Joe Bradley
Ernest Cyril Bradley, known as Joe, was born in Mareeba, Queensland, in November 1947. Joe's father, Ernie Bradley, played a pivotal role in the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB) from 1938. Ernie retired in 1987 as the Senior Administration Officer and Inspector of Committees on the board. In retirement, Ernie compiled the ‘History of the Queensland Ambulance’, documenting the first 100 years of the service. Ernie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the QAS and QATB. In years to come, that same work ethic and perseverance would see Joe make his mark in both the fibre glass and transport industries.
In 1962 Joe began working in the fibreglass industry and by 1963 he was building coach and motor body components. In 1966 Joe joined the Australian Military forces and the following year he received his truck license with 2COY RAASC Australian Army.
Later in 1967, Joe relocated to Darwin for his first trucking job with Outback Transport. He commenced work with Ansett Freight Express at their new transport depot in Darwin.
In 1968 Joe worked with Les Stewart PTP delivering caravans and work huts to mining areas in both the Northern Territory and Western Australia, delivering from Mount Isa and Brisbane. Joe remembers one of the most challenging trips included driving to Port Headland, Tom Price, and Newman from Queensland without conventional roads, essentially creating the paths for delivery.
Joe found himself behind the steering wheels of various makes, including a Studebaker 6x6, Land Rover Austin Champ 4x4, Dodge, Internationals from the 60s to 70s, a 1967 Kenworth forward control, a Commer Knocker and Isuzu.
Unfortunately, in 1969 Joe had the worst trip of his life. While delivering demountable buildings his trailer jack-knifed at the Victoria River Crossing in the Northern Territory, resulting in him being pinned to the steering wheel for 36 hours. Due to the injuries sustained, Joe’s driving career came to an end.
After convalescing Joe resumed his fibre glass work, building coaches and ambulance cars. In 1971, Joe married Marion and a year later they founded their own business, ‘Joe Bradley Fibreglass’. The business focussed on constructing bus and ambulance components and insulated containers for railways and armoured vehicles.
From 1981 to 1983 the company were making one-two trips per week delivering manufactured fiberglass ambulance components to Sydney.
In 1991 ‘Joe Bradley Fibreglass’, started producing sleeper cabs and bonnets, including aftermarket accessories for Mack Trucks Australia, maintaining ownership of intellectual property and design rights.
Between 1980 and 2014 Joe served as Managing Director, overseeing operations of the company and it was during this time, in 2010 that Joe collaborated with Queensland Rail winning a contract to repairer and manufacture parts for both suburban and regional trains, including the QR Electrical tilt trains.
Across his career, Joe created some large and unusual fibre glass items, which include the 1980 creation of, ‘The Big Boot’ that was located at Kendron. Joe has created two large Mack dogs and many oversized and personalised cabs including one on the Mack Superliner built in tribute to Sir Sydney Kidman.
In 2014, Joe semi-retired but not before handing over the reins to his and Marion’s daughter, Sheree Bradley. Sheree continues to serve as both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Joe Bradley Fibreglass.
Currently, Joe is enjoying semi-retirement, overseeing the aftermarket portion of the company. When not working, he enjoys traveling in his motorhome to visit trucking landmarks and attend events.
