Mark Kevin “Rooey” Rucioch was born on the 30th October 1964 inPeterborough, South Australia. The eldest of 3 siblings, Mark completed his mechanical apprenticeship at Peterborough Ford.
Mark and partner Debbie decided to move to Alice Springs NT for work opportunities when they were 20 years old. Travelling north on the Stuart Highway with all their belongings packed into Mark’s orange XB Falcon, they finished their journey to the red centre via the old south road, arriving in Alice Springs on 12 March 1985.
Mark’s first job was at Peter Kittles as a mechanic but, within a few weeks, Mark had secured a new job at the Ascot Haulage Transport Yard. There is no known family history of transport but Mark has always had an affinity for cars, trucks and motorbikes, even competing in the Finke Desert race on several occasions starting in 1986. Mark started at Ascots as amechanic while he worked towards his truck licence. Soon, he started by driving trucks for Ascots around Alice. By the time he was 21 years old, he was driving road trains to Darwin. When the opportunity arose to buy one of the old Ascot company trucks, a Kenworth C500, Mark did so and began working as a subcontractor. Shortly after the first truck, Mark decided it was time to step it up, spec’ing his next truck to his liking. The Kenworth T950 had a CAT 3406E, Eaton 18spd, Merritor Diffs on 6 Rod and full aero kit.
Mark mostly drove triple road trains to Darwin, but he also had trips that would take him all over Australia. Mark also did a stint doing the milk run to QLD for Malanda milk, as well as a prawn run from QLD to NT.
Mark and Debbie had 4 kids and Mark would sometimes take the kids (one at a time) on solo trips up to Darwin. There were also family holidays in the truck with Mum, Dad and all four kids.
Around 1999, Mark sold the T950 to be closer to his growing family and took a job as the General Manager at NTFS. He remained here until 2012 when he made a sea change and moved to Port Pirie in his home state of SA. Here, he was driving trucks to and from Prominent Hill Mine for Giacci Bros Transport. Following his stint with the mines, Mark started driving freight again for ABC transport, doing the Adelaide to Darwin route.
In 2015, Mark returned to Alice Springs and started driving for A&FTransport for his long-time friend Nicky Absalom, taking cement to the Granites.
In 2016, he was head hunted by ABC Transport to manage the Alice Springs yard until ABC Transport decided to sell the business in late 2023. Mark then decided to get back on the road, taking a turn at driving fuel tankers for Refuel, where he still is currently.
Over the years, people have remembered Mark as being a good manager, known for leading by example. You could often find him out on the forklift lending a hand to unload the trucks in his signature Akubra hat.
Mark has experienced plenty since his move to the Alice, both professionally and privately. He became a husband, a father, a truckie, for fun and a challenge. Today, he is a Grandsire, as his grandchildren call him, to 5 with another on the way. Although not one to blow his own trumpet, he is a stand-up bloke with a heart of gold. We could go on, but we will let Rooey tell his story.
Inducted in 2024
