John Walter
John Walter’s family legacy in transport dates back to 1912, when his grandfather William Walter and great-uncle carted chaff and grain from Moyston to Willaura using a Fowler steam engine. During the Recession, John’s father Ted and Uncle Alex saw a demand for firewood in Melbourne. They sold everything to buy a Bedford truck and 17-ft semi-trailer, which they used to haul wood to the city and return loaded with fuel, a 34-hour round trip that now takes under six.
In 1935, the family relocated to Willaura and established a garage and Atlantic fuel agency under the name W. Walter and Sons. Business flourished, and the fleet expanded with a new C35 International and 27 ft McGrath trailer and went on to include a D40, KB6 and L162 Internationals. Post-WWII, they became International Harvester dealers, eventually shifting focus from carting to workshop services, though they retained one truck for fuel deliveries.
John left school in 1969 to apprentice as a motor mechanic at his father’s garage and fuel agency but had a deep passion for trucks, especially R190 and AB180 Inters and anything with a 2-stroke GM engine. In 1970, Ted upgraded to an AB184, and by 1972 John was licensed to drive it, splitting his time between fuel deliveries and workshop duties working six days a week. The family had strong Christian values, avoided working Sundays when possible.
John married Shirley in 1975, but his restlessness led him toward long-haul work. After Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin in 1974, Stawell Timber Industries secured a contract to transport 300 prefabricated houses north. Though John prepared by buying an R190 Inter and trailer, he never made the trip. Stawell Timber went into receivership before he could depart.
Opportunity arose when a local stock agent needed hay transported from Mt. Gambier. What began as a few loads turned into 40, sparking the formation of J & S Walter. He later hauled oats to Portland and despite the strict Transport Regulation Board permit system, managed to grow his business—occasionally running afoul of regulations.
John’s R190 served him well but was slow and fuel hungry. His most profitable rig was his next one, a Dodge AT4 with a V6 GM engine and spread trailer. Over the years, J & S Walter operated several trucks, including another two Dodges, two White Road Commanders, multiple Ford LTL and LNT 9000s, and Kenworth T900 and T904 models.
For 16 years, from 1980–1996, John’s favourite work was hauling Laminex from Ballarat to North Queensland, the downside to this was being away from Shirley and his four children. Though successful, the rise of large operators eventually undercut small hauliers like him.
After 48 years in the industry, John’s driving career ended abruptly when a bale of wool fell from a load, breaking his back. He made a remarkable recovery and still occasionally drives for a friend, embodying a lifelong dedication to the road.
