Stephen Robinson
Stephen ‘Steve’ Robinson joined his father Fred at Southside Agencies in Lismore in 1971. Two years later, in 1973, the UD Trucks’ journey in Australia began. That significant milestone marked the start of more than four decades of innovation and dedication to meeting the unique demands of the Australian transport industry and Steve was at the heart of that early chapter.
When the UD Nissan Diesel range first arrived on Australian shores, it was an unproven contender. Steve and Fred recognised its potential and made the bold decision to introduce UD to their customers - a move that would help shape both the future of their business and the growing legacy of UD Trucks in Australia.
As UD Trucks celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2025, it honours not just a history of innovation but the individuals who have helped drive that legacy forward. Among them stands Steve Robinson - whose name has become synonymous with trust, dedication, and unwavering service in the Australian transport industry.
The Robinson family's connection to transport runs deep. With a lineage stretching back over a century - beginning with Steve’s great-great-grandfather operating a stagecoach route through northern New South Wales - the Robinson name has long been synonymous with Australian trucking. Fred Robinson, having returned from wartime service in the 466 Squadron Bomber Command, turned his attention to transport, eventually founding Southside Agencies. By the early 1970s, Steve was by his side, helping grow the business just as UD Trucks entered the scene.
It was the rugged reliability of early UD models like the CK30 and CK40 that cemented the brand’s place in the Australian market. Backed by the Robinsons’ hands-on experience and their honest word, customers quickly came to trust the newcomer from Japan. One of the dealership’s most treasured artefacts - the original invoice from their first UD Truck sale - survived even the devastating 2022 Lismore floods, a powerful symbol of the resilience and history embedded in the Southside story.
Steve’s fond recollections of UD’s growth - from the arrival of the 290HP UD V8 in 1974 to the famous encounter with Japanese engineers amazed by “bull dust” from a stock crate trailer - paint a vivid picture of a life lived alongside the evolution of a brand. It’s this deep, personal connection that has made Southside Truck Centre more than just a dealership; it’s a living chapter of UD’s Australian history.
Steve’s son Mark joined the business in 1998, ensuring the Robinson legacy continues for another generation. As UD Trucks looks to the future with cutting-edge technologies and a global vision, it does so standing on the shoulders of pioneers like Steve Robinson. For his vision, his loyalty, and his lifelong service to both UD Trucks and the wider transport community - Steve, we thank you.
