Barry ‘Hurry Up’ Houghton was born in 1956 in Melbourne to a
transport family.
Barry’s passion for trucks began at around 10 years old at the
Flemington Stock Yards. He was always offering a helping hand with the loading and unloading of stock, “many didn’t have cattle dogs back then, so I was the replacement dog” he said. This is where he met many
drivers from Clive Brothers, Drury, Eddy Smith, Glovers, and in
particular, McKibbin’s Transport. He learnt a lot by taking every
opportunity he could to help the drivers. He recalls Bill McKibbin
saying to him “go ask your Mum if you can come on a run” so off he went, sprinting home to get permission... and so, it all began.
Barry began driving in the early 70s. His first job was delivering soft drinks around Melbourne in an AA110 International and TK Bedford. He then started driving his father’s trucks, a 337 Benz (which had a 680 Power plus Leyland in it), the R190 Inter and a B61 Mack, transporting hay and general back to Melbourne. This was his introduction to
interstate driving.
When it came time to ‘officially’ go for his truck license, he drove in and parked his truck, which was loaded for Adelaide, around the corner of the Police Station. He recalls the Cop saying, “Your early... go around the block, and back to the Police Station” leaving Barry to his own devices knowing he already had the driving experience under his belt. When Barry got back, the Cop asked, “did you hit anything,” “No” replies Barry, “Good, here you go, get on your way.”
Barry’s driving experiences extended from there, driving other family members trucks, into various other transport companies including
Benton Daly and Sebires followed by Farmilo Constructions which was his introduction into the heavy haulage industry.
In 1990, Barry started working for Hi Haul where he spent 24.5yrs (10 of them as a driver). This took him far and wide across Australia,
accumulating much experience in most fields of the transport
industry. His fondest memories are of the old roads and the mates (men and women) he made on the way. “There is nothing better at the end of a hard day on the Strzelecki track with mates and a stubby after
changing tyres” he said.
With over 50 years of experience in the transport industry, Barry now has an array of stories of times past, which he enjoys recalling for all those he catches up with, that are interested in hearing. He always said that he wished someone would invent a machine that could project the images he has stored in his head, saying “there’s nothing better than
being in the moment and seeing what I saw and what I’ve done.”
Barry’s passion for trucks still lives on today at 68 years of age, still
driving, with his own business, Australian Freight & Haulage, running Kenworth’s and low loaders.
Inducted in 2024
