Reg McLennan was born on September 14th 1936 in South Grafton. He started his 70-year career in the transport industry in 1954 at age 18, where he delved into the world of transport carting logs on a single drive AEC, with no doors, from Delmorton to Grafton.
Before permits were required, he also carted 80ft turpentine piles on a WC20 White from Dorrigo to Pinkenba (Brisbane). Initially it was his father Carl who was snigging pine logs with a horse team that Reg’s passion for transportation was ignited.
In the early 1960s, Reg transitioned into a job with Ron Thompson Haulage in Grafton, where he drove Foden, powered by a 6LX
Gardner motor. His cargo ranged from drums of fuel to concrete pipes and timber, as he went from Grafton to Brisbane. His ventures extended to the New South Wales tablelands over the Gibraltar range, carting beer in a Peterbilt.
With a young family, the late 1960s was the start Reg’s own haulage enterprise, marked by the acquisition of two Fiat trucks. These
vehicles, laden with timber destined for Brisbane, returned with
liquid sugar and coal, fueling the operations of the Grafton brewery. His contracts also included carting woodchip to Newcastle, whilst loading steel destined for Brisbane. His most unusual haul was a load of beehives from South Grafton to Pinaroo, South Australia.
Throughout four decades owning his own business Reg’s fleet evolved. From the G88 Volvo to the F10 and F12 Volvos, a leader, a cab-over Kenworth, an SAR and two W model Kenworths, each
vehicle bore witness to Reg’s love of trucking because of their
maintenance and presentation. However, it was the unwavering
support of his family that guided him through the trials and
tribulations of life on the open road.
Later in his career, he purchased two school bus runs and continued to drive local children to school for over 20 years before retiring, age 70, leaving, son, Michael McLennan to take over the family business.
Even in retirement, Reg’s passion for trucking endured, as he
delivered two Kenworth trucks to the National Road Transport
Museum in Alice Springs. In 2012, age 76, he fondly remembers a special trip with his late wife Kay McLennan driving a black 909 from Kyogle to the Hall of Fame. 5 years later, aged 81, he delivered the first T900 legend.
At the age of 88 Reg’s dedication to his craft remains undiminished. He still maintains his heavy vehicle license, helping his friends at harvest time and ever prepared to heed the call of duty, should his grandson, Angus McLennan, need a hand as he continues the family tradition.
Inducted in 2024
