Peter Redpath
Peter Raymond Redpath was born in October 1965 and died in November 2023. He began his professional journey as an automotive apprentice after finishing school, working in various roles within the trade during the 1980s. However, it was the road transport industry that truly captured his heart.
His career began with delivering carpets across metropolitan Melbourne for E. Richards & Sons in Braybrook. Peter completed his mechanical apprenticeship at Alan Mance Mitsubishi. He then worked for Don Bruce Toyota as a mechanic for many years. It wasn’t long before Peter became captivated by the world of semi-trailers. He quickly mastered the intricacies of flat tops and tarps before moving on to convertible tipping trailers, running regular routes between Melbourne and Adelaide for Redpath Carriers. He transported steel on the way over and returned with loads of soda ash and grain.
Peter’s expertise and strong work ethic eventually led him to Central Victorian Transport in Maryborough, where he drove pneumatic tankers along his familiar Melbourne to Adelaide route. As the physical toll of long-haul driving began to mount, he transitioned into a logistics role, but his passion for the open road never faded. He embraced every opportunity to get back behind the wheel. Later, he spent several years working alongside his youngest brother, Chris, primarily doing tipper trailer work in the grain and fertiliser sector, supporting the agricultural industry. This chapter only deepened his love for Kenworths, especially while driving Chris’s pride and joy—the T908.
Eventually, Peter took on a full-time operations role with R & P Carriers, managing their bulk and container operations. After a stint in operations at CVT Maryborough, Peter returned to R & P Carriers. His career stands as a testament to his dedication, deep knowledge, and the respect he earned across the industry, with contacts across the country.
Husband to Liz and devoted father to Gabrielle and Cassandra, and treasured stepfather to Jacinta and Phill, Peter Redpath lived a life defined by his unwavering dedication to the road transport industry and his enduring passion for his work. Some of Peter’s fondest memories were made with his daughters, Cassandra and Gabrielle, and his stepchildren, Jacinta and Phill, by his side. Gabrielle, Peter’s youngest daughter, would often pack a bag and join him on the road during school holidays, whether local or interstate. She fondly remembers building cubby houses in the fridge compartment of the Louisville, where she would sleep while on the road. With snacks and dolls in tow, her belongings would continue to appear in Peter’s truck for months after their adventures. They all cherished listening to Slim Dusty, indulging in McHappy Meals, and the constant risk of receiving a playful “horse bite” on the leg after dozing off in the passenger seat.
Peter will be remembered with love and admiration by his family, friends, and colleagues. His passion, professionalism, and the countless memories he created have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
