Mike Williams
Michael ‘Mike’ Leslie Williams was born in Tasmania in January 1963. Mike did not come from a trucking family, rather he started trucking to help out a gentleman whom he met whilst completing his nursing degree. This experience led Mike to become an owner-driver before driving for several companies over the years.
Mike gained firsthand experience driving some of the smallest trucks all over the country to the Ultra-Quads in the Pilbara, Western Australia. The extensive and diverse experiences, including driving two-up with his partner Rose for 3 1/2 years, and the fair share of challenges faced by Mike whilst out on the road, laid the foundation that shaped his advocacy for and understanding of the industry.
In 2019, with the country experiencing major drought, Mike was compelled to deliver water to drought-stricken farmers around Coonabarabran, Murrurundi and Baradine, New South Wales. Along with the help of a dedicated volunteer team, ‘Caring for our Farmers’ delivered over 600,000 litres of water! This effort underscored the trucking community’s willingness to come together to support those in need in rural Australia.
In 2020, Mike launched the On the Road Aussie Trucking Podcast, a platform that educates and entertains truckies with topics such as road safety and driver lifestyle. Mike, supported by his guests, delve into industry trends and issues, while trying to keep the industry’s culture thriving in the digital age.
Over the past two years Mike played an integral part in relaunching the iconic Truckin' Life Magazine, and the procurement of the Steering the Future education trailer. As the editor, and through his writing contributions for this magazine, Big Rigs, New Zealand Trucking and Little Trucker Down Under magazines, Mike became a voice advocating for trucking interests, highlighting and celebrating the love of all things trucking for both young and old.
Mike has dedicated most of his adult life to the Australian trucking industry. He has been called upon to be a transport industry representative and advocate through submissions to the Senate and has had his views and opinions read out by Senator Glenn Sterle.
As well as his podcast, writing, and engagement, Mike also preserves the industry’s history, ensuring its heritage endures. With involvement in projects such as turning Ted Stevens’ ‘Razorback the Real Story’ into an audiobook and having the stories of the men involved in the Razorback Blockade immortalised at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, Mike has ensured these stories will be preserved for coming generations.
Mike has left a mark on Australian trucking. His steadfast dedication, from the road to the airwaves, has helped shape the industry’s future, all whilst continuing to sit behind the wheel and staying true to its roots.
