Andrew Dorling

ANDREW DARCY DORLING, known as Tub, was born at Foster, Victoria in 1975 and was raised in Fish Creek. From a very young age he spent weekends carting cattle with his father, Mick. As a teenager Tub often helped the local super contractor, driving his F500 Ford and loader. On school holidays he headed interstate as passenger with Gordon Pulham.

At the age of 15, Tub commenced and completed his diesel mechanic apprenticeship in the family business. As soon as he was old enough Tub obtained his truck licence and carted hay and livestock for local farmers driving his family’s Bedford tray truck. He also worked for several local cartage contractors.

Tub was fortunate at such a young age to be given the opportunity to work for Perc Mathews Pty Ltd based at Buffalo in Victoria. Tub drove their Kenworth W925 truck and dog, then was fortunate to move into their new T401 carting interstate all over the country, working with his good mate Mick Norman.

Tub and his wife Karen started their business of A & K Dorling Pty Ltd with an R Model Mack and dog trailer, working with a Fish Creek earthmoving company carting rock and operating heavy machinery until Tub made the decision to return to the highway. Tub ordered a new Western Star and Superdog trailer with Hercules tippers. Tub began subcontracting to R & P Carriers with the Mack whilst waiting for the Western Star. Tub worked for Gordon Pulham and John Redpath known as R&P Carriers for many years. Both Gordon and John had previously worked with Tub at Perc Matthews. These years saw Tub travelling far and wide, carting all bulk materials, also unloading products at the ports in Melbourne, Geelong and Portland, with the truck operating 24 hours.

Tub later moved back to local earthworks, adding an International SLine which he found in an ex-demolition yard. He removed the bunk, restored and rebuilt it, fitted twin exhausts and fabricated a tipper body to fit. The SLine was driven for some time by their son Shane. There was often a driver in both the Western Star and the SLine while Tub was operating the excavator, dozer and grader. The Western Star, after many, many kilometres needed a rebuild which saw Tub remove, rebuild and refit the motor. 

The call of the highway resurfaced with Tub heading back interstate, subcontracting to various companies which saw the replacement of the tired Western Star with a second-hand Kenworth T909 and Lusty B-Double Stag trailers. Then Tub began subcontracting for a firm closer to home and continues doing that today. This involves travelling around Victoria and interstate but enables him to be home at the end of each week. The second-hand Kenworth T909 has now been replaced with a brand new T909.

Tub’s passion for old trucks has seen him rebuild a 1963 Commer and a 1969 Freighter trailer adding a stock crate to recreate a truck his father, Mick, drove many years ago.  He has also completed a full restoration of a 2000 Freighter drop deck. He’s not done yet with a K100 E-Cab and a KM Bedford which are waiting their turn.

Tub has passed his enthusiasm for trucks to his children, Shane, Skye and Darby who often join him in his shed to lend a hand with whatever project he’s working on or at a truck show proud of his accomplishments. With millions of kilometres behind him, Tub says he misses the old days but has no plans of a career change anytime soon. He has made many lifelong friends and has enjoyed great times in the industry. Tub has many more kilometres in front of him.