Lawrence ‘Laurie’ Williams was born on 26th October 1965 in Toowoomba QLD. Laurie obtained his truck license at 17 years old and commenced his driving career by driving tow trucks for Merv Small in Redcliffe. Laurie always had his eyes on the future, buying his first truck in 1984, a D Series Ford, with a car trailer. He then went on to start Laurie Williams Car Carrying Company.
This led his to work with RMA Motor Auctions in Redcliffe, who gave him a fantastic start in business. Laurie was very popular for his professionalism and good customer service.
When he sold his business in 2000, he had a fleet on 18 trucks and the sale of the business set him up for the next stage in his life. He intended to retire, however, that only lasted two weeks! Trucking was in his blood and he could not give it up. Laurie went on to do tipper work and bought a position with Auto Care providing dealer delivery of new Isuzu trucks throughout QLD. He is still with Suto Care today.
Laurie has always been a strong advocate of the industry, always taking pride in his work and vehicles. He has participated in many trucking shows and events throughout Australia.
In 2018, he won Truck of the Show with ‘Phat Cat’, at the Western Star Show and Shine. He still owns the 2006 4800 Western Star model today. He bought the Bandag Bullet in 2019, now known as the Bullet Burnout Truck, which does demonstrations throughout the year. It is the fastest diesel powered truck in the world.
The challenged of covid saw Laurie sell some of his truck and trailers and begin his towing business with just one truck. He now has three, used in his two businesses, Anywhere Truck & Machinery Heavy Towing and North QLD Truck & Machinery Movements. He has come full circle back to tow trucks where he started.
He is respected for his loyalty to others and has received loyalty from many businesses in return over the years.
As a young student, he was told by a teacher ‘You’ll never amount to anything looking out a window’. Well, his life has turned out to be very successful, looking at the highway through the window of his truck!
Inducted in 2024
