19 minute read
KILCOY’S BIG CONVOY
KILCOY BREAKS SHOW DROUGHT
It was a case of out of lockdown and on with the show as the Queensland town of Kilcoy successfully produced one of the first community truck events of 2021. Warren Aitken took his camera and hung out with the crowd at the Konvoy with a ‘K’
WELCOME BACK to the truck show scene. It’s so good to be able to, at long last, write up a truck show review. It has been so long that the sunscreen lotion in my car had given up on itself and just formed an unusable, weirdly congealed lump. So, just like the good old days of 2019, I ended up looking like the warning post for the Slip, Slop, Slap ads.
I also ended up with hours’ worth of photos to process, over 13,000 steps for the day and wearing a smile so big it hurt my ears. Yep, it was awesome to be able to attend the first major truck show in Queensland for 2021 – the Kilcoy Konvoy and Rodeo.
I never realised how much I’d missed them to be honest. Friday night charging batteries and formatting memory cards while scrolling Facebook to see who was still up cleaning and polishing, then an early start for the big drive to Kilcoy in Queensland’s Somerset region.
I arrived nice and early and was enveloped in a sense of familiarity. Rocking up to the checkin area and seeing drivers with their legions of unpaid workers, or family as they call them, frantically finishing off the final touches.
A quick drive through town and I spotted the plethora of truck photographers and enthusiasts already out and about, scoping out their favoured convoy locations, ready to snap some great shots.
The locals starting to line the streets, kids warming their arms for the ever-necessary fist pump, eager to hear the sounds of our people (aka air horns). It was all very familiar and comforting.
One of the first big shows of 2021 also threw up some new sights. I am used to the emphasis on social distancing so that was pleasing to see. What shocked me was Marshall Watego, a regular character at many events with his outstanding Optimus Prime-inspired Peterbilt. Seeing him at the Kilcoy Konvoy wasn’t the shock, it was seeing him turn up on time that nearly knocked my socks off. That was a sign it was going to be a cracker of a day.
You could not have picked a better show to
Top: Convoy time: the Mackay & Sons House Removal fleet makes its way towards the Kilcoy showground
Above (L to R): Kel Stanton, one of the Kilcoy Konvoy team, is movie director as his son Levi films the trucks; Mark Tobin’s Truck of the Show-winning Kenworth was the perfect backdrop to highlight the team that put the event together
Opposite (L to R): Danny Hinds’ immaculate T909 took out the silver medal in the best Kenworth category; New regulations meant everyone entering had to scan in, it’s just one of the procedures we’ll have to get used to for big events now
open up the start of Queensland truck show season than the Kilcoy Konvoy. It was my first time at this event and boy, do they know how to put on a show. For the second time the Konvoy has been tied in with the annual Kilcoy Rodeo, meaning you can take a break from the stainless and steel and wander over to see the bucking and bulldust. If you’re wearing an Akubra I think technically you don’t wander over, you mosey over. So, I had to wander.
Scanning in
Back to the truck event itself. The Kilcoy show has been around for several years now. In 2019, it hooked up with the Kilcoy Rodeo and created the Kilcoy Konvoy and Rodeo. That year they had a massive
Top: Three exceptional Anniversary model Macks led off the Karreman’s fleet. Karreman’s picked up second prize in the Best Fleet category
Above (L to R): They definitely came from far and wide for the show. This stunning Emerald Carrying Co K200 placed third in the Best Bling category; One of my favourites from the day was this 1966 Mack B-61 stock truck, owned by Stuart and Christine Retschlag (left). Also along for the day were Jessica Beare, as well as driver Ivan and Jesse Retschlag
Right: B&K Bulk Haulage’s spectacular T409 SAR came down from Gladstone and picked up the Best Kenworth award for its effort
Opposite top (L to R): Chris Dwyer was up until ungodly hours cleaning the MacTrans Heavy Haulage Southern Cross Mack in order to make it to the convoy. The effort was worth it as it picked up the Best Mack trophy; This immaculate Superliner may have sat at the end of the Karreman section of the convoy, but it made its presence felt. What a rumble!
Opposite middle: Karreman Quarries turned out in force, displaying plenty of Bulldog pride
Top: It may not please the environmentalists but seeing the old Mack Super-Liner with its foot to the ground definitely pleased the crowd
Above (L to R): I first spotted Emma still cleaning her Snap-on rig before the convoy started. She’s definitely dedicated to her little F-Series Isuzu; It was great to catch up with Albert and Fiona Collins with their family truck. The 1973 1310 Inter is still working and multiple generations of the Collins family use the old girl for all manner of tasks
Right: Tyson Carter brought the old Mack tipper out for a play in the convoy. A big credit to his fiancée Andrea Reuter for putting in the hard yards and cleaning it for him the night before
Bottom: I could lie and say it’s not often the Paddo & Sons Transport crew sit still enough for a photo, but Chook (right) is often spotted just leaning on his stunning T610. But it’s Grant Jones (left) and Ray Patton (centre) that keep the wheels turning
120 trucks turn up, another reflection of the growing popularity of the show. Obviously 2020 never happened, so we won’t even talk about that. The committee members were adamant that they would go ahead with the 2021 event, realising that all the new COVID-19 rules and regulations would eventually just become the new norm for events.
With the help of the Kilcoy Rodeo team, the committee set about filling and filing all the government required paperwork. The main issues needed to ensure the show’s success was that everyone attending needed to be scanned in, entrance bands were a must and people were made aware of the importance of social distancing. With such a large open area, the ground capacity was never an issue. There may have been slightly longer than normal waits to get in, as everyone had to login in via one of those QR codes. For the truckies though, we are used to having to do that at most truck stops up and down the country anyway.
All in all, the COVID-19 regulations caused very little stress. Well, for me as a visitor it was very little stress. For the marvellous committee members that had to submit the
forms and make sure they met all the requirements, it was a tad more tedious and stressful, but in the end successful.
All that rigmarole was what was needed to ensure that the show could go ahead. What made the entire day a success in my opinion was the people that ran it. A big thumbs-up needs to go to everyone involved.
There was a level of enthusiasm that just flowed through the entire team. I thought the bouncing-off-the-wall vibes would come from all the truckies finally getting to ‘shine on’, but that infectious atmosphere was started by the Kilcoy Konvoy team first. The community just oozed excitement, from the lovely old blokes that were getting you to scan your QR codes at the showground entrance to the fantastic ladies and gentlemen that were getting swamped with trucks trying to sign in, then the local police escorting the convoy and onto the Rural Fire Volunteers helping with camping and parking.
Record entries
In the end they shattered their previous record of 120 trucks with an impressive 165 entries.
It wasn’t all show and shine though; there was plenty of stalls set up for people to purchase all the stuff they didn’t know they needed, from Smokey & the Bandit canvas banners to embroidered Kenworth chairs. Even the kids were covered, with The Jake Brake Kid there selling his awesome kids’ colouring books. Off course I wanted one;
Top left: It wasn’t just the truckies enjoying the day. Those that had come for the rodeo took the opportunity to have a look at some of the cool gear. I caught Mal Wieland showing his troop of Chase, Paislee and Jasper around the big rigs
Above left: This fully customised old classic Kenny sounded as good as it looks! I swear I heard cameras running out of batteries as they snapped away at her
From top right: Paddo & Sons brought along a couple of their stunning trucks, including this Kenworth Legend 900 pearler; A huge thank you to this year’s judges John Streton, Barry Coop, Mick Taylor and local council rep Cheryl Gaedtke. These guys marched around in the sun with the hardest job of all – picking the winners; Harlin-based company H L E Smith & Co had most of its hardworking fleet scrubbed up for the event
Top: Masondale Logging had a great array of loggers shined up for the day. I caught up with three of their drivers and convinced them to pose for me - top blokes Grant Smith, Bradley Smith and Stewi Castle
Above (L to R): Who doesn’t love a good fire truck! A big shout out to all these guys who helped out and showed off at the Kilcoy Konvoy; I sort of promised Marcus Fairbrother, who was standing with his three girls Temprence, Peyton and Ambrosia, that I wouldn’t share this photo. But how could I not? Even Travis Scott, who drives the Followmont Western Star and the lovely Jade Harney, who is one of Followmont’s forklift drivers, would agree this shot is the best
Below: Another of my all-time favourite rigs is the Mack Super Liner. Matt Kranenburg stands with his sons Parker and Kip in front of the Kranenburg Earth Moving bulldog
I just couldn’t find a kid to go buy me one – dammit.
When lunch rolled the barbecue stand produced an extremely good steak sandwich or, in my case, two really good ones. I was very tempted to have a go at a couple of the competitions they had running. The tarp tying comp looked interesting, until I realised I’m a tautliner driver and haven’t tarped in years. So I avoided that. Big congratulations must go to Kurt from HLE Smith & Co for winning that one.
Then there was the truck stopping competition. You had 30 seconds from the time you planted your butt in the driver’s seat to pull the truck forward, stopping as close to the bollard as possible with only one braking manoeuvre. It was fun to watch actually. For the record that prize went to a fella called Healy who stopped 7.5cm from the bollard. Impressive!
All in all it was a great day put on by the Kilcoy Konvoy team. My go-to lady for the day was the fabulous Debbie Dawes who, along with her husband Ian, are an integral part of the team. Ironically, I hardly spoke to Debbie as she was as busy as the rest of the team all day. So I thanked her lovely daughter Linsie for her assistance.
A huge shout out to the entire committee and the Kilcoy township for breaking our truck show drought with an outstanding show.
NHVR Sal Petroccitto
HV health check
Over the next 12 weeks the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will inspect around 8,000 heavy vehicles
DAILY STEPS TO KEEP VEHICLES SAFE
The NHVR is urging heavy vehicle operators to use a Daily Safety Checklist as a regular part of their pre-trip routine. The checklist is a series of simple steps that every driver should undertake daily that align with the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual. A daily visual inspection should only take a few minutes and gives drivers peace of mind ahead of their journey. Each checklist should include checking brakes, couplings, wheels, tyres and hubs, structure and body condition, lights and refl ectors, mirrors, windscreens and windows, and the engine, driveline and exhaust. For more information on Daily Safety Checklists visit www.nhvr.gov.au/ dailycheck
Sal Petroccitto became Chief Executive of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) in May 2014, bringing an extensive knowledge of heavy vehicle regulation to the role. He also has extensive experience across state and local government, holding senior leadership roles in transport and logistics, transport planning and strategic planning, and has worked closely with industry and stakeholders to deliver an efficient and effective transport system and improved supply chain outcomes. He was the Queensland g overnment representative on the NHVR Project Implementation Board and the Board of Transport Certification Australia. Over the past five years, as CEO of the NHVR he has led a significant program of reform across Australia’s heavy vehicle industry including the digital permit systems, or NHVR Portal, harmonising heavy vehicle regulations across 400 road managers and modernising safety laws for the heavy vehicle supply chain and heavy vehicle operators.
THIS MONTH the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will embark on its second National Roadworthiness Survey (NRS).
The NRS will allow us to assess the mechanical condition of Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet.
The inaugural survey was conducted five years ago and, since then, there has been increased education and improved efficiencies across heavy vehicles and operators. This survey will provide a progress update for the industry about where we have excelled and what we need to focus on.
It’s important the NHVR delivers an overview on how we are doing as a heavy vehicle industry so that, together, we can focus on improved safety and productivity outcomes.
So, what will take place and how might it affect you?
Over the next 12 weeks, approximately 8,000 heavy vehicles will be inspected by the NHVR and our partner agencies in every state and territory.
Each vehicle will undergo a detailed visual inspection and some mechanical testing by authorised officers using inspection trailers and brake-testing equipment.
It’s our intention to add as little disruption as possible to drivers and schedules and I have no doubt that our officers will aim to achieve this on every occasion. It goes without saying that the safer the vehicle, the smoother the inspection process.
I must stress that vehicles will only be inspected once as part of the survey. We understand the need to keep vehicles and supply chains moving and I want to thank businesses and individuals in advance for their cooperation and support as we carry out this important work on behalf of the industry.
WHY IS THIS SURVEY NECESSARY?
Simply put, this is about ensuring the safety and condition of the heavy vehicle fleet.
We need to continue to understand what and who is operating across our road network so that we can support the industry and individuals achieve greater safety and productivity outcomes.
WHAT DID WE LEARN LAST TIME?
As part of our 2016 survey, the NHVR inspected just over 7,000 vehicles across all states and territories except for Western Australia (WA). This time, WA vehicles and operators will be included as part of the survey.
Combined results from the initial survey, together with the National Transport Insurance Major Investigation Report (released in March this year) confirmed that operators who effectively maintained their vehicles were less likely to be involved in an accident.
Further, the report found that there were fewer claims on vehicles when they were properly maintained.
While these results will come as little surprise, it reinforces the fact that, with the right safety procedures in place for heavy vehicles and their operators, there is more to gain and less chance of error.
Once again, I thank you for participating in this important piece of work and for your ongoing commitment to making our industry a safe and productive environment for all. I look forward to sharing the results of our latest NRS with you.
