
Of course these are an inconvenience and hold up traffic, including trucks, for various periods of time.
Some have traffic control officers at each end whilst others operate by green and red lights.
Spy travelled a fair bit during the past two months and one driver even described some roadworks as “a curse”.
He justified that by saying that truckies had to factor in time lost for roadwork stops when planning long distance jobs.
On the 350km Cairns to Townsville stretch of the Bruce Highway there were a lot of roadworks.
But on some sections where there had been roadworks last year or before, the end result was mostly a widened highway and a safer surface for all traffic.
They leave rubbish such as food scraps, bottles, bags, rotten fruit and other things.
If the bin is full they just leave it on the ground nearby which attracts rats, mosquitoes and other disease carrying nasties.
Spy was at one such rest area recently and it smelt like high heaven.
“There used to be three bins at this rest area and they were emptied and cleaned five days a week. Now there is one bin and it gets serviced just three times a week. It stinks,” a truckie told me.
It seems that many truckies who are facing reduced sight are reluctant to be checked out by eye specialists for fear they may lose their licence.
Once they have an eye check drivers may have to wear glasses when behind the wheel.
But if their sight loss reaches a certain level they could even lose their licence.
An optometrist told Spy that some drivers were extreme-
An off-duty road transport identity was enjoying a meal and a few cold beers at a quiet suburban pub when he received a ring on his mobile which came up as “unknown” caller.
He was reluctant to answer at first fearing it was one of those scam calls.
But he decided to answer and discovered it was a doctor from the local hospital who was making a “tele call”.
Now this lad forgot about the timing of the scheduled call, which was the result of a hospital stay the previous month.
One of the first questions he was asked by the medical was, “Have you given up drinking beer as you promised when in hospital?”
“Yes,” he promptly replied, as he sipped on a schooner of VB.
Whilst on the subject of hospitals Spy had to feel sorry for a truckie who was making a
“Really good ham and cheese toasties and great service,” one said.
I phoned the roadhouse and the worker who answered said about 20 trucks a day on average stopped there.
“They order anything from cooked breakfast to burgers and fruit salad and we have a special shower for truckies only and they can sit in the dining room and watch television,” she said.
The Ampol Roadhouse is open from 8am until 10pm.
Now Spy receives many calls from truckies around the country at different times and whilst doing a variety of things.
However the other day I was going through an automatic car wash when the mobile phone rang and it was from a WA driver.
Soap was all over the windscreen, water was spraying and visibility in my SUV was zero.
Then the wax hit the vehicle exterior and when I told the caller where I was he laughed loudly.
Spy had a call from several drivers who parked their rig near one such stall where the seller had the mangoes on the back of a ute.
“This is a case of mango madness,” the truckie said.
Of course I quizzed why he offered such a comment and his answer came swiftly.
“Because the woman selling them was relaxing on a hammock set up between two trees,” he said.
It’s a hard life but somebody has to do it, I guess.
A female road transport identity panicked when she arrived home from a First Choice liquor outlet and discovered she had left her purse behind.
“I placed it in the trolley which had my alcohol supplies in it and it contained $200 in cash as well as all my cards and driver’s licence,” she said.
She immediately picked up the phone and called the booze barn and asked an employee if he could check the trollies for a purse.
“I thought it would be gone for sure but he soon told me it was still in the trolley
“He told me a similar thing happened to him at the Dan Murphy’s across town. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
I was saddened to hear of the death of 74-year-old John ‘Sopie’ Soper.
Sopie, who appeared in a Big Rigs feature back in July 2019, had driven many trucks during a long career with TREB, which is now Ergon Energy.
When he retired, Sopie drove a truck for a friend to help out when needed.
The headline on his story was ‘John, 71 Still Truckin On’.
His funeral was held at Townsville’s Holy Spirit Church on December 15 and was attended by many who paid their respects.
Sopie was well known and respected. On the morning of his death I went for lunch to a local hotel and there was a man sitting at the bar.
I knew only his Christian name as Jim and had done stories on his cricket team many years ago.
“Did you know my brother John Soper who died this morning,” he asked.
It was like fate as I hadn’t seen Jim for years.
A few years previously I was sitting at the bar at the Cairns Esplanade Rydges when a fellow sitting at a nearby table overheard where I was from and he also asked did I know Sopie. It was his cousin Tom Ball.
Sopie enjoyed a drink, a smoke and a modest flutter on the punt and will be sadly missed.
Truckie Jerry Netter told me that Sopie was a true gentleman who was great to have a drink with.
AN old International pulled up at a far north Queensland rest area and the driver, who looked like a genuine character, walked over to the public toilets.
It was veteran owner-operator Laurie Seery who is based at Charters Towers.
“It is a 1998 International with 700,000km on the clock. I have had it for five years and it runs very well,” he said.
The International is powered by a 260hp Cummins motor and Seery said it still had the original engine. “But it has had a new gearbox,” he added.
It was at the Frances Creek rest area 10km south of Ingham that Big Rigs saw the then 70-year-old driver.
When he stopped, numerous people who were sitting nearby checked out the In-
WHEN many are told that veteran Port Douglas milkman Brian Dickinson is aged 70, they feel he must have found the fountain of youth.
Dickinson certainly doesn’t look that age, with some feeling he is no more than 60.
Big Rigs saw Dickinson recently when he pulled up in his refrigerated Isuzu D-Max with his trusty dog Lilly accompanying him.
He was delivering milk to the Temptation Coffee Lounge in Mossman’s main street.
“I deliver Dairy Farmers milk products, and smallgoods such as bacon and eggs around this area and down to Mount Molloy,” he said.
A group of diners sitting nearby overheard Dickinson mention his age – and they were amazed.
“He looks younger than that and keeps his age well,” one told me.
Dickinson has been doing this for 25 years and said it was not “as profitable as it once was”.
Having said that, Dickinson added he was looking to hire
ternational which became the topic of conversation.
“I turn 71 on January 4 and drove my first truck when I was aged 18,” he said.
Seery’s business is called Farm Scrap and Industrial, and the trusty International takes him all over Queensland.
He carries truck and farm machinery, batteries, cans and even scrap cars which he picks up – he even pays for some.
“The old girl has been to Brisbane, out west to Cloncurry, north to Tully and lots of places in between. Today I have a bin for a mate at Ingham,” he said.
For many years Seery drove road trains to many parts of Australia including to Darwin and Perth.
The most unusual load he transported was a Cessna plane from Clermont to Townsville.
‘’I used to take all types of heavy machinery to lots of places,” he said.
The worst road Seery said he has ever travelled on is the Tanami Track near Alice Springs.
“The maximum speed I could do was 10km per hour on some sections,” he said.
But a close second according to Seery is the Gregory Development Road between Charters Towers and Clermont.
Seery said many more rest areas were required especially “out from Charters Towers”.
Like the Frances Creek one which has clean public toilets, tables and seats with plenty of shade.
His favourite stop offs are the Bowen Caltex and Andy’s Roadhouse just near Ingham.
“The owner Andy Barra is a friend of mine,” he said.
Seery is fit for his age and
says he will continue what he is doing hopefully for years to come.
And he expects the International to also keep going for a long time.
“My mum lived until she was 101 so I will have years in front of me. But I don’t think I’ll be driving when I am that age,” he said with a laugh.
His New Year’s Resolution
THE road transport industry is deeply engrained in Clynton Hawks’ family.
“I’m a sixth generation in the industry, starting with bullock drawn wagons on the Darling Downs. Both sides of my family are from transport. My mother’s side owned Eyers Brothers Transport out of Toowoomba and they had 65 trucks at their height, and owned Murrell Freightlines out of Wollongong,” Hawks told Big Rigs.
Both his mother and father worked there.
“As for my grandfathers, one carted logs in an old Dodge from Dalby to Sydney with my uncles and my other grandfather ran triples to Darwin for TNT,” he said.
Hawks’ father started Paul Hawks Transport 30 years ago but closed in 2016. The trucks carted general freight to the NT and Western Australia for cattle stations.
With the average age of truck drivers in Australia being in their fifties, at just 23, Hawks is part of the up-andcoming next generation of truckies, and he says he loves driving trucks too.
“It’s a great job and you get to see this beautiful country. In my spare time I’m a politician fighting the good fight on issues that matter to everyday Australians. I blew the lid off the AdBlue fiasco at the start of
was to “make more money”. I reckon that Seery and the International are two veterans who are good together. And after a long yarn, he is a character of the road transport industry.
the year and forced the federal government to fork out tens of millions of dollars to make AdBlue available in Australia,” explained Hawks.
“But I advocate very strongly for bettering the transport industry and stopping the over regulation. After all, the transport industry is the most over regulated industry in this county,” he said.
Hawks is a member of the Katter Australia Party.
someone to help out as he gets older.
“It is hard to get workers since Covid hit. I put in long hours six days a week,” he said.
It had rained earlier in the day which ensured the temperature was cooler than the heatwave conditions experienced for weeks before.
“I opened Hawks Freightlines in 2020. We have two trucks: one Ford LTL with a KTA19 600hp Cummins and an old Mack Value Liner with a Strait Six in her,” he said.
Just 12 months into his trucking career, James Lee, 23, is excited by what the future holds for him.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to find a very good company that was willing to give me a shot – and for the majority of that 12 months I’ve been towing road trains, from doubles to triples, as well as some oversize work, right across the country,” he said. “Trucking is in my blood now. I’m obsessed, to say the least!”
Based in Toowoomba, Lee began working with Higgins Services about seven months ago.
He had originally secured his HR licence at the age of 20, while working in civil construction. But an injury put him on the sidelines for nine months. “Then I decided I wanted to go for my MC licence. I wasn’t really into trucks before, but once I started driving them, I couldn’t get enough.”
He got his MC licence at the age of 22 and found work with Dalby-based Scott Roadways, driving side tippers – pulling everything from singles, to doubles and triples. “I applied like crazy for jobs, then they’d hear my age and say, ‘No, I can’t insure you’. My old boss Jamie Scott gave me a go, that’s where I had most of my training. I
drove my first AB-triple two and a half months into driving trucks.
“When I first spoke to Hig-
gins about the job, he wasn’t worried about my age at all because he was willing to train me up.”
These days, Lee is behind the wheel of a 2021 Kenworth T659, which he says is a great truck, but he prefers the older rigs. “I like the older stuff because I learnt to drive in a 1980s Value-Liner. I actually tried to talk them out of this one,” he laughed.
“The older trucks are a lot more entertaining to drive, they’re louder and a bit more difficult to drive, so they take more skill.”
His current role brings him to all corners of the country. “At the moment, I’ve just pulled up at Parachilna in South Australia. I’m carrying 40 tonne of 18m coated pipe in a 45m double road train,” he explained.
Being so new to the industry, Lee knows there’s so much more to learn and is eager to take on advice whenever he
can from those with more experience.
“Higgins Services is a reputable company and it’s family owned. We do mainly general freight. They’ve been amazing to work for and so have all the guys in the company. They’ve been very patient and very helpful. One of the other drivers here Jamie Neville has really taken me under his wing. He’s been helping to teach me everything I need to know. And he’s always happy to answer any questions.”
As Lee has quickly found, things can and do go wrong, but he always takes it on the chin and carries on. “I actually did my first steer tyre yesterday. That was an experience. It was terrifying but it all went well.”
Like many outback truckies, Lee says he enjoys the lifestyle of the work and getting to travel all around the country. “Being on the road you feel so free. Obviously sometimes it has some down moments and
gets pretty lonely, but I do really love driving. It can be hard on the mental health side of things though, sometimes you can find yourself getting a bit lost with your thoughts. And then there’s all the paperwork and dealing with the average road user. There’s a lot of responsibility when you’re carrying 130 tonne.”
Lee rates the Strzelecki Track as being by far the toughest road he travels. “It is very rough, I’m here for two weeks going back and forth. It plays a lot of tricks on your mind because you’re on the dirt for 10 hours, and there’s no reception.”
For other young people wanting to get into the industry, Lee’s advice is, “Keep trying no matter how much you get knocked back. There are people out there who are willing to give you a go. Accept that you’ve got to start somewhere, and you need to work hard to get to where you want to be,” he said.
“When you do get your foot
in the door, put in a little extra. Your boss won’t mind most of the time if you spend an hour of your own time practicing how to back-in a road train or B-double. Take your time and don’t rush through everything – know your limits. Own your mistakes, no matter how big or small they are – everyone makes them – and you’ll build a better reputation for yourself.
“And listen – there are so many people out there willing to give you advice, and you’ve just got to take it and keep at it. Even when it’s bad advice, it tells you what not to do.”
Having only worked for two trucking companies so far, he is filled with gratitude at the opportunity they’ve given him. “I hold Jim and Jamie Scott, and Warrick Higgins, in very high regard for giving me a shot. There are a lot of young people out there that just want to get into the big 90s, but I’m so happy to be driving any truck and living the dream.”
SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots.
Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfTheMonth, with the lucky winner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card.
Keep an eye out for our regular posts on the Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper Facebook page, calling
for
and add yours in the comments, or email them to editor@bigrigs. com.au.
Don’t forget to include a brief note about the truck and where the photo was taken. We’ll feature some of the best photos in each edition of Big Rigs Newspaper, with one winner announced each month. Keep those amazing truck pics coming!
your best truck photos
Brett Williams shared this great shot of this Kenworth C509 set-up, taken at Cooper Basin at sunset.
Danny White snapped this awesome sunrise photo of the Riordan Fuels 20m B-double, while stopped at the Geelong refinery.
Bradley Gallagher leaves the Whitsundays and heads down to Brisbane.
Kyle Nicholas-Benney enjoys the sunrise while preparing to load lambs in Wanganella, NSW.
Mathew Moreland and this T909 deliver a trailer to a mate’s paddock in Mount Gambier, SA.
Jordan Brolsma snapped this great photo, while carrying blue gum logs in the country’s south west.
Aaron Sonter snapped this great pic while travelling through Emerald, Queensland, enroute to Cairns.
Filip Schubert snapped this shot of the Kenworth on a cloudy Melbourne summer’s day.
Jamie Neville passed through Renner Springs in the Northern Territory as he headed towards home for a day off.
SEQ Transport two-up team Mark and Deb Nelson shared this great shot, taken at Nullarbor Roadhouse.
Joel Hanlon shared this great sunset shot, snapped in Mildura before heading eastbound to Sydney.
A great shot from Jason Cocks, taken while doing a bit of Moree harvest work in his Cat-powered 104.
Wayne Rogerson snapped this beautiful morning shot, while west of Southern Cross, WA.
When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going
FOR Rob Roy Earthmoving in western Cape York Peninsula, securing good quality truck drivers has become an ongoing headache. Though many transport operators are experiencing similar issues, for this business, the seasonal work brought on thanks to the wet season only adds to the difficulty.
Operations manager Gavan Roy, 33, is now promoting the lifestyle that comes with the job. “If you’re into hunting, fishing, camping or the general outdoors lifestyle, that’s basically what we’re up here for,” he said.
Avid fishers will be able to catch a plentiful supply of barramundi, threadfin salmon, grunter and mangrove jacks. They may also at some stage spot a saltwater crocodile in one of the waterways, where swimming is obviously not recommended.
The company hopes the lure of the lifestyle will be enough to help attract truck drivers to work from their base at Weipa, where they won’t have to worry about traffic jams or traffic lights.
In fact, the only set of traffic lights at Weipa’s control is on a section of the road when bauxite trucks owned by mining giant Rio Tinto cross. These are the last set of traffic lights before Mareeba and Cairns – and the only ones there.
Weipa is a coastal mining
town and the largest town on the Cape York Peninsula. It also attracts many holidaymakers for fishing and crabbing expeditions. Some also make the long journey for the annual Weipa Fishing Classic. “There are plenty of fish and crabs in the waterways around here,” Gavan said.
Gavan’s father Rob Roy started the business in 1981 with just one truck. They were running a fleet of 10 trucks in 2009, but this year downsized to seven or eight because they just can’t find good operators to drive them.
They have five road train prime movers: two Kenworth T659s, a 4900 Western Star, and a Kenworth 604 and a 404. The company also has a couple of Hino town trucks for doing single water cart work, along with a 359 8x4 tilt tray.
“The Western Star had belonged to a couple named John and Janet and carted fuel at and around Normanton for many years,” Rob said.
In a room near Rob’s office is a large picture on the wall from 1992 when he won a major prize with one of his then old Louisville’s in a competition run by Ford.
Gavan started working in the family business when he was 14, labouring and helping out in the workshop. Once he hit 18, he got his truck licence and moved into a role as a driver.
“We’ve had many opportunities to have more trucks out on the road but due to a shortage of drivers, we’re confined to having just two or three trucks operating,” said Gavan.
Rob Roy Earthmoving does earthworks, road construction, bulk loading and cartage, general freight, vehicle recovery,
bitumen sealing services, wide load pilot duties, and runs a heavy haul fleet service.
“I’m just coming back into Weipa now. Dad and myself are finding we’re behind the wheel more than we’re in the office. The struggle to find drivers and keep drivers here for seasonal work is an ongoing issue every year.”
Most of the last 500 kilometres of Weipa consists of red dirt roads which are closed annually from around December until April. However it is open to trucks from Cairns, Townsville, the Atherton Tablelands and further beyond for the rest of the year when hardly any rainfall is recorded.
The average annual rainfall at Weipa is more than 2 metres, with nearly all of it falling in those wet months, which also coincides with the cyclone season.
The issue of trying to find drivers was only further exacerbated this year with a later start to the season than usual. “2022 has been up there as one of the busier seasons on Cape York. But it was a later start than usual. The season generally starts around April/ May but this year
it was mid-June before things really kicked off,” explained Gavan.
Major contributing factors to the late start were late rain and the Archer River flooding, which peaked at 10.4 metres at the end of April. Generally the working season runs from April through to December, then the business closes from January through to March.
“Given the later start, the pick of the drivers were all already taken. It can be hard to hang on to drivers over those quiet months. Then there’s having to guess when the wet will end and try to recruit drivers for the season. I don’t mind being in the truck, I quite enjoy it, but it’s tough to fill the gaps,” Gavan added.
“Now is the time of the year we get all the maintenance done, when the wet weather closes the roads. We have five drivers and I would agree it is a fortress at Weipa during these months,” Gavan said.
Before the roads are open, Rob Roy Earthmoving does lots of work fixing roads and hauling gear as far away as Coen and to the old telegraph station near Bamaga at the tip of Cape York.
As around 80 per cent of the company’s work is comprised of remote bush jobs, sometimes in extreme conditions, Rob Roy Earthmoving needs quality operators who can think for themselves.
“They also need to maintain their unit and be able to diagnose and/or overcome issues as they may be a long way from help. It’s a demanding job at times but some of the destinations we go to make it all worthwhile. With some of the best fishing, camping and hunting you could ask for, the Cape certainly has its attractions for those who love the outdoors,” Gavan said, adding that the lifestyle aspect has helped to get some drivers through the door.
“But there are a lot of drivers who expect the big money, but we’re not a big company so we can’t match the likes of the huge mining companies out west. It seems like there are no old school drivers around anymore. You get some drivers who come in and then six months later they go over to the west for five years to chase the big money, so that’s definitely impacting the industry over this side of the country.”
A Far North Queensland transport operator is using a unique hook to try and lure in drivers, as he struggles to get bums on seats.
conditioning units from day one. These days, Bobin says they install between 250300 units from the manufacturer each year.
“Webasto supplies all different levels of coolers, with different levels of output. They’ve all got their purpose and are fairly popular with our customers.”
“The main Webasto coolers we fit are the Fresco 3000, and the Cool Top RTE 16, which is fitted to the rooftops. They are both a low power draw, battery powered air conditioning system. With the Cool Top RTE 16, they’re designed to go through the roof hatch, so we fit them mainly to European cab-over trucks.”
The Fresco 3000 is available in 12 or 24 volt options.
sign, meaning it’s suitable for most applications without compromising fuel load or chassis space.
While the Cool Top RTE 16 is among Webasto’s newest offerings. It’s an effective, lightweight, 24 volt electric parking cooler. The powerful 1.6Kw rooftop air conditioning system is available with a wide choice of specific truck model mounting kits which allow easy installation via the vehicle’s roof hatch. The system is controlled using a digital display panel and/or a handy remote control unit and offers automatic temperature control and individual temperature and fan speed adjustments. It also provides an adjustable low battery voltage cut-off to ensure that the engine will
remote control, a four-speed fan with two adjustable/closable vents and safety features that include low pressure/ thermal/tilt/HV earth leakage and low battery voltage protection. This system suits most applications without compressing the roof hatch. When it comes to quality and durability across the
BASED Victoria, Trans Air & Elec trics was started by Steve Bobin around 15 years ago, providing a large range of specialised services in auto electrical, air conditioning and off-road setups.
and do a lot of custom work, custom fit-outs and fit air
The owner and founder of Webster’s Transport, Greg Webster, has decided the time is now right to close the business and embark on his next chapter, with his fleet set to go to auction next month.
“I’m now 71 and with the sudden passing of my wife and business partner earlier this year, with the difficulty in retaining staff and the length of time you have to wait for new equipment, my son and l have decided to retire after 30 and 43 years in the business,” Webster said.
He started the business in March 1980 with his late wife Leona, with one TK Bedford crane truck, subbing to TKD Transport in Brisbane.
Over the ensuing four years, the fleet increased to three trucks, all fitted with cranes.
With Leona manning the phones and allocating the jobs, they struck out on their own in 1983.
By 1992 the fleet had increased to seven crane trucks and semi trailers. In those days, to get a job with Webster’s, one of the provisions was that you could park your truck outside your house, which of course couldn’t happen today.
Greg and Leona purchased five acres in Crestmead in 1992.
The property featured a nice house, a 200 square metre shed, a shed that was converted into an office space and plenty of parking for their fleet of trucks.
It was at the end of that same year that their son Michael joined the family business, taking over the allocator’s job from Leona while she concentrated on accounts.
Webster’s Transport continued to grow and by 1999, the fleet had grown to 14 trucks along with a couple of forklifts. It was decided by the local council that the business should move to more appropriate
premises. And with that, the couple purchased three acres, with a house on it, in an industrial area. The house became the office and the adjoining two acres was acquired a couple of years later.
The fleet steadily increased with a 16 tonne Franna crane added, along with more trucks and trailers. In those early years the company was heavily involved in transporting timber and roof trusses, along with moving production machinery and live trees.
In 2003, Greg and Leona were approached by a real estate agent and asked if they wanted to sell. A price was
agreed on and they moved to the current location in Crestmead and built a 3000 square metre storage building with offices and a 9000 square metre hardstand.
In 2006 they decided to concentrate on the moving of production machinery, factories and live trees and with that came new 20 tonne and 25 tonne Franna cranes, along with forklifts ranging from 10 to 2.5 tonne. The truck fleet grew to 17, with four of them working the interstate runs, carting machinery and trees.
Among the jobs carried out by the business over the years was helping Fisher and Paykel
move their washing machine plant from Brisbane to Clyde, Ohio, in 2006 and sending three members of staff to help reinstall it. Then in 20082009, Webster’s Transport helped them move the refrigerator plant to Thailand and nine members of staff (comprised of interstate drivers, office staff and some of the local crew) went over and helped put it back together again.
Webster’s Transport also moves thousands of trees a year, anywhere from Mossman in Queensland to Melbourne, and back again. “Most probably, 75 per cent of the trees you see in projects around Brisbane
have been on the back of one of our trucks,” said Greg, as he reflected on his career in the industry.
“I have enjoyed my time in this industry. Our company wasn’t just a transport, crane and rigging company, we were problem solvers and our staff over the years have done the company proud in doing just that. I would like to thank all our customers, some who we have had for 43 years, for supporting us as we have supported them.”
The Webster’s Transport fleet will go to online auction with Grays, from 4pm (AEDT) on February 16 to 6.30pm (AEDT) on February 21, 2023.
Going under the hammer will be eight prime movers (seven with cranes); 12 trailers ranging from flat tops, drop decks and extendables; two crane trucks; a Franna crane; six forklifts, two hydraulic lifting systems; and a range of late model utilities.
To view the sale, visit grays. com/sale/7041971/agricul ture-tractors/webster-s-trans port-unreserved-retirementauction.
people to deal with when there is an issue. You only know how good a brand is when something requires attention and you get the support. That’s what’s important to us in our line of work.”
QCFM’s interstate trucks are generally replaced every eight years or so. “That’s when we put them on local and we get the newer batch doing the longer kilometres. We purchased six new Volvo FH Globetrotter XXL 600hp prime movers about 18 months ago.”
Quadara takes great pride in his fleet. “Our trucks get washed once a week. You can see some of them are coming back pretty black at the moment because of the floods they’ve been going through. We have guys who come out and wash the fleet once a week in all states and they come out like brand new.
We always get comments on how clean our trucks look,” he said.
“Customers obviously like it when the units are clean and maintained. Behind the scenes we’re also running Guardian’s Seeing Machines, satellite tracking and temperature monitoring too. We like to make sure that’s it not just a shiny truck but the back-end runs seamlessly as well.
“And our managers play a really important part in our business too. They’ve all been with us for a long time. I’m very fortunate because many of my staff have been with me for many years. We have a really good customer base and they’re an important part of our business also. It’s like a big partnership – without the staff and customers, we wouldn’t have this business.”
STARTING with just one truck 12 years ago, Quality Control Freight Management (QCFM) has grown its immaculate fleet to 30 prime movers – and they’ve been using Alcoa’s Dura Bright wheels “since day dot”.
QCFM specialises in interstate refrigerated transport and is owned and run by Eddie Quadara, 49, whose been in the game for 30 years, and
his wife Vivianne Quadara.
“The whole fleet runs on Dura Bright. We’ve been using Alcoa since day dot. Our first brand new truck had the Dura Bright wheels and we haven’t looked back since,” he said. “They’re a good quality rim, they are easy to clean, they stay shiny and the support we get from Alcoa is just the whole package.”
Starting out in Mel-
bourne, QCFM now also operates depots in Sydney and Brisbane too, predominantly carrying produce along the eastern seaboard. Most of the trucks run as B-doubles but there are also some semis in the mix, along with a few rigids too.
For Quadara, the foray into trucking wasn’t much of a surprise. “My dad was originally a truck driver, do-
ing interstate, so I grew up going in the truck with Dad on the school holidays. I’m Melbourne based and my grandparents are in Sydney, so the whole family would get in the truck to go and visit them,” he explained.
“Once Dad got off the road, he got into the fruit markets so I got a taste for the produce side of it too.”
Quadara likes to stay loyal to his suppliers. All of the trucks are from Volvo, trailers are MaxiCUBE, Thermo King supplies the refrigeration units, tyres are from Bridgestone, fifth wheels and landing legs are from JOST, BPW provides the axles, and the wheels, of course, are always Alcoa. “When you start building a relationship, it makes it pretty easy. Alcoa has always been easy to deal with. If there’s ever a problem, they fix it straight away,” he added.
“Those key brands we use just make life easier for our
SPECIALISING in machinery and military equipment movements across Australia, MK Trucking was started around seven years ago by brothers Mark and Mick Kaandorp.
As Mark explained, “Mick was doing the same sort of work, transporting equipment for someone else but he was having to find his own freight. I’m a fitter and ma-
chinist by trade and I was doing work building gas plants in Queensland. That’s when Mick approached me and said, why don’t we go halves and buy our own equipment.”
And with that MK Trucking was born. Based in Wauchope, NSW, and starting out with just one truck – a Freightliner Argosy – and a drop deck trailer, the duo has since grown their fleet to include 10 trucks
and a variety of trailers.
There are also two brand new Kenworths joining the fleet – a new T909 and a Legend SAR, bringing the fleet up to 12.
Plans are for the T909 to do most of the company’s road train work. “We normally pass along much of our freight for Perth and Darwin because we’ve just been too busy. But with the new 909, we’re hoping to take on more of that road train work ourselves,” said Mark.
“We do a fair bit of work around Sydney with the smaller tilt trays, but the rest of the fleet mainly travels to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. There are a lot of runs
into Cairns and Townsville too. Mick and I typically don’t drive, but we keep one tilt tray in the yard so we can jump in it whenever we need to. I’m actually heading through the Sunshine Coast now.
“We’re not the cheapest at what we do but we are very good at what we do. We take extra care in not damaging the machinery during transport and have a lot of customers who’ll only use us because they know we’ll protect their equipment. We take a lot of pride in what we do.”
MK Trucking began using Finlease for its finance needs about five years ago, dealing with equipment finance broker Brady Talbot.
“I had a few loans prior to getting Brady onto our stuff. All I did was show him some loans we had, and he’s looked after me ever since,” said Mark.
“When I spoke to him, he said, ‘Do yourself a favour and get a quote from me for the next one.’ He’s looked after me from the start and so he can look after me to the finish.”
Mark says he’s a “numbers and cents kind of guy”, so making the switch to Finlease was a no brainer.
“If I’m saving money, it makes sense for me to change. He also put me onto an insurance broker too. When I changed insurance brokers, my
fleet was half the size of what it is now and I saved about $60,000 straight off the bat.”
Along with the two new prime movers, there’s also another 48ft ramp trailer set to be added to the fleet.
While Mark and Mick are busy keeping their business running, Finlease looks after their finance needs.
“They’ve always provided the finance, I haven’t had any knockbacks on any finance I’ve requested. All I have to do is text through a photo of something and tell Brady what I want, and he says leave it with me, and gets back to me within the day. Dealing with Finlease is always very easy,” added Mark.
“Those pump engines, up to 25hp, need to be serviced regularly, the oil checked daily and only run with clean diesel fuel,” said Hales.
Hales also pointed out that with the hydraulic system, the pump can be mounted in a number of different locations to suit the operation. The flexibility of those hydraulic lines enables engineering freedom.
“Hydraulic drive is directly off the main truck engine, providing virtually unlimited power to the pump, delivering maximum performance as required,” said Hales.
Aussie Pumps works with Australia’s leading tanker manufacturers. They are pleased with the way the market is reacting to the push to hydraulics but there are still a lot of tankers out there using both petrol and diesel drive pumps.
“We use Honda single cylinder and sometimes twin cylinder engines where required. The photo shows a 4” heavy-duty 316 stainless steel GMP pump, capable of 2600 lpm (B4XR/A), driven by a Honda GX690 27hp engine. It’s a beautiful installation in a stainless steel tanker, destined for a life delivering fresh sparkling water to customers around capital cities,” said Hales.
Tanker pumps don’t get a lot of credit. Everybody loves big trucks, big horsepower, flash rigs and they get all the adoration. Aussie’s range of humble tanker pumps do great jobs and often are covered by a warranty of up to five years.
“In our experience, third world tanker pumps can be difficult to prime. With no name third world hydraulic motors, they rarely gave the performance promised, fading off the scene. It seems that Australians are discovering that getting a great product at a fair price is better than getting a fair product at a great price. After all, who wants to be out of action due to a failed pump?” said Hales.
WATER carts are an important part of the transport industry. Although the generic name of water carts seems pretty simple, the reality is much different.
The range of water carts can vary from a small single axle truck with a converted fuel tank on the back to a so-
are very useful for helping farmers and homeowners, sometimes whole villages or country towns. Look at Stanthorpe during the drought as an example.
Fifty years ago, those dribble bar tankers had small engine drive low pressure pumps built into the tanker
of the flexibility of installation on the truck, their dust free configuration, and the amount of power they can deliver to the pump.
“We’ve seen plenty of pumps fail because the engine has been dusted,” said Aussie Pumps chief engineer, John Hales. “Sometimes the
IT SEEMS THAT AUSTRALIANS ARE DISCOVERING THAT GETTING A GREAT PRODUCT AT A FAIR PRICE IS BETTER THAN GETTING A FAIR PRODUCT AT A GREAT PRICE. AFTER ALL, WHO WANTS TO BE OUT OF ACTION DUE TO A FAILED PUMP?”
JOHN HALES
AS we are all inclined to do, the end of year is a good time to take stock. It is also a good time to take a look at the opportunities for the year ahead.
We operate on a rolling five-year plan and in spite of the trials and tribulations of the last few years, we find ourselves in a position where we are ahead of the curve in reaching a number of our key targets.
While some of it could be attributed to good luck, it is also fair to say that you make your own luck. The roll of the dice is not the only factor by any stretch.
Strategy and tactics are all the better when backed up by a healthy dose of initiative, ingenuity and courage. Those are traits that are all too common in Australia’s heavy vehicle industry.
That presents us with a great situation to revisit our ambitions and our strategies to deliver them.
HVIA is a member association so everything we do is designed to deliver value to the organisations that we represent, and to the broader industry that they serve.
The Brisbane Truck Show is our best known method for delivering that value. While it is perfectly reasonable that it is not front of mind for attendees between one show and the next two years later, it is no small undertaking and planning for the next event is actually already well underway when the doors close on the last one.
We were in an interesting position coming out of the 2021 show where a significant number of long-standing exhibitors had been unable to attend, mostly due to lockdowns and international company policy.
We knew, however, that most were committed to returning for the 2023 show. So, we put out our initial expres-
sion of interest in late 2021, six months earlier than would normally be the case.
The support was overwhelming and created a conundrum as we sought to enable as many exhibitors into the show as possible, while ensuring that the interests of show attendees guided our decisions about space utilisation.
What we have ended up with is an amazing collection of the very best the industry has to offer, that will fill virtually every nook and cranny of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre when the doors open in May.
That’s not to mention everything taking place across the road as part of the South Bank Truck Festival.
Or the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show running in parallel at the Brisbane Show Grounds.
There are plenty of other reasons to join us in Queensland in May including the Heritage Truck Show and events and activations around the city.
Meanwhile HVIA has been busy in a range of other ways, including our government advocacy, policy development, technical and regulatory assistance, training, awards programs and industry careers promotion.
Our success in engaging members and delivering successful outcomes for industry has also resulted in attracting a much broader range of commercial support.
We commenced our new supporting partners program this year and have been delighted to welcome the likes of Ampol, Chamberlains, Energy Australia, Morris, and Royans on board through that initiative, with more on the way.
Recently we announced our second Principal Partner – Wurth Australia has stepped up alongside National Transport Insurance as our major partners.
These organisations enable us to be more ambitious in
developing and delivering programs to further the interests of the industry.
Without exception they are companies whose values and cultures are established around providing meaningful and tangible support for the industry that they service.
They participate actively in looking at removing blockages to success.
An example of this is through their support of our various workforce development initiatives including the apprentice of the year award, national apprentice challenge, careers campaigns and our forthcoming young leaders council.
The Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme is overseen by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to enable the design, engineering and manufacture of truck and trailer combinations that
set benchmarks for safety and productivity for specific tasks on pre-approved routes.
HVIA members have demonstrated the capacity of the scheme to deliver on that mandate and continue to develop vehicles that are the envy of the world under the program.
That scheme has continued to be refined, including substantial achievements in 2022 with a number of pre-approved designs dramatically reducing red-tape, and a change to the rules around tyre specifications which HVIA has lobbied for several years to achieve.
In 2023 the scheme is undergoing a significant overhaul ahead of what we call PBS 2.0. It is vital that industry plays a strong role in shaping the outcomes of that review, which will have a dramatic impact on our outputs and productivity over the years ahead.
Vehicle width and its alignment with international standards has been a major issue for the same reasons.
That is particularly true as battery electric and fuel cell electric heavy vehicles come on to the market in greater numbers.
HVIA is working closely with industry, government, training institutions, energy suppliers and other stakeholders to ensure that the pathway to a zero emissions future is free of unnecessary (often bureaucratic) impediments.
HVIA is also involved in developing various training courses on the back of the ongoing success of HV101, our first online course now widely used as an induction tool for new starters to the industry.
On the training front, with the support of the HVSI grant program, we are currently finalising an online load re-
straint course and a best practice tyre management course. We expect to launch those at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show.
2023 will provide a welcome opportunity for the industry to get together and it is our privilege to facilitate the southern hemisphere’s largest trucking industry event for that purpose.
It will be a showcase of everything that is good about our industry, and certainly that includes an exciting array of new trucks, trailers, equipment, components and technology.
As you start making your plans for 2023, I strongly encourage you to make being in Brisbane from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 May a firm commitment.
I have no doubt that this time next year you will reflect on that week as one of 2023’s major highlights.
NEW year, new horizons to conquer for Transport Women Australia Limited. We begin the year with a new website, continue with the new ‘Living the Dream’ campaign, have a new partnership soon to be announced and as always are looking for more funding.
We have our first ever event in Goulburn on January 31, we have all International Women’s Day events in the planning stages, with Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Wollongong as well as Dubbo, Shepparton and Launceston taking place.
We will also have a table at the QTA IWD breakfast. Invitations are set to be ready next week for all events, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Speakers to be announced as they are confirmed, and as always, we will have an entertaining line-up for you. Tickets
are also available for the Brisbane Truck Show breakfast and bookings have started coming in, so do not miss out. Coralie Chapman, the TWAL vice chair is looking forward to getting back to the Truck Show and hosting this event.
An exciting new event to look forward to is the inaugural Transport Women Unite Red Ball to be held in Alice Springs on May 6. We are so looking forward to holding this event with the National Road Transport Hall of Fame. Tickets are already selling for this event and are available through the Hall of Fame website.
We have a great band lined up, a new inaugural award to be presented, a great guest speaker with Ellen Voie, the founder and president of Women in Trucking USA. This is a not to be missed event, so book those flights and that accommodation now. We look forward to seeing everyone there for a night of entertainment and dancing. There will be prizes for best dressed male and female, so do not forget to wear something red.
We will be on stage at Ce-
MAT Sydney and planning a function during the event. We will have team members attending the Road Freight NSW conference and the ATA Trucking Australia event. Obviously, we will have our pre-ATA Trucking Australia luncheon, bookings for that will be available soon. We will also be nominating members for awards at both these con-
ferences, so if you would like to have us nominate you or want to recommend someone for a nomination, please be in touch as soon as possible.
We like to nominate members for awards wherever possible to showcase the transport and logistics industry, to show those entering or thinking about entering the industry that there are role models
available for them to emulate.
We will roll out the version two of our ‘Living the Dream’ video and the song is already playing on Australian Truck Radio and it should be on other radio stations soon, plus, hopefully available through a streaming service like Spotify, we will announce this on social media as soon as it becomes available. We are
so proud of this campaign.
We will be continuing and expanding our existing initiatives throughout the year and hopefully launching some new ones. We look forward to sharing them with you.
For any information on events, membership or sponsorship please contact chair@ transportwomen.com.au, or Ph 0417 422 319.
TWAL will soon roll out version two of its ‘Living the Dream’ video, with the song already playing on Australian Truck Radio.shortages, the transport and logistics industry will continue to grow, and it will require well trained and motivated employees to support this growth.
A RECURRING theme in many parts of the economy last year was the impact of chronic labour shortages due to a combination of border closures and Covid close contact restrictions limiting the availability of workers around the country.
With borders now open and Covid restrictions all but scrapped, the situation is expected to improve in 2023, however the transport industry can still expect shortages to persist because of structural issues the industry has long faced and is working hard to overcome.
An ageing worker profile and state licencing regulations that limit our capacity to recruit drivers after leaving school takes time to correct, underscoring the importance of planning ahead for operators’ labour needs.
Notwithstanding worker
This has underpinned the Victorian Transport Association’s development of programs to deliver a pathway for new entrants to the transport industry to be trained as job-ready longterm employees in freight and logistics.
The Freight Workforce Project introduced last year demonstrates the benefits of quality training individuals who can bring real value as safe, competent, and professional transport workers. The project is creating over 125 jobs in the transport and logistics industry, providing a sustainable pathway into heavy vehicle driving, forklift driving and warehousing roles.
Candidates are supplied by Jobs Victoria and focus on women, women over 45, Indigenous people, new migrants, and people under 25. The program provides the project manager and participant ample opportunity to understand the values and expectations that exist in the transport industry and determine their readiness and commitment before the provi-
sion of any training.
As a complement to the program, the VTA continues to offer a range of training that can lead to careers as transport industry professionals.
Transition to Transport is an intensive one-day, nine-module course that will provide those new to the industry with indepth knowledge of the supply chain, logistics, transport operations and associated regulations.
Driver Delivery is a 10-day training, mentoring and ‘behind-the-wheel’ instruction experience to new heavy vehicle drivers. Individuals completing the Driver Delivery Program will obtain a Heavy Rigid licence and will learn advanced driving practices and principles.
Our Forklift Training Program is a five-day training program which includes both practical and theory training, and our two-day Warehouse Training is a two-day specialised training program that provides the individual with a basic knowledge of warehouse functions, safety, and environment.
What’s unique about these programs is that they produce job-ready candidates and have the support of the VTA to place
candidates in paid transport work, along with professional mentoring to assist their transition into the workplace. The mentor relationship is quickly established to ensure candidates concerns and needs are addressed, and they are given a clear understanding of the timelines, responsibilities and expectations.
The other great thing about these programs is that they are available right now for operators looking to train or recruit staff to benefit from. For the many operators we know of that have found it difficult to attract qualified workers, now
is the time to assess your labour needs for the year ahead and get a jump on competitors who face the same persistent labour challenges.
Like many industries, there is presently a significant shortage of workers in the transport industry, so if operators are looking for staff or individuals are looking for a new career path in freight and logistics, contact the VTA on 03 9646 8590 or visit vta.com.au/ freight-training/ or vta.com.au/ driver-delivery/.
Attracting and retaining staff will be a major focus of the VTA State Conference, spon-
sored by TWUSUPER and being held from March 19-21 at Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island.
Under the theme of People First – Managing Transport’s Greatest Asset, the conference will feature a range of speakers on the issues of greatest interest to our industry – human resources, infrastructure, heavy vehicle driver licencing reform, and safety and technology, to name but a few.
Registration is now open at vta.com.au and I invite you to join us for what promises to be another fantastic and insightful VTA State Conference.
The VTA has developed a range of programs to deliver a pathway for new entrants to the industry to be trained as job-ready long-term employees. VTA COMMENT
“I LOVE a sunburnt country; A land of sweeping plains; Of ragged mountain ranges; Of droughts and flooding rains.”
These words of Dorothea Mackellar always come to mind when we consider the tempests hitting our country.
And the tempests have been coming thick and fast. For example, NSW was smashed by more than 220 natural disasters in 2022 alone.
The roads damage bill in NSW is at $2.5 billion and that’s on top of the existing road repair backlog of $1.9 billion worth of road repairs already needed.
The situation is replicated across much of the country and the repair cost is eyewatering. For example, one local council in Victoria is reportedly paying more than $10 million to repair just one month’s worth of road damage.
The pressure on the transport industry has been
extraordinary. For example, the flooding in the Northern Territory forced trucks to detour, adding thousands of kilometres to their journey.
You may have seen the dramatic pictures of a fast-flowing river of brown water almost destroying the Fitzroy River Bridge – the vital sealed road link between Broome and the rest of Western Australia. It’s estimated the bridge repair could take a year.
At the time of writing, the floodwaters were flowing down the River Murray and across the South Australian border.
Flooding cut off entire road networks in Queensland, forcing the closure of a number of roads.
Tasmania was also hit hard by heavy rain in 2022, with floods, landslips and fallen trees across the state. The floodwaters damaged a pier on the Cam River bridge, forcing traffic to inch along one lane.
In summary, the heavy rains across much of the country have exposed the vulnerability of Australia’s
intricate network of roads.
The amount of road damage is astronomical. We have joined forces with Big Rigs to highlight the potholes and drivers have sent us some extraordinary photos.
Repairing this road damage is a huge job and yet few acknowledge the great work of everyone involved.
Lots of operators have contacted the ATA over Christmas and New Year singing the praises of these road workers.
We cheerfully acknowledge their efforts.
We also acknowledge everyone working behind the scenes including the planners and managers, the public servants who get the funding and the governments who deliver.
Like trucking, too often these efforts are not seen by the general public.
But without good roads the trucking industry can’t do its job.
Sure there is always some bitching and moaning but let’s put that aside and say: Thank you.
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)
TheMisfits in1961 was the last film starring Marilyn Monroeand which otheractor? (5,5)
units of conductance (7)
DOWN 1 Whichchess piecesare mostnumerous? (5)
2 Whatbrightyellow powder is usedfor flavouring in Asian cookery?(7)
3 InearlyEngland,what was a smalllandholder between gentry and labourers? (6)
Which substance is used as an insect deterrent (7)
4 Whatbranch ofmedicine isconcerned with diseasesand abnormalities ofthe heart?(10)
To be clever, is to be what (5)
5 A star that suddenly brightens then gradually fades is called what? (4)
6 Which film,1984’s BestPicture Oscar winner, was filmed inPrague? (7)
Name a system of writing for the blind (7) 4 Which term suggests an affront (6) 5 To grieve, is to do what (5)
6 What are children’s nurses known as (7)
9 Where wasLouisArmstrong born? (3,7)
7 What are artifices called (5)
sword is used only for thrusting (6)
Native toCentral and South America, a tamandua is whattypeofanimal? (8)
11 Whichwoman was married on 29April 1945, and died the followingday?(3,5)
13 Shrove Tuesday is known as which Day (7)
is a turning point known as (6)
What cloth isspreadover a coffin? (4)
Whatisaninformal word for “avery long time”? (5)
be curved, is to be what (7)
What diseaseisalso known as lockjaw? (7)
is a frame of latticework (7)
sea lies to the north of Australia (7)
have vocalised, is to have done what (7)
is a crisp, dry biscuit (7)
12 Whatis the widening channel of a river where saltwater mixes with freshwater?(7)
15 Who painted Bailed Up, Tom (7)
14 Inheraldry what is thecolour silver?(6)
16 What might we call the beach (7)
16 Millionsof records from which US immigration entry island areaccessible onthe internet? (5)
17 Which English college was founded by HenryVI in 1440? (4)
17 To tell fully and distinctly, is to do what (6) 18 What is a metal device used for fastening things together (5)
19 To be humming, is to be what (5) 20 Name a form of silica (5)
FOLLOWING an intense final round of the global 2022 Gemba Challenge, the Australian UD Trucks team, Night Riders, has finished up in second place.
The Gemba Challenge is an annual UD Trucks global technician competition to test and challenge UD staff and to recognise and celebrate their talent. The recent final took place at the home of UD Trucks, Ageo, Japan.
Australia’s two finalist teams, the Night Riders (VCV Brisbane North) and the CLASSICS (VCV Sydney Prestons), battled through six demanding workshop and theory-based challenges for a top spot.
UD Trucks Australia says it was an impressive effort from both teams and an outstanding result for the Night Riders that placed second overall, less than a point behind Team Japan who took out first place.
This result comes after two rigorous rounds of competition on Australian turf, that originally brought together 46 teams across the country, comprising of 164 frontline UD dealership and workshop staff.
The Night Riders and the CLASSICS were among the 12
teams that qualified for the final out of 587 global contending teams at the start of the competition.
The Night Riders team featured Deo Ajeet Pracheel as the team leader, Simon Nendick, Jeremy Corfield and Nitesh Chand.
Making up the CLASSICS team were Adam Rich as team leader, Sridhar Babu Kantamneni, Mitchell Pluimers-Black and Giovanni Defrancesco.
UD Trucks Australia says Night Riders, who were a wildcard qualifier for the final round, displayed impressive teamwork, skill and passion
throughout the competition. Coining their team name from working the night shift at VCV Brisbane North, the Night Riders have provided strong levels of support to VCV, servicing customers night in and night out and have been recognised for their consistent performance all year round.
When reflecting on the Night Riders’ Gemba Challenge experience, VCV Brisbane North dealer manager, Craig Costello, said the initial rounds of the competition were challenging as expected and the opportunity to compete in the final in Japan initially came as
a shock but was extremely well received. The team also had several discussions and group activities during the Gemba Challenge to build team strength and cohesion.
“In these sessions we further got to recognise the team’s individual skills and got to know each other personally, which I feel was essential to the results in the final round of the competition,” said Costello.
“The team regards the Gemba Challenge as a professional display of their talent and skills they use in their roles on a daily basis and given the opportunity to show examples of this
was rewarding and memorable. Particularly in being recognised by UD Japan, Gemba officials, global market leaders and fellow Gemba Challenge contenders.”
The Night Riders had a unique team makeup, from a third-year apprentice to a tradesman with 30 years-experience. It was the team’s first time participating in the challenge, making their second-place result even more impressive.
The CLASSICS were also strong contenders throughout the competition and managed to maintain a solid performance throughout.
According to UD Trucks
Australia, the Gemba Challenge results were a testament to the heavy investment UD Trucks has put into hands-on training and support for UD technicians over the years.
“The teamwork, dedication and skill we’ve seen from our Australian teams in the Gemba Challenge final is a testament to their Gemba Spirit and the passion that drives them to go the extra mile for our customers,” said Richard Singer, vice president services and retail development, Volvo Group Australia.
“Getting as far as the finals is an achievement in itself, but to have two of our teams there and our Night Riders place second on the global stage behind team Japan is an incredible result. We are exceptionally proud of both our finalist teams, as well as all our Australian teams that have competed in the Gemba Challenge this year. Having our dealerships backed by such capable and professional staff is key to our customer success.
“I congratulate all the teams that have participated in this year’s competition and look forward to seeing our teams back in action in 2024 for the next Gemba Challenge.”
REGIONAL fuel transporter
Lowes Petroleum has acknowledged its best and safest drivers through its annual professional driver awards.
Driver David Hull from the Townsville depot was named the winner for region one, Alex Connell from the Brisbane depot took the award for region two, Daryl Neal from the Newcastle depot won for region three, Mark Thomson from the Shepparton/Melbourne depot was awarded for region four and Craig Hall from Burnie, Tasmania won the award for region five.
Lowes Petroleum delivers millions of litres of fuel across the country each year. The company’s general manager of health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) Bernie Morris said the awards were launched in 2021 to salute the professionalism of its drivers.
Morris said that while every driver made a commitment to best-practice standards, it was important to recognise those going above and beyond.
He added that the winners exhibited a professional attitude and behaviours in every aspect of their job. They are highly re-
garded amongst peers and customers and are drivers who step beyond their duties.
“Every day we are receiving comments from customers and the public to ‘stop and go’ traffic people about our driver’s professionalism and the awards are a perfect way to acknowledge this,” he said. “Often there’s a perception that driving on country roads has less risk: that perception is wrong.
“Most of us go to work each day knowing that our immediate workspace is a safe environment for us to work in. Our drivers don’t have that luxury: everyday road conditions, the weather, vehicle issues and the general public create dangerous work environments.
“Our drivers make hundreds of risk decisions daily to ensure that they, and others around them, remain safe. These awards were brought into play to recognise the drivers who do that the best.”
Morris said the winning drivers came from across the whole business. While some people believed the awards would go to the drivers of the big tanker road trains, one of the winners in fact drives a
smaller Lubes delivery truck.
“This year we received significantly more nominations than we did last year,” he said. “We assess the nature of the nominations around customer service, the care drivers showed for their vehicles, the commitment to their depots and to the team they work with. We also have made sure that these were the safest drivers we have.
“We assessed this by referring to drive cam alerts, to logbook and fatigue breaches and incidents like crossovers and speeding, so we believe the drivers awarded this year are, in fact, the very best drivers we have.”
OUR DRIVERS MAKE HUNDREDS OF RISK DECISIONS DAILY TO ENSURE THAT THEY, AND OTHERS AROUND THEM, REMAIN SAFE. THESE AWARDS WERE BROUGHT INTO PLAY TO RECOGNISE THE DRIVERS WHO DO THAT THE BEST.”
BERNIE MORRIS
HEAVY transport corporations across the globe are making preparations for their transition to zero-emissions vehicles, and TAFE Queensland is leading the charge for training local light automotive, heavy automotive and mobile plant technicians in the skills they will need to keep future vehicles on the road.
Volvo Trucks are one of the notable global manufacturers to already offer a full range of Electric Vehicle (EV) trucks for sale, and have com-
mitted to converting half of their global truck sales to EV options by 2030 at the latest. Volvo is joined by many manufacturers including JCB, who have plug-in electric excavators already available for purchase in Australia.
With giants of the industry pledging their allegiance to zero-emissions trucks and other vehicles, local Queensland businesses are flocking to the state’s most trusted training provider to skill up their new and existing employees in EV work.
TAFE Queensland Emerging Industries business development manager Shawn O’Sullivan says the approach taken by TAFE Queensland is always to do what is best for local industry. “TAFE Queensland is committed to delivering skilled workers for the local industry now and for the future,” O’Sullivan said.
TAFE Queensland is leading the way to the EV future as the state’s only training provider offering essential nationally recognised Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicle (HEV/BEV) units to apprentices as part of their training plan, meaning the skills can come at no extra cost to employers.
The future-focussed training is not limited to apprentice students however, with TAFE Queensland also offering a unique training cluster for experienced, existing members of the local industry to upskill themselves in essential HEV/BEV units in one convenient training block.
O’Sullivan went on to say, “At TAFE Queensland we know that preparing the in-
73 Formation St, Wacol
dustry for its transition to an EV future means skilling not only apprentices but the existing technicians around the state who are already starting to work on these vehicles.”
The training on offer at TAFE Queensland is far from theory-based, with apprentices and qualified technicians who undertake HEV/BEV
training at the provider applying their classroom learning on a range of vehicles owned by the training provider specifically for the training of these skills.
TAFE Queensland students carry out their training on a wide range of EVs including models from Hino and JCB for the heavy au-
tomotive and mobile plant industries and Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, and more for the light automotive industry.
To enrol yourself or your employees in TAFE Queensland’s HEV/BEV training cluster, contact cli ent.solutions@tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 today to define your greatness.
Easter
(Brisbane based only)
(Brisbane based only)
