Big Rigs Oct 16, 2020

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Board members leave truckies’ lobby group NEWLY formed truckies’ lobby group, the United Transport Group, said it’s business as usual, despite a mass walkout of foundation board members.

Board director and CEO Roxanne Mysko confirmed that five had left, including high-profile social media identities Mike Williams, Tony Fulton and Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall.

“The reason why we’ve lost those board members is that

EDITOR James Graham: 0478 546 462 james.graham@primecreative.com.au REPORTER Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au MANAGER Peter Hockings: 0410 334 371 peter.hockings@primecreative.com.au MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT Marie O’Reilly: 0403 626 353 marie.oreilly@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS Katharine Causer: 0423 055 787 katharine.causer@primecreative. com.au CONTRIBUTORS Tassie Truckin: Jon Wallis, 0414 797 513 Truckin in the Topics: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 David Meredith; Brent Davison; David Vile; Ian Lee. Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper is published by Prime Creative Media. All material is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or means. The opinions expressed in Big Rigs are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher.

Roxanne Mysko said it’s business as usual at the UTG.

neither one was willing to sign a confidentiality agreement,” said Shane Eyers, one of only three board members remaining at the time of writing.

“There was inappropriate understanding of the legalities and the direction that we were going in, and the help that we wanted to give to the industry.”

In a conference call with Eyers to Big Rigs, Mysko said the former board members were

asked to sign the agreement because she wanted to protect sensitive information and it was standard practice in any organisation.

Mysko, a long-time driver and compliance expert, also refuted claims by one of the former board members that the group wasn’t formerly certified to act as an incorporated notfor-profit.

“The lawyer said we’ve done

nothing wrong because we haven’t spent one cent of the money.”

The UTG has multiple membership and sponsorship tiers, starting from $100. Mysko said she had around 100 members so far.

Williams told Big Rigs he’d left the board because he’d lost confidence in the UTG being able to deliver on what it was promising to do for drivers.

Former Toll execs reveal dodgy deals EIGHT former Toll Group executives have lifted the lid on the levels of corruption at the logistics giant before, and after, Japan Post swooped in with a surprise $6.5 billion buy-out in 2015.

In the first of a three-part investigation, The Australian Financial Review has revealed a string of dodgy contract deals and criminal activities within the organisation.

The report says that no unit illustrated Toll’s problems better than the Global Express division.

The division oversaw the IPEC delivery business, which suffered a serious corruption problem, according to three former managers, who did not want to be named.

One of IPEC’s major transport contractors was the brother of a floor manager in an IPEC distribution centre. The contractor had changed his surname by deed poll, which meant that Toll executives didn’t realise the two men were related.

The delivery company allegedly charged 30 to 40 per

cent above some other delivery companies, according to a former Toll executive.

“Another contractor, which was charging above the regular market price, had subcontracted its deliveries to a motorcycle gang, which used Toll-branded trailers, driven by trucks, to transport drugs interstate,” the investigation found.

Another problem discovered was a $5 million pallet ‘deficit’ owed by Toll for lost pallets, finds the investigation.

Every year, Toll rented hundreds of thousands of pallets

from CHEP and Loscam. The wooden or plastic trays are used to transport and store goods.

When a truck arrived at a Toll warehouse with pallets,

employees would sometimes pay the driver to steal the pallets, an internal investigation found.

An investigation by The Australian Financial Review has discovered a murky history of dodgy deals at Toll.

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Project focuses investment on fatigue Budget delivers and safety boosts: ATA

11 operators sign on for monitoring tech ELEVEN transport companies across a diverse range of freight sectors and fleet sizes have signed on to take part in the operational phase of a groundbreaking safety study.

Their trucks will be fitted with Gen 2 Guardian Seeing Machines and inform research from data collected over the next 24 months.

The joint Eyes on Fatigue ATA CEObetween David Smith project the Queensland Trucking Association in THE introduction of tempo-

rary full expensing will drive trucking business investment IT’S GREAT HAVE of and encourage theTO purchase new, OPERATIONAL safer trucks and trailers, THE PHASE Chair the Australian TruckOF THEof PROJECT ing Association David Smith UNDERWAY AND START said.

GATHERING FROM budSmith saidDATA the federal get announcement followed FLEETS. extensive GARY MAHON,lobbying CEO QTA by the ATA and its member associations for measures to encourpartnership with the inMotor age more investment new Accident Insurance Commisand late model second-hand sion aimsequipment. to measure the effectrucking tiveness of driver monitoring “Businesses with a turntechnology reducing will the inover of up toin$5 billion be cidence of driver distraction, able to write off the full value inattention, and fatigue epiof any new eligible asset they sodes. purchase for their business. great to have the operaFor“It’s small and medium busitional phase of the project nesses, this will also include

underway and assets,” start gathering second-hand Smith data from fleets driving on the said. freight around the “Thisnetworks is a game changer country,” said Gary Mahon, that will unlock investment in QTA CEO.truck fleets. It will upgraded “We to newer, be insupport are jobspleased and put volved in greener a project that on is prosafer and trucks the active road. about the major causal factors to heavy “Thecontributing ATA also welcomes vehicles accidents being fanew support for businesses tigue, distraction/inatwith a driver turnover up to $5 biltention.” lion to temporarily offset tax Neilagainst Singleton, Insurance losses previous profits Commissioner at MAIC said and the new JobMaker Hirhis was pleased to ingorganisation Credit to support creating be able to fund this trial and jobs for young Australians,” evaluation he said. of driver monitoringThe technology in the heavy budget announcement vehicle industry. sets out the Government’s “We are keen infrastructure to support re$110 billion search which reduces incipipeline, including $14the billion dence and severity of motor in new and accelerated infravehicle crashes. We are parstructure. ticularly that the “2020encouraged has been a reminder heavy vehicle industry, of how critical roads and supthrough theareQTA is taking the ply chains in keeping comlead on such a significant promunities supplied,” Smith ject. said.We are also pleased to be able“Building to fund the project better andevalusafer ation to be undertaken

by Dr roads will boost the Australian Darren from Griffith economyWishart and provide better University who has expertise access for moving goods to in Organisational consumers and globalDriving marSafety kets,” heSystems said. Analysis” he said.

Smith said the ATA strongCarter,thecompliance ly Athol supported Govern-

ment’s investment in road safety, with the Government to invest an additional $2 billion into targeted road safety works and $5.5 million to establish a National Road Safety Data Hub. “Without good quality and accessible road safety data, we can’t track the progress of road safety strategies, we can’t identify the reasons when policies fail and we can’t use evidence to set priorities,” Smith said.

“Last year the ATA joined with the AAA and other peak road safety organisations to call for better data, which is reliable, consistent, integrated and open.

“Improving the assessment and selection of infrastructure projects is a key reform priority for the ATA, and we also strongly welcome the Budget’s additional funds for Infrastructure Australia to expand the 2021 Australian

Infrastructure Plan and undertake a comprehensive reset of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework,” he said. $1.2 billion has been announced to support businesses to employ 100,000 new apprentices or trainees under a new apprenticeship support program. Under the program, businesses can apply for a 50 per cent wage subsidy to take on new apprentices regardless

of location, industry or business size.

“This is a strong investment in skills and will support the training of new apprentices and trainees, including diesel mechanics and drivers and logistics workers undertaking traineeships,” Smith said.

“These roles are critical to trucking and part of the diverse and professional career options in our industry,” he said.

ON ROAD STUDY: The trucks in the study will be fitted with Gen 2 Guardian Seeing Machines and inform research from data collected over the next 24 months.

Picture: Contributed

the future will definitely have a machine installed,” said Mr Mahon.

Joe Joseph, Director of JD Refrigerated Transport said “Safety is the highest priority for the team, and we are always looking at ways to improve in this area and the timing was right for us to be involved in

drivers to individually manage fatigue using technology and move away from counting hours on paper,” he said.

Michael Mahon, Director, MJ Mahon Transport, said the results since installing Guardian Seeing Eye Machines are impressive.

“All vehicles purchased in

manager, fleet operations, at one of the participants, Frasers Livestock Transport, said Seeing Machines provides him the opportunity to have conversations with drivers that encourage behavioural change.

“We hope this project will lead to having laws that allow

This is a game changer that will unlock investment in upgraded truck fleets.

the Eyes on Fatigue pilot.

“So far, the team have been very happy with the results.”

The other operators taking part in the pilot study are: Beggs Bulk, Cannon Logistics, CHS Broadbent, DTC Easters, Emerald Carrying Co, JBS Carriers, Lindsay Transport, and Russell Transport.

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4 BUDGET 2020

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Joshua spree is too good an opportunity to miss TREASURER Josh Frydenberg has been given a resounding thumbs up by industry for his $32 billion move to save companies hit hard by the coronavirus.

Businesses with a turnover of up to $5 billion will be able to deduct the cost of depreciable assets of any value in the year they are bought from now until June 30, 2022.

About 3.5 million com-

panies – or 99 per cent of all Australian businesses – will be eligible for the tax incentive.

Frydenberg said the private sector needed a kick-start and the full asset write-off was a “game-changer”.

“A trucking company will be able to upgrade its fleet, a farmer will be able to purchase a new harvester and a food manufacturing business will be able to expand its produc-

tion line,” he said.

One major east coast operator we spoke to the next day – he preferred to stay anonymous to keep suppliers at bay, for the time being – said the Federal Budget announcement had already sparked discussions with this accountant.

“This will mean we’ll be buying more equipment over the next 12 to 24 months,” he said.

“We’re going to have to be talking to the bankers because we’re going to be buying more trailers.

“We had paused purchasing for a little bit, but this means we’re going to have to start buying equipment again because this is just too good to pass up.”

Trucking companies will also now be able to temporarily offset tax losses during

Volvo Group Australia is looking forward to the flow-on budget benefits at the busy Wacol manufacturing plant (pictured) in Brisbane.

the pandemic against previous profits, allowing them to recoup tax paid in recent years.

“We applaud any steps taken towards supporting and promoting manufacturing in Australia,” added Martin Merrick, President and CEO, Volvo Group Australia.

“This is not just about creating an environment that encourages innovation and building world class products for our local market, it’s also about encouraging support for young people to consider a rewarding career within in that environment. Whether as technicians, engineers or building these vehicles on the factory floor.

“A focus on developing resilient supply chains is also welcomed to ensure that manufacturing facilities are supported by a robust logistics network.”

“Any incentive that promotes a younger, cleaner, safer and more productive transport fleet is a step in the right direction for both the transport industry as a whole and society in general.”

Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson

said the budget has rightly recognised that after a year of misery businesses need meaningful incentives that will inspire confidence to invest in themselves and future workers.

“Extending the instant asset write-off program will stimulate spending on new trucks, trailers, technology and other equipment to renew our aging transport fleet which will have enormous benefits for safety and productivity. And for those transport businesses that have been unable to work because of forced closures, the ability to carry-back losses and receive a tax credit could be just what they need to recover as our economy starts to reopen,” Anderson said.

Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover between $10 million and $50 million will, for the first time, also be able to access up to 10 small business tax concessions.

“The expanded concessions will apply in three phases, with the first phase starting from 1 July 2020. The changes will reduce red tape and support around 20,000 businesses to attract workers and retain jobs,” said Frydenberg.

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BUDGET 2020 5

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Roads and infrastructure receive welcome cash injection THE Australian Government has committed $3 billion towards road safety initiatives and road infrastructure.

“We are committing an additional $2 billion over 18 months under a new Road Safety Program to deliver an estimated 3000 kilometres of lifesaving road improvements and support thousands of jobs right across the country,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack.

“The program will deliver works such as new shoulder sealing, rumble strips to alert drivers they are moving out of their lane, median treatments to prevent head-on collisions and barriers to prevent runoff-road crashes and protect against roadside hazards.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said road crashes cost the national economy about $30 billion a year and caused immense suffering for affected families.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking that every year around 1200 people die on our roads and tens of thousands more are

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz.

seriously injured.

“To ensure our investments are driven by quality data and road safety improvements are accurately monitored and evaluated, we are also investing $5.5 million over four years to establish an Australian-first National Road Safety Data Hub.” It is hoped that through these road safety initiatives, it will help put Australia on the path to achieving zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.

However TWU National Assistant Secretary Nick McIntosh believes these figures are a little optimistic.

“Trucking is Australia’s deadli-

est industry riddled with fatal pressures like fatigue, low pay and tight deadlines that force many truck drivers to speed and skip rest breaks. Although road improvements are crucial to improving safety, we will not be on a path to zero fatalities until these deadly pressures in trucking are addressed and those responsible held to account,” he said.

Councils will also share in $1 billion, as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, to complete what Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called “shovel ready projects”.

But there’s one small catch,

McCormack said the funding will be on a “use it or lose it” basis. “Funds that States and Territories do not spend will be re-allocated to those that can, with jurisdictions required to provide road safety data as a key condition of funding.

Councillor Kevin Erwin from the Northern Grampians Shire Council doesn’t believe that will be an issue though.

His council is one of six local councils that joined to form the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Transport Group which has been seeking State Government funding for urgent upgrades to some of the

region’s worst C-Class roads.

“We’re always looking for money to keep our roads in good condition. We have a lot of local roads that we struggle to keep on top of with maintenance. I am confident the money will come through to where it’s needed. We can always use more. Generally we fall short of the $3.5 million a year it costs to keep our roads up to scratch so this is always greatly appreciated. We have about 160 bridges in the region, so just to replace one of them, a million dollars doesn’t go very far,” he said.

“We have quite a few narrow seals and it would take about $300 million to get those up to scratch. We put in a submission to the state government for $50 million to start those upgrades and we’ll continue on with that battle.

But every bit of money we get for roads and infrastructure is greatly appreciated, especially by small regional councils like ours. It’s really good to get some external money to do some of those things that are really needed.”

These investments are part of the Australian Govern-

ment’s record 10-year transport infrastructure investment pipeline, which has been expanded to $110 billion.

Funding has also been announced for various critical transport infrastructure projects across Australia including: • An additional $490.6 million for the Coffs Harbour Bypass in New South Wales; • $528 million for upgrades to the Shepparton and Warrnambool rail lines in Victoria; • $750 million for Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector in Queensland; • An additional $80.0 million for the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network in Western Australia; • $136 million to progress the Main South Road Duplication in South Australia; • $65 million for the Tasman Bridge Upgrade in Tasmania; • $46.6 million for National Network Highway Upgrades in the Northern Territory; and • $87.5 million for the Molonglo River Bridge in the Australian Capital Territory.

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6 COVER STORY

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Humble innovator credits team for major trucking prize This award-winning livestock carrier isn’t sure what all the fuss is about – he’s just happy to be doing a job that he loves.

The winner of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry award prides himself on the use of the latest technology in his trucks.

BY JAMES GRAHAM WE thought it best not to let Robert Cavanagh know he was our cover story subject for this issue – we might still be waiting for the return call.

After another long day at the helm of his two livestock transport companies, Cavanagh was happy to chat, of course, but it’s fair to say he was more than a little taken aback by the attention he was getting for receiving the Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry prize at the 2020 National Trucking Awards.

“It’s very unexpected,” said the managing director of Cavanagh’s Transport and Stockmaster, which share busy depots at Inverell and Tamworth in NSW servicing customers from as far afield as North Queensland through to Victoria and South Australia.

“I thought you had to be retired before you got one of those awards. It’s certainly very humbling to receive it and I’d like to think I received it on behalf of a lot of other people who do a lot for our industry associations.”

He may have had strong support from industry allies, but it’s been Cavanagh, however, whose name has been at the forefront of association lobbying and consultation at the highest levels for many years.

Cavanagh has served as president of the of the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association, and has held the roles of president, vice-presi-

When he’s not calling the shots at his transport companies, Cavanagh is usually not far from a local rodeo.

Cavanagh’s commitment to the Kenworth badge started with this truck in 1995.

dent, treasurer and secretary of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association.

In 2018 he was awarded an ALRTA life membership in recognition of his significant contribution to the organisation and to the promotion of rural transport as a sustainable, responsible and safe contributor to Australia.

It’s the safety element that Cavanagh is perhaps most proud of as he reflects on his 35 years in the industry.

He’s always considered himself an early adapter of technology and how it can be best utilised in the livestock sector.

Cavanagh was one of the

Buying Stockmaster in 2010 enabled Cav to move into sheep carting which he said has been very good to his business.

first carriers to fit EBS across the fleet – since 2012 – long before it was mandated.

He’s also had satellite tracking for the past 16-17 years in his trusty Kenworths, now 28-strong, and predominately a cab-over mix of T608s, T604s, K200s, a T908 and a T650.

More recently Cavanagh has installed the driver fatigue monitor, the Seeing Machines’ Guardian, and in the office is tweaking his own customised invoicing software which is making a phenomenal difference to processing times.

But Cavanagh considers the adoption of Advance Fatigue Management more than a decade ago now – and the

COVER STORY 7

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 culture it has helped foster – one of his greatest company achievements.

“The drivers don’t have to have a 24-hour break on the side of the road, and it gives them flexibility in their workday,” he explained.

“It’s made an enormous difference and it’s great for operations when scheduling trucks.”

Many of jobs can now be finished in one lift, getting the animals to their destination without any welfare concerns caused by having to stop the truck for longer periods.

“We can load out of Longreach an bring them down to Inverell in 14 hours and everybody’s happy,” Cavanagh told Prime Mover Magazine in 2013.

“My driver’s home in bed, the cattle are not standing on the truck, it’s been a good investment. I believe in AFM, the onus should be on the operator to demonstrate they have a plan.”

For Cavanagh, who started out in 1985 as a single truck operator working as a sub-contractor, driver welfare is always top of mind.

“I wouldn’t be here today without the tremendous drivers of the past, and the current batch,” added Cavanagh who was also quick to praise his logistics and workshop team.

He said staff shortages are probably the biggest issue facing his business today, and the road transport industry as a whole.

“We’re certainly not immune. I think making truck

IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE IN BUSINESS FOR THE LONG HAUL, YOU NEED TO HAVE AN END GOAL AND FOR ME THAT’S TO LEAVE A SUCCESSFUL, SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM BUSINESS THAT’S A GOOD EMPLOYER, A GOOD COMMUNITY CITIZEN AND PROVIDES A GOOD SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. ROB CAVANAGH

The transport industry has been unbelievably good to him over the years, said Cav.

driving a recognised skill would help, and we should be able to bring in overseas drivers with qualifications.

“I honestly think that’s the only way out of it.”

Not that you’ll catch Cavanagh complaining about his lot. As his father always told him, find a job that you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life, and 35 years later in livestock transport, this diesel drover reckons he’s still living

proof of the tried-and-true adage.

Originally from Casino in far north NSW, Cavanagh grew up on a mixed beef and dairy farm, a background that gave him the experience in dealing with saleyards and abattoirs.

“I’ve always had an interest in livestock and trucks so livestock carrying suited me down to the tee.”

He got his start driving for

The brand of choice for Cavanagh is Kenworth, and he has a strong relationship with Brown and Hurley.

Jim Savage and his wife Helen out of Tamworth, the same company that grew into the Stockmaster organisation.

Cavanagh worked for the Savages for three years before going out on his own, still doing the same work for Jim and Helen, but now as a subbie with his own truck.

After a while, Cavanagh returned to the Casino area with a single truck and started working as a contractor haul-

ing cattle into the large abattoir in Casino.

Cavanagh moved the operation to Inverell in 1995 and just three years later had to introduce a second truck to cope with the increasing workload.

Fast forward nine years and Cavanagh had eight trucks servicing the vast north-west NSW area and Queensland, hauling cattle into the abattoir.

When the opportunity

Cavanagh got his start driving for Jim Savage and his wife Helen out of Tamworth, the same company that grew into the Stockmaster organisation.

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to buy Stockmaster came up in October 2010, Cavanagh didn’t hesitate to take the plunge.

“There were already a lot of synergies between us – we both shared a lot of the same clients – and it enabled me to get into the sheep side of livestock carrying, and that’s been very good to us.”

Long-term, Cavanagh is unsure if he’ll keep both operations running on separate balance sheets, but for now it’s working out well for the staff and loyal clients.

“Stockmaster is very good at some things and there are things which Cavanagh’s are very, very good at,” he told Prime Mover Magazine.

“Continuity for the customers is also very important.

We have customers who are used to dealing with Cavanagh’s and others who deal with Stockmaster.”

As for retirement, that’s a fair way off yet, if you ask Cavanagh who keeps himself fit with his love of horse-riding and rodeo. He’s still enjoying the industry just as much as he did when he first started out on his own all those years ago.

“I’ve enjoyed every day in the industry, and I don’t believe I’ve actually had to work that hard for it,” he said.

“But if you’re going to be in business for the long haul, you need to have an end goal and for me that’s to leave a successful business, a sustainable longterm business that’s a good employer, a good community citizen and provides a good service to our customers.”

THE QUEENSLAND ELECTION 2 0 2 0 O CTO B E R 3 1

Freight industry steps up to keep shelves stocked TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS MINISTER MARK BAILEY

THE Palaszczuk Labor Government has a fully-funded plan for economic recovery, and that includes continuing to back the transport industry.

We do that because the industry is what drives Queensland’s $349 billion economy.

A strong freight network supports jobs, puts food on tables and delivers our worldclass exports to markets around Australia and the globe.

Never has that been more true than during Covid-19 where the freight industry stepped up to keep supermarket shelves stocked and our economy moving.

That response and Queensland’s strong overall health response to the global

pandemic has meant the Palaszczuk Labor Government has been able to get on with the job of delivering the state’s fully-funded plan for economic recovery.

For the freight industry that means delivering a fourth record transport and road budget since 2015, including a $12.6 billion fully-funded program that is laying bitumen across the Bruce Highway.

Right now, $23 billion is being pumped into transport projects across Queensland, $14.5 billion of that in the regions, creating thousands of jobs.

That includes projects like the $1 billion Gympie Bypass, $480 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Cairns, $157 million Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade and $75 million Capricorn Highway duplication.

It builds on completed projects like including more than $1 billion in outback road upgrades, the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Bypass, the $497 million Mackay Ring Road and $189 million Eton Range

THAT RESPONSE AND QUEENSLAND’S STRONG OVERALL HEALTH RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC HAS MEANT THE PALASZCZUK LABOR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET ON WITH THE JOB OF DELIVERING THE STATE’S FULLY-FUNDED PLAN FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY. MARK BAILEY

realignment.

And will be followed by the $1 billion Rockhampton Ring Road – the largest road project in Queensland when it gets underway.

And since this time last year, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has also worked successfully with the Federal Government to lock in more than $4.8 billion in new and accelerated joint funding for Queensland.

That includes four stimulus packages in just the last

The busy Flinders Highway is earmarked for upgrades under Labor.

five months in response to Covid-19, to support our truckies and freight routes across Queensland as part of our economic recovery plan.

That funding means $100 million to seal more dirt roads; upgrades to outback bridges and bringing forward vital joint funding to upgrade the Flinders, Dawson, Carnarvon, Gregory, Gore and Balonne Highways – all crucial links for

our transport industries.

Queenslanders will never forget under the LNP, Campbell Newman and his Assistant Minister Deb Frecklington $1.6 billion was cut from Queensland roads and 700 roadbuilders were sacked.

Under the LNP only four projects were started and completed on the Bruce Highway – one of them was an audit report, two others were fully fed-

erally funded.

You can’t trust the LNP. They make big promises, and then do the opposite by cutting, sacking and selling.

The Palaszczuk Labor Government has restored the deep cuts of the LNP, and will continue to back the transport industry with a plan for economic recovery, for better roads, transport and jobs right throughout Queensland.

Bruce Hwy is state’s most important economic lifeline

WHILE the outcome of the upcoming election will determine who will lead Queensland through its first four-year Parliamentary term, it is far more than that.

It is about Queensland’s future and who will guide it through the biggest economic crisis in almost a century.

Queensland has had four years of the highest unem-

Minnikin at the announcement of the LNP’s bold election plan for the Bruce.

long stretches of the road are slow, dangerous and prone to flooding. I recently drove from Cooktown to Coolangatta to inspect the con-

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dition of the roads, as well as to talk to various council officials and freight industry operators to determine what was needed to make them

99 asi ng %

SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS STEVE MINNIKIN

ployment in Australia and is now in recession. Although Labor cancelled its budget this year, the LNP has an economic plan to create a decade of secure jobs to get Queensland working again.

Queensland’s road freight sector has proven remarkably resilient during the coronavirus period, adapting to different border crossing and hygiene requirement, yet still managing to be a reliable provider. In order to complete their freight assignments, they travel to all parts of the state and in particular, the Bruce Highway, which link between Melbourne and Cairns.

The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s most important economic lifeline, but

“fit for purpose”.

The LNP’s plan to stimulate the economy, create a decade of secure jobs and lead our state out of recession includes four-laning the Bruce Highway from Curra to Cairns. This project will cost an estimated $33 billion (Federal and State funding share) over the next 15 years, thereby creating 100,000 jobs and supercharging regional economies.

Our plan to build a better Bruce Highway will include an immediate $50 million investment in planning for the four-laning just north of Gympie right up to Cairns.

An LNP Government will also increase the annual Bruce Highway budget by

125% - from $200 million to $440 million.

In addition to the visionary long-term duplication of the Bruce Highway, the LNP will provide a $50 million boost to build new and upgrade driver reviver rest stops to support driver safety and prevent fatigue.

We can’t just talk about road safety, we need to build the infrastructure for drivers to use. This program will be established in partnership with local Councils throughout regional Queensland to determine the best locations. Importantly, input from stakeholders like the QTA will be sought, as they have been seeking designated truck wash facilities for road freight operators.

Inland highway would boost our productivity

BY JAMES GRAHAM

GARY Mahon describes the LNP’s election pledge to fourlane the Bruce Highway from Curra to Cairns as an “admirable ambition”.

But if state politicians really want to win the hearts and minds of the road transport sector at the polls on October 31, they need to be looking further inland, believes the CEO of the Queensland Trucking Association.

One of the keys to kick-starting stagnant productivity in the state – and beyond – said Mahon is to invest in decent roads and bridges, and he is adamant the ones that can reap the most benefit are not on the crowded Bruce, but in an existing regional roading network that is being woefully under-utilised.

In a detailed election blueprint submitted to both major parties, the QTA is recommending the adoption of a Queensland Inland Highway (QIH), one of six key actions to guide the next Queensland Government towards immediately implementing investment to improve the resilience of the Queensland economy and grow employment.

The QIH is an existing road network comprising of highways and developmental roads that connect northsouth to provide a viable alter-

QTA CEO Gary Mahon

native to the Bruce Highway.

They include the Castlereagh, Carnarvon, Dawson, Flinders and Gregory Highways, and the Gregory Development Road.

Once all state and local authorities were on board, Mahon said operators could run high productivity vehicle (HPV), multi-combination trucks from Toowoomba to Townsville without any red tape blocking their way.

In its detailed election blueprint, which both major parties have seen, the QTA also said the QIH would be more resilient to natural disasters and would lead to productivity gains of around 23% for PBS Level 3 and 49% for PBS

The busy Flinders Highway would be a key part of the proposed inland road network proposed by the QTA. Picture: Alf Wilson.

Level 4 trucks.

“It takes pressure off the Bruce, gives you flood immunity and a relatively lower spend because we’re not asking for duplication, or a dual lane all the way to Townsville,” said Mahon.

“We’re asking for a reasonable level of access.”

Mahon believes the investment in the existing road networks would be minimal compared to the $33 billion the LNP is pledging to spend on

the Bruce if elected.

He said Emerald would require a bypass and the steep Wallaroo Hill would need work “of some substance” to accommodate bigger PBS combinations.

Other than that, it’s mostly a case of intermittent widening, centre-lining and verges in other areas.

“More than ever we need to grow our way out of the Covid-impact, and road freight has shown how fundamental it

During the pandemic, road freight has shown how fundamental it is to the benefit of the community.

Be supported

is to the benefit of the community” said Mahon.

“What has been lacking for some considerable time is real growth in productivity, and there is no better way to open that up than to invest in roads and bridges.”

“We know this would take some time but if you set the ambition, you have the vision, business can invest with more confidence.”

Mahon said the reaction to the QTA’s proposal from industry he’s canvassed has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The general reaction is somewhere along the lines of, ‘wow, what a hell of an asset that would be to be able to run AB-triples all the way from Toowoomba to Townsville.”

He also said you only have to look at the success Tasmania is having with opening up its network to high performance vehicles and doing away with needless permit red tape to know the concept is scalable to a bigger state such as Queensland.

“Yes, we have PBS and we are getting them applied I some places but it’s still a relatively small number in the

scheme of things because we can’t get access.

“We’ve got the capability, got the IP, know how to do it, where to do it but can’t get the access, and the limitation put on us is that the roads and bridges aren’t up to scratch.”

QTA’s top 11 bridge priorities 1. Rifle Creek Bridge (location north of Mareeba) 2. Spear Creek Bridge (location north of Mareeba) 3. McLeod River Bridge (location north of Mareeba) 4. B ungil Creek Bridge Roma 5. Gilbert River Bridge (location between Georgetown and Croydon – Gulf Development Road) 6. Norman River Bridge (location: between Croydon and Normanton) 7. Georgetown Bridge – Etheridge River Bridge 8. Splinter Creek crossings (location: on the Monto-Mt Perry Road and Monto-Kalpowar Road) 9. Bremer River 10.

Bee Creek Peak Downs Hwy 11. Grosvenor Creek & Cherwell Creek

Get service Stay informed Employ right

Queensland's road freight voice since 1907

Get on board | Talk to Us 07 3394 4388 | www.qta.com.au

10 OPINION

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Big hole in the budget

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

THIS federal budget had a lot of wins for the industry, there’s no doubt about that.

But it also inadvertently highlighted one of our biggest weaknesses at the moment – the lack of a clear pathway to give newly qualified drivers the skills they need to get hired.

There was Josh crowing about how he was helping to give young Australians a leg-up during the Covid crisis.

But the government could pay 100% of a trainee truckie’s salary and most still won’t get a go under our current system.

Many don’t feel like they’re even ready to take on the rigours of the job, even though they are technically qualified.

I had one message me just the other day saying he wouldn’t feel comfortable going into a full-time driving job.

If a budget designed to stimulate demand for road freight doesn’t wake up those responsible for fixing this anomaly, then I don’t know what will.

HOT WEB TOPICS

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO READER CORNER? EMAIL US AT EDITOR@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Ports pay row disrupts work for transporters

Truckies cop the the brunt of the blame at crashes

The area of the cab that the camera sees is quite small, from about mid-chest to just above your head and either side of your shoulders.

The in-cab tech debate continues on our Facebook

IN the past few editions of Big Rigs, we’ve looked at the ins and outs of in-cab surveillance technology, with different contributors exploring both sides of the argument – and this has opened the doors for plenty of debate online.

In our last issue, driver Mike Williams penned a column about how he went from nearly chucking in the towel of a dream job because he was so opposed to in-cab surveillance, to completely embracing the technology.

Shawn O’Rourke agrees with Williams’ view: “Have them in the trucks I drive, it has saved me once already. Best thing out there I reckon… only records a 30 second snippet with no audio.

If you have a microsleep shakes the shit out of the steering and seat and you have an ear piercing alarm goes off... I’ve had it go off once and the company showed me the video after… definitely saved me that day.”

Brendan Thomas Whitfield writes: “At first I didn’t like them cause I hate things on the dash but now I’m use to it and if they are set up probably they only go off if you actually have a fatigue event.”

Others weren’t so convinced. “After 36 yrs I think I know more about my fatigue levels than a computer algorithm or program. This rubbish will be the death knell for us old blokes who have been doing it most of their life incident free,” says Damian Churchill.

LONG-TIME interstate truck driver Glyn Castanelli had driven over four million kilometres accident-free – that was until a motorist drifted into his lane and collided straight into his Western Star in Sydney.

When his story was shared online, numerous readers echoed similar stories.

“Completely understand, I myself have been through an accident when the young girl fell asleep at the wheel and came across in front of me. I missed her head on but she went under my drive wheels. She went under me 100mm inside the fog line I got that far out of her way, but still collected her. The Sargent that arrive treated me like an absolute criminal for hrs until he viewed my dash cam and came back to apologise and thank me for my evasive action that helped save a life,” writes Josh Jewitt.

“Same thing happened to me. A person pulled out in front of me, totally not my fault but vilified by everyone at the scene and f/ ing channel 7.... Guilty till proven innocent.

Stand your ground and keep on TRUCKING,” adds Simon Stewart.

Kathy Maclagan shared a similar sentiment, “In most cases it is said that you’re innocent till proven guilty, but if you’re a truck driver and get caught up in an accident you’re 100% guilty till proven innocent! Not in anyway fair.”

Glyn Castanelli took this shot from the back of the police car.

There are hundreds of trucks parked up, with no one to drive them.

Chronic WA driver shortage

THE effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border closures have wreaked havoc across many sectors, causing issues far and wide.

For the trucking industry, border closures, varying guidelines across different states and the lack of testing facilities open when truckies need them have been widely reported on. But the pandemic has caused another big issue too – a chronic driver shortage in WA, across various sectors.

Online, Klinger Klingsporn writes, “I think people have finally had enough of an industry full of dreamers and morons, over regulated and run by people who have no passion or driving experience. And for the drivers lucky enough to do long distance, you get to sleep in ya truck and shit in the bush. All for what $28.50 flat or a KM rate scheme that should have been outlawed (in the name of safety) years ago. The industry knew this shortage was coming and chose to ignore it!”

“Sorry but $40 per hour isn’t the rate needed for what they expect. I don’t think the money they offer is that great at all,” says Andrew Caulfield.

Tim Montague adds, “It’s good the way it is, the big companies that have sent their Saftey and COR people to government conferences for all these years, can now reap the rewards of what they have created and struggle to find anyone who wants to do the job, perhaps you would have been better off sending drivers to the conferences not people that sit in trucks for photo shoots for the new camera that they fitted to watch the driver all day and night.”

THE shipping container crisis was at the centre of many headlines in recent weeks, with the saga affecting ports right across Australia.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) took industrial action at Patrick terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Freemantle.

When Big Rigs published its article, the work bans and stoppages had resulted in 40 container ships off the Australian coast waiting to come into port. Though no agreement had been reached when we went to print, industrial action had been paused until the issue returns to the Fair Work Commission on October 26.

Numerous readers voiced their views on this hot topic.

“The last thing that should be on their minds is a pay rise… in our current environment we should be delaying pay rises across the entire workforce/labour market,” says Chris Cartwright.

Andrew Fuller agrees: “Ah just wondering why, with many businesses going to the wall and employees being put out of work, in all states and all industries, due to covid, why the MUA and its members think a 6% rise is actually a good idea atm.”

The Maritime Union of Australia has taken industrial action at Patrick terminals over pay negotiations.

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12 NEWS

IN BRIEF Voice of the Driver campaign Last month, Big Rigs and the ATA launched the Voice of the Driver campaign to gather feedback from Australian truck drivers on the proposed fatigue laws as outlined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).

To date, we’ve had a great response, with hundreds of drivers providing feedback.

The feedback gathered through the survey and wider campaign will be used to support the ATA submission to the consultation RIS. To complete the survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/ LB9L6F6.

Hino CEO retires Long-serving Toyota and Hino executive Steve Lotter will retire from his role as Chairman and CEO of Hino Australia, effective 1 January 2020.

He will be succeeded by current President and COO of Hino Australia, Sam Suda, who will move into the role of Hino President and CEO. “During my time at Hino Australia, there has been a focus on expanding and developing the product range using the principles of SPEC, being Safety, Performance, Efficiency and Comfort,” says Lotter.

“Following the successful launches of our new light and medium-duty truck ranges over the last three years, I am confident that I leave Hino Australia well-positioned for the future.”

COVID-safe toolboxes NHVR has released a COVID-19 toolbox talk kit focused on vehicle, workplace and hand hygiene, wearing a face mask and mental health.

Added to the NHVR’s Safety Management System suite at the request of operators, it features quick guides, videos, checklists and templates.

“Many heavy vehicle businesses are still located within or are required to operate in areas where Covid-19 cases have been reported,” says NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto.

“Toolbox talks are one of the easiest and yet most effective ways to share important safety information and share responsibility for everyone’s safety.”

The resources are available at www.nhvr.gov.au.

New Eaton appointment Eaton Vehicle Group Australia has appointed Graeme Weston as the new Business Unit Manager for Australia/ New Zealand, moving across from his role as the company’s Engineering Manager.

Weston began his career with Eaton in 1993 as an intern after completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He has held sales, key account management and region management roles.

He began his Engineering Manager role in 2006 and in 2016, this role was expanded to include AMT Business Development Manager – China, working closely with Eaton Vehicle Shanghai to develop AMT solutions.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Popular Bathurst event gets green light

BY IAN LEE

AFTER a long wait, the goahead has been given for the Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show to take place in Bathurst, NSW, on November 14.

Finally, a chance for friends to catch up, for everyone in the industry to check in on each other, and most importantly to show that the trucking industry hasn’t lost all hope.

Right from the start, the Bathurst Regional Council is in keen support of the event, the tense wait was until the final approval from the NSW Government came through at the start of the month.

With the COVID safe event taking place in the expansive Bathurst Showgrounds, the 14 acres allows for adequate social distancing measures.

Once again, the truck show is being run alongside the Christmas markets as it has in previous years, meaning there will be something for everyone at the show.

Everyone’s details will have to be taken on the way in to

The Ballinger fleet was always a major attraction at the popular Bathurst event.

comply with current regulations, but the $5 entry price and ability to attend what looks to be the only major show all year, will be more than worth the effort.

The quality of trucks that are attracted to the Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show are beyond belief, with the fleets of Dean Campbell, the Lawrence

family, Ballinger Transport themselves, plus so many more, making up the spectacle that is the lineup on the field.

One custom workshop that has laid spanners on quite a few trucks in the show lineup is Klos Custom Trucks. The Brothers Klos were close friends with Dane Ballinger, so his loss affected them as it did with so

many across the industry.

We caught up with Justin Klos to get his thoughts on the show going ahead, and he told us: “This show is not like a normal truck show. People don’t just attend the Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show, they go to be a part of it.

“This is a show where family will meet up, where friends

get together and the largecars congress. You can still feel Dane’s presence there, so come out and feel the vibe.”

As with previous years, the Memorial Truck Show will support the Christmas Miracle Appeal, a local charity run by the 2BS radio station teaming up with the Bathurst Lions.

A cause close to Dane’s heart, the charity helps the needy families of Bathurst in the time leading up to Christmas.

Organising the truck show was important to Dane as well, and one of the people he entrusted to keep the show running smoothly was Debbie Campbell, who is still one of the driving forces behind the show as it is today.

Debbie took the time to tell us: “It’s been a long and difficult year, it’s been a year now that Dane has been gone, and we want to bring the industry together.”

Registration is required though, you can find the registration form on the website, or email info@bathursttruckshow.com.au’

Setting a gold standard for First Euro 6 Volvo FMs roll off line 500th truck delivery

From L-R: Gary Bone, VP Sales at Mack Trucks Australia; Karreman Quarries Quarry Manager Danny Karreman; Managing Director Dick Karreman; and President and CEO of Volvo Group Australia, Martin Merrick.

TAKING delivery of your company’s 500th truck is certainly cause for celebration, so Karreman Quarries wanted something special – and that came in the form of a gold 100-year Mack Trident.

Based in Mount Cotton, Queensland, Karreman provides road base for projects across South East Queensland.

Managing Director Dick Karreman says the business bought its first Mack in 1974 and has never looked back.

Dick and his brother Maarten Karreman started their business in 1970, leasing equipment, transporting produce and sand mining. They started operating from the Mount Cotton site in 1976.

Sadly Maarten recently passed away, so it was fitting for the Hercules dog trailer that sits behind the new Mack

to serve as a tribute to Dick’s late brother.

Local innovation and manufacturing has had a major influence on vehicle purchasing decisions, “Fundamentally, the fact that they are built here in Australia is part and parcel of our decision to buy Mack,” says Dick.

“We build new crushing plants, and we build them ourselves, we source the steel here, we source the engineering here, those basic principles that support our own, the fact that it can be built in Queensland. That’s fundamentally the Mack story and our relationship with the brand.”

Being locally manufactured, together with being able to provide high levels of customer service, have ce-

mented the long-standing relationship between Karreman Quarries and Volvo Group.

“This truck is a serious milestone for me personally.

We never set out to go buy 500 Macks, I’m surprised I’ve lived long enough to see it,” Dick jokes.

The Mack Trident truck and dog combination has been a mainstay of the Karreman fleet for many years, with PBS further enhancing efficiencies in recent years. “Everything we run is PBS, we’re getting 57.5 tonnes gross, and we are getting 40 tonne payloads,” Dick reveals.

“That’s unheard of, when you compare it to a B-double and other combinations, that’s the best payload you are going to get out of a vehicle. PBS is the best way to go economically, for value and productivity.”

THE first locally manufactured Euro 6 Volvo FM prime movers have started to roll off the Volvo Group Australia Wacol assembly line.

To mark the event, Linfox Logistics Executive Chairman, Peter Fox, VGA President and CEO, Martin Merrick and Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz were present to see the first of a 100-plus truck order emerge from the end of the line.

“Here we have three iconic brands working together, Volvo Trucks, Linfox and Australian Made,” said Martin Merrick.

“We are working together to drive a safer, cleaner, more productive transport industry here in this country. Manufacturing our products in Australia makes us strong, while buying Australian Made promotes success in our community, and now we are building our cleanest, safest trucks here in this country.”

These first Volvo FM prime movers cover both 11 and 13 litre engine capacities as well as horsepower ratings from 460 to

500hp. The trucks are also fitted with a full complement of active and passive safety equipment as well as meeting criteria of the stringent Swedish BOF10 crash test.

“Volvo’s new Australian-made Euro 6 fleet combines local manufacturing expertise with our key commitments at Linfox – to act sustainably and lead in safety and compliance,” said Peter Fox. “Our investment in sustainable vehicles has helped to significantly reduce our emissions over the past several years.

Linfox and Volvo share a longstanding commitment to safe, efficient fleets that minimise our impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate.”

Assistant Minister Buchholz was effusive in his support of the Volvo Group Australia facility and the employees and local suppliers it supports.

“It is great to see three iconic brands here, Volvo, Linfox and most importantly the Australian Made brand,” said Buchholz.

Linfox Logistics Executive Chairman, Peter Fox (Rear) VGA President and CEO, Martin Merrick (Front Left) Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz (Front Right).

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14 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Award-winning milk transport business pays tribute to its team

Scott and Blair Harvey, together with Scott’s parents, and SRH staff and Volvo staff, on the day they took delivery of these impressive limited edition Volvos.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI STARTING as a single truck and tanker operation, Scott and Regina Harvey have grown SRH Milk Haulage into a major player on Australia’s dairy transport scene.

Just last month, the business received the TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award, as part of the ATA’s National Truck-

ing Industry Awards.

With an immaculate fleet of 110 tankers and 63 prime movers – mainly Volvo FHs and FMs, with several Kenworths also added into the mix – SRH Milk Haulage transports a whopping three million litres of milk a day, operating across NSW, Victoria and WA.

SRH has been TruckSafe accredited since 1998 and Scott and Regina were extremely honoured to receive the prestigious TruckSafe Award. Usually presented during a glitzy black-tie event, this year the National Trucking Industry Awards were livestreamed as part of the ATA’s first virtual trucking

SRH expanded into WA in 2012, where its major clients include Lion and Brownes Dairy.

conference.

Scott and Regina ventured into the transport game back in 1996 when they secured a contract with Dairy Farmers (now owned by Lion) – a contract SRH still holds to this day. They ran their business from their family home up until 2001, when they secured a facility in Rutherford, NSW

and built their first shed – and that too is still used today.

And this seems to be a common thread in the company’s success.

Despite the exponential growth of the business Scott and Regina founded all those years ago, there are many things that haven’t changed at all. People and relation-

ships are among the hallmarks of SRH. Couple this with a modern fleet and a preference for the latest in innovation and safety technology, and you have their recipe for success.

SRH expanded into WA in 2012 after securing a contract out west with Lion, followed by another contract with Brownes Dairy the following year. In 2017, the Victorian operations began when the business scored a contract with Parmalat in the Gippsland region.

The business directly employs around 150 staff, 140 of which are drivers. “All of our staff are permanent. The only casuals we have are those who have worked for us in the past and are now semi-retired,” says SRH Operations Manager Blair Harvey – Scott and Regina’s daughter.

Blair started working in the family business when she was 16 years old. “And I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I love trucks and I loved going in the truck with Dad growing up. Back then it was a big deal for a young girl to be involved in the transport industry. Once I began working with the business, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” she says.

Starting her transport career in compliance, Blair moved across to logistics and has worked her way up into her current management role.

FEATURE 15

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

SRH picks up milk from many farms, some of which Scott has dealt with since the beginning.

When asked about SRH’s success, Blair says a lot of it comes down to its people. “I really think it’s our staff. We don’t have much staff turnover, from the management team through to our drivers, and without them, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today,” she says. “Our Logistics Manager Jim Ridley

retired just last month, and he was there with my parents from the beginning.”

SRH replaces its trucks every three years, and Blair says that’s the way it’s always been.

“Dad likes the new trucks and we’ve found for us, we’ve never had a problem with them within that period. With regards to maintenance and

These Volvo Globetrotters are part of the Victorian fleet.

downtime, replacing equipment regularly has been the best thing for the business.

At the moment, we’re doing a trial to run them out to four years to see how that goes.”

Since last year, SRH has been implementing Guardian Seeing Machines in all of its new trucks, with the technology now fitted to about three

quarters of the fleet. “At first, our drivers were a little unsure about it, but once we showed drivers the actual footage, they came around. It’s been a real reality check for many of them, who are now starting to recognise their fatigue a lot more now,” Blair says.

In recent years, PBS approved combinations includ-

ing 20m B-doubles and 26m A-doubles, have also joined the fleet of single and B-double tankers, with all of SRH’s tankers built by Tieman and Byford. “Victoria is Australia’s milk hub, so we run A-doubles there. It’s a lot more work initially to get them up and running, but when you look at the payloads, it’s worth it.

We can also get into a lot more places with the A-doubles, so there is definitely a benefit there for us in the long run.”

Despite how much the business has grown over the years, Scott still doesn’t shy away from getting behind the wheel when the opportunity presents itself. Along with Jim retiring, Blair has also just had a baby and is on maternity leave. This, coupled with COVID-19 restrictions, have resulted in some big changes for the business. Thankfully COVID-19 hasn’t affected the demand or supply of milk, though it has restricted Scott’s ability to be as hands on as he would like. “There have been a lot of changes in recent months, so Dad has been in the office a lot more than usual. He’s very active in the business, so staff always see him around. Even though we’re getting bigger, Dad still likes to pop his head into all of the depots, but that’s become more difficult now with COVID,” says Blair. “Whenever we start a new contract, Dad always goes out and does the runs himself, and goes out with his drivers to make sure things are done the SRH way, so we get consistency across

the business. With COVID now, he’s been stuck in NSW, so he hasn’t been able to get things done as quickly as he’d like to. It hasn’t affected loads, but it’s more in the way we’ve had to deal with different situations.”

Though 2020 has been a challenging year, it’s also been one for Scott and Regina to celebrate. Their recent TruckSafe Award win is credit to the way they run their operation.

“Dad joined TruckSafe very early on. Initially it was because he was new to owning his own business. He was an owner operator and then as he started getting bigger, TruckSafe gave him reassurance that he was doing the right thing.

Now it’s just become a part of the business. We find having that accreditation and the regular audits are reassurance we’re doing the right thing for our business and for our staff,” says Blair.

“When you look at the TruckSafe member list, there are some amazing companies involved, so winning this award was a real honour and reassures our customers we are doing the right thing by everybody.”

Asked what the future holds for SRH, Blair says, “At the moment, we’re chipping away at the states that we have and looking to expand there.

Next year marks our 25th anniversary. Dad likes to have a party whenever he can, so there will probably be a celebration to mark that occasion too and celebrate the achievements of our staff.”

SRH was started in 1996 when Scott and Regina Harvey secured a Dairy Farmers contract.

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16 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Safety first: Chemtrans training simulator wins coveted industry award

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

AN innovative platform designed and used by dangerous goods and explosives specialist Chemtrans is delivering a level of training never before seen within the business – and it’s proving to have significant results, with a 51 per cent reduction in incidents since being implemented three years ago.

Now the company’s dangerous goods bulk tanker load/ unloading simulator is gaining a great deal of attention outside of the business too, with Chemtrans taking out the National Training Excellence Award category at the 2020 National Trucking Awards last month.

“It’s certainly been very rewarding for the business, because this is a one of kind simulator in the bulk chemical business. We developed it ourselves – it was developed by the training and management team. It’s extremely rewarding that the industry has recognised our simulator as something that is highly beneficial,” says Paul Dale, Executive General Manager at K&S Energy & Chemtrans.

“For our team, it was extremely important to receive this sort of recognition. At Chemtrans, we are considered the benchmark of the industry, but we probably haven’t done a lot in promoting ourselves, so this is the first big recognition we’ve received. Chemtrans does a lot in the industry and is held in high regard by authorities, but we haven’t nominated ourselves for these sorts of awards in the past. In transport, there are a lot of hours and personal time put into it but not a lot of pats on the back – so this is a real pat on the back to everyone involved.”

Chemtrans is part of the K&S Group. It runs a national fleet of approximately 110 trucks, 80 tankers and 80 drop deck trailers, and employs

Part of the K&S Group, Chemtrans runs a fleet of approximately 110 trucks.

around 150 drivers Australia-wide.

The idea for its driver training simulator came to fruition after Chemtrans noticed an increase in minor incident rates and near misses involving deliveries of Class 8 corrosive liquids in 2017. Though drivers were being thoroughly trained already, Chemtrans wanted to go a step further. It became apparent that the company’s training resources could be enhanced, so with that, the idea of a driver simulator was born.

Class 8 dangerous good products are acids that can cause serious injuries, environmental harm, and in the worst cases, even fatalities.

“We sat down and looked at loading and unloading of Class 8 chemicals. From that we determined the pitfalls and the risks for the drivers. Then we implemented what we would normally train drivers in on the

task,” Dale explains.

“So the technology is based on the initial training. We developed a control board inhouse, which is a series of valves and lights to show it’s working.

That’s all in a scenario format that the driver has to follow and understand. It’s not highly technical but it’s what drivers have to deal with in real-life deliveries every day.”

The driver training simulator mimics real situations – but without the danger. Prior to the simulator being introduced, training for new drivers was predominantly on the job with a driver trainer for around six to eight weeks. Before new drivers went out on their own, they had to be deemed competent in all facets of loading and delivering.

Scott Harris, Trainer & Assessor Drivers at K&S Energy & Chemtrans NSW says, “From a driver trainer’s point of

Chemtrans’ dangerous goods bulk tanker load/unloading simulator puts drivers in real world situations, without the risk.

view I think the main strength of the platform is that you can test the driver’s product knowledge, manual handling skills and understanding of the Class 8 unloading procedure in many different scenarios, whereas on the job training is confined to one situation. You can also put potential problems in place without risk, for example loss of containment, overfill or product mix. I found the training works best with more than one driver as it gets positive conversation going about the importance of all aspects of the job and the importance of training.”

Dale adds that with acids, it’s extremely difficult to do hands-on training when you have such a dangerous chemical to work with. “We simply can’t afford to have drivers splashed in the face with acid. Instead of acid, the simulator uses water, but gives a real life understanding of what we do in our day to day operations of the business.

Our drivers get real life training with no risk to them and plenty of safety systems in place.

“Through the mundane nature of the task at hand, where a driver might do the same thing five or six times a day, because they’ve never been sprayed with acid in the past, it’s very easy for anyone in our industry to cut corners, so the simulator emphasises the need for things to be done correctly. Not only do we receive fantastic results with incident levels going down, but drivers also become more confident in the job they are doing.

Drivers get a lot out of using the simulator.”

Chemtrans driver Ray Fitzgerald says, “The platform

The simulator is built on a 40ft flat rack, so can be transported to Chemtrans’ various locations by road or rail.

makes you think through the task because you know that hurdles have been put in place that need to be identified. I think we can get complacent when doing the job long term, it’s a great reminder for drivers that are comfortable in the tasks to stay focused.”

Constructed on a 40ft flat rack, the simulator is fully mobile and visits the various Chemtrans facilities, transported by either road or rail. “It can easily be put on the back of a truck and transported to Chemtrans’ various locations.

We can send it to a branch and it might take three weeks in some cases, or even up to eight weeks, to get through the entire branch. As soon as we finish at a branch, we pick it up and move it to the next one.

The simulator was in very high use until COVID, but as soon as restrictions ease, we will be straight back into the simulator training,” says Dale.

The driver training simulator is completely self-sufficient,

featuring its own generator, air compressor, pumping equipment, control panel and several holding tanks. It allows drivers to complete deliveries in the same fashion as they would during a normal shift. Chemtrans training staff have developed various training scenarios which range from straight forward deliveries to complex situations with problems that need to be solved. The simulator can also be used to demonstrate an incident, so that drivers learn how best to respond if faced with a similar scenario in the real world.

“Drivers can sometimes be blasé when it comes to training, but they get a lot of benefit from the simulator, and the feedback from drivers is excellent. They see it as a real game changer for them,” adds Dale.

With the simulator clearly proving its worth for the business, Chemtrans now hopes to build another two identical, transportable units, in the near future.

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18 NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Kenworth closes gap on Volvo in truck sales race

Perennial leader Kenworth now trails tearaway early frontrunner Volvo by just three units on 1316 for 2020.

ALTHOUGH it may have been another pandemic-impacted month for overall truck sales in September, the numbers are moving in the right direction in an enthralling heavy-duty sector

race.

The monthly totals have jumped from 782 in July, 821 in August and now a not-too-shabby 905 last month. As a comparison, the sector had a total of 836

sales in the same month in 2016.

The tussle at the top has also heated up with perennial leader Kenworth now trailing tearaway early frontrunner Volvo by just three

units on 1316 after a solid 195 vs. 146 result for the month.

That rounds out a hattrick of pandemic-defying months for Kenworth with a 144, 159 and 195 upward swing, with Volvo recording 140, 110 and 146 for the same period.

Scania is also moving in the right direction – 66, 78 and 80 – while Dennis Eagle joins the celebrations with 15 sales in September after two months of zero interest.

Overall, however, the third quarter results are still lower than those seen over the past four years, according to official Truck Industry Council (TIC) figures.

All segments have struggled since March this year, but none more so than the big rigs.

The heavy duty truck segment that was down 18.7 percent (-577 trucks) in quarter three. Year-to-date HD trucks are now lagging 2019 sales by 21.9 percent (-2,080 trucks) with only 7,427 heavy duty trucks sold in Australia to the end of

September.

Tony McMullan, CEO of Truck Industry Council, the peak industry body for truck manufacturers and importers in Australia, noted the September and quarter three results were in line with expectations.

“We are now seeing the market stabilise due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19 with month-on-month sales in quarter three showing a reasonable degree of stability as we had expected,” he said.

“As we have seen from March onward, the heavy and medium duty segments continue to take the brunt of the fall in sales. New vehicle deliveries in both light duty segments have been less effected and this, we believe, is a clear indication of the effectiveness of the federal government’s instant asset write-off incentive of $150,000 that has been extended to the end of 2020.”

“The Truck industry Council and our members continue to promote the federal government’s financial incentives, particular-

WE ARE NOW SEEING THE MARKET STABILISE DUE TO THE ONGOING EFFECTS OF COVID-19 WITH MONTH-ON-MONTH SALES IN QUARTER THREE SHOWING A REASONABLE DEGREE OF STABILITY AS WE HAD EXPECTED. TONY MCMULLAN

ly to operators wishing to purchase a truck costing more than $150,000. The Covid-19 Accelerated Depreciation incentive allows the purchaser of a truck priced over $150,000 to claim over 50 percent of the new truck’s value back at tax time.”

McMullan said the TIC and its members are looking toward further financial stimulus announcements in today’s federal budget, in order to encourage trucks sales, particularly at the heavy end of the market.

Australia’s Omni Tanker to send shockwaves through US market with innovative carbon composite trailer

BY BRENT DAVISON

WEIGHT is critical in the road freight world.

Cutting a few kilos from a vehicle’s tare weight means dollars in a savvy operators’ pocket and ripping out several hundred kilos has a huge effect on the corporate bottom line.

Impressive savings – both weight and financial - have found their way into Australia’s dangerous liquids tanker operations courtesy of local specialist manufacturer Omni Tanker and its pioneering work in composite carbon fibre materials.

Using composites instead of conventional steel, Omni Tanker reduces weight in the order of several hundred kilograms and that impressive weight difference is just one of several benefits engineered-in: the bottom line looks incredibly healthy when lifetime costs such as maintenance and downtime are factored into the equation.

Omni Tanker, based at Smeaton Grange in Sydney’s southwest, chose carbon fibre composite over steel specifically for transporting highly corrosive liquids such as acids and bleach and the result of its development work produced safer, lighter tanks that are more versatile than conventional units.

Corrosion resistant, the composite tanks have hugely reduced maintenance requirements and improved asset utilisation underscored by a lower whole-of-life ownership cost.

Last week Omni Tanker, through its North American partner MAC Liquid Tank Trailer (MAC LTT), launched its innovative carbon composite tank trailer into the North American transport equipment sector.

A road transport ‘first’ for the US market, the initial ‘Omni Tanker by MAC LTT’ units hit the North American highways with two fleets, the

Pennsylvania-based Brenntag North America chemical distribution company and All Chemical Transport, operating out of New Jersey.

In a move that both quickens delivery and ensures absolute compliance with American highway codes, the Australian-made tanks are shipped to North America and mounted on fully-fitted, high-quality trailer chassis’ designed and built by MAC LTT in Ohio, a move that overcomes any need for specialist engineering before leaving Australia.

MAC LTT also acts as Omni Tanker’s North American sales agent, the collaboration between the two partners underscoring Omni Tanker’s 10 years of research and development into dangerous goods transport.

Speaking about the breakthrough, Omni Tanker chief executive Daniel Rodgers said getting into the lucrative North

Australian-made tanks are shipped to North America and mounted on fully-fitted, high-quality trailer chassis’ designed and built by MAC LTT in Ohio.

Omni Tanker, based at Smeaton Grange in Sydney’s southwest, chose carbon fibre composite over steel specifically for transporting highly corrosive liquids.

American market had been on the company’s radar for a long time.

“A major goal has been to take the technology to the North American chemical haulage market and, with assistance from the Australian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) and North American Transport Consultants (NATC), we have been able to develop and certify the Omni cargo tank (there) and forge a collaborative partnership with MAC LTT to launch the Omni Tanker (in the US),” Rodgers said.

What sets Omni Tanker’s design aside from conventional tanks is patented composite technology which addresses the limitations of traditional dangerous, corrosive and toxic liquid tankers used for transporting aggressive Class 8 corrosive chemicals or ultra-high purity Class 5 oxidising chemicals.

Conventional metal and fibreglass tanks must use an internal tank lining, often a rubber bladder, as a leakproof container. They not only suffer from strength limitations but also need regular replacement, meaning ongoing maintenance costs and replacement downtime.

Omni Tanker’s tanks are made using a patented three-layer, join-free process which is resistant to harsh chemicals, has no absorption or degradation issues and offers operators predictable performance.

Production is carried-out using a three-step process.

The tank itself is formed from ‘Omni Shield’, a polyolefin compound. It is surrounded by ‘Omni Fort’, a fatigue-resistant carbon fibre-reinforced polymer with built-in fire protection and the final ‘Omni Bind’ layer gives strength and durabil-

ity. Total tank wall thickness is between 15 and 18 millimetres.

The Omni Tanker solution combines a completely seamless polyethylene thermoplastic interior with a high-strength carbon fibre composite exterior.

The result is a product which is not only stronger, lighter and easier to clean than traditional tankers but also one which has a much higher resistance to chemical attack.

Omni Tanker’s revolutionary use of composite materials in its tanker construction has brought significant gains in the efficiency of chemical haulage in Australia and internationally, particularly for the challenging tasks of carrying chlorine, bleaches and various acids.

“Our team is focussed on the development and manufacture of cargo tank equipment to optimise the safety and productivity of chemical transport,” Rodgers said.

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20 READER RIGS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Ian Kent shot this beauty while waiting to be unloaded at DP World in the Port of Melbourne.

John Bellam got this great pic while on his way to NT, carting fertiliser.

Share your truck pics THE trucking game is as diverse as the terrain on which our truckies travel.

If there’s one thing we know many of you love, it’s a good looking rig – and sometimes life on the open road brings some golden photo opportunities.

The Big Rigs #PicOfTheDay competition is a chance

to share your best snaps through our Facebook page (@BigRigs). We’ll choose a weekly winning shot to feature as our Facebook cover photo and a selection of the best pics will be featured in the next edition of Big Rigs Newspaper.

So get snapping and keep those great pics coming!

Callum McMahon carries liquid nitrogen across the Strzelecki Track in outback SA.

Ann-Marie Hicks shared this great shot of two of Tanami Transport’s Kenworths travelling through Truro, SA.

Just south of Winton, Eddie Phillips took this shot on his way back from Darwin.

Paul Freeth captured this shot when he pulled up for the night on the Stuart Highway, on his way to Darwin.

The sun poked out as Aaron Tunnah caught this great shot Gemfields, Queensland.

1.3 million kilometres and still going strong. Bob Swift shared this great pic of this Port City Trucking 2014 Mack Triton.

Justin Berrett shared this shot of a gleaming red K200 enjoying the spring crops in Cootamundra, NSW.

READER RIGS 21

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

This Kenworth was looking mighty fine after her morning wash, with this great shot captured by Matthew Stoll at sunrise.

It was double trouble as two identical Kenworth K200s unloaded barley in Maffra, Victoria, as captured by Brett Hollyman.

Bailey Perkins captured these Kenworth K200s from Doolan’s Heavy Haulage flexing their muscles and showing what they’re made of, as they await departure from the port.

Heading out of Newman, WA, James Reynolds was bound for Cairns when he stopped to take this shot.

There were hues of blue as Owen Weir snapped this Nicholson and Page Kenworth K200 and B-double.

This 1984 Ford LTL9000 was heading out of the Tablelands in North Queensland loaded with hay, when Vicki N Roy took this shot.

Henry Geyer captured this glorious sunset just out of Mannum, SA.

Peta Rainbird shared this pic of her late husband Bryan Garth’s 1980 Volvo N10, which she still owns to this day, together with a friend’s Peterbilt – taken four years ago, after polishing the rigs up for a show.

Alan Moore shared this shot of the Western Star and road train set-up he drives for McArdle Freight, bound for the small town of Two Wells, SA.

22 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Honouring our truckies who have lost their lives

21 trucks form a guard of honour around the wall.

WHEN the sound of bagpipes echoed through the town of Gatton in Queensland on Sunday, October 4, before the horns sounded during a minute’s silence, it signalled the end of the 2020 Lights On The Hill Trucking Memorial Service.

An important day on the trucking calendar, the Memorial Service is held annually and is a moving tribute in honour of truckies who have lost their lives.

It’s a chance for friends and family to come together with the wider community and remember the contribution of those who are no longer with us. Names were added to the wall and read aloud, wreaths laid and tears shed.

Tranka Goodinson releases a dove. Her husband’s name was added to the wall in 2019.

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The Lights on the Hill Memorial Wall takes pride of place at Lake Apex Park and is graced with the names of truck and coach drivers who have passed before their time.

A further 24 names were added to the wall this year.

Among them, John (The Ferrett) Moran, a former truckie, gossip columnist and founder of Convoy for the Kids – who passed away on July 28, 2020.

A large plaque now sits beside the wall, telling his story.

“This plaque was placed on the wall on 4th October 2020 as a mark of respect for “The Ferrets” dedication and commitment to the Australian transport industry and Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial Incorporated,” it reads.

Moran and his wife Margo were instrumental in founding the Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial and were there for the first turning of the soil when the wall was built.

He was inducted as a patron of the Lights on the Hill Memorial Wall in 2005, with a poem he wrote forever etched onto the wall and read at each year’s service.

At the 2020 Memorial Service, 21 trucks formed a guard of honour around the wall, each one serving as a tribute, with many draped with banners and photographs of loved ones who lost their lives.

“The majority of the trucks that park beside the wall are for someone who has passed away and is having their name put on the wall,” says Juanita

The service was a moving tribute, with so many remembered.

READ THE LATEST EDITION ONLINE NOW

The service was heartfelt and emotional.

Wreaths, flowers and photos were laid at the wall.

Johnston from the Lights On The Hill Trucking Memorial.

Usually held on a Sunday morning and as part of the Lights on the Hill Memorial Convoy Weekend, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service looked a little different this year.

“The Memorial Service normally takes place at 10am

on the Sunday, but because of COVID, we’ve changed the time to give people the chance to view the memorial ahead of the service,” explains Johnston.

“Lights on the Hill is the memorial, so to be able to have the service was the most important thing. The convoy is the main fundraiser for the

A green Frasers Kenworth honours Eric Ballard, who passed away in 1994.

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FEATURE 23

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Committee member Lindsay Smith, Treasurer Karen Hawker and Secretary Juanita Johnson read the symbology of the releasing of the doves.

wall, even though it’s also important, the memorial is far more important.”

Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial President Gary Simpson opened the service.

And musician Josh Setterfield performed Slim Dusty’s Lights on the Hill – Slim Dusty is among the wall’s patrons. Kerry Kennedy also performed his song Big Rigs, which he released a few years ago as a tribute to the transport industry.

The service was filled with heartfelt moments, among these the releasing of the doves.

“This year we had Daphne Nolan who lost her husband Terry Nolan several years ago.

He was head of Nolan’s Transport; and Tranka Goodinson, whose husband’s name was added to the wall in 2019.

“The releasing of the doves is usually quite emotional, especially for the people that do it,” says Johnston.

Banners draped across trucks honoured loved ones who passed before their time.

Kerry Kennedy performs Big Rigs, which he wrote as a tribute to the industry.

With COVID-19 restrictions limiting numbers of those who could attend in person, the service was also live streamed on Facebook.

In the evening, the memorial wall was lit up in red, to show support for the entertainment industry which has being doing it tough through the pandemic.

Next year, the memorial convoy weekend is due to take place during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in October.

“We are really proud of being part and honouring the transport industry because they’ve kept the nation going,” says Juanita.

“They didn’t have to stop with COVID, they kept going despite all of the restrictions and have done really well.”

For more great pics from Shutter Shock Photography, and video of the event, search for Lights on The Hill Trucking Memorial on Facebook.

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Josh Setterfield performs Slim Dusty’s Lights on the Hill.

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The bagpipes play the Australian National Anthem and Amazing Grace.

John “The Ferret” Moran’s son Glen beside his plaque.

24 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Future looks bright for go-getting young couple

The specialists in agricultural machinery and earthmoving equipment are making the most of a gap they saw in the market with AR Wood Contracting.

BY DAVID VILE

Russell Wood and Jess Landman with their International S-Line, Kenworth and Sterling trucks at Baranduda.

Martin Wood (Russell’s brother) and the ARWC Iveco on firefighting duties in Corryong on December 31, 2020.

TRANSPORT and agriculture in Australia have had a long association since the earliest days with both industries reliant on each other to help the nation prosper and move forward.

Building a business based on both industries has been the focus for Russell Wood and partner Jess Landman over the last few years, with the couple focused on providing a quality service to their growing customer base.

Having grown up on a dairy farm at Bullioh in northeast Victoria, machinery and trucks were a part of Russell’s life from a young age and leaving school he undertook an apprenticeship with the local John Deere agricultural equipment dealer, Hutcheon and Pearce.

Along the way he gained his truck licence and started doing a bit of weekend work to get a few miles up.

“I always had a strong interest in trucks, I ended up doing casual work with Greenfreight of a weekend out of the DC at Woolies at Barnawartha and later with Phil Carter doing changeovers which was good as I got a bit of experience with B-Doubles.

I also did some tow truck driving part-time which was good but challenging work,” Russell explained.

Through his work with Hutcheon and Pearce, he saw an opportunity to provide a transport service which led to the purchase of the first truck, an International S-Line rigid, which today operates as AR Wood Contracting (ARWC), with a fleet that now numbers six trucks and associated equipment, based in Albury-Wodonga.

“We saw a bit of an opening around here in agricultural transport so we thought we would jump in and have a go and started with the S-Line and we have grown from that, we had the S-Line for a while and found more of a market that required a prime mover so we bought the Iveco,” he explained.

Further expansion and opportunities saw both Russell and Jess take the step of leaving their regular work to go full-time in transport.

“I had been with Hutcheon and Pearce for 15 years and worked my way up to Service Manager and we decided there was enough work for us to jump in fully and make a go of it so about 18 months ago I left my work there to go full time into transport,” Russell said.

“I finished up in December last year working in accounting, with the growth here I left my job and came here to look after the office side of things – it’s never-ending!” said Jess.

Along with keeping an eye on the balance sheet, Jess handles all the compliance and oversize permits and paperwork, and in more recent times all the necessary COVID requirements for the business.

She also gets behind the wheel of the ARWC pilot vehicle, a Land Rover Defender when the need arises.

“All the stuff that goes on in the background, the permits and paperwork you need to have sorted before you get in the truck, especially lately with COVID takes up so many hours,” said Russell.

The ARWC fleet could best be described as ‘diverse’ with the International and Iveco sharing space at the company depot at Baranduda with a Freightliner, and a Western Star which tow drop-deck/ machinery trailers along with a Sterling and Kenworth, both of which are set up as truck and dog tipper units.

“We are not brand-biased at all - we just about have one of everything!” said Russell with a grin. “We haven’t got

FEATURE 25

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

The ARW Freightliner loaded with a Cat Bulldozer fresh from doing some farm contracting.

a Mack, but Jess wants one so that might be the next purchase!”

The ARWC operation has a local focus but runs across Victoria and will go where required by the customer, having also bought machinery out of Queensland and Sydney and hauled equipment across to Port Augusta.

“We want to be diverse in what we do, we support a number of the local ag machinery dealers,” Russell said.

Having also experience in emergency operations with earthmoving gear, last summer’s fires in North-East Victoria also put the ARW team to the test.

“We support DELWP (Victoria’s Department of Environment Land Water and Planning) a fair bit, we took a bulk water tanker up to Walwa when the fires started and 2 months later we were still carting gear in and out of the bush - it was about three weeks from when it started to when we could get home,” said Russell.

With COVID forcing the cancellation of this year’s

Henty Machinery Field Days, one of the busiest times for the ARWC fleet hauling tractors and machinery has been curtailed but Russell reckons the flow-on effect may not be too bad for his business.

“It’s a double-sided coin, we have missed not having the work this year but it’s looking to be a good harvest season, so machinery still needs to be moved, we haven’t been sitting on our hands.”

With the machinery side of things ticking along nicely, the two tipper units in the fleet have also been utilised doing road works for some of the local councils and have recently spent a good part of 2020 in the Upper Murray and around the Batlow-Tumut areas doing site clean-ups after the summer fires.

Given the nature of the work involved the drivers employed by the couple need to have a special skill set along with being able to drive a truck.

“We find our best operators come from a mechanical, farming or earthmoving background - we need someone

A load of Case-IH agricultural gear ready to roll out of the ARWC depot at Baranduda.

who can load a D6 (bulldozer), chain it down properly and get it off at the other end - often we turn up and there is no operator in sight - you’re there by yourself, its dark and there’s no phone service so you need someone who can handle the situation,” said Russell.

“We have got a good mix

of blokes who work well with the business, they have the nous to sort problems out and will take the time to chat to the customer than just get in to make a mile - that is a big thing for us.”

The future is looking promising for the couple as the wheels of the company trucks keep turning and mak-

ing a dollar, with Russell and Jess focused on providing a strong level of service which in turn will help grow the business.

“There’s a lot of money tied up in the gear we move, and customers have to have the confidence in you to get the job done,” said Jess.

Russell concurred: “We

want to have everything in the background sorted and be compliant, to be seen as a professional outfit and not just seen as a company that runs a few trucks.”

Perhaps if Jess has the casting vote the next truck to wear the ARW logo on their flanks might include a Mack…time will tell!

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26 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Generous truckies raise $70k in Townsville convoy

BY ALF WILSON

AUSTRALIA’S only convoy for sick kids this year in Townsville raised $70,000 thanks to the generosity of truckies and road transport industry companies.

It was held on September 27 and 205 trucks and 100 motorbikes were in the convoy.

The Townsville Convoy for a Cure went ahead after two previous applications to hold it earlier in the year were knocked back due to Covid-19.

Organisers Ren Pedersen and Todd Martin held up a big cheque for $62,022 at the end of the convoy but in the following days other donations were added.

“We easily made $70,000.

The road goes on forever and the journey never ends.

Truckies are the most generous people you will find anywhere. They would give you the last five cents out of their pockets,” Ren said.

Ren told Big Rigs that the convoy had achieved the unachievable.

“No charity is as dedicated or determined as The Cure Starts Now. No Charity has a supporter base as strong and dogged as the trucking fraternity. To shut down an entire city with $10 million dollars of chrome-plated hardware in the midst of a pandemic, without paying one red cent for corporate assistance or marketing, is something with which our community should be immensely proud. Our embattled brain tumour and cancer kids say thank you.”

Back in May 2009, Ren Pedersen sadly lost his daughter Amy to brain cancer and he set up an independent Australian arm of a charity called The Cure Starts Now, which aims to not only fight cancer, but eliminate it.

The small fleet winner was Townsville Mini Loads which raised $4508.12.

Brendan Jones, left, and Mark Shaw from Townsville Mini Loads at the marshalling area.

The Cure Starts Now is the first cancer charity dedicated to a ‘holistic cure’.

He has become a promi-

nent, international advocate for children’s cancer research and has been nominated for Australian of the Year multi-

More than 205 trucks and 100 motorbikes were in the convoy that brought Townsville to a stand-still.

ple times for his efforts.

The convoy which commenced from a marshalling area at Webb Drive in Bohle suburb spot on 9am.

Trucks lined Webb Drive and side streets and one driver Daniel Shaw from Townsville Mini Loads said it was an honour to be part of the convoy.

“I have been part of all of the previous convoys except for two when I was away and it is great to see so many trucks,” Daniel said.

As the clock hit 9am the convoy left Webb Drive and continued along Ingham Road, Duckworth Street, Woolcock Streets, Charters Towers Road and Riverway Drive to the Ross River Dam, a total of more than 30km.

The convoy was more than 8km long and thousands of men, women and children watched from footpaths, front yards and verandahs.

In return the trucks pomped their horns to acknowledge that.

In normal years at the park near the dam the trucks parked and a family fun day was held.

However this is not a normal time because of social distancing and trucks turned around there and headed back along Ross River Road.

Ren was assisted again by Todd Martin who travelled in one of the trucks and did live crosses to Radio Station Power FM. During the live crosses several listeners phoned and made donations.

Organisers praised the 26 police force members who assisted with the smooth running of the convoy.

The winners of the large fleet section was ABC Towing which raised $6214.17

Organisers Todd Martin, left, and Ren Pedersen hold up a large cheque to show the amount raised at the Convoy for a Cure.

followed by Nortrans with $5684.28.

Small fleet winner was Townsville Mini Loads

which raised an impressive $4508.12, followed by Princess Bulk Haulage with an equally admirable $3317.69.

Otto Bartel, aged 10, and McKenzie Bartel, 8, ready for a convoy ride.

AD FEATURE 27

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

How Artificial Intelligence helps smaller operators

BY ANDREW ROSSINGTON, VICE PRESIDENT NEXT GENERATION PLATFORM, TELETRAC NAVMAN

THERE’S often an assumption that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is just for the big players in the transport industry - either because the technology isn’t considered appropriate for smaller operators or because it’s considered out of reach financially and technically.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Transport businesses of all sizes, even smaller fleets that operate with few vehicles or assets in rural areas, can achieve several benefits for their business with the adoption of AI-powered telematics platforms.

Managing workloads Small businesses obviously operate on smaller budgets, with leaner teams running them. In fact, you often have one person wearing many

hats – driver, manager, accountant and more. With so much responsibility on so few people’s shoulders, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to handle compliance, safety, paperwork and driving.

AI-equipped telematics platforms simplify most of these tasks. It brings important insights about your operation to the forefront, without forcing you to spend time you don’t have digging through line after line of confusing information.

Thanks to AI, discovering these important business insights is simple. By using search queries such as “show me the drivers with the most speed events this month” or “show me the total trip duration compared to the total idle duration for the last month, daily”. An AI-powered telematics platform present you with the information you need in an easy to understand way. This ultimately allows you to uncover the data you need to make decisions with confidence.

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Data drives decision making Machine Learning (ML), an element of AI, is also useful in uncovering important information. It scrutinises the data collected by the telematics installed across your fleet in real-time. It looks for previously unrecognised patterns that can yield increased efficiencies and savings across the business. Examples include a vehicle using an unusually high amount of fuel, idling more than usual, or registering more speed events than normal.

All this data is especially helpful when it comes to keeping operators safe on the road.

By monitoring and compiling information on speed and fatigue and providing real-time reminders, a driver’s wellbeing is kept front of mind.

By instantly sifting through mass amounts of data to find the most relevant nuggets of info, fleet management solutions that leverage machine learning technologies also help drivers prepare for any unexpected events. Data such as road and traffic conditions,

Amed with the right data, small businesses have the chance to save on time, money, and stress.

weather and environmental hazards can be leveraged to predict incoming risks, allowing back office workers to guide drivers through dangerous conditions as they unfold.

Empowering small businesses Accessible AI gives smaller ru-

ral operators access to a wealth of data that they might never see otherwise.

This data is where the real benefits of these platforms become obvious. Because while you’re getting help with managing the back-end of your business, you’re also getting the data that you need to de-

liver a better service. Optimise your routes, streamlining maintenance, monitor driver behaviour, and ensure compliance through the automated collection of data.

And armed with the right data, small businesses have the opportunity to save on time, money, and stress.

28 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies thrilled to see

All the hottest gossip from the roadhouses and truckies travelling the busy roads of Australia.

SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

President’s special deliveries FOR the past 20 years veteran owner-operator Bunny Brown has delivered Big Rigs newspapers from his base at Adelong in NSW to roadhouses and businesses at towns.

The 77-year-old Bunny has been President of ALDODA for around that same period and loves the response he continues to receive whilst delivering the papers.

“Around 150 Big Rigs are delivered to me by Australia Post and it is generally a day long round trip taking them to places like Tumut, Gundagai and Tarcutta and places in between,” Bunny said.

Bunny has a trusty 1986 model Western Star which has 5.5million kilometres on the clock and said Big Rigs was an important publication for the road transport industry.

“When it closed at the end of June truckies and people working in the industry were very disappointed. But they are very happy since the new owners have taken it over and it is back again. The feedback has been very positive,” Bunny said on September 10.

After Bunny does locals drop-offs at Adelong it is off to Tumut 21km away where he delivers to the Caltex Roadhouse.

“Then I travel to 37km to the Shell Gundagai and also to the Visy Board Factory where lots of trucks are coming and going,” he said.

Next major stop is 45km down the Hume Highway to Tarcutta which is the location of the Australian Truck Driver’s Memorial.

“I deliver to the Caltex in

A warning sign on a winding section of the Tasman Highway in eastern Tasmania.

Bunny Brown with truckie Bernie Quinn at Tarcutta Caltex Roadhouse with a pile of Big Rigs.

the main street and also stop at the truck hook up area at Tarcutta where lots of drivers stop and some grab a copy,” he said.

Bunny said there were other businesses along the way which asked to have Big Rigs delivered such as a hardware store and a café.

“Before the Coronavirus a pie shop also used to get some but with social distancing doesn’t for the time being,” Bunny said.

The veteran said he was overwhelmed by the support Big Rigs had from truckies he came across.

“They like to read about what is going on the industry and also see stories and pictures of drivers from around the country. Big Rigs can be found at many places in the country and everybody I have spoken to is glad it is back again,” Bunny said.

Wide load awakening SPY was enjoying a deep sleep at 3am on September 10 when the phone beside his bed start-

Bust Me Gall Hill on the Tasman Highway.

ing ringing.

It was a truckie who advised he had pulled over whilst travelling between Dysart and Mackay in central Queensland as an extremely wide load passed.

After thanking the gent for his information Spy suggested in future it would be better to make contact at a more suitable

time.

Anyway a few days later another associate emailed me some pics of the huge machinery being transported.

“It took six hours to travel the 180km to deliver the giant machinery which came from the Saraji Mine at Dysart into Mackay. It left at 1am and trav-

The wide load from a mine snapped at 3.42am.

elled along the Peak Downs Highway and then into Mackay through the back way. There were three police escorts, two pilot vehicles and several trucks transported the heavy machinery and huge bucket. Ergon Energy had workers with it to lift the power lines when required so the wide loads could pass under. Also they had to negotiate a winding range road,” he said.

The pics were snapped at 3.42am on the morning mentioned.

Communication breakdown SOME drivers who travel regularly along the east coast of Tasmania which has numerous tight corners are concerned they have not been contactable on their UHF.

Which makes it a genuine safety issue.

When travelling along there it is important to exchange warnings with other road users that they are coming towards them.

One section of the Tasman Highway between Triabunna and Bicheno has some extremely tight corners which ensure difficulty for two trucks which meet on them.

Log trucks and milk pick up trucks often meet in this section.

Spy is told the Department of State Growth has agreed to put signs at each end of a section between Moorina Golf Club at Derby town through what is known as the Weldborough Pass to Forest Lodge Road.

The channel to be used for this section will be 40.

If drivers adhere to this through that section they will be able to manage their meeting place on straight road preferably, rather than the tight corners.

Signs should be in place within the next month and have been ordered by the department.

Both St Mary’s Pass and Elephant Pass have signs at the top and bottom requesting large vehicles with UHF to please advise their positions on channel 40.

It has been reported by several drivers that there should be signs at the Cherry Hill site on the southern side of the Coles Bay turn off on the way to Swansea.

They feel the signs are required from approximately 1km before the Freycinet Winery for approximately an 8km section through to the start of the recently completed overtaking lane northbound.

This section has a sign warning motor cycles of wind and control problems for a 7km section.

From my own experience when I was last in Tasmania, I found there was trouble with reception on the Tasman Highway near Buckland which includes “Bust Me Gall Hill”.

B-Double cut out NT THERE was a horse named B-Double which competed with success at a Campdraft competition at Timber Creek in the Northern Territory.

Timber Creek is an isolated small town on the banks of the Victoria River and the Victoria

SPY ON THE ROAD 29

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Bunny back with papers

A truck travels along the Tasman Highway after negotiating a tight corner.

Highway passes through.

It is the only significant settlement between the Western Australia border and the town of Katherine and lots of trucks travel through it.

B-Double ridden by Michael Stanley won the cut-out section in the second round of the open class which had 96 competitors.

The horse placed equal sixth in the novice class with a score of 176 in a field of 200 which was a great effort.

Campdrafting is a unique Aussie sport which involves a horse and rider working cattle.

It is popular in Tasmania, NT, northern WA, some parts of NSW and Tasmania and has hundreds of followers and competitors from the road transport industry.

Another hidden secret AFTER reporting in the last edition on great shower and toilet facilities for truckies at the small Queensland hamlet of Dirranbandi, other drivers have advised Spy about others which could be considered “hidden secrets” to many.

At Trangie town in NSW there is one such facility which requires a meritorious mention.

“It is behind the Trangie Caltex Servo and has a great shower for truckies. I am sure

it is maintained by the local Council,” Victorian owner-operator Mark Young told Spy. Spy must confess that he had never heard of Trangie before being told about it by Mark.

Trangie is in the Orana region of New South Wales on the Mitchell Highway 485kms north west of Sydney.

It is part of Narromine Shire local government area and has a population of around 1300.

Wobbly boxes SEVERAL truckies in recent months have told of their experiences with “wobbly boxes” whilst travelling the highways and byways of Australia.

An aging Spy admits he may have lost some memory banks after a life of over indulgence.

But I can be sure that I have never heard that term used by a truckie.

Without wanting to seem like I had a very low IQ, Spy questioned one of truckies who mentioned the words and soon gleaned he was referring to CARAVANS. On further investigation after speaking to an academic type, Spy was told that it meant “Mobile Homes”.

Rotten food on return WHEN arriving home after a five-day long trip which took in three States a South Australian driver was looking forward to a juicy eye fillet steak cooked on the new grill he had purchased.

Imagine his horror when he found all the food in the upstairs and downstairs fridges and a deep freezer had gone off.

Including the expensive steak which had cost him more than $40kg.

Initially the lad thought his house may have been broken into and the culprits had turned off the fridges.

But on investigation he discovered that a power safety switch had tripped and turned off the electricity after detecting a device was faulty.

In the final analysis he was fortunate as his house insurance company paid him $500 to replace the food and didn’t charge any excess because of the accidental circumstances.

He soon cruised down to the local butcher and supermarket and stocked up on food and also purchased a new fridge to replace the faulty one.

Infamous show BUSINESS is booming for recycling depots around the country especially since the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Millions of empty used drink cans and bottles are taken to depots weekly by people who receive cash.

And you never are surprised at who turns up at such depots with their recycling items.

Spy was at a depot in mid-September when an Infamous Cabaret Circus van stopped next to him and the two gents from it pulled out a large bag of cans.

The burlesque style cabaret has done shows around the country presented in a spectacular, purpose-built tent.

The under-cover foyer is equipped with bar facilities, tables and chairs, to allow patrons to gather with their friends to soak up the atmosphere before moving into the performance arena.

When the two cabaret lads pulled up they sure turned the heads of females who were there with cans and they sure created plenty of interest.

They were more than happy to have their pic snapped.

Spy knows of truckies in several regions who enjoy a drink together at make shift bars under one of their houses.

The cans and empty bottles are taken to a recycling depot and at Christmas the money is spent on a big party.

Anger after long delay TWO truck drivers became irate after being held up for a long period when trying to leave the only exit at a popular roadhouse.

The reason was because many cars were leaving a busy hardware establishment nearby which had a sale on.

Things like this rarely occur at roadhouses but on the odd occasion when they do usually drivers will allow heavy vehicles to enter the traffic line.

On this occasion it took 20 minutes before one car driver to let the trucks in.

Both truck drivers waved to thank him but they were far from happy with the many others who failed to

The Infamous van at the recycling depot.

display such courtesy.

Allergic reaction DRIVERS stopping at a rest area in Victoria were at a loss to explain why they starting sneezing soon after stopping there.

Several got talking at a service centre up the highway and one reckoned he had the answer.

“There is a tree growing near the rest area and it has been flowering. We must have an allergy reaction to that,” one suggested.

Sounds like a logical explanation to Spy who has had a similar experience.

My next-door neighbour has a large tree in his front yard which was blooming with hundreds of pink coloured flowers.

When Spy and his mates sat on the front veranda enjoying a cold amber fluid we often sneeze.

But now the flowers have all died and there hasn’t been any more sneezing attacks.

30 TASSIE TRUCKIN’

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Bernie Triffett

Jack Rockliff

It was good to see someone using the once popular Bennett’s Caltex and Post Office at Bagdad the other day, it indeed seems a long time ago since this was a thriving hub renowned for its good food and service and a favoured stop for drivers from some of those now long gone companies such as Frigmobile that we used to catch up with there.

However, it is still a favoured

Rarely do you meet a man happier to combine his twin loves of motor bikes and driving trucks so completely, as we did when stopping by at the 24Hour Bennett’s Caltex “Mood Food” at Kempton the other day for a great hot cuppa and a couple of their now legendary donuts. That’s when we caught up with Jack Rockliff from Launceston when he dropped in for a refreshment break on his return leg to Launceston from Hobart. He was driving a “Richardson’s Harley David-

fuelling point for some, often local, drivers and so it was the other day when we caught up with Bernie Triffett from Brighton there when he wheeled in to fuel up his 1994 CHR Mack “Elite” with a 427 V-Mack up front and towing a tri-axle tautliner. “I’m on the return leg from Devonport back to Brighton,” he told us, “and then knock off for the day. As you can see, this is

the family business, and it’s all good, you might say. I’ve been driving for them for 25 years or so and am keeping busy enough to keep me happy, the Mack is a great truck, a good faithful workhorse and doing the job to our satisfaction!”

We asked him about how he spent his time off, and he said he does a bit of firewood, and odds and ends, and is generally all happy.

Justin Wood

“I started out today with a load from Launceston to Margate, and am currently on the way back as far as Perth tonight, then tomorrow I am looking forward to getting home, giving the truck a wash and then knock off, hopefully!” Justin Wood from Scottsdale told us the other day when we caught up with him at “Mood Food”, the Bennett’s Petroleum Caltex Truckstop at Kempton. He was driving an eye-catching Dorsett Transport Western Star W4800FXB “Stratosphere” with a 550 Detroit DD15 up front at the time and told

us he has been with them for 12 months now. “They are a really top family outfit who really look after us, and they are keeping us busy which is certainly pleasing just now, so all is good in the world. I’ve been on the road for 9 years now, and would have to say I chose to drive trucks, and really enjoy being out on the open road, and I have never regretted that decision. I was working out in the bush previous to that.” He added that he really prefers seeing Big Rigs back in the truck stops as a paper, adding: “I spend too much time on

son Motor Cycles” eye catching 2017 Mitsubishi “Fighter”, and he told us he had spent a busy day delivering new bikes across Southern Tasmania, adding: “I have been back here with Simon for a couple of years now, helping out and it is certainly a great job for me. I’ve had bikes all my life and still ride and love them, especially the classic stuff, and I was pleased to note that they are now Royal Enfield dealers in to the bargain! I’d have to say that for me, this is the perfect job! I’ve been driv-

ing trucks etc. since I was able to reach the pedals, and never thought I would ever find a job that combined my love of road Transport with Motor cycles!”

He also observed that he isn’t into computers and the Internet so it was really pleasing to see Big Rigs back on paper and in a familiar format. We asked him how he spent his time off, and he told us that he enjoys restoring and working on anything built before the 70’s, Harleys or other makes as long as they are vintage.

John Kemp

the phone anyway now days, as it is. It is good to be able to sit down, open the paper and have a good read and catch up with what is going on.” He observed that it was a sad current trend watching the banks closing their branches in regional towns, often destroying the very fabric of the community, and making life difficult, especially for the elderly, and truck drivers and others who are often stressed for time to go to a major city for business. Time off, he told us, was spent pursuing a variety of sports with the kids!

It is always a great pleasure to catch up with our old mate John Kemp from the entrance to the Blundstone Arena in Bellerive, and so it was really good to see him at “Mood Food” at Kempton the other day when he dropped in for a quick refreshment stop, and happily he kindly took a few minutes out for a quick photo, and a chat. He was driving a Cool-Trans 2005 K-104 with a 15 Litre Cat up front at the time, and was towing a B-double from Launceston to Hobart and would then return and knock off for the day. He

told us: “they are a top outfit, look after us, and keep us busy.

But it will be good to get back home this evening, especially when it has been a bit damp like today.

“It’s a great outfit and I’m really happy with both the truck and the job, in fact pretty well everything just now!

I’ve been talking with some of the blokes, and everyone is chuffed to see Big Rigs out in its familiar format and available at the truck stops again.

Big Rigs has become a trusted Industry institution and has helped us keep up with all the

blokes that have moved over to the big Island and what they are doing for those of us many who don’t go on-line and don’t have Social Media etc., as well as giving us the ability to keep up with current Industry news, and developments.

I am hoping they will lift the restrictions on Interstate travel soon so I can go over and watch North Melbourne in the A.F.L. 2021 Grand Final!!

And talking of the AFL, I have heard Howie, our stalwart Magpies supporter, is rapt and getting set for a 2020 Collingwood Grand Final!”

SOUTHERN SNIPPETS 31

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Calendar showcases best Tassie trucks for charity record of the very best of Tasmanian trucks, and also it is for a really worthy cause! Well done once again Arron!

Full Monty fan SNIPPETS FROM THE SOUTH With JONATHAN WALLIS Memorial cancelled

We hear from our good friend Tony Whitehouse, on behalf of the committee of the Tassie Truckies Memorial Wall Inc., that due to Covid-19 and the associated restrictions they have decided to cancel the Memorial Wall service for 2021. They tender their apologies, but under the current circumstances this was agreed to be the best possible decision and we thank them for this early notice, and we join them in wishing that we will see you all there at Epping Forest again in 2022.

Tassie trucks on show

We are pleased to see that our renowned Tasmanian truck driver friend and professional photographer, Arron Cole, has again put out his annual “DRIVING WHEELS CALENDAR” and it is now up for pre-sale with all monies raised being donated to the TASSIE TRUCKIES MEMORIAL WALL after printing & associated costs have been taken out. The cost is $20 including postage Australia wide. He asks that you please msg for bank account details to 0409 287 193.

Finally, he requests you to please use your name as a reference when you deposit and make sure you include your mailing address. We add that this is a great photographic

Rumour has it that a young northern Tasmania driver, named Wade from One Steel, will be glued to his television shortly watching Wayne Carey, his all-time favourite footballer, bare all for charity in the “Full Monty”. The other fan doesn’t need to watch as he still has the full size carboard replica.

New Shepperton museum

Our old friend Bette Phillips recently told us that she is delighted to hear they have finally turned the first sod and are now building a 6.25-Million-dollar Transport Museum at Shepperton, not far down the road from her. The Federal Member said that there are now more trucks registered in Shepperton than there are anywhere in Australia outside of Sydney.

Having watched those now famous green Fred’s trucks from Shepperton busily turning up all over Australia, this statistic is not surprising to us. Standing on the current Shepperton Motor Museum’s footprint, the new museum has the support of both State, Federal and local Governments, and will be welcomed by all the truck drivers, residents and good Industry allied folk in the Goulburn Valley and Victoria.

Maitland truckie stars in TV ad

Nice to notice one of the Davies’ drivers from Maitland enjoys taking his family and dog for rides

Tony Whitehouse and Bette Phillips had news to share with our columnist.

up to the Port Augusta McDonalds for a bite to eat, making it onto the telly and winning himself some goodnatured notoriety in South Australia at the same time.

Good dog that one, similar to recently retired (through ill health) Ken Johnson’s dog from Seaford, Jordie, who can’t pass a McDonalds without barking either!

Talking of recently retired drivers, we hear that another well-known truck driver Mike Ward from Mount Gambier has had to retire recently, and has taken his

cat, Cleo, and caravan, back to up near Port Wakefield in South Australia and we would like to join Colin Burford in wishing him all the best for the future.

32 TRUCKIN’ IN THE TROPICS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

David Talbot AN Isuzu 200 Short Sitec 110 driven by David Talbot is one of the best known light rigs in Townsville.

His business is David Talbot Plumbing and Big Rigs saw him in the suburb of Cranbrook where he was doing a job late last month.

“I am a one-man band and do most of my work locally but do get to Woodstock which is 40km west on the Flinders Highway and north to Bluewater,” he said.

Friendly David purchased the 2001 model 4.49 tonne capacity Isuzu second hand about 15 years ago.

“It is still going well and I have no immediate plans to replace it yet. But when I do it will be with another Isuzu,” he said.

David barracks for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL and he was delighted his team beat the Brisbane Broncos later that night in the last round of fixtures for NRL season 2020.

His hobbies outside work include camping and getting into a 4WD. A dedicated family man and the father of three teenage boys, David was recently voted as Townsville’s best plumber by readers of the local Townsville Bulletin newspaper.

David has a loyal client base and Big Rigs spoke to Octogenarian Betty Welsh who is one of them and she was glowing in her praise.

“He is very courteous, does good work and is reasonably priced,” Betty said.

Grant Easton FORMER British Army Royal Marine Grant Easton is a happy Aussie truckie who drives a Volvo Fh-16 Euro5 600 for Brisbane company Barakel Pty Ltd. The 54-year-old Grant is an extremely interesting driver whom I saw parked up at the Bohle Puma north of Townsville.

“I served for the Royal Marines for about 12 years and have been a truckie here in Australia on and off for many years since then,” he said.

Grant brought up furniture from Brisbane and was waiting for news of a backload.

“I came up here to North Queensland recently and got sent to Mareeba to pick up a backload,” he said.

Grant reckons that parts of the coastal Bruce Highway need urgent work which is a sentiment expressed by many drivers.

“They have been doing it up for decades and it still

Mark Young VICTORIAN owner-operator Mark Young had five different border passes in the cabin of his Kenworth 904 when Big Rigs saw him deep in the tropics of north Queensland.

The 48-year-old Mark’s company is Kelmare Transport Pty Ltd and he is based at Edi Upper and does a lot of road train work which requires interstate deliveries.

“I have come up from Melbourne with general freight including gas bottles and have to pick up a boat and tractor to take back to Frankston. I have border permits to enter South Australia, NSW, Queensland, the NT and Victoria,” Mark said.

Mark has been an owner-operator for 12 years and likes the Kenworth which is powered by a C-16 600hp motor and with an 18 speed gearbox.

This friendly driver said he doesn’t eat that much at road-

houses stopping mostly to fuel up.

“I stock up on food in the truck fridge and enjoy steak and eggs using my gas cooker,” he said.

There are several roads which Mark doesn’t enjoy travelling on and these include the one between Miles and Moonie in Queensland.

“The other rough one is either side of Walgett in NSW for about 40km,” he said.

As for rest areas, Mark said Queensland could do with some more for truckies which is an opinion shared by many other drivers.

The first truck Mark drove was an early eighties Kenworth SAR and outside work he likes hunting for deer in north east Victoria.

A passionate sports fan, Mark barracks for the Geelong Cats in the AFL and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the rival NRL.

seems to be a problem in stretches. There is a lot of road works as well which slows us down,” he said.

Born in Scotland at the village of Ayr, Grant has no sign of an accent and said that there were no definitely not enough suitable rest areas.

“The ones there are usually are full of vans or cars and you have to drive up the highway to find something suitable which is a problem,” he said.

The first truck he drove was a White Road Commander and his main hobby when off duty is riding his almost new Triumph Motorbike.

“It has only about 1000km on the clock,’ he said.

Grant’s arms are covered in impressive tattoos which is not unusual when it comes to male truckies.

“I have one tattoo from every country I served in with the Royal Marines which I consider souvenirs.

But they are expensive these

days,” he said.

Grant said he lost some earnings whilst driving local around Brisbane at the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic but has bounced back.

“I started doing highway long distance work and now get a good pay packet each week,” he said.

When away, Grant keeps in regular contact with his partner and was talking to her the day I saw him.

I speak to more and more drivers these days who used to serve in the Australian Defence Forces where they drove different trucks.

But this is the first occasion I have yarned to one who was a Royal Marine.

They all tell me it was that military service that helped them to get a job as a truckie when discharged.

Lots of youngsters from various regions are joining the ADF especially with a shortage of jobs in many industries but not so much in the road transport industry.

COLUMN 33

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Working together to keep freight moving in Victoria Victoria Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne

Throughout this entire pandemic, Victorians have been able to rely on freight.

People have been able to count on the fact they won’t be left stranded without essentials like food and face masks – and that’s thanks to the way we have been able to keep the supply chain moving.

Thousands of people working in the freight industry have contributed to that effort, from truck drivers travelling tirelessly along freeways all over the country, to stevedores at the Port of Melbourne.

The fact is, that diligence and persistence has allowed freight to keep operating in Victoria throughout the entire pandemic.

Not only has that continued exports and kept us well-stocked, but it’s meant

thousands of jobs within the industry have been retained.

Our government has been working closely with our counterparts in Canberra and around Australia to make sure this process has been as efficient as possible.

Even with the abrupt introduction of mandatory testing for truck drivers on the borders, a cooperative approach from the industry and concerted lobbying made it easier to get in and out of the state.

Now that National Cabinet has agreed to a unified code, which was developed based on consultation with industry, there is a more universal approach to border restrictions.

We know how important it is for those in other states to be keeping their communities safe, and we all worked together to establish the code. It’ll mean Victorian truck drivers will need to be extra vigilant when driving in other states, keeping thorough records of where they’re travelling, details of accommodation and onward and return travel.

Throughout it all, Victorian borders have remained open. We’ve put our trust in

the industry to do the right thing and comply with safe working practices.

We’ve seen freight workers go that extra mile to get work permits, stick to their COVID-safe plans, and make sure they’re complying

with Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne and Stage 3 restrictions in regional areas.

It’s a lot to keep track of, but we all appreciate the work the industry is doing to keep the community safe. It means we’ve been able to continue

exporting goods and importing whatever we need.

We continue to work with the Commonwealth, the other states and industry stakeholders, and it’s that open communication which has served us so far. We’ve all

done so well to keep freight moving seamlessly during the toughest crisis we’ve faced.

But there is plenty of work ahead of us, and as a government we’re not resting until the pandemic is in the rearview mirror.

Concerted industry lobbying has made it easier to get in and out of the state.

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34 COLUMN contributors@bigrigs.com.au

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Fighting for your jobs and defending industry rates EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

TWU NEWS RICHARD OLSEN

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NSW State Secretary

TRANSPORT workers are looking for leverage over the supply chain because we need to stop the relentless pressure from clients who want to degrade our industry standards.

The work that transport workers do every day is undercut by the pressure from clients to reduce invoices, the daily expenses of running a vehicle, the fuel costs that don’t go down, permits, licences, rego, fees, road tolls and more.

The NorthConnex Tunnel in the north of Sydney will open soon adding to the hit on the wallet that is already empty due to the abundance of toll roads and their high usage fees.

Heavy vehicles MUST use NorthConnex or face a $194 fine and you will be paying over $23 every trip. It will affect what you earn every week.

Again, I remind you of the cosy deal that Transurban has made with the governments in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Transurban is a company that is unfairly growing it’s profits off the back of your hard work.

In NSW we are fighting back, we are talking to Government, asking them to make toll roads fairer for heavy vehicle users and the industry stands with us.

Together we took it to the streets in a protest rally in September.

NSW Opposition MPs Jody McKay and John Graham have called for legislation to be made into law on toll free periods. The Opposition Leader and Shadow Roads Minister are talking with the TWU. They under-

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Principal Lawyer RK Law

A convoy of disgruntled drivers make their way to Pennant Hills during a recent protest against the NorthConnex toll.

stand the issues that heavy vehicle operators face.

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance is not talking to the industry, he appears to not want to understand your needs. He is only talking about the safety of sending trucks underground and he has not replied back to a letter sent to him by the TWU. Transport workers are

tired of propping up private companies like Transurban, as one of the costs of doing business.

The TWU are in court on your behalf, looking to secure industry agreements that will include clauses for compensation paid by the clients and companies to drivers for the costs of using toll roads. We are also asking Government to make cost recovery easi-

er by locking fair payment times into legislation. Transport industry businesses and owner-drivers should be paid within 30 days not 90 or 120.

Our fight for the industry extends further, currently for transport workers in the supply chain we are seeking to use leverage to ensure that standards that currently exist for pay and conditions do not go backwards.

We have a plan for 2021, it is about the transport industry and how we lift rates and conditions to a standard that respects the critical nature of the work transport workers completed during this pandemic.

Our plan is about protecting jobs, defending industry rates and conditions, bringing up the rates and conditions of competitors in the sector that

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can afford it right now.

Most importantly the TWU wants to ensure those clients still making profits are brought to the table to bargain with transport workers directly who are doing the job.

Want to be a part of that plan? Call the TWU and join the fight on 1800 729 909 or visit our website www. twunsw.org.au/join.

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COLUMN 35

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Reach out to your mates and start a conversation

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE AIR CTI founder/owner

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH contributors@bigrigs.com.au

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Truckies can be especially susceptible to mental health issues because of the long hours alone on the road.

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport Women Australia

DO you ever wonder how you are going to get through it all?

All the information that is coming at you every day.

So much of it irrelevant, so much false caring from companies who you really don’t want or need to hear from, so much repetitive garbage about THE OZ TRUCKER Covid19.

Do we MIKE WILLIAMS need any of contributors@bigrigs.com.au this?

Sometimes even trying to unsubscribe from these relentless emails is such a pain and adds extra angst.

I find it difficult enough to get through the day as it is, and I am one of the fortunate ones who can come to work every day and is not isolated at home or out of work.

However, because of the ridiculous LOBBYISTrules laid down by an incompetent STEVE SHEARERstate governSA Road Transport ment, I am Association restricted to my Executive Director home after hours and at weekends.

My family live interstate or overseas, my friends don’t

live in neighbouring suburbs so who are you meant to share you time with?

My mum is in a nursing home in NSW, so I have only managed EDITOR to visit once this year.

Luckily for me, I have JAMES GRAHAM james.graham@bigrigs.com.au amazing siblings who live near her as I am restricted to phone calls. I am sure it is the same for many others.

As someone who has conquered depression in the past, it is increasing difficult to fight off the return and as I have already said, I am one of the lucky ones.

It must TWU NEWSbe so much harder for those have lost their RICHARD who OLSEN TWU NSW Secretary jobs or State who are struggling to work from home, teach their children and may have the added worry of an elderly or sick relative.

There are some wonderful programmes available, like Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, the SIRF Roundtables Men’s Mental Health Webinars which are now on YouTube.

We have Beyond Blue and Lifeline but first we must realise and admit we need help, even if it is just someone to talk to.

I know we often don’t talk to our mates as we don’t

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS contributors@bigrigs.com.au

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

Principal Lawyer RK Law

The SIRF Roundtables Men’s Mental Health Webinars are an excellent free resource on YouTube.

want to appear weak but guess what, if they are in the same industry, or age group, or there is some other common denominator, they are probably experiencing some of the same issues and will understand the most.

We need to get back to business, back to what is go-

ing to be normal from now on. Let industry, retail and hospitality open.

People can then save their livelihoods and maybe there will be jobs available for the huge amount of people who have lost their jobs in the months of lockdown.

Small businesses especially

need to be able to open and get some incentive to continue to operate, they are the backbone of the community.

So, let’s focus on what and who is important, shut out the drivel and try to get through this together.

It has never been more critical to reach out to your mates

and talk about what is important to you, what ever that may be – trucks, fishing, your family or some amazing hobby that you have been keeping to yourself!

• If you, or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 24/7.

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Bottom Page AD 92mm high x 262mm wide .indd 1

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40 PUZZLES PUZZLES 36

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Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 18 contains the digits 191 to 9. box

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ACROSS 1 If you are a collector of Clarice Cliff, what do you collect?

(7) 4 What Latin American dance is performed by several people in single file? (5) 7 What are lengthwise threads on a loom? (4) 8 What is the capital of Liberia? (8) 10 In 1982, who made the first televised 147 break in snooker?

(5,5) Across Which inventor (Thomas ____) took out more than a 4 12 What is a reading desk (7) (6) thousand patents in his lifetime? is animal the last word of “Rule Britannia”?

(6) 8 13 ToWhat which kingdom does a rattlesnake 15 The Misfits in 1961 was the last film starring Marilyn belong (7) Monroe and which other actor? (5,5) 9 18 Who is the supreme ofaatamandua navy (7) is Native to Central and commander South America, type of animal?

(8) 10 what Name another term for a rabble-rouser (7) 19 What cloth is spread over a coffin? (4) 11 20 ToWhat be ill-fated, is to be what is an informal word for (7) “a very long time”? (5) What disease is also as lockjaw?

(7) 12 21 Who prints copy on aknown machine (6)

14 What is a systematic plan for a course of action (6) 18 Which king of England was known as the Lion-Heart (7) 21 What is a document conferring a qualification (7) 22 Name an alternative term for a waterfall (7) 23 What is the Canberra NRL team known as (7) DOUBLECROSS CROSSWORD 24 Which 3 4people herd 5 sheep (7) 6 7 Find a finished crossword by deleting one of

the two letters in each divided square.

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10 1 Name a patron saint of Ireland (7) 2 What is another term for foam or froth (5) 3 What are Australian returned soldiers called (7) 12 4 Which term describes an association of sporting 13 clubs (6) 516 What is a dromedary (5) 17 6 What is otalgia more commonly known as (7)

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ALPHAGRAMS: LEASE, MYRIAD, NEARING, ORGANIST, PATRONESS.

GK CROSSWORD Across; 1 Pottery, 4 Conga, 7 Warp, 8 Monrovia, 10 Steve Davis, 12 Edison, 13 Slaves, 15 Clark Gable, 18 Anteater, 19 Pall, 20 Yonks, 21 Tetanus.

Down: 1 Pawns, 2 Turmeric, 3 Yeoman, 4 Cardiology, 5 Nova, 6 Amadeus, 9 New Orleans, 11 Eva Braun, 12 Estuary, 14 Argent, 16 Ellis, 17 Eton.

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3 the Ashes Insert missingcontainer letters to make4ten — five reading words Freedom from across the grid and five reading ostentation down.

6 Food

Note: more than one solution Obstruct may 7 be possible.

8 9 15 17 19 20 22 23 25

Groove Site of Taj Mahal Free time Adders All puzzles © The Puzzle Coming afterCompany Uncommon Harvest Meadow Beverage

SOLUTION QUICK CROSSWORD amir amrita aria arum atria atrium attar aura auric carat cart Across: 1 Plum, 5 tiara Emir, 10, Eros, 11 Emu, 12 Grand, 13 APT, 14 Eilte, 16 cram curt marc maria mart raita rata rimu tarmac tart tract trait tram trauma TRAUMATICAverse, trim 18 Tiller, 21 Prays, 23 Lee, 24 Utter, 26, Era, 27 Free, 28 ASPS, 29 Earn Down: 2 Lease, 3 Urn, 4 Modesty, 6 Meat, 7 Impede, 8 Rut, 9 Agra, 15 Leisure, 17 Vipers, 19 Later, 20 Rare, 22 Reap, 23 Lea, 25 Tea

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word.

No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb.

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DOUBLECROSS

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Iffy 3. Forgiven 9. Partner 10. Inner 11. In the long run 14. Owl 16.

Cacti 17. Eon 18. Hierarchical 21. Brute 22. Maudlin 23. Election 24. Ants.

Down: 1. Imprison 2. First 4. Oar 5. Going without 6. Venture 7. Nark 8.

Undercurrent 12. Occur 13. Inclines 15. Leisure 19. Colon 20. Able 22. Moo.

WORD GO ROUND

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Across 1 Fruit 5 Eastern ruler 10 Love god 11 11 Flightless bird 12 Splendid 13 Quick to learn 13 14 Select group 16 Opposed ALPHAGRAMS 18 Rudder bar Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word 21 Supplicates anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions 23 five-letter Shelteredsolution side are sequential. For example, if the starts with J, the six-letter solution with K, and so 24starts Speak on.

26 Period of time 27 Gratis EASEL 28 Serpents DIM RAY 19 20 29 Merit GRANNIE ROASTING Down TRANSPOSE 2 Letting contract

5

24

Down 1. Jail (8) 2. Initially (5) 4. Paddle (3) 5. Abstinence (5,7) 6. Dare (7) 7. Informant (colloq) (4) 8. Feeling, atmosphere (12) 12. Happen (5) 13. Leans (8) 15. Free time (7) 19. Punctuation mark (5) 20. Competent (4) 22. Low (3)

Across 1. Uncertain (colloq) (4) 3. Absolved (8) 9. Associate (7) 10. From inside (5) 11. Over time (2,3,4,3) 14. Night bird (3) 16. Succulent plants (5) 17. Immeasurable period of time (3) 18. Arranged by rank (12) 21. Violent person (5) 22. Tearfully sentimental (7) 23. Poll (8) 24. Colony insects (4)

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6/6 DOWN 1 Which chess pieces are most numerous? (5) 2 What bright yellow powder is used for flavouring in Asian cookery? (7) 3 In early England, what was a small landholder between gentry and labourers? (6) 4 What branch of medicine is concerned with diseases and abnormalities of the heart? (10) 5 A star that suddenly brightens then gradually fades is called what? (4) 7 Name a colloquial term for cheap wine (5) 6 Which film, 1984’s Best Picture Oscar winner, was 13 inName a Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo ... (7) filmed Prague?

(7) 9 15 Where was Louis Armstrong born?

(3,7)

Which is a more difficult type of crossword puzzle (7) 11 Which woman was married on 29 April 1945, and died 16following Nameday? the (3,5) official headquarters of an ambassador (7) the 1217 What is theare widening channel of a river where What venomous snakes called (6)saltwater mixes with freshwater? (7) To havewhat hurried, to have done 1418 In heraldry, is the is colour silver?

(6) what (5) 1619 Millions of recordsgreatly, from which To astonish is toUS doimmigration what (5) entry island are accessible on the internet? (5) Who wascollege the reputed authorbyofHenry the Iliad 1720 Which English was founded VI inand 1440? (4) Odyssey (5)

R N E A L L K Y

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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 4 Lectern, 8 Reptile, 9 Admirable, 10 Demagog, 11 Unlucky, 12 Typist, 14 Scheme, 18 Richard, 21 Diploma, 22 Cascade, 23 Raiders, 24 Drovers Down: 1 Bridget, 2 Spume, 3 Diggers, 4 League, 5 Camel, 6 Earache, 7 Nelly, 13 Picasso, 15 Cryptic, 16 Embassy, 17 Adders, 18 Raced, 19 Amaze, 20 Homer

G E N E R 1A L 8 K N O 10 W L E D G 12E

FRIDAY JUNE 12 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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Sad day for all in transport Time to take stock of your operation’s mental health THIS article is the ending of an era for the transport industry with the demise of this VTA COMMENT magazine under the restrucPETER ANDERSON ture and rationalisation of CEO, NewsVictorian Corp. Transport Association It is a sad day for all of us in the Big Rigs THEindustry mentalashealth ofmagaAuszine has been a part of our lives tralians has dominated much for almost 30 years. of the medical and wellbeing For some, theirCOVID-19, entire cadiscussions about reers whichsoisfar. fair enough considerwillimpact leave huge gap as the ingItthe of lockdowns, editors and on staff have supportrestrictions movement, and ed theabout industry, stress loss ofprovided jobs and fair inand debate and given comerational on our communities. everyone a fair say in Notwithstanding theindustry physidoings to all, well as stories, cal impacts of as contracting coropictures andthe news our peonavirus for veryofsmall prople, our trucks our unsung portion of the and population that heroes. have, state and Commonwealth Our lives will be the poorer governments have recognised for its demise; being a columrestrictions can have adverse nist forhealth Big Rigs for the mental outcomes onpast the year and half has allowed me broader community and have to fulfil yet another childhood allocated unprecedented spenddream, to write, and it has ing to support Australians. given me great pleasureMental and I October is National hope it has at least been enHealth Month and it’s worth joyed by some. reflecting on the mental health so many aretransport focused andWhile wellbeing of the on the negatives of the industry, I have tried to focus on the

positives aspects or those issues about which I am most passionate and have a chance of making a contribution to change.

I began column industry, and writing how we are supwhen returned portingI was operators andastheTranspeoport Women Australia ple they employ to stayLimited on top chair in mental November 2017. of their health.

In the interim, TWAL fixhas At times in our industry, had many successes and ation on measurable indicators achievements. of business performance such has expanded the relaas Itprofitability, margins and tionship with Girl Guides Austhe impacts of variable costs tralia been involved with such asand fuel, maintenance and several successful projects tolls, mean people and with staff them, Victorianlike Snoozefest relatedthe indicators, mental in April 2018, the “Great health and wellbeing, canBag be Migration” overlooked. for the International Sydney in ThisJamboree certainly inisn’t to sugOctober 2018 other intergest safety isn’tand a priority for actions are expanding transportthat operators becausethe it knowledge of the inabsolutely is.

As transport an industry, dustry. we are investing more in health launched the Women andWe safety than ever, because Driving Transport Careers inas well as having this as a duty itiative with partners Woof care to ourour people, it makes donga TAFE and Volvo good business sense toGroup have at the 2018 TWAL Creating workers that are physically and Connections mentally fit. conference.

This initiative has been in A Monash University study hiatus during the COVID-19 for Linfox and the Transport pandemic but all provided partners are Workers Union inexcited to move forward exsights into the mentaltoand pand theimpacts program as soon in as physical of working possible. transport. Transport workers welllikely attended areWe five held times amore than and exciting conference in other workers to be injured May 2018 and we rail havetransport plans in on the job, and place with date saved and workers are the 30 times more likevenue booked for our Driving the Difference 2021 conference

ly than other workers to develop a mental health condition.

The National Mental Health Commission believes there is a link between the mental wellbeing of Australians and our economic growth as a nation, estimating the cost of mental ill-health in Australia every year to be $4,000 for every taxpayer.

Considering the transport industry employs around 625,000 workers who pay tax, that represents a cost of $2.5 billion to our sector of the economy alone. So, as well as being the right thing to do by our people, maintaining an operation and associated business practices that fosters positive mental health and wellbeing CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS: Jacquelene Brotherton (far right) enjoys a night of celebration at a Transport Women Limited event is good for our economy and with (from left) Rachel Hesse, Paul Fleiszig and Coralie Chapman.

Picture: Contributed makes good business sense.

The VTA was one of 26 in Melbourne.to secure a share orial Award, sponsored by the will be announced later this gram. organisations I would like to thank the year at an event still to be deNovember 2019 we cele- wonderful Wes Pickering. in In $5.9 million of Commonfantastic team at Big Rigs termined.

This was awarded for longbrated the 20th Anniversary of wealth funding under Round 5 We have also launched our newspaper for their incredible the organisation (TWAL) with term outstanding contribution of the Australian Government’s aHeavy fabulous galaSafety dinner at The by a female to the road trans- Learning Initiatives Breakfast support and wish them onVehicle Initiative.

Windsor Melbourne where we port industry, the inaugural Series with several partners so going success.

This funding will deliver safety I hope that I get the opporalso presented our first four benefits for the heavy vehicle winner was Pam McMillan the far, including NTI, MOVE tunity to continue to work with winners the Driving Dif- longest serving director and BANK and rt health. industry of and other roadthe users.

In early 2020 the Creating some of them and so work toference scholarships with tarour chair of Transport Women Projects being funded Connections Mentoring pro- wards making the trucking inLimited. amazing sponsor, Daimler get areas such as developing or Australia A Monash University study for Linfox and the Transport Workers Union provided insights into the This is an annual award and gram was finally ready to com- dustry a better appreciated, Truck Bus Asia Pacific. testing and innovative new technolmental and physical impacts of working in transport. Picture: Linfox Logistics We also presented the inaugural Trish Pickering Mem-

the recipient of the 2020 Trish Pickering Memorial Award

mence with both mentors and mentees signing up support to the proogies, mental health for

drivers, educational campaigns and much-needed training and development.

The VTA HeadFit, BusinessFit program is designed to effectively drive change and losing theirimprove contracts and significantly the menthe ability to support their tal health and well-being across families. the Victorian transport and loIt appears gistics industry.the government does not care.

Mental ill-health affects not There are unsafe vehicles, only the health and wellbeing dodgy licences, of employees, butpoor alsopayment the protimes, and superannuductivitywage of operators, and it ation just a few of the makestheft good– business sense to many things we have called for address mental health in the to be stopped. workplace.

A reminder to governments The VTA project objective and transportanindustry cliis tothe implement integrated ents: the industry that has kept change management approach Australia during the to mental moving health and well-bepandemic is facing an uphill ing into transport organisabattle. tions. It is designed to create Employer groups should be a positive workplace environstanding alongside companies transport ment in employer workers to unite for a safer culand by building workplace fairer tures, industry. positive leadership, sys-

and a safer place for our people. tems and process and individ-

ual support into transport and logistics organisations.

To date, recognising and addressing work-related and associated mental health problems has been very small. final reminder all Big TheA VTA recognisestoeffective Rigs readers: now is the time to change requires proactively unite, now isthe the time to ensure addressing organisational equality in this industry. and individual factors which Together we can stand on influence work-related mental common ground working to health issues. ensure government Thisthe project has an continindusues to support try wide focus transport with real workbeneers andboth theindustry industry fits for andthey the support. community and will roll out TheMelbourne TWU will and continue to across regional voice the needs of transport Victoria. It will promote and workers to the employers, raise the awareness of mental their industry bodies and and the health issues and facilitate clients. connect organisations with proBetterservice standards mean job fessional providers when security and ultimately a safer implementing an integrated apand fairer industry for all. proach to mental health.

We the standards we We can looklift forward to sharing need together – our lives demore information about the pend on it.in due course. program

Fighting to end the inequality: Big Rigs and TWU played their parts policy that should be keeping the owner and the employee.

It’s been the voice that calls safe one of the most dangerous out for fair pay for the work industries in Australia.

To quote one truck driver you do, for safety in the drivers’ cab and on the road, the turned Australian senator, voice that seeks to relieve Glenn Sterle, “a death at work the pressure on the driver or on the road should not be pushed by clients’ incessant the price of doing business”.

The TWU puts it to governcries for increased productivity THIS is the end of an era, the for the same rates and condi- ments that we must stop the inequality that exists between last TWU column in the trust- tions.

It is obvious we still have a truck drivers and clients. ed transport industry publiDrivers must be paid proper long way to go – we have been cation Big Rigs.

Over the years the TWU through countless road, freight rates, owner-drivers must be and Big Rigs have played their and transport ministers and able to trust they will be paid properly for the work they do parts in the role of keeping the nothing changes.

Truck drivers are still dying and on time. Families depend industry as dry as they can. top end of town accountable on this.

They want operators to and doing our bit to look out at work.

Many of the ongoing prob- meet their unrealistic deadIt’s a pretty safe bet to say for the rights of the little guy.

It’s still about the voice that this is due to the lack of strong lems that occur are down to lines and take on more freight The VTAout project objective is to implement an integrated management to mental health well-being transport the bigapproach clients squeezing our and for less or theyinto face the risk of government policy change in place, speaks for the truck driver,

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38 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

A perfect match: women supporting other women

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

A mentoring program developed by Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) is creating a supportive environment for its members to grow and develop as they progress through their career.

The Creating Connections mentoring program matches each mentee with a mentor who can provide career advice, support and direction. “Some people are looking for leadership skills, others are looking for specific skills around

transport or they might need to slow down and prioritise,” says Chair of TWAL, Jacquelene Brotherton, who perfectly pairs each mentee with a mentor. “I do the matching and have found that it’s not only challenging, but really interesting too. Mentees are asked what they hope to achieve out of the program and we find the right mentor to make sure that it works.”

Creating Connections has been running since March this year. Mentor Janelle Greene (Chief Customer Officer at NTI and a member of the

TWAL mentoring sub-committee) and mentee Ann Impala (Administration Manager at Allied Seafreight) were the program’s first match, and both say that the connection has been extremely rewarding.

“When I was matched with Ann, I had a detailed conversation with her about what she wanted to achieve,” says Greene. “Now we’re meeting every fortnight through Zoom. She is the perfect person to mentor because she is really committed, she listens, she comes with an open mind, she goes away and considers

Impala celebrated 20 years with the business in February this year.

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what more she can get from a conversation with me, and she always completes the activities I set for her, which are small but valuable things – it could be reading a particular article about leadership, for example.”

Impala has worked with Allied Seafreight for the past 20 years, transitioning from warehousing to financing and many things in between. “I like to get involved in everything. When I joined TWAL a few years ago, I felt like I had real support in the industry and it provided a great op-

portunity to network. When I came across the Creating Connections program, I saw it as a great opportunity for personal development, especially while we’re growing as a company,” she says.

Since beginning the program just over six months ago, Impala says she’s noticed a positive impact in her confidence and her self-esteem.

“We’ve all got pros and cons, so it’s a matter of working on yourself, which in turn helps the team. Janelle is a fantastic, enthusiastic person and she has offered a great deal of feedback and encouragement.

She’s actually helped me to look at myself from a different perspective. It’s a really supportive program.”

And Greene agrees. “There is the networking aspect, being able to meet people outside of your own company or outside of your own network, and there’s the real opportunity for personal and professional growth. But I think what often gets overlooked is how much the mentor can get out of it too. I learn as much from Ann as she learns from me.

She reminds me of things that

Administration Manager at Allied Seafreight, Ann Impala, saw the Creating Connections mentoring program as a great opportunity for personal development.

matter that I may have forgotten, offers perspective and adds a diversity of thought to the conversation.”

The Creating Connections program is open to all TWAL members and employees of corporate members. To get involved and find out more, please email twalmentoring@outlook.com.

INTERSTATE DRIVERS Melbourne & Sydney Based We are seeking self-motivated, experienced and reliable MC Interstate Drivers, Melbourne and Sydney based, to join our team transporting general freight Australia wide. Reporting to the National Operations Manager and Depot Managers, to be successful in this role you will be energetic and goal oriented and possess the following skills: Our Ideal Applicant will have: • Current MC Licence • Road Ranger Experience preferred • 2 years previous interstate driving experience • Good Driving Record • Current DG Licence (or willing to obtain) • BFM (an advantage) • Forklift Licence (or willing to obtain) • Experience with General Freight and Load Restraint essential • Experience with various trailer combinations

What’s on Offer • One Truck, One Driver • Company Supplied Uniforms • Great Working Conditions • Safety Focused and well maintained late model equipment

If you can bring to our company a can do attitude and you have the flexibility to do whatever is needed to get the job done we look forward to having you on our team so get your application in now.

Email your application to: recruitment@landtransport.com.au or Phone 07 4659 1333 Only successful applicants will be contacted.

The application form will include these questions: Do you have experience driving multi combination (MC) vehicles?

Do you have a current Dangerous Goods drivers licence?

Do you have multi drop delivery experience?

Are you willing to provide a copy of your driving record history?

Are you willing to undergo pre-employment drug and alcohol screening?

CAREERS AND TRAINING 39

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 2020

Pilot truck driver training program launches in WA

A pilot truck driver training program has now begun at South Regioinal TAFE in Collie, WA, aiming to deliver advanced skills to truck drivers to increase productivity and industry safety.

Endorsed by the Western Roads Federation, the Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set was developed following considerable industry consultation.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “There is a looming shortage of truck drivers in WA and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how vital the freight industry is to our state.

“Western Roads Federation approached the Premier, Minister for Education and Training and myself to create a dedicated training course for drivers and we have responded.”

The free five-week course will give participants eight units of competency from the Certificate III in Driving Operations and a leg up to complete the full qualification. South Regional TAFE is working in partnership with

Keens Truck Driver Training to deliver the new program.

“We have worked collaboratively with industry and the training sector to ensure this program will give drivers the skills they need while also helping jobseekers increase their employability,” adds Saffioti.

WA Education and Training Minister, Sue Ellery, adds that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the transport industry. “Truck drivers have kept Western Australia moving and we are proud to invest in this new training program and facilities that will upskill this essential workforce.”

The Western Road Federation will work with its industry partners to ensure course participants have at least one interview with an industry employer within a month of completing the program.

With the pilot program being so well received, there are talks of running the program again in the future, with more details expected to be announced shortly.

The free five-week pilot program aims to upskill and encourage more people to enter the industry.

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Working within fatigue management guidelines you will perform interstate line haul duties whilst adhering to all OH&S, legislative, site and contractual obligations. RTS requires professional drivers with – • Strong customer service experience • A safe driving record • Mature attitude • Minimum 5 years’ experience MC endorsed Reporting to the Manager Group Operations this is an exciting opportunity for highly motivated and experienced MC/B Double drivers who will be required to display a commitment to RTS safety and compliance standards and values whilst maintaining your equipment in good order.

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