DAVID HART
David ‘Dave’ Hart was born on 18th February 1962 in Bunbury Southwest, Western Australia.
Dave has been around and involved in the transport industry all his life, being the son of a truck driver, Eddie Hart.
During school holidays and weekends, he would take any opportunity to jump into trucks and travel around with his father. He has great memories of Eddie teaching him how to drive at a young age.
Dave’s first truck driving job was with Catalano and Son in Brunswick WA, driving an old White 2670 with a perkins motor that replaced the original petrol engine-5 speed main gear box and 4 speed joey box, 1800 petrol internationals and a Mack cab over FR V8-71 GM carting sand, gravel and fertilizer leg bins around the local area. His next job was with Carbone brothers of Brunswick driving an old Iron Horse Mack updated with a
fibre glass bonnet, with a quad box and 230HP Mack motor.
Always thinking of ways to improve on knowledge and experience Dave progressed from local area cartage to getting a job with Klopper Transport in midland, WA carting stock throughout all areas of WA from Albany and Esperance regions as well as the Kimberley region.
This was one of the great highlights of Dave’s career, at 20 years of age
operating triple trailers 6 deck cattle road trains throughout the
Kimberley region and double road trains throughout the rest of WA.
Throughout his career, he was fortunate enough to operate SAR
Kenworths, NTC 400HP Cummins, KTA 450HP Cummins with Spicer and Road Ranger gear boxes, Cab over Kenworths same running gear, Mack Ultra Liners V8 400HP, and Mercedes V10 320HP.
Dave came back to the South wWest of WA and worked for Malatesta Transport carting mineral sands, grain and earth works materials. Once again, on the quest to self-improve, he came back and at 24 years of age Dave purchased a Kenworth W900, NTC 400Hp Cummins and his
East-West transport career came about, carting mineral sands by-product from Bunbury to Port Pirie SA and steel from Whyalla to Melbourne and Sydney. Two years later he purchased a LTS Ford Louisville with a NC365
Cummins for the task, a great truck, lighter and more fuel efficient.
Dave was featured in English transport magazine ‘Truck and Driver’ in 1988. After 5 years and a million kms, Dave sold up and went back to local haulage.
After working local for Piacentini and Son hauling goods from Picton WA to Eneabba, Dave went on a working holiday around Australia and ended up working for another great company in Darwin, at Northern Territory Fuels hauling Shell products from Darwin to Katherine and Alice Springs.
Dave then transferried back to WA with Northern Territory Fuels
working out of Leanora and Geraldton servicing the mining industry. He then moved to working at MGM Transport back driving and supervising, and running quad road trains hauling Iorn ore in the Pilbara.
Dave is still involved in the transport industry and can’t see himself
retiring anytime soon!
Inducted in 2024
EDMOND HART
Edmond ‘Eddie’ James Hart born on 27th January 1937 at Collie South West WA.
In the words from a song by great Australian singer song writer Graeme
Connors – the second son of an Irish catholic family from the old part of town.
Eddie was married to Gillian (nee Fogarty) for 64 years and had 5 children (one deceased).
Eddie started life in transport at the age of 13 off siding with his father John ‘Jack’ Hart, carting pipes for the Wellington Dam to Narrogin Pipeline with an old British Bedford with a jinker attached. Loading the pipes by hand rolling them off the
loading dock onto the jinker.
He still has the scars from this work, jamming his hand while loading pipes.
Towards the end of this contract, he and his father were involved in a head on
accident with another truck on the Coolangatta Bridge north east of Collie in which he got stuck in the truck when the cab came down jamming him over the engine bay.
When he was old enough to get a truck licence, he started with Public Work
Department driving a Ford V8 petrol truck carting skids of concrete and rock on the wall lift at Wellington Dam. After this project was complete, he went to the
Kimberly Region of WA with the Public Works Department to work on construction of the Camballin Rice Field project between Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, driving ex-army Diamond T’s tank carriers hauling plant and equipment to site, also
operating dozers on this project. He then came back to the South West of WA with the PWD working on the Logue Brook Dam project carting fuel (in drums) gravel, sand and steel. While working on this project in 1961 he was commandeered under the emergency services act to cart fuel for the Dwellingup fires. Delivering fuel to machines on the fire front.
He then started work at Peters Creameries in Brunswick Junction as it was known then, driving Thames Traders picking up milk in cans from dairies in the South West. Had short stint as an owner driver with a single axle Chev working for the Main Roads Department of WA.
Returned to Peters Creameries where he remained for the next 38 years. Back on the can run with the Thames Traders, then stepping up to the bulk milk transfer in tankers hauling between Manjimup and Brunswick and Brunswick to Perth driving Leyland Hippos and Leyland Octopuses, also carting bottled milk to the Great
Sothern region. Peters Creameries then came of age and started purchasing G88 Volvos moving onto F series Volvos and Scania’s.
While working for Peter’s creameries Eddie also had part time jobs fist working E. Norton & Co delivering rock to the extension of the Bunbury Land Back Wharf in a Ford F700. Later for local stock carriers, WB Shine & Co and RG & LRT
Whithers carting stock from Esperance, Albany and all the local sale yards
throughout the South West to local abattoirs, driving petrol V8 International single axle prime movers, single axle UD prime movers, single Dodge with sliding tandem trailer 6V-53 GM, tandem axle White 9000 8V-71 GM, White Road Commander
8V-92 GM and ACCO-3070 with 903 V8 Cummins. During the mid-70’s Eddie
basically held down two jobs to pay the bills when his third child, second son
became ill with cancer, jumping from one truck/job to another.
Resigning from Peters Creameries after Brambles had taken over the transport department, he went to work for Bunbury Hiab and Tilt Tray Service carting hire equipment throughout the South West, retiring after this, well sort of retired. Kept working part time in Busselton for Busswell Transport carting sand and gravel around the local area finally retiring at the age of 75.
Eddie has spent his lifetime involved in the transport industry and would not change it for anything else. This has taken him to many places and allowed him to make many friends along the way. A great industry to be involved in and immensely proud to be a part of.
Sadly, Eddie passed away at age 87 on 9th July 2024.
Inducted in 2024
SCOTT HARVEY
HARVEY
Scott Harvey, born in Maitland in December 1966, is the only son of Doug and Joan Harvey. He began his trucking career in his late teens, eventually driving a milk tanker. Scott loved the job, the roads he travelled, and the farmers he dealt with. When someone suggested he should run his own business, Scott and his wife
Regina decided to give it a go. In October 1996, they were awarded their first contract.
With a new contract in hand, Scott needed a truck. After
visiting many dealers, he chose Volvo. The Volvo salesman
welcomed Scott, his daughter Blair, and their Rottweiler into his office and explained how Volvo could meet their needs. This
personal touch convinced Scott to go with Volvo.
Since October 1996, SRH Milk Haulage has grown into a large
company. Despite the growth, Scott remains deeply involved in
every decision. Over the years, the company has purchased over 300 prime movers and multiple tankers. Scott also helped design the first front-mounted pump and different concept PBS milk
tankers.
Scott’s dedication has earned him several personal and business awards, including the Volvo Fuel Driving Challenge and the John Kelly TruckSafe award. Known for his “Yes, that can be done”
attitude, Scott finds ways to improve and innovate. His
commitment is evident in the high-quality equipment he runs and his willingness to jump into any truck and do a run if needed.
Scott’s family has always been an essential part of his journey. Alongside his wife Regina, he has three children: daughters Blair and Ashlee, and son Mitchell. They have all been supportive and involved in various aspects of the business, making SRH Milk
Haulage a true family affair.
Scott Harvey’s journey from a teenage truck driver to a successful business owner is marked by hard work, dedication, and a passion for excellence. His ability to balance growth with hands-on
involvement has made SRH Milk Haulage a leader in the industry. The support and involvement of his family, particularly his wife
Regina, daughters Blair and Ashlee, and son Mitchell, have been crucial to the company’s success.
Inducted in 2024
BERT HOGBEN
Albert (Bert) Hogben, Born February 1938 in Toora, Victoria.
After leaving school he worked on the family farm until the age of 19 when he went to Melbourne and got a job with Southern Milk Transport, picking up canned milk from dairy farms and delivering it to milk depots all over Melbourne.
In 1962 he married Nola and they have 3 sons. After getting
married Bert needed more money to support his growing family so he moved on to Interstate transport, driving one of the first Seattle Kenworth’s to come to Australia for G.N Blomfield. Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane.
He drove locally for a while, but went back to Interstate transport working for Ansett Freight Express for some years, later
transferring to Ansett Pioneer Express, later taken over by other companies, and ending up as Greyhound Pioneer.
Bert became Driver Supervisor for Greyhound Pioneer Employing, Training, Surveying, and Assessing Coach Captains.
After all this, Bert slowed down and worked for Grenda’s Bus lines in Melbourne on Local work.
During his long and distinguished career in the transport industry, he set a standard and cared about the business and passengers to press those around towards the same level of excellence. This
attitude did not always make him universally popular in an age when so many people look for the easy way out
Now semi-retired worked as a casual school bus driver for
Westernport Roadlines (Part of the Dineen Group) until finally
retiring from the industry in March 2024, aged 86 years.
Inducted in 2024
BRUCE HORSFIELD
Bruce Winston Guy Horsfield was born in Molong NSW on June 15th 1943.
Bruce and Barbara have been married for 57 years, they have 2 beautiful daughters, Renee & Susie.
Renee travelled and lived with her mother and father in the truck from the age of 10 months until she started school.
Bruce has had a passion for trucks and everything pertaining to the
industry all his life. His father owned a Ford Model T Truck and supplied wood locally. At the age of 12, Bruce started driving his fathers truck carting bagged wheat and hay between farms in a D15 International 15CWT vehicle to the age of 17 then he transferred to a D35
International 2 speed carting cattle, sheep, fertilizer and wheat locally.
Bruce owned and drove a 58 Model F500, KBS 6 International and a 51 repowered Mack: carting general freight and livestock locally and to Sydney markets.
Bruce purchased 6 new trucks and ran these trucks consistently,
locally, to far north QLD, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and occasionally to Darwin. His loads consisted of tyres, rubber, wool, hay, grain, bananas, produce, stock, steel, gravel, heavy wide loads, wine, grapes and general freight. In 1976, Bruce had a contract with South Pacific Tyres delivering goods from Bundaberg to Mareeba for 20 years. Bruce employed two
permanent drivers who became lifelong friends.
During the wet seasons there were difficult times with holdups, flooded rivers and roads and a lack of facilities.
His best memories were loyalties of mates, friendships gained, cooking by the camp fire where often truck drivers would pull in for feed and a chat. He enjoyed the sense of freedom of transport and the camaraderie between the truck drivers. Bruce loved singing songs whilst driving (had a few loyal followers) and helped to pull a mate out of a bog with a
30-ton load of bananas along the beef road, this took 4 trucks hooked up to get him out!
Bruce’s successful achievements were the delivery of high heavy loads without mishaps for 20 years. His reflections of days on the road
consists of the companionship with Barbara, Renee and later Susie which was so important to him. He cherishes the old friendships, good people in the roadhouses, fuel suppliers, mechanics and the general care for one and other.
Bruce appreciates the big improvement in vehicles today, the comfort, power, specialized equipment, improvements in all back breaking
elements of transport, greater weight allowances and communications.
Bruce’s industry awards received were the numerous overloading fines!!
Bruce is now 81 and still has his road train license, driving the
occasional truck and heavy equipment.
Inducted in 2024
BARRY HOUGHTON
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
RONALD JACKSON
Ronald ‘Jacko’ Jackson was born 3rd June 1939 in Arncliffe NSW. His first experience of trucking was childhood, spending time travelling NSW with his parents carting Hay after WWII. He left school at 13 years old to work cleaning buckets at the Willow company in Ultimo, then onto Telegram boy in Kogarah at 14 years old, this is when he started driving.
In 1953, Ronald got pulled over by the police, only age 14, for not having indicators - his hands were too small to be indicators!
He then started working for Pat Cullen Motors in Liverpool as a bowser boy and then moved onto Terminus Motors doing the same and servicing cars. At 16 years and 9 months old, Ronald went for his drivers license by driving the police sergeant to the butchers and back to the station, where he was told, “You’ve been driving a lot
longer.”
1956 is where he started at Corning Glass driving forklifts and doing deliveries in the trucks at 17 years old. For the next ten years, 1965 to 1975, Jacko was driving for Jack O’Flaherty around Sydney
delivering television tubes in a Daihatsu Delta. In 1976, Jacko went on to do some tyre fitting and then driving at Wins Glass in Twin Steer Isuzu’s. All while making barbwire some nights and others, he spent at Grace Brothers vacuuming floors. He then met his future wife, got married and started their family.
Jacko started at Edgell in 1976, driving freezer trucks ranging from Leyland, International Freezers and Isuzu 8.5 tonners.
Unfortunately, Jacko was injured in 1986 by rolling pallets that had not been restrained. This put Jacko out of action for a few years.
He started driving again in 1989 for Murphy Transport driving
interstate, ferrying trucks. In 1990, he was working for Budget
Rentals driving everything from trucks to buses. In 1991, he drove for Bosnjak Buses driving school buses then onto Denning Coaches. In 1999, Jacko finished up driving a 15-Seater bus as a volunteer for
Centrecare who are an organisation who provides support to
individuals and families. Jacko very much enjoyed time helping the community as the loving and caring person he is.
Nowadays, Ronald lives in Western Sydney, NSW spending his time tinkering with his 1976 Holden LX Torana, attending car club
outings and watching footy with his mates. Jacko, now 85 years old, recalls his driving days fondly - the truck stops, the road tucker and the great mateship.
Inducted in 2024
DION LANGGUTH
LANGGUTH
Dion Alan Langguth was born in December 1962 in Auckland, New Zealand. Dion was born into a family who was active in the transport industry. From an early age Dion loved the smell, sound, and sight of trucks. As a schoolboy he worked with his uncle who owned a diesel mechanic workshop in Auckland, some of the things he learnt still hold him in good stead today, except checking the oil level as his current truck doesn’t even have a dipstick.
Dion moved to Brisbane in 1984 and following his father’s advice Dion started working as a furniture removalist driving a Volvo F86 throughout Queensland, after being a furniture removalist every job has been a breeze. Dion then found his way into operating a Tipper Truck & Dog for around 15 years.
A move to Smith Brothers gave him the opportunity to drive
line-haul sharing a truck with his father Alan Langguth (Hall of Fame inductee 2019) in a Scania B-Double. They operated as a team for almost 5 years, running the truck around the clock.
In 2002, a near fateful accident struck when a trailer broke away as he was coming over Cunningham’s gap which left Dion with a broken neck. After 9 months in a brace, Dion was determined to get right back to where he loved, behind the wheel of a truck.
An opening appeared for Dion to drive a swing lifter which he took to like a duck to water, proving you can’t keep a good man down. He was soon seeking out more challenging deliveries where he was able to solve complex delivery predicaments. Dion also became a driver trainer for the swing lifter which gave him a unique
opportunity to share his love of a challenge with newcomers.
Dion then sought a change and spent 2 years in heavy haulage, travelling all over Australia delivering Caterpillar machinery.
Dion is now back to B-Doubles, where he has been carting raw
coffee beans twice daily between Brisbane and Gympie for over 10 years. While Dion still has a love for R Model Mack’s, he has slowly become accustomed to the creature comforts of late model
Mercedes Trucks.
Dion is an avid traveller of Australia with his loving wife Sharee.
They have slowly completed the ‘big lap’ (over the past 36 years).
Dions passion to travel and have new experiences on the road has truly rubbed onto the next generation. His 3 boys all love travelling this wide brown land with their young families.
Inducted in 2024
BARRY LIGHTFOOT
LIGHTFOOT
Barry Kenneth Lightfoot was the second son for Kenneth and Una (nee McIntyre) Lightfoot but the fourth child of what would be a five-child family.
Born January 7 1959 in Glen Innes, New South Wales, Barry was
destined to have diesel in his veins.
A third generation in the industry, his parents were both capable truck drivers and at times drove two up. His older brother Darrell followed in Dad’s footsteps and went into the transport industry, the future was clear to Barry that with hard work and determination the transport industry could hold a future for him.
Barry was affectionately nicknamed ‘Fred’ by his brother around the age of 16 and this nick name stuck.
Fred is a sociable bloke who loves to converse with people and is
always inquisitive about learning new things and interesting facts about people and places. It was this and the freedom of the road that he missed at times throughout his career particularly when in roles like operating general freight, working on farms or for a local shire.
Growing up in a working family instilled solid values in Fred and he would often be found helping out his Dad shoveling out the super trucks at Bradley’s or being the gate opener when delivering to farms. He recalls fondly the memories of racing off the running boards to grab the gate so the truck could keep moving and having to run like the wind to get it re-closed and catch up to the truck, just some of the challenges of working in the steep Glen Innes region.
Adding to his array of skills he managed to learn and work in the trade of carpet laying before turning his hand to furniture removals. He got his start with Bill Gollan, a fellow New England bloke who had started a removals business in Gunnedah. This is where he would really
develop and fine tune the art of strategic stacking.
Fred went on to run his own trucks and worked in with Gollans and other removalists to help each other have full loads and assist the
clients wherever possible. This extended Freds network far and wide and ensured many repeat clients over the years.
When the seasons were favorable, Fred ran his trucks for both cotton picking and grain harvest which was something he truly enjoyed. But as the North West NSW weather can be a harsh one to predict it was the furniture transport he returned to running regular trips to WA and has managed to work in all states and territories in Australia. He has had many truck loves over the years and like others a few loves lost along the way, as he has been known to state ‘when you’ve got the time you don’t have the money and when you have the money…well I never have the money!’
Although not having any sons both of his daughters have obtained and used their truck licenses for work, extending the legacy of the
Lightfoot’s and the love of a good humming diesel engine.
Inducted in 2024
DARRELL LIGHTFOOT
Darrell was born in Glen Innes NSW in December 1950, the first child of Kenneth and Una Lightfoot, and was to become a third-generation truck driver. His Grandfather worked several teams of twelve horses before transferring to trucks and his father had also worked horses and trucks.
Darrell’s mother frequently drove two-up with her husband and, until Darrell had to go to school, he travelled with them in the truck. This early indoctrination into trucking ultimately sealed his fate.
At age 10, he learnt to drive in a truck and spent many after school hours and weekends at Bradley’s Transport yard servicing and washing trucks. This required manoeuvring both table tops and prime movers with trailers around the yard, a lot of skills learnt here.
Upon leaving school Darrell tried several different jobs and settled into laying floorcoverings as his mother was very much against him driving trucks. He often did ‘a few loads’ for his father and anyone else who needed a driver. Drought hit the New England area hard in the late 1970’s and floorcoverings had become a
luxury item, so it was time for Darrell to find another form of
employment.
The early 1980’s found him loading and driving furniture removals for Gollans of Gunnedah. Unlike a lot of trucking jobs furniture
removals are door to door, which take drivers to many far-flung places off the main highways.
Darrell always wanted to be his own boss, so in the early 1990’s he bought an International R190 and started hauling cotton
modules. In the off-season he carted hay, car bodies and everything in between, then bought another trailer and recommenced
furniture removals.
Having already earned a good reputation in this industry, it was not long before he was doing a regular run from East Coast to West Coast. Furniture and household goods were transported from Cairns in Northern Queensland through NSW, Victoria, SA into WA and up to Port headland. After many years of this, the R190 was not handling the rigors of the Nullabor and after borrowing and hiring other trucks the regular run was ceased in 2003.
With diesel still running through his veins he continued to drive a variety of trucks including low loaders with heavy
earthmoving machinery but ultimately came back to furniture
removals when he moved to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2013, where he earned the nickname ‘Tetris’. Now retired, the R190 in the shed is his restoration project.
Inducted in 2024
ANDREW McEWAN
Andrew
McEWAN
Born in Adelaide on the 4th of May, 1960, Andrew ‘Andy’ McEwan grew up in Eden Hills. Attending Blackwood High School, Andy was working after school and weekends for Billy Dennison who owned the local fruit and veggie shop, picking up produce from the Adelaide markets and also delivering firewood with Billy.
When he was 17, Andy started at Mile End Fuel Supply, working in the yard and driving an old Leyland delivering mallee roots, firewood, and briquettes around Adelaide. When Andy was 20, he then went to work for Glen Harris at Harris Refrigerated Transport, driving an
International carting produce to Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. He still keeps in contact with Glen and his family to this day.
At age 24, Andy got a job carting produce to and from the Adelaide,
Sydney and Melbourne markets, picking up produce from farms,
carting dog food, ice cream from Colac, Kwikasair freight and anything in between. From here, he went on the Darwin run, driving a Kwikasair Express truck with overnight freight from Adelaide to Darwin and, more often than not, a quick hotshot to the Tanami Gold Mine on the way up.
In 1986, Andy met his wife Megan in Alice Springs. A year later,
Megan moved to Adelaide and they brought a home in Coromandel
Valley where they lived for 7 years and had 2 children, Rhianon and Robert. Triplet girls, Rachel, Shannen and Michelle, were born in 1997 to complete their family.
In 1995, Ken Brown saw Andy in Alice Springs and he was offered a job at Co-Ord Transport, driving road trains with Red North tankers from the rail yard in Alice Springs to Darwin and onto the Tanami Gold Mine, often via Halls Creek. It was on one memorable trip that Andy rang his wife, Megan, from a broken-down phone box in Halls Creek to find out she was having triplets! Andy stayed with Co-Ord Transport until the company was sold out. NT Fuels took over the fuel contract so Andy worked there until 2001. Andy then worked at G&S transport, driving GS300. He loved his time there with the variety of work.
In 2003, he went back to driving fuel tankers with NT Fuels, driving “Rimula”. He stayed on that run until the end of 2020. With the
Tanami Mine fuel contract being awarded every 3 years, Andy was
always offered to work for the new company taking over the contract. During this time, he worked for North Fuels, DirectHaul and, finally, Toll transport. When Toll Transport took over the contract, Andy and
Megan had to move to Darwin. At the end of 2020, Toll proposed to run out of Kununurra. After already moving to Darwin, he didn’t want to move again to Kununurra. Still living in Darwin after finishing at Toll, Andy called around to the Exact Contracting depot and spoke to Greg Rhodes about getting a job at Exact Contracting. Rhodesy said “No
worries, brus! Start tomorrow if you want”. Andy asked if he wanted his resume and Rhodesy replied “I know what you’ve done over the years. Just go and see the girl in the office to sort out the paperwork”.
Andy is still working at Exact Contracting now, having moved back to
Alice Springs. He loves the variety of work there, with plenty of bush work. With no plans to retire, Andy loves his job and the people.
Inducted in 2024
REG McLENNAN
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
MICHAEL “MICK “MOLLOY
Michael ‘Mick’ Molloy was born on the 19th of June, 1960, in Alice Springs. After leaving school at 14, Mick tried his hand at being a
ringer on a station not far out of Alice Springs, Here, they put Mick
behind the wheel of a Commer Knocker and, as he recalls, “it gave me the transport bug right away!”.
By 1981, Mick headed back into town, accepting a role with PMT
Partners, a civil earthmoving company. Starting as a labourer, he was soon driving side tippers for the business and, eventually, their float truck.
The White Road Boss prime mover was used to transport the
business’s earthmoving equipment locally. Mick remembers a trip with PMT Partners where he was tasked with shifting a bitumen tank from out of the Mobil yard on Alice Springs’ Ghan Road to the
Emoleum yard. Although the yards were only 500 yards apart, the only way you could shift the tank was by using two, hundred-tonne cranes to lift it up, sit it on the float and weld it up. The tank was about 10 metres tall when loaded.
After 10 years with PMT Partners, Mick went to McMahons
Construction where he drove a Mack Superliner. With a 100-tonne float, Mick had the opportunity to travel the Northern Territory and the top of Western Australia, carting all of the business’s machinery, camps and demountables.
In 1994, Mick joined McBride Transport. Driving a Ford Louisville, he would be loaded with Woolworths’ dry goods off the train in Alice Springs to head to Darwin. He would do this trip twice a week for
seven years. When McBride Transport sold, Mick began driving for GKT, where he was carting Woolworths’ frozen produce from Alice to Darwin, and Adelaide to Darwin express.
Mick started with Chambers Engineering in 2004 and was with the business for 17 years. Calling on his experience in civil construction, Mick would operate excavators and loaders when he wasn’t trucking equipment from jobsite to jobsite. From here, he carted iron ore out of Roper Valley to the Darwin Wharf with Ostojic.
Currently, Mick works for G&S Transport.
Mick’s involvement with the National Road Transport Museum
started long before his induction. Mick was the first to shift the
Commonwealth Railways train that sits out on the Stuart Highway, bearing the Transport Hall of Fame logo. While with Chambers
Engineering, Mick formed part of the crew who completed the
earthworks and foundation for the Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame. His
dedication to the transport industry has come naturally. Mick enjoys the unique lifestyle – the balance of solitude and camaraderie that
being on the road offers.
Inducted in 2024
NOEL MOLLOY
Noel William Molloy was born in Young, New South Wales in
October 1939. Noel grew up in the small village of Wombat, 14kms from Young, with his two brothers and four sisters.
In 1956, at the age of 16, he and his brother Jack purchased their first truck and went into partnership under J & N Molloy Transport.
Initially, they carted various fruits to and from the Sydney Markets, then wool and fertiliser for local farmers. They then secured a contract to cart canned foods for Edgell’s from Cowra & Bathurst to Melbourne,
backloading with Tasmanian grown produce for the Edgell’s Bathurst factory.
They also carted steel and grain silos all around the state for the local Young steelworks F&D Normoyle Engineering.
After several heart attacks and open-heart surgeries, Noel shared his share in the business to his brother Jack in 1980. Part of the sale
involved a 5-year restraint of trade, where he could not be involved in the trucking industry. Noel purchased a taxicab business in Young which he operated for five years.
As trucking was always in his blood, as soon as the five years was up, he sold the taxis and bought himself a Pioneer Concrete truck which he
operated for many years before selling that. He then secured a contract for the Australia Post Young to Canberra mail run, collecting and
delivering mail at Young, Harden, Binalong, Yass and Canberra, which he did for approximately 15 years in his Pantech truck, firstly on his own and then later with his close friend Murray Scott.
His last truck was a 1970 International D1600 tipper that he used as a water truck carting for another close friend, Richard Apps, which the family still own today.
The trucking industry was not only a huge part of Noel’s life bur also his siblings, with Jack, Mick and Helen all driving and working in the
industry.
Noel passed away in June 2010 and is survived by his wife Judi, sons Scott and Heath and four grandsons.
Inducted in 2024
LESLIE PANGQUEE
PANGQUEE
Leslie James Pangquee, also known as Shark, is Territorian born and bred, his family going back a thousand or more generations in
Australia.
His old man was an old buffalo and croc hunter, working with
Harold Knowles. Back in the day, when he was a young fella he met the renown and legendary Tom Cole when he came and checked his old shooting camps.
His mum, who he is looking after these days, as well as still running fuel between Alice Springs and Uluru from Darwin, is one of the
handful of people who have survived a croc attack in Australia!
In the early eighties, Les got a start with Quansing Transport, running around Darwin doing a bit of courier work with Quansing’s son’s.
After his Darwin courier job, he secured a position with Kwikasair in 1985, based in Alice Springs, driving Mt Isa connections between Mt Isa and Darwin for about 10 years. Halls transport had the contract then, Territorian Express.
Les then went to Gulf Transport from 1995 till 2004. He went to school with Robyn Cooper and was friends with the Cooper family.
He got his start with Gulf at the Granites Gold Mine where his boss was Johnny Blythe. This begun his Gulf depot tour! The Granites Gold Mine (then owned and operated by Normandy), Tanami, Wyndham, Argyle, Derby, Woodie Woodie and Nevada USA, (driver trainer over there for Gulf Power Trains).
In 1995 he went to Wyndham, to hang out with a couple of mates
(Jamie Obrien and Staaky). The late Lance Ward who was managing the yard then gave him a job running the Cadjebut/Wyndham run. This was just after two of the Bilato Brothers had just finished up there, John and Frank Bilato from G&S Transport.
The Wyndham job was pretty full on! Generally the day began with a late afternoon departure from Wyndham, load lead or zinc at Cadje,
return to Wyndham around mid morning, then do it again the
following afternoon, plus a service day. The round trip was 1,164
kilometres. After Gulf/Bulkhaul in 2003, Les slotted into the fuel
industry, starting with Peter Mostran at Shell based in Darwin, at the old terminal Daly Street, Northern Territory Fuel Service.
After his time there, he swapped shirts and drove for Bulk Haul
Fuels, at the Wishart Depot, BP Fuel, then Direct Haul, followed by Fueltrans/ Recharge Petroleum. He also helped commission Vopak, through Shell Daly Street back in the day.
Les is still with Recharge now and was involved with trialling and
setting up the new super quad which is now running on the road. He has over 20 years experience in the fuel industry.
Inducted in 2024
HOWARD PARKER
Howard Edward Parker was born in the UK on the 8th August 1944 and moved to Australia with his family at the age of 2.
Howards first start in transport was driving tippers and bulldozers doing local and country work around Victoria.
Around 1968, when seeking a regular income for a young family on its way, he moved on to working with Goldhill Plant Hire. Operating various machines
including a Mack low loader, this continued for 9 years, during this time he was doing the occasional interstate runs to Port Headland delivering conveyer belts.
The occasional interstate loads is where his love for the long hauls began, trips to get away from the cold in Victoria.
Howards first truck purchase was a second hand LNT Louisville with a 3208 V8 Cat motor. Working as a car carrier for Complete Auto Transport in
Broadmeadows Vic, this took him all around the East Coast of Australia carting new Ford vehicles.
The next two to three years doing approx. 600’000 km in the ever reliable 903 Cummins, he moved on to Friendly Transport based out of Dandenong, this time transporting Holden vehicles. Howard was then offered the opportunity to
transport the new engine differentials from General Motors Fisherman Bend Vic to Acacia Ridge Qld, the truck did two trips a week.
Deciding again to purchase a new truck with more horsepower, Howard chose a V8 Scania 141 Bogie drive, this towed a new freighter dry freight van. This was a 2 year stint in which time the Acacia Ridge Holden plant closed down. A new run presented itself doing express freight from Melbourne to Adelaide, bringing the GMH parts from Elizabeth SA back to Dandenong Vic.
With things going well, never one to just be idle, he purchased three secondhand Mark 1 Superliners, along with a S-line and a UD. With this, Howard had 5 trucks running for a period of time, employing drivers, doing a mixture of work but mainly contracting to Friendly Transport. One of the main jobs was carting
ISUZU trucks to all states around Australia, the Brisbane run was always a
favorite of Howards.
Early 1990 saw Friendly Transport being bought out by Finamore Transport. For the next 10 years, Howard contracted and transported Isuzu and International trucks all over Australia the main destination was Brisbane as he could then
arrange to bring back Louisville trucks from Eagle Farm to Melbourne.
At the end of this 10 year contract, Howard sold off the Macks and the other trucks and in 1995 purchased a brand new Western Star, this allowed him to do what he truly loved, the long haul trips all over Australia. Freight was mainly
machinery going over to Western Australia. Many years were spent delivering large oversized machinery into mining areas like Tom Price and Argyle Mine.
For Howard, like many truck drivers, it was never just a job it was a way of life, a life he loved and shared with lots of people he had met along the way. Even when ill health stopped him from driving, you could still hear him on the phone trying to help anyone who needed him to get the best paying load possible or just
lending an ear to a friend who was driving those endless miles along the
Nullarbor.
Howards much loved Western Star was sold with 3 million kms on the clock!
Howard currently lives with his wife Pat still in the same town he was trying to escape in 1968 when this adventure began. Howard has 5 children Howard, Kim, Heath, Kylie and Ashleigh. Howards eldest son better known as Docker is also a truck driver and continues the HP Transport legacy!
Inducted in 2024
TONY PEDEMONT
Tony Pedemont was born on 12th January 1954. Tony was the son of Roy and Beverley Pedemont and great grandson of Joe Pedemont, who was the founder of the Pedemont family removal business in 1895. Tony lived with his parents and 3 siblings residing at Brighton Ave, Campsie NSW on the same block as the depot. From the age of 4 Tony would pick up random items laying around the yard and sat them up on any of the parked vehicles.
Tony started full time work at 15 as an offsider. He obtained his C Class license in 1971 at 17 years of age and obtained his QLD Trailer licence in 1972 at 18 years of age.
At that time, Roy Pedemont Transport was servicing Canberra, the Riverina and Central Western NSW from Sydney. In 1974, Roy Pedemont Transport moved to a new custom-built facility at Chipping Norton NSW, built to suit the growing
requirement of new furniture transportation. From this, a new run was
established from Sydney-Brisbane. The fleet consisted of AECs, Leyland’s, Macks, Bedford’s and Albions with the freight being a mix of new furniture, removals, fragile freight, building insulation and pretty much anything that paid the bills. Roof loads were standard, and all trailers were designed for this.
Like all truck’s drivers, truck stops were an integral part of Tonys life, here is where his lifelong staple meal of T-bone steak and mushroom sauce developed.
In 1976 in QLD, whilst driving a Mack Cab over Rego V9090 delivering insulation, he met his future wife and best friend Dell. They married in 1980 and had five
children.
In 1978, Tony purchased the business from Roy and rebranded to Pedemont
Furniture Transport. At 24 years of age, Tony was now in the world of business ownership, taking on the six truck fleet. Tony was a jack of all trades, from
loading trucks, servicing and repairing vehicles, warehouse manager, driver and liaising with clients. Over the course of time Tony recruited a solid group of
employees, many who worked for him for between 20-40 years.
In the 80s and 90s with business growing steadily, Tony increased his fleet to 15 prime movers and 25 trailers. Depots were also established in Queanbeyan and Brisbane.
Tony assisted with the 1990 Nyngan flood appeal, driving from Sydney to Nyngan with Norman May the ABC broadcaster in the passenger seat.
In 2004, the company achieved the NSW Road Transport award “Master Carrier 2004”.
In the mid-90s, the company integrated shipping containers into the fleet for
versatility and ease of access at delivery points. This would be an early step in the company’s future direction.
Tony is now 70 years old and still comes to work every day to oversee
operations, Tony and Dell are still company directors. The company has 100 trucks/trailers nationwide, 700 shipping containers and employ approximately 100 people.
Tony is known as a visionary who provided mentorship and is a good friend to many in the furniture transportation business. He also sponsored and coached for many local sports teams.
In the words of his son Jack his father’s story is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, courage and a generous spirit anything is possible.
Inducted in 2024
TREVOR PERRY
Trevor Perry was born on the 3rd of February 1969. In 1985, Trevor’s
parents shifted to Woomera, South Australia, following an opportunity his father had received to be a house painter for a local maintenance contractor. In 1986, Trevor started with the same company, offsiding a machine
operator.
The business had two concrete trucks and a number of loaders and
backhoes that Trevor learnt how to operate. After a few years, he was
driving the smaller trucks himself, doing local maintenance jobs. He also assisted the mechanic, where he learnt how to maintain the equipment and undertake a range of minor and major repairs.
In 1992, Trevor began working for Brambles Transport at BHP’s Olympic Dam Mine. It was here that he was tasked with delivering supplies and
explosives to the underground operations.
By 1995, Trevor, looking for a change, secured a role with CalArk
International in the United States. After gaining his Commercial Driving Licence, Trevor covered 42 of the American states on his travels. Here, he faced all weather conditions, including snow where he was required to fit chains. He was responsible for hauling combinations up to 70ft through the busy Los Angeles, New York and Chicago traffic.
Returning to Australia in 1996, Trevor took up a role with T.J. Andrews Transport. Delivering timber and landscape supplies to nurseries, farms and schools, Trevor’s experience with heavy equipment, such as loaders and
excavators, proved very handy.
Joining C.K. & B.M. Bowley Transport in 2001, Trevor was hauling grain silo to silo and to farms throughout South Australia. His cartage of bulk Sulphur from Adelaide to Olympic Dam Mine for Linkes Contracting in 2006
introduced Trevor to Rhodes Contracting, where he would spend the next 17 years of his career.
For Rhodes Contracting, now Exact Contracting Services, Trevor was
initially carting bulk cement in pneumatic tanks from Adelaide Brighton to the business’s own Shotcrete batching plant. He would also backload fly ash from the Port Augusta power station. As a heavy haulage driver for
Exact Contracting, Trevor’s role has evolved to involve the mobilisation and demobilisation of machinery and equipment to all of the business’s
operations at mine sites and road construction jobs across SA, the NT and as far as WA, QLD and NSW. Using a float and platform combination to shift machinery, Trevor says there is seldom a dull moment. Whether it be
breakdowns, rough roads and loading in the elements, Trevor has faced it all.
Once he reached 10 years with Exact Contracting, Trevor was gifted a very expensive Rolex watch for his service. He only wears this on special
holidays!
Trevor says the most challenging part of his job is being away from home, his wife Annette and daughter Darci. Although he is away on average 4 weeks at a time, the longest time he has been away from home at any one time has been 9 weeks. However, it is rewarding getting a job done that he is proud to do. Trevor still appreciates all aspects of life in the transport
industry, whether that be a weekly shop if he can get the truck close enough to a supermarket, cooking on the road or showering under the water tap of the float.
Inducted in 2024
ROSS RANGER
1963-2006 RIP
Ross Barry Ranger, Rossco to his mates, was born in Newcastle on 15th May 1963. From a young age, he had a love and passion for the transport industry,often choosing to spend time on the rail tracks with his dad, who was a steam train driver or shot gun with his uncle who was a truck driver.
It was in April 1979, Ross was riding passenger enroute to Sydney with his uncle when he experienced firsthand the camaraderie and support the transport industry has for each other, after being stopped by the Razorback Blockade. It was during this experience that Ross knew 100% for certain he wanted topursue his career as a truck driver.
Leaving school in grade 9, Ross was enlisted into the 16 TPT SQD for the Army Reserve based in Adamstown, Newcastle. Ross’s time in the Army Reserves gave him his MC licence qualification and it was during this time he also met fellow solider Carolyn. The pair quickly fell in love and before long were on thehighways together.
One of Ross’s first jobs was driving car carriers between Brisbane and Sydney with Carol occasionally stepping in as the pilot car driver. In 1984 Ross and Carol welcomed their first daughter Cathy, quickly followed by Dannie in 1985, Pagen was born in 1987, Sarah in 1990 and completing their family in 1993 withAmanda. After the birth of his 5th daughter, Ross spent a few years working locally, keeping, the pubs in the Upper Hunter Valley stocked. During the school holidays, he would often take one of his daughters along for the day, and ‘What happens in the truck, stays in the truck’.
Although he enjoyed his time at home, the open roads was calling his name. Working for various companies over the years he was fortunate enough to see most of the eastern states doing trips between Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. By the time he was in his mid 30’s Road Trains was the last thing to tick off his bucket list and when the opportunity came up to drive Road-trains through central Australia he jumped at. After spending a couple of years in the Road Trains he headed back to the eastern seaboard, where he took up a role with DSK transport/AEG. Although regularly taking his daughters for trips to Brisbane or Sydney he was Struggling to get home on weekends and missing out on countless milestones in his daughters lives, Ross along with Carol packed up and moved to Queensland. This sacrifice meant moving away from all family and friends.
Once settled in Queensland, Ross continued working for DSK for a number of years. He then drove for Easters Transport on a Brisbane to Sydney leg. Ross loved nothing more than being on the highway, UHF blazing with chatter, sunrises through the windscreen and driving in unexpected convoys.
As his daughters were now teenagers, he thought it was funny to ring at ungodly hours of the morning, just to see if they needed to go to the bathroom or wake them up by blasting the airhorns outside their bedroom.
In 2005, Ross was able to tick off owning his own truck from his bucket list when he purchased an ex Bambers Transport Kenworth 601. His business struggled to get off the ground, so he took up a role with CJ’s Bulk Handling – a role he was enjoying and one that gave him opportunities to see parts of Queensland he hadn’t previously seen. He was over the moon when he was given a load to Weipa. The same year Ross became a grandfather when his eldest Cathy, welcome her first daughter Lilly.
Rolling into 2006 and turning 43 he had achieved so much already and was proud of his accomplishments. Although missing a lot of family times, he still had solid relationships with his girls.
Tragically Ross passed away on 1st December 2006 in a truck accident on Summerland Way, Grevilla in Northern NSW.
Although Ross passed away in 2006, having given his life to driving, it is no surprise he is still remembered for all that he was today.
Inducted in 2024
MARK RUCHIOCH
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
