Alan Bechly

Alan Albert Bechly, also known as Dozer, was born in 1955 in Kilcoy, Queensland. His journey in the transport industry commenced in 1972 when he began working casually as a body truck driver, which swiftly transitioned into full-time employment by 1973.

By 1976, at the youthful age of 21, he seized the opportunity to purchase the business from Larry & Dot Jenkinson, thereby becoming the proud owner of two eight-tonne trucks. This marked the inception of Bechly’s Kilcoy Transport.

Initially, his primary route ran from Kilcoy to Brisbane and back. Additionally, he transported flour from Toowoomba to a bakery and pollard to his family's general store in Kilcoy, which had been established in 1941. During this period, he operated his depot from the yard at his parent's store.

In 1978, he acquired his first prime mover to accommodate longer loads and transport trailers to and from Dalby for O’Conner’s Transport. Subsequently, in 1979, Dozer and his late brother Donald established a partnership and purchased a route from Graham (Spike) O’Conner.

The years between 1979 and 2007 saw Bechly’s Transport flourishing. They expanded their operations, transporting frozen foods to coastal and central Queensland for Queensland United Foods. After unloading, they would reload kangaroo carcasses and wool for transportation back to Brisbane.

In 1983, they began transporting meat from Kilcoy Pastoral Company to cold stores in Brisbane multiple times a week. Dozer even helped pack export containers when the meatworks started this venture.

Over the years, Dozer expanded his business, acquiring land on D’Aguilar Highway in Kilcoy in 1974, establishing a transport yard, workshop, and depot with his brother Lawrence's assistance. In December 2003, he purchased Fleming’s Transport in Nanango, adding four trucks to his rapidly growing fleet.

Further expansion came in 2018 when Dozer acquired Burt’s Transport, which included a fleet of up to 35 trucks. As of 2023, Bechly’s Transport boasts 35 trucks, including 30 Kenworths, 4 DAFs, and 1 Mack truck, along with 90 trailers, including 14 refrigerated vans and forklifts. Dozer, alongside 32 employed drivers, still actively manages the refrigerated and timber sections of the company.

Beyond his business endeavours, Dozer served as a councillor on the Somerset Regional Council from 2008 to 2016. He also finds joy in playing lawn bowls and indulging in karaoke, particularly favouring Elvis Presley songs.

Dozer’s journey has been marked by both challenges and triumphs, from accidental collisions such as running up the back of a parked police car in Fortitude Valley because the brakes failed on his first day of business. Persevering with a broken arm whilst continue working. However, amidst these trials, he has achieved his lifelong goal of owning and operating a successful transport business. His favourite truck, a 2006 Kenworth K104 Cab over, holds a special place in his heart, with plans to refurbish it to its former glory.

Inducted in 2024