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Executive
Chairman John Murphy
CEO Christine Clancy
Publisher Sarah Baker
Client Success Regina Fellner
Trader Group Sales
Manager James Rock Printing IVE print, NSW ISSN 1449-6348
Issue 523
“I feel the need, the need for speed”.
Those immortal words from Pete ‘Maverick' Mitchell, aka Tom Cruise, in 1986’s hit movie Top Gun, ring true for more than a few truck lovers out there.
Whether it’s a love of motor racing and fast cars, or the desire to see trucks pushing beyond the usual speed-limited lives on the road, the interest in truck and car racing in Australia remains strong.
In this month’s edition, Tiane Gavillucci has caught up with both ends of the spectrum.
Welcome
to Issue 523 of your Deals on Wheels Magazine
First there’s the story of Brad Jones Racing’s Paul Eddy who spends his working days behind the wheels of a stunning Mack transporting super cars around the country for race meets. It’s a tale of passion, fun and travel (see page 38).
Then there’s the story of Daniel and Aaron Fuller whose interest in seeing trucks sprinting off the starting line is behind a drag race movement with a difference that’s kicking off in Sydney right now (see page 44).
Our upfront feature this edition involves Jacob Kuchel and a classic tale of the transport family with a stunning Kenworth T909 customised to the hilt in honour of a 75-year business journey guided by three generations of Kuchels (see page 12).
On the truck show front, we have a range of shows covered from page 72, including the Coolgardie Rodeo, and an events calendar through until the end of this year.
October is a massive month on the truck convoy front with Camp Quality Perth Convoy coming up on October 12, then the Sydney Convoy for Kids on October 26 and the Brisbane Convoy for Kids on November 1. Details available on the Events calendar.
On the restoration front there’s an old International that’s been given a new life (page 56), a 1981 Road Commander (page 68) and old fire truck brought back for a different purpose (page 92).
For those looking for a truck or truck parts, we have more than 80 pages of second-hand trucks, parts and wrecking information for you to peruse.
I hope you enjoy this month’s edition and welcome all feedback at geoff.crockett@primecreative.com.au.
Sydney Truck Drags. Image: Andrew Edgar
VTA crowns best of freight industry
The winners of the eight Australian Freight Industry Awards have been crowned in a packed gala event at Melbourne's Crown Palladium
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has crowned the winners of the 35th Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIA) at a gala event at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium in early September.
The awards night recognised the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the freight, logistics and transport sectors.Hundreds of guests were in attendance for the evening, with winners of the eight awards revealed.
The personality of the year award, supported by CMV Truck & Bus, went to Duncan Gay AM, with Peter Sadler Removals & Logistics’ Mariella Tueira taking home the women’s leadership award sponsored by Viva Energy Australia.
The emerging leader award, supported by Daimler Truck Australia Pacific, went to Jack Di Losa from Cold Xpress, while DHL Supply Chain Australia was the winner of the best practice safety award, supported by Gallagher.
Wettenhalls took home the application of technology award, Linfox won the investment in people award, Brooklyn Rdcycling Group was the winner of the Greenstart sustainability award and TOMRA Cleanaway received the waste and recycling business of the year award.
VTA CEO Peter Anderson opened the evening by acknowledging the vital role freight and logistics play in Australia’s prosperity.
“Every day, our industry keeps Australia moving – delivering goods, connecting businesses, and supporting livelihoods. From ports to paddocks, we are the engine room of the economy,” Anderson said.
“Tonight, we bring that work front and centre to celebrate the people and organisations who go above and beyond. These awards honour not just success, but the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines our sector.”
Anderson also noted the continued growing interest in the awards, with a record number of entries received across all categories.
“This year we saw an exceptional number of nominations, reflecting the depth of talent and innovation across our industry. It’s clear that organisations are investing in their people, their technology, and their sustainability goals – and they’re proud to showcase that work. The judging panel had a tough job, and every finalist should be commended,” he said.
AFIA Chair Dennis Ryan echoed the importance of recognising excellence and fostering industry-wide collaboration.
“For 35 years, these awards have celebrated the individuals and organisations who lead by example and push our industry forward,” Ryan said.
The Australian Freight Industry Awards will return in 2026.
The 35th Australian Freight Industry Awards were announced in September. Image: VTA
Unit 1/71 Axis Place, Larapinta, Brisbane, QLD, 4110, Australia
A vintage looking T909 celebrates a milestone for Kuchel Contracting, but also pays tribute to the man who helped the business grow
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Jacob Kuchel
This T909 is more than just a good looking truck
Built brand new, but painted with the soul of the past, Kuchel Contracting’s new Kenworth T909 marks a milestone 75 years since opening.
Though the truck is a symbol of years devoted to transport, the paint itself tells a different story.
“I wanted to paint it like dad used to,” Kuchel Contracting managing director Jacob Kuchel says.
The Round Up is in memory of Tony Kuchel and was a true success
As a former airbrush and panel beater, Jacob’s dad – Tony Kuchel – used to paint all the trucks up himself.
“That was the last truck he drove for himself, a cabover Kenworth, and the red and white stripe work is a tribute to him.”
Rob Tickle from East Coast Airbrushing was the man for the job. Having already painted trucks with Tony, he knew the style required and was flown down from the
A vintage looking masterpiece and a true beauty… like Dad used to I wanted to paint it
Sunshine Coast to bring Tony’s work back to life.
“It was as if Dad had painted it,” Jacob says.
After the paint job, the boys in the Kuchel workshop started to fit in the interior, dynamatting the floor, fitting in fridges, a microwave and icepack.
The rear road train guards were installed, as well as the taillight bar, deck plates, hydraulics, painted air cans with mushroom caps, round shrouds, bullet roof lights, horns, beacons and a steel red dot cover.
Up front, a Gozbar gull wing FUPS bar was fitted, followed by a set of chrome rims and chrome Stemco steer caps.
Bruze Custom Trucks then fitted up the stainless tank wraps, stainless tank end caps, traditional steps, light panels and visors.
The truck was then sent to Winguard to
Even the interior looks this good
Check out that paint work
have the bonnet and front tanks wrapped with a paint protection film.
“I wanted a traditional looking 909 that had a bit of an '80s feel about it,” Jacob says.
But the Kuchel transport story goes back further than that, starting in 1950.
Now decades later, the business is still rolling strong in South Australia, with 10 trucks carting anything from landscape supplies to fruit.
And you just know they do a good job too
with that 75 years of experience up their sleeves.
“Our biggest achievement is lasting 75 years,” Jacob laughs. “Keeping up our reputation of being honest and reliable workers who provide high quality-service.”
On top of the day to day haulage, the Kuchels have also built a name for themselves in restoration with Kuchel Custom Trucks, turning rusted relics into blinding showpieces.
Some of the Kenworths at the Round Up were outstanding
Some of the vehicles at the event were also quite different
“With our restoration business as well, we’re proud to have our name and reputation out there, especially being from a small little town in Barossa,” he says.
“We've nationally known and sought after now. Sometimes we have to turn work away because we just can't keep up.”
You're a lucky driver if you get to spot this beauty on the freeways
After Tony and his wife took over the business from Max and Edna Kuchel in the '70s, things went south in 2011 when he was diagnosed with father’s lung, making him take a step back from the business.
In 2018, he had a double lung transplant, meaning he had to take anti-rejection medication. Unfortunately, this made Tony more susceptible to skin cancer, which he eventually did develop on his face.
Tony passed away in 2021, when COVID was at its peak and a lot of family and friends were unable to attend his funeral.
“We thought, why don’t we have a car and truck show in his honour instead?” Jacob says.
“Once the restrictions lifted, we decided to grow it, and this is our fourth year now of the Tony Kuchel Memorial Round Up.”
What began as a casual truck show in Tony’s honour has grown into a full blown community event, raising over $70,000 to fund free skin checks across the region.
Cars, trucks and bikes will be welcome at this year’s event, held in Tanunda, South Australia on October 26.
“Truck drivers are so exposed to the sun. Most wouldn’t even think about sunscreen,” he says. “Unfortunately, it usually creeps up later in life.”
Now in its fourth year, the Round Up has become a magnet for chrome lovers and the community at large.
Last year saw over 130 cars and 50 trucks roll into the yard, and this year promises to be even bigger.
The day offers care to the community, honours Tony and keeps the community spirit alive.
And so does the T909 – a symbol of the Kuchel’s memory, which carries more than cargo, but also a name trusted nationally by Aussies for three-quarters of a century.
So, it’s fair to say, the Kuchel name will continue to live on – and in style.
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This Gorski tipper is built tough for heavy-duty work but keeps things light and efficient.
With its 2024 build, it offers airbag suspension, alloy wheels and a body length of 30x4 feet, making it ideal for serious loads.
It also features a two way tail gate, TMC axles and an electric tarp for extra safety and protection..
To find out more, phone Doc Trucks on (03) 8547 8558.
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2025 Freightmore water tanker 32,000 litre capacity
32,000L capacity
5mm thick high tensile steel walls
$90,000 + GST
WATER
Warrio
Freshly made, this 2025 Freightmore Transport water tanker is a high-capacity workhorse, purpose-crafted for demanding operations.
With a robust 32,000 litre tank, its outer shell is formed of a five mm thick high tensile steel, and it rides on brand new 11R22.5 tyres, including a spare. Thoughtfully designed, the front compartment can be fully isolated to keep the weight at the front but can be easily drained to the rear baffles and left open when needed.
To find out more, contact Freightmore Transport on (08) 7007 6825.
Are you looking for fuel efficiency, savings and quality performance?
This Hino 300 Series 616 Hybrid can deliver all three.
Ideal for city runs or light-duty transport, the rig features an alloy tray with a length of 2.5 metres and a width of 2.2 metres, along with a bullbar. For extra safety, the Hino sports a pre-collision system including AEB and PD, vehicle stability control, lane departure warning system, dual SRS airbags and a reverse camera.
To find out more information, phone Johnsons Truck and Coach Service on 03 9998 4647.
Stock up on all the parts you need to keep your truck running smoothly through the SPOOKY season.
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2023 Kenworth T610 SAR rigid side tipper
KLASSY
Kenny
Gear up to get to work with this low kilometre 2023 Kenworth T610 SAR, with only 38,000km clocked on the dash.
Powered up by a Cummins X15 engine and an 18-speed transmission, the setup includes a Bruce Rock Engineering rigid side tipper body and a 4-axle Bruce Rock Engineering side tipping dog trailer, both equipped with Hendrickson Intraax air bag suspension and electric tarps.
To find out more contact Barnsey’s Trailer and Truck Sales on 07 3073 8145.
18-speed transmission
Cummins X15 POA
Allenstown, QLD
07 3073 8145
Built tough and ready for work, this 2009 Mack CSMR comes with a whole
With 320hp under this monster Mack’s hood and an ISC Cummins motor, this truck has plenty of pulling power.
Perfect for quarry or construction, this unit is set to go.
If your fleet is in need of a trailer upgrade, Trailer Stonestar
has exactly what you want
When it comes to rugged durability and trusted performance on Australian roads, the name Trailer Stonestar has certainly earned its stripes.
Trailer Stonestar has been around for 20 years
The company has doubled down on its reputation for quality, functionality and value with its brand new curtain side drop deck trailer.
“This trailer is built to work hard,” Stonestar’s Richard Meinking says. “It’s designed for general freight or palletised goods and can be easily loaded and unloaded.”
As an Australian owned company with over 20 years in the game, Stonestar has carved out a name in manufacturing trailers and wholesaling wheels, cargo, machinery and even solar energy.
At first glance, the curtain side drop deck trailer impresses with its clean, all white finish, but it’s the features underneath that are worth noting.
“We’ve fitted it with a K Hitch 22.5 axle and a K Hitch air bag suspension, so it handles the roads with ease,” Richard says.
“Whether you’re hauling light loads or maxing out capacity, it rides smooth.”
The trailer features 10 stud steel wheels, a
pair of rear doors and LED lights as well as two toolboxes.
“It’s the small details that make the difference,” he says. “The two toolboxes, for example, allow operators to have secure, easily accessible storage that saves them a ton of time on the job.”
The white trailer is built for Aussie roads, and the no road train setup makes it an ideal option for urban and regional logistics alike.
For buyers, the good news doesn’t stop at the specs. The trailer comes with a one year warranty and it’s in stock now – all customers need to do is organise rego and collection.
“Our goal is to keep things simple for our customers,” Richard says. “We build trailers that are ready to roll and are built to last.”
For operators looking to upgrade or expand their fleet, the new Stonestar curtain side drop deck trailer is a rare blend of high quality and function, a true workhorse that is built the Aussie way.
To find out more about Trailer Stonestar, go to www.stonestar.com.au, phone 03 9580 9788 or email sales@stonestar.com.au
Images:
Trailer Stonestar
2025 Stonestar curtain side drop deck trailer features include:
• K Hitch 22.5 axle
• K Hitch Air Bag suspension
• Raise Lower Valve
• LED lights
• 10 stud steel wheels
• White curtain
• Stainless steel door hinges
• 2 Rear Door
• 2 x toolbox
• Steel Gates
• No Road train
• Customer to organise rego and pick up
• 1 year warranty
• In stock now
The toolboxes are ridiculously handy
Add it to your fleet today
The curtain side drop deck trailer may be exactly what you need
Stonestar is offering one year free warranty
The trailer features 10 stud wheels
Two stunning views
Hauler RACE CAR
Paul Eddy transports the BJR race cars onto the track and documents his journey online
Words | Tiane Gavillucci
Images | Paul Eddy & Pace Images
Ever wonder how the race cars make it to the track?
A vision
Paul hard
Maybe it’s something you haven’t put much thought into, but Brad Jones Racing (BJR) has it covered, and Paul Eddy takes us inside the life of BJR’s transporters to show us how it’s done.
For many, trucking runs through generations.
“It’s in my blood, my old man was a truckie,” Paul says. “Once you’re in it, you’re in it.
“I'm a qualified baker cook by trade, but always had the passion for driving, usually I
would work weekends doing deliveries, so it was always going to happen.
“I started racing in 2008, but getting this job was more to do with luck more than anything. My brother was living next door to a worker at BJR and I got a call telling me there was a job going, I went for it and never looked back.”
Now over a decade down the track, Paul’s more than a BJR driver – he keeps the fleet moving and tyres turning.
“On a normal race weekend, I’m the one looking after the rims and tyres,” he says.
“We strip, wash, clean and prep the
Here’s
at work. Image: Pace images
This was a job Paul fell into
Paul’s rig going for a hay run
BJR is proud to call this truck their own
trucks, roll our own rims, drive them to the destination, make sure they’re clean once we get there and then set up for the day.”
BJR’s pride lies not just in their racecars, but also the rigs that carry them.
Cleaned up to perfection
Always on the move
Their two Mack Anthems were supplied through a partnership with Mack and came to BJR straight off the production line in Wacol.
The Anthems pull two B-doubles that house their four race cars, toolboxes, spare engines and all other spares.
“These rigs were built for a stand at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show. They were parked beside the Lego trucks,” Paul says.
“My Mack’s done about 90,000kms, but I also do hay runs so naturally I rack up a few extra miles compared to the other truck.
“I haul around race car numbers 8 and 14, our other truckie pulls numbers 96 and 12.
“I’ve never driven a Mack up until this one,
and it’s never let me down, which is usually a good way to gauge the quality of a truck.”
The Mack features a 32-inch sleeper and a 535hp, 13-litre Mack engine.
“It’s loaded with safety features like Wingman safety, a radar camera and a braking system. It’s all new to me though,” he says.
When Paul’s working on the road, driving down the highway passing by other cool looking rigs is the highlight of his job, but working behind the scenes is much different.
“There’s lots of cleaning and prepping, but what I love most about this job, is that it starts at 7:30am and finishes at 4:30pm,” he says.
“Looking at a calendar and knowing when I’ll be home is gold in this industry. Normally you get home Friday or Saturday night and leave again Sunday, so this is good for me.”
But there’s more to Paul than a life knotted
in race cars, cleaning up trucks and clocking kilometres.
There’s Stax, his Instagram page that gives fans a behind-the-scenes look into the life of a Supercars transporter.
“I’ve always loved taking photos, I don’t have a camera or anything like that, though I should look into getting something a bit fancier,” he laughs.
“But the social media is all run by my phone. It started as a hobby I enjoyed, then we decided it would be a good way to show people who are interested how the cars are transported.
“Everyone sees the cars and drivers standing and ready at the track, but what they don’t see and realise is that it was a four-day trip to get here. They never think about the logistics that go into it.”
With many passionate followers continuing
to join Paul in his transport journey, every now and then he makes stubby holders to give out to people at the track that want to follow the page.
“On the road I get people coming up for a chat telling me they follow the page, which is always cool, it’s just something I really enjoy doing.”
It’s not an easy job, but Paul makes the best out of it, combining passion with hard work, and without him, the BJR cars wouldn’t even make it to the grid.
So next time you’re at a Supercars’ race and spot two gleaming Mack Anthems standing beside the track, give a wave, have a chat and chuck a ‘follow’ to Stax, as Paul gears up for his next adventure.
Follow Paul’s journey: Instagram: @stax_bjr
Paul’s Mack carries number 8 and 14
This truck was provided by Mack
The transporter on the track
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Chromechaos!
Chromechaos! &
Images: Andrew Edgar
Rigs roared and soot flew down the Sydney Dragway, with the first ever Sydney Truck Drag making its debut
The idea had been floating around for a while, so after putting his son to sleep and tossing and turning in bed, Aaron Fuller finally decided to send the email to Sydney Dragway.
Four weeks later – after 60 plus emails – the first ever Sydney Truck Drag event was alive and very real.
Brothers Daniel and Aaron Fuller grew up breathing diesel fumes and drag-strips and had been going back and forth over the idea for quite some time. But eventually, their what-if turned into a why-not?
“We’ve seen these events happen in America and
we’ve grown up around trucks and racing,” Daniel says.
“We kept throwing around the idea of how good this kind of event could be and how amazing it would be to have a facility to be able to do it in.
“So, Aaron sent an email about getting this event up and running, and four weeks later we were at the starting line at the Sydney Dragway.”
On June 25, a local assortment of big rigs rolled into the first Truck Drag, Australia event with towering Kenworths, Freightliners, Macks and even Scania tippers barrelling down the strip.
But this drag is part motorsport and part truck show.
Start your engines... and off!
Soot was flying
So much to see!
“It’s more about putting on a show, creating a spectacle,” Daniel says.
“It's not something you see every day, I mean it’s been 10 years since there's been trucks at the Sydney Dragway, formerly known as WSID at that time (Western Sydney International Dragway) so this event was rare and very well received.”
From workhorses to show ponies, more than 20 trucks took to the drag track, gleaming, with driver’s smiling and crowds cheering.
“There were a couple of normal everyday working trucks, and then there’s the very well maintained ones,” Daniel says.
“You have legends in the truck show industry like Scott McSweeney and his old maron Peterbilt, as well as his big blue 900 with the flames on it. His trucks are always unreal to see.
And for a Wednesday night, the crowd was huge, with over 250 tickets sold online, and more rocking up at the gate of Sydney Dragway.
“It was one of the biggest Wednesday night crowds the Sydney Dragway had received in years which I thought was impressive,” he says.
Crowds clapped and cheered as rigs that had only previously been seen on highways or social media now thundered off the line with jaws dropping and soot flying.
“I was just standing there in disbelief,” Daniel says. “I was watching videos of the event the next day, and I was like – wait, that’s our trucks. We did that.
“I still can’t believe it actually happened.”
This Truck Drag was about providing a space to let working-class machines – and the people
It was a night of cheering crowds and good fun
Aaron and Daniel Fuller gearing up for the day
These engines were roaring
It was packed for a Wednesday night!
behind the wheel – not only enjoy their trucks, but catch up with mates and have a friendly race in a controlled environment.
“There’s this idea that drag racing has to be about launching as hard as possible off the rev limiter and breaking your rig to go 400 miles an hour,” Daniel says.
“But that’s not what this is, this is about the experience. You can come down and drive it like a grandma if that’s what makes it fun for you.
“How often do you drive your truck down a racetrack? You don’t have to drive it like you’ve stolen it, just come down and enjoy the night for whatever it is.”
The night had high energy – one minute you’d be standing in the pits having a chat, the next you would be back at the starting line or racing into the
grandstands to watch the next round of trucks.
And for Daniel and Aaron, this is only the beginning.
“This is the start of something even bigger,” Daniel says. “Looking forward we’ve got massive plans in mind and that’s what we’re going to work towards, to create a recurring annual event.”
From a bedtime thought, the Truck Drags Australia event has grown into a dream that the Sydney truck industry didn’t know it needed. And the engines are just getting warmed up.
“And to think we’ve only just started,” Daniel finished.
For event coverage, check out Truck Drags Australia on Facebook and YouTube.
Yard, Workshop & Fabricating division located at Trentham, Victoria (Closed Saturdays). Please contact one of the above for an appointment.
Inndyah
THE SPARKIE
When it comes to keeping trucks on the road, the electrics count
Words & Images: Warren Aitken
I’ve beaten the ‘there’s plenty of diverse roles in transport’ drum on many occasions.
Spruiking the ‘loving trucks leads to limitless opportunities’ mantra as well. Even more so when it comes to opening up the doors to women in transport.
A tidy workstation is a good workstation and Inndyah Chenoveth ensures hers is a busy one as well
I haven’t however shone a light on the opportunities within transport for people that really don’t care about trucks.
That sounds very counterproductive I know. However there really are so many different incentives for getting into this industry. You don’t have to be a card-carrying truck nut like me, and that was shown to me when I had the opportunity to sit down with a very talented young lady at Victoria's Hallam Truck Centre in Inndyah Chenoveth.
This amazing young apprentice has grown up around trucks, she now works around trucks, both brand new and with more years on the clock than herself. Yet when you put the question to the young apprentice ‘are you a truck nut?’ her honest answer is a ho-hum ‘not really, never had much interest. I knew them but I always saw them as a boy’s thing’.
Yet here I sit, in the lunch room of the Hallam Truck Centre workshop, with Inndyah dressed in her finest coveralls and sporting a smile as bright as the lights she’s just been fixing on a customer’s DAF. For while Inndyah may not have been drawn to her profession by the lure of the large rides, the transport industry and its offer of rewarding work has got a hold of this young lady as she eyes up the end of her auto-electrical apprenticeship and is now contemplating doubling down with her heavy diesel mechanical apprenticeship as well.
As I mentioned Inndyah is no stranger to the trucking world and the work ethic it takes to succeed within it. Her family runs East Coast Furniture Transport, a specialist company transporting furniture and homewares from warehouse to stores throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
I am reluctant, and a little aggrieved to repeat Inndyah’s ‘when I was younger’ quotes, as she is only 19 years old. I still have work diaries older than she is, but Inndyah admits
when she was younger, she had no interest in trucks, no inclination to become involved in transport and no aspirations to end up where she is now. All that changed however when Covid hit and all the rules changed.
“During Covid I would go to work with Dad when he was going in on the weekend to fix and service the trucks.
“I was just doing little things to help out, and helping fit lights, stuff like that.”
Much to Inndyah’s surprise and her parents delight, Inndyah found herself becoming captivated more by the trucks.
“When I got older and started going to work with Dad on the weekends, I really started to enjoy it, learning a bit more about it.
“At first I was just going to get out of the house during Covid, but found I enjoyed fitting stuff up in the trucks.”
That spark of interest led Inndyah to requesting and organising work experience through her school, with Hallam Truck Centre.
“I never really liked school, I really struggled with it, probably say I hated it,” laughs Inndyah.
“But when I got work experience here, I wasn’t just fitting stuff like I was with Dad, here I was learning to diagnose stuff and getting my brain working.
“I spent that week as a tag-along really working with three of the other auto-elects.
I didn’t do much myself, but it was exciting to see what they did, and they were all so helpful. I loved it.”
That week-long work experience was enough of a transport industry teaser for Inndyah to know that schooling wasn’t for her. Her path was chasing an apprenticeship.
“After that week Halam Truck Centre offered me an apprenticeship, and I jumped at it.
“I loved the people I was working with and loved working here, so I filled out the paperwork and at the end of the school year I started.
“I do one day a week at TAFE and then the rest of the week I am here,” says Inndyah.
“The first year I was with someone every day, just learning. As I got closer to my second year, I was given jobs on my own, still working with someone but they were pushing me to be on my own.
“Now I’m in my fourth year doing most things on my own. I’m still asking questions because no one is ever going to know everything.”
We need to take a little interlude here to focus on a feat Inndyah achieved, yet tried hard to avoid talking about. An accomplishment that warrants more than just the fleeting glance the humble young lady tried to impose.
I’ve mentioned that Inndyah is currently a
I can find the problem I feel good knowing
There is a lot more computer interaction for technicians these days and young Inndyah is all over it
DEALS Profile
fourth year apprentice, meaning last year was her third year.
During her third year Inndyah decided to join the hundreds of other PACCAR Technicians that enter their inhouse Technician of the Year Competition. This competition is for both sides of the PACCAR camp, Kenworth and DAF. The competition is open to all the PACCAR technicians; you start by doing four online tests from your workplace. The top candidates then get invited along to PACCAR HQ in Bayswater where they are put through several hands-on tests.
Keeping in mind Inndyah is an auto electrical apprentice, this competition tests the technicians on all areas, mechanical and electrical, four stations, 40 minutes per station.
Overseen by a PACCAR supervisor each candidate has to assess, diagnose and repair a different issue. In the end awards were handed out to the top three technicians and top apprentice.
Not only was Inndyah the first female to make it through to the finals, in her third year
AUSTRALIAN MADE
as apprentice she picked up the award for fourth place in the DAF Technician category. It was a feat worthy of interrupting our story for. Back to the Inndyah biography.
For a young lady who admits her love of schooling was pretty much non-existent, she has found her groove amongst the faults and wiring of heavy vehicles.
“I feel good knowing I can find the problem and work out how to fix it. I am achieving what want I want to achieve.
“The whole team here at Hallam Truck Centre, especially the guys in the workshop are great. They are so helpful and supportive.
“I was a bit worried when I first started, I was only fifteen when I began, so I was definitely worried about it. But I have never had an issue.
“The drivers are great, if I speak to them, they are always very nice, polite, not trying to tell me how to do my job. They ask, ‘is this the issue’ and I’ll explain what’s going on and they are very receptive. I really love it.”
Supportive is a key word when it comes to the systems in place not just for females, but for all apprentices at the Hallam Truck Centre. So much so that young Inndyah has eyes on
a second specialty when she signs off on her auto-electrician apprenticeship.
“I love the auto-elect stuff, but I also enjoyed getting in and doing some mechanical work as well so once I finish this, I am going to do my heavy diesel qualification.”
For a young lady that despised school and her only interest in Mum and Dad’s trucking business came in the form of an excuse to avoid Covid restrictions, Inndyah has found her calling.
She may never have a room covered in trucking posters, she most likely will never tarnish her weekends vacationing at truck shows, but the transport industry has offered her a role that is both challenging and rewarding and I shall leave the last word to her.
“I never wanted to sit in an office. I’ve always wanted to be more hands on and doing this stuff I have really enjoyed.
“Working out problems, the difficulty in solving those problems, I feel like sometimes females step away from this side because they think it is a men industry but I’m all for woman being in it, it’s really enjoyable.”
Melbourne’s Crown Palladium saw the passionate family that make up Gorski Engineering celebrate a special milestone
The year was 1975 and the transport industry was a completely different sector in Australia. Safety guidelines were different, the trucks weren’t what they are now and loyalty was the premium currency. It was fertile grounds for Gorski Engineering to forge the beginning of a 50-year legacy.
Back in the swing of the ‘70s, Ken Gorski had a vision to build and deliver premium quality tipper bodies to the expanding transport industry.
Fast-forward half a century and Gorski Engineering is a popular name in the sector, with the Gorski family expanding the empire.
The rich history of the trailer builder was on full display in August as the Gorski family held a gala event to celebrate 50 years of success in the transport sector.
The event saw over 600 customers, employees, suppliers, dealerships and wider transport industry members descend on Melbourne’s Crown Palladium, with a raft of presenters and team members charting the enduring legacy of Gorski Engineering over the past half century.
But how did the Gorski family come to provide 50 years of hard work and dedication to the industry, reinventing and then leading the tipper market in Australia?
It all started in 1950 when Wally and Eugene Gorski arrived in Melbourne from Poland with their daughter Maria. Spending time at a migrant camp, son Ken was born in Mildura at a refugee hospital.
When Wally began working at a truck builder yard in Reservoir in Melbourne’s inner north-east, Ken wasn’t far away. By the ‘60s, Ken, aged 13, was working beside his father in a newly created backyard workshop they forged together, providing repairs for operators in the local Lalor and Thomastown area.
Just a few years later, Ken’s business savvy nature shone through when he attached repair business flyers to cars parked at the local pub. By 1968, he was starting a fitter and turner apprenticeship while working multiple jobs.
It all kicked off in the ‘70s when Wally and Ken bought their first factory in Epping, naming the business W & K Gorski. It took until 1975 for the Gorski business to officially get underway, veering away from repairs and into full tipper body production.
The move immediately paid off as the Gorski name gained traction and, by 1979, they were delivering tipper bodies to councils and local dealerships, all from their humble shed in Epping.
John Serrano from El Dorado Transport remembers these early days and the surrounds the Gorski Engineering origins were founded in. His first memory of Ken involved tackling the dangerous walk through the Epping yard to the office.
“I went down to the Epping yard, and there was no signage, so I didn’t know where it was, but we were in the market for a new trailer so
Images:
Gorski Engineering
From L to R: Paul Baker, Amelie, Ken, Tim and Jeremy Gorski
I made my way to the front of the building,” he said.
“I found a little shed in the back corner and it was a battle to get there – I had to duck past steel beams and around people working. I got to the office and asked for Ken, only to be told he was outside, so back out I went.
“I accidentally walked into a bloke lying under a trailer, and when he came out I only remember a gold tooth shining. That was the first time I met Ken, and I ordered a trailer straightaway.”
This relatable nature paid off, with Gorski pairing this intimate service with innovation in the ‘80s. Gorski built the first two-axle dog trailer and two-axle semi-trailer, expanding its range to meet growing demand. This success allowed Ken to buy a second 32,000sqm site in Epping in 1983 before launching Gorski Transport in 1987 and running his own fleet of International S Line trucks.
By the end of the decade, he’d sold it for a cool $1.3 million and shifted his focus back to the trailer builder.
But this success wasn’t ongoing and guaranteed. In 1991, Gorski Bodyworks collapsed, with Ken buying it back from the liquidators for only $14,000 and renaming it Gorski Australia. He began rebuilding from two small sheds in Epping before releasing the quick release tipper a year later.
This saw the Gorski fortunes turn around and Ken upgraded to the Hume Highway site in 1993 that it continues to base its expanding operations from to this day.
While the 2000s saw complications come, first through the implementation of the GST and then through a combination of financial and family challenges, the business endured. Throughout these challenges, innovation and trailer technology evolution was never far from the Gorski family’s DNA.
In 2001, Gorski built its first three-axle range specified for semi-trailers, while by 2006, Gorski had met Performance Based Standards (PBS) requirements for its models.
Despite these developments, tougher times faced the family.
Financial strain in 2015 and health issues meant Ken had to step back. At the time, it was an alarming period for the future of the business. However, the Gorski family led from the front, stepping forward to cover Ken’s absence. With the likes of daughter Amelie, her partner Paul, Tim and Jeremy, the next generation of Gorskis re-shaped the structure of the business.
It culminated in a new wave of success that included Gorski’s return to Queensland, this time triumphantly breaking into the market, last year. The site is headed up by long-term team member Alex Powell, who has been there through all versions of the company after first starting as an apprentice in 2006 to now managing the Queensland site and team.
In 2024 alone, Gorski delivered 441 units, proving it has turned its fortunes from a backyard shed in Lalor to becoming a national leader in tipper manufacturing.
Crowning the celebrations was a wave of families and industry legends who have been involved in the business and the Gorski family in one way or another. With Richmond Football Club AFL legend Matthew ‘Richo’ Richardson MC-ing the night, fellow Richmond player and Gorski relative Jake King spoke about his memories of the family business.
An entertaining segment saw ‘Richo’ chat to a Gorski customer from each decade of its existence to date, from John Serrano to the likes of Pat Papaluca from Patlin Transport, about their experiences with Ken and the family. Laughs were aplenty, as were tears.
To finish the proceedings, the current generation of Gorski Engineering leadership took to the stage to recap their journey and thank all 600 people at the event who had been involved with the business. Much like its origins, Gorski celebrated its 50-year milestone in the way it started – with a close group of friends that it continues to innovate for and dedicate its time to.
The night saw more than 600 people pile into Melbourne's Crown Palladium
Red Rock
RIGS
Red Johnstone has brought more than a few old workhorses back from the brink and shares his life in transport
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Red Johnstone
with Deals on Wheels
“Two inches of rat shit” is the lovely surprise Red Johnstone was lucky enough to discover as he opened the cab to his 1981 International 1830C.
The ex-Inglewood Shire Council truck was put up for tender in ’83 and a farmer who Red carted cattle for bought it.
“I had been pestering to buy it off her for some time,” Red says. “Eventually she agreed, but it was in pretty bad shape when I got home.”
Despite the rodent faeces, the dirt and the wear, the flooring wasn’t rusted just yet and Red saw its potential, (which is the kind of eye you develop after decades in the transport game), so he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
“You couldn’t even see the gearbox,” he says. “The hoist on the body had been leaking dust and dirt over the years, so I pressure cleaned it all.”
“I put a new set of seals in the hoist and then got the local engineer to sandblast the chassis and body, then painted it back to the way it was, a classic white, then added scrollwork to the body. I didn’t do a whole lot.”
Due to the colours, the then council driver named the truck ‘Magpie’.
“I've spent a lot of time with the truck, giving it a bit of tender love and care to bring it back to the way it was.”
But ‘Magpie’ wasn’t the only truck Red has devoted his undivided attention to.
Across Red’s property, seven – maybe
Red’s pride and joy
nine, he loses count – trucks and trailers sit gleaming.
“I’ve got five Internationals, a 1970 McGraph trailer that I’ve refurbished, a 32-foot strap flat top freighter trailer and another tipping trailer which I used to tow around in 1975,” he says.
“Most of them have been ground up restos.”
But Red’s 1985 Kenworth SAR is what ultimately takes the cake.
This rig started its life with Mitchell’s Transport at Cowra, then Hills Cranes, then Booths and ended up at Colonial Freightlines.
But with Red, it started off plain white and worn and now draws stares at every show.
“It was purchased from Western Australia in 2019, it was going when we got it – driveable, with a few oil leaks,” he says.
“I discovered it through Facebook. I had to rebuild the engine, put all new mufflers and
air intakes in, then sent it away to get the doors and bunk painted. It was then painted up in stripes and scrollwork.
“This truck came up looking the way it does today thanks to my son, it’s all credit to him, he was behind a lot of the organising of the truck too. We get comments wherever we take it now.”
Truck-love runs in the Johnstone blood. Red’s early days in the ‘70s were full of working for his uncle at his sand and gravel business.
Red then had a family and wasn’t home as much as what he would have liked, so he got another job putting in “stupid hours” doing interstate work. Then an apprentice mechanics trade was offered to him, and he took it, working there until that business’ door shut.
collection
What a stunner
Red’s
The International started off unclean and rusted, but turned out sleek and classy
Just take a look at that scrollwork
“I then started driving fuel tankers for about 18 months and I thought, ‘why am I working my butt off for everybody else?’,” he says.
“I thought to myself, I may as well have a business, and something came up for sale, so I bought it back in 1989 and started off with an N7 Volvo with a 40-foot stock crate.
“We then progressed to owning seven prime movers and 23 trailers and carted just about everything; stock, general, timber and grain.”
And that was the beginning of Red Rock Transport.
“My son Shane was my business partner, he operated the bulk grain, fertiliser and stock side of things, whereas I concentrated more on the general side of things,” he says.
“That left me with enough time to start doing a bit of restoration work on some of these old trucks.
“But overall, everyone used to comment on how good our trucks looked cruising down the roads, and that’s all credit to my son and dedicated drivers, who were very articulate in handling the trucks.”
And it’s no surprise each truck was so well maintained – after all it was a solid family operation.
“Mine and Shane’s wives efficiently ran the office and held everything else down.”
In 2020, Red Rock Transport sold to West Haulage & Harvesting.
“Shane moved to the Sunshine Coast where he’s running a very successful business of his own with a truck and dog delivering sand and gravel doing concrete works,” he says.
Now in his seventies, (he turned 71 the day Deals on Wheels spoke to him) it’s clear that Red hasn’t slowed down much.
“I still run one truck around just to keep me busy when I’m not restoring something,” he says.
“My cousin owns a quarry and when they’re busy I just work for him, I don’t overexert myself anymore, just enough to stay handy.”
The restored rigs he owns get Red more than his fair share of nods around the roads and at truck shows.
“They’re mainly for show,” he says. “But the SAR is fully registered, I can drive it anywhere, but I didn’t fix them up for work, I just wanted to show them off really.”
And after years of hard work in transport, that’s exactly what he’ll continue to do. It's truly a classic
took Guy Ellis eight years to completely transform a 1936 Dennis Fire Engine that had
been
hidden away and falling apart for years
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Guy Ellis
A resurrected "Dennis" at Wellington Fire Station in 2023, and below, in 1947
By the time Guy Ellis laid eyes on the 1936 Dennis Fire Engine, it was barely a body, more a skeleton of timber and tin, pulled to pieces with bits in boxes.
The only part that came home in one piece?
The chassis.
“The rest came home in the back of my Falcon Ute,” he laughs.
"A friend of mine discovered two Dennis
fire trucks wasting away together in a shed in Penrith. He purchased them both and kept the little Dennis 250 for himself. I bought the other off him.
“It had been left out in a paddock, virtually rotted and rusted away, and let me tell you, once these things are outside in the weather, they don’t last long. But although it was pulled to pieces, 99 per cent of the truck was all there.”
Guy then asked me, “you must be wondering where this passion came from?” and he was absolutely right.
He then proceeded to tell Deals on Wheels how this story doesn’t start with the Dennis fire truck, but long before that back in Albury, NSW where his Dad was a volunteer fireman.
“Growing up, we were always at the fire station and in 1972, Dad purchased the same model truck from the fire brigade – and I loved it,” he says.
“I've got a picture with a brass helmet on at the age of 12, polishing the truck for the local paper, but by then Dad had sold it to someone in Victoria.
“I always thought how I’d love to have to eventually have one of my own, but the only way I could afford one was to buy a wreck and restore it, making it a labour of love.”
The truck’s history reads like a travel diary through rural New South Wales fire stations. Put into service in 1936 in Herschel, the truck made its way to Wellington from 1947 to 1952, then Scone until 1964 and finally another fire station from 1964 to 1969, until it retired in ’72.
“When they first came out, they didn’t even have a windscreen or carry water!" he laughs.
Now it’s time for the resurrection story. How the wrecked and ruined became the shiny and marvellous Dennis that it is today.
In the year 2000, Guy started off by getting the engine running, which to his surprise, still worked.
Then came the stripping down, the disassembling and the painting.
“I wanted to rebuild the body work good enough so I could take it off the chassis and it wouldn't all fall to pieces. So, I got the body work off, worked on the chassis, then put it all back together.
“I did the whole paint job, everything. I finished it eight years later.”
And piece by piece, bolt by bolt, the truck came back to life.
He brought the historic truck back to its glory days, and then to relive time, he parked it in front of the same Wellington Fire Station the Dennis once called home.
“I took a photo of it in 2023,” he says. “In the exact same spot as a photo from 1947. Same truck, same position, same fire station.”
And you may be looking at these images, not too familiar with the history of a good old Aussie fire engine and wonder, where is its roof?
“In the city they relied on hydrants, it was only when they went out to places like Wellington that they retrofitted them with a 40 gallon water tank and hose reel. That’s the way things used to be."
So yes, the truck is open to the sky and is historically correct.
The Braidwood body design where firefighters would sit on the back of the truck facing outwards is a classic detail of the truck.
“They would have about eight people on the back of them, and these designs only went out of service in the early '70s, which is kind of scary to think about,” Guy says.
Now this old machine is no longer carrying several men porched at the back of it to rural fires, but instead, parading at open days and truck shows.
“I was a permanent firefighter for 38 years, I joined in 1979 and retired in 2017,” he says.
“I’m taking the truck to the local brigade this weekend. I’ve got an old International Acco tilt tray that I move it around on.”
So, what was Guy’s greatest challenge in rebuilding this classic rig?
“Finding the missing pieces,” he says. “That’s a challenge, but it’s rewarding. When I got it out to that first event, it felt fantastic.”
And that’s the heart of it. The thrill of saving something and bringing back what was nearly lost.
And thanks to Guy, it still has miles to go.
It started out in rough shape, but ended up looking a million bucks
Guy worked on this truck for eight years, now it parades around and attends open days
DEALS Profile
Spick
AND SPAN
The Klass family had a business dream, and take Deals on Wheels on their journey to establishing ‘Klassy Detailing’
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Andrew & Faith Klass
Check out that shine!
Rain was coming down sideways as Andrew Klass polished a truck under a tarp in his driveway with extension cords stretched out.
“I saw how good he was with trucks, I could see his dream,” Andrew’s wife Faith Klass says. “And I said, let’s do it.”
And that marked the beginning of their business, Klassy Detailing in Rocklea, Queensland, where trucks are detailed and polished up to perfection.
However, the idea was initially triggered behind the wheel of a truck, where Andrew kept hearing the same line.
“I started out as a truck driver, and I got so sick of going places and people telling me that the trucks I was driving were dirty,” he says.
“I told my boss that I wanted to wash the trucks, make them look more respectable. He told me I needed an ABN and insurance.
“I don’t think he thought I was actually going to do it – but I did, and I started cleaning the trucks on the weekend. That was pretty much the beginning of it all.”
But like all stories worth telling, the path forward wasn’t clean-cut.
The business had a few false starts – about two or three – which made Andrew stop for a while and go back to full-time truck driving, but some customers refused to let go.
“I had quite a few customers messaging me asking when I was going to start the business up again, because they didn’t want to go anywhere else,” he says.
Customers were pleading and it was clear to Faith her husband could make his dream work.
“I got the jack of him not being able to commit full time to it, so I went and got myself a job alongside him to make sure all of the bills were going to be covered,” Faith says.
“This way, the bare minimum would be covered by me and anything else was going to set the business up.
“If it was a good week for the business, brilliant, and if it was a bad week, it was okay as well. That's how the business kind of got its feet up and running, because I knew he had the dream.”
They started Klassy Detailing with a $400 Gerni from Bunnings and the bare essentials.
All of these trucks have come out of the shop with a sparkle – getting rigs truck show ready is what Klassy Detailing do!
From polishing trucks in the front yard to a now open shed, the business has only grown since 2018.
Andrew learned his respect for rigs from family and mentors, and Faith’s love for trucks was completely unexpected.
“To be absolutely honest, I was terrified of trucks before Andrew. When we first got together, he wasn't in the trucking industry yet,” Faith says.
“When the first few trucks popped up in our driveway, I thought that he may have bitten off more than he could chew. He insisted he do it all by himself, but I told him to move over, I was going to help.
“Now when he tells me I can’t do something, I say ‘watch me’. I now love trucks almost as much as he does.”
The job itself is a big one, and quite physically demanding. The boys in the shed are always booked with a job to do, whether it be dismantling a truck, or washing and polishing it, the tools are humming, and the hands are moving.
“Andrew gets tunnel vision when he's on a project, but we do it all here at Klassy Detailing,” Faith says.
“Andrew usually has a very big job ahead of him daily from the morning. It's usually a bull bar or a bumper polish, and it's a very, very
Wow! Klassy Detailing strikes again Faith and Andrew Klass
detailed job – I usually have to force him to stop for lunch breaks.”
And the detailing isn’t just a five-minute job. It can vary, depending on what the customer wants.
“If they want a quick spruce up, it may take a day or two, but if they want their rig show ready, it can take up to a week to finish,” she says.
So why do people choose Klassy Detailing?
“I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Andrew used to be a truckie and is extremely humble about what he does.
“Nothing's ever too hard for him, he's happy to do whatever the customer requires, and he doesn't sit there and boast about it or show pony himself off, which I wish he did a little bit more,” Faith laughs.
“The work he does is really, really hard, and he does deserve a lot of credit for it.
“In our eyes, every truck that leaves here is our truck, because we've put our heart and soul into it.”
The hardest part about doing this job isn’t the physical labour and the long days – no, it’s the juggling of the family behind the business.
“We put a lot of time into what we do, so our family does sacrifice a bit, although we do get them in here on the weekends and they learn how to pull steps off trucks,” she says.
“The most rewarding part however would definitely be seeing the customer's face when they come to pick up their truck. I love when they tell us it's better than when they bought it brand new.
“We owe this business to truckies and our kids, because that’s truly all we do it for.”
Klassy Detailing’s future is looking bright. In a few months, the business will be launching
their own truck maintenance line.
“We have bought everything we need to do a mobile fleet washing service and have just launched the soap in our own brand, buying the trailer along with everything else we need with it,” she says.
They have even gone as far as buying their own truck to put to work and show off their second business, by using it as a rolling billboard.
“We’re buying a setup so that way we can send the boys out to do fleet washes for companies,” Faith says.
“We already do a few fleet washes on the weekends, but we want to have a team of boys that go out there without us during the week as well, from washing to polishing the truck.”
With more opportunity on the way, I’m sure customers, as well as Deals on Wheels, can’t wait to see where the young family will go next…
It doesn’t get much better than this stunner! That reflection is no joke…
DEALS
Green
COMMANDER
Truckie Darren Peak fixes up an old 1981 Road Commander, taking it from rough to radiant
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Darren Peak
“You’d fix it as you went,” Darren Peak says. “Back in the day, that’s just what you did.”
On their long journeys trekking across Australia, that’s just how truckies would roll.
The engine would blow, you’d fix it. A tyre would flatten, you’d fix it.
These are the problems he kept facing with his 1981 Series 2 Road Commander.
“It would keep breaking, and the motor would blow, but I just kept fixing it up,” he says.
But that’s what makes it all part of the ride.
“I pretty much replaced everything in that truck. I had it for six years and during that time I swapped the 892 Detroit with a 400 Cummins, all done from the comfort of my backyard.”
Before Darren purchased the rig in 1992, it was a transporter for Narooma Hardware.
It was then traded in, and Darren took it home and gave it a bit of TLC.
It wasn’t much to look at, at first. It was “pretty rough”, he admits with a laugh.
But rough doesn’t scare a guy born into the transport world.
“My dad and I both hauled steel interstate from Newcastle to Melbourne, and then back,” he says.
Not much work was done to the exterior.
The green never changed, sticking through all of the repairs, long miles and heavy hauls, the paint stayed loyal.
In ’94 he painted up the chassis and left the rest as is.
“I came across the truck about 15 years ago up in Queensland, and there it was, still in its original green,” he says.
It was a full circle moment that took him back to his earlier trucking days, that’s for sure.
The Road Commander went to a new home in 1996 and was traded in for a Western Star from Sydney.
Darren’s roots in transport run deep, passed down from his dad, a driver of 50 years.
“Dad’s retired now. But I started in ’91 and I’m still going,” he says.
“I’ve got other trucks now and my son drives as well; we have two International Eagles.”
Three generations of Peak men, all grown up behind the wheel of a truck with, I’m sure, more to join.
The Road Commander may now be gone, but its memory lives on through Darren and his passion for a good ol’ rig.
The rig would transport steel from Newcastle to Melbourne
The truck stayed in its original green paint
Darren has been a truckie since 1991
A pic of the old bangers from the early '90s of the Commander, and his Dad’s ex IPEC Atkinson
The Commander getting fixed up from Darren’s backyard
Over the long weekend come down to Wauchope where the show will feature historic and late model working trucks, tractors, machinery, stationary engines, working chainsaw display, vintage cars and motorcycles.
at Perth Hockey Stadium.
The event venue will host a free Family Festival packed with entertainment and experiences catering for kids and adults alike. There will be food vans, kids’ rides, face painting, roving entertainment, live music, fundraising awards ceremonies, and the chance to cheer on the returning Convoy. Plus, you can check out all the trucks and vehicles at the Show ’n’ Shine after the Convoy returns.
For more information: convoy@campquality. org.au
Camp Quality
Convoy Adelaide. Image: Down the White Lines Photography
Mental Health Fundraiser
October 11 – Nobby, Queensland
Following a successful event in 2024, another fundraising event will be held at Rudd’s Pub in Nobby, to raise mental health awareness in the transport, rural and civil industries. All net proceeds will be donated to the RFDS.
Camp Quality Convoy Perth
October 12, 2025
Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley
Camp Quality’s Convoy Perth is a fun way for anyone who drives a truck to show their support for kids facing cancer and their families.
Supporters will cheer on our Convoy, as we travel a 53km route around Perth City and Osborne Park, starting and finishing
Technology and Maintenance Conference
October 14-15
Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC
The TMC Conference brings together technical professionals, fleet and workshop managers, technical regulators, mechanics and service technicians. For 2025, the event moves to a new venue – delivering bigger exhibition spaces and a larger workshop area.
The venue will also provide greater space for workshops on trucks and trailers, and expanded networking areas.
The 2025 program will focus on key industry priorities, including safety, productivity, environmental sustainability, cost efficiency and workforce career development.
Wandering AG Show
October 18 – Wandering, WA
The Wandering Camp Out Weekend showcases everything rural living has to offer as we welcome one and all to join us for a big weekend with something for everyone.
The event is hosted on the historical Grassdale Farm where you are able to camp under the stars overlooking the town and join in the Evenings In The Paddock on both Friday & Saturday nights! A shuttle bus will be operating all weekend.
Truck Show & Shine
October 18, 2025. Alexandra Street, Grenfell
Mark your calendars, for a day packed with horsepower, family fun and small-town charm!
The Grenfell Modified Tractor Pull and Truck Show and Shine is just around the corner. Bring the family, bring your friends, or just bring yourself – but don’t miss out! It's the perfect mix of robust action for tractor and truck lovers, relaxed family vibes and a showcase of our community’s local talent and produce.
2025 Vintage Machinery Rally & Truck Show
October 18-19, 2025, Urana, NSW
Come and join us in the NSW Riverina for the 2025 Urana Vintage Machinery Rally & Truck Show. Saturday we have a vintage tractor trek departing Victoria Park at 9am, some vintage engines and displays and a twilight tractor pull. Sunday is our vintage tractor pull, engines and displays, truck show, car show ‘n’ shine together with the hospital fete. Kids' activities. free camping & showers are available at Victoria
Park. Full catering for Saturday and Sunday. Judging of all exhibits is on Sunday and Sunday and entry is $10. Exhibitors and children under 16 have free entry.
Sydney Convoy for Kids
October 26
Sydney Dragway to Hawkesbury Showground, NSW
Convoy For Kids Sydney Inc. was started in 1992 by a small group of dedicated people from the transport and associated industries who had a desire to help sick children.
Today, 31 years later, it is still run by a volunteer committee who spend time to put together one special day, not only as a fundraiser but a family day for all.
Drivers and owner drivers travel from all parts of NSW with their families to participate in this great event each year. It is a spectacular sight to see 500 or more trucks in a convoy supporting the event.
Funds are raised on the day by truck entries, sales of food and merchandise, major raffle, donations and a giant auction. Taking part means you are helping raise funds for the NETS Ambulance Service and Kidzfix.
NOVEMBER
Brisbane Convoy for Kids
November 1. Brisbane, QLD
The Brisbane Convoy for Kids is back on November 1, travelling from Larapinta to the Redcliffe Showgrounds. Once it arrives, a family fun day will take place, with a wide range of
Casino Truck Show 2025. Image: Prime Creative Media
DEALS Events
activities on offer including live entertainment, auctions, food stalls, free kids’ rides, face painting, animal petting, magic shows and a night lights display. Convoy participants also compete in a range of categories, with awards handed out on the day.
For info see brisbaneconvoyforkids.com.au
Ulverstone Truck Show
November 1, 2025 - Ulverstone Showgrounds, Tasmania
To all the truckers, ute and car enthusiasts, break out your wash and best polish and bring them to the Ulervstone truck, Ute and car show for 2025, at the Ulverstone Showgrounds on November 1.
Mullumbimby Truck Show
November 8, 2025 - Mullumbimby, NSW. Held in conjunction with the annual Mullumbimby Agricultural Show on the second Saturday of November each year, you won’t want to miss the Mullumbimby Truck Show. This event will feature a truck parade through the town, a sideshow alley, kids’ rides, food vans, full bar facilities and live music. Other features include horse and cattle events including trotting.
For further truck show info see www.mullumbimbyshow.org.au
HCVCA Annual Display Day
November 9, 2025
Yarra Glen Racecourse, VIC
Come and join us with your historic commercial vehicle and display your pride and joy for the day! Free entry for vehicle and driver and $10 per person for passengers and the public, and there
will be free entry for children under 14 years. You’re welcome to join us Saturday afternoon to set up. Camping is available ($20 per person). Showers, toilets and early morning breakfast will be available.
You’re also welcome to join us for dinner Saturday evening in the Yarraview Dining Room (price TBA). Expect raffle prizes, guest speaker, tea and coffee, a great meal and good company! Drinks available at bar prices. Meal will be heavily subsidised for HCVCA members. Please book early as there is a minimum number required for the dinner to go ahead! Alternatively, we'll have a casual Pizza and BBQ outside.
Sunday entry from 7am for display vehicles, public entry from 9am. All vehicles must remain displayed until 2.30pm. Message us for further information!
Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show
November 15
Bathurst Showgrounds NSW
The 2025 Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show is back at the Bathurst Showgrounds. This event brings together truck lovers, families, and the local community to remember Dane Ballinger and celebrate the trucking industry he loved. There’ll be a huge range of trucks on display –from old classics to custom rigs – plus food stalls, live music, kids’ activities, a charity auction, and awards for the best trucks. It’s a fun day out for all ages and supports a great cause.
Everyone’s welcome – whether you’re part of the transport world or just love a good community event. Come along, enjoy the day and help us keep Dane’s memory rolling strong. Entry information and further details available soon from www.bathursttruckshow.com.au
100 Years of Caterpillar in Tasmania
November 15-16, 2025
Exeter Showgrounds, TAS
Celebrating 100 years of Caterpillar machines with a family friendly event showcasing the Beckett earthmoving and truck collection, alongside the greatest ever gathering of Tasmanian Caterpillar earthmovers in one place, representing earthmoving, mining, underground, forestry and Antarctic exploration.
East Gippsland Heritage Truck Display
November 15-16, 2025. Maffra Recreation Grounds
Open to all trucks of any age reflecting the history of transport in Australia. What's included? There's free camping for exhibitors and catering is provided. There will be club merchandise available, along with live music to have a boogie to, model trucks and remote controlled trucks too. Entry is free for children under 16.
Illawarra Convoy
November 16. Illawarra, NSW
Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Illawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families affected by potentially lifethreatening medical conditions, together with charities that work with these people, and local hospitals.
For more information on the event see illawarraconvoy.com.au
Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
November 29-30, 2025. Castlemaine, VIC.
Held at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve and organised by the Castlemaine Rotary Club, this year’s truck show is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees can expect plenty of well-presented trucks on display, as well as food, a licenced bar, kids’ rides, free health checks and live music.
For more information, visit rotarycastlemaine.org.au
DECEMBER
First Annual Christmas Truck Show
December 6, 2025. Cypress St, Pittsworth
Bring your truck, light it up, and show it off! There will be awards, live entertainment, food, and fun for the whole family. Spots are limited – book your truck in now to secure your place!
Let’s make this Christmas unforgettable –with trucks, lights, and festive cheer!
If you have an event you would like listed in our trucking events calendar, please email tiane. gavillucci@primecreative.com.au with all of the relevant details.
DEALS Events
Rounds MAKING THE
Deals on Wheels loves to find out about the people behind the trucks and this month we met Michael Donchas and Red Angel
Celebrating 50
This
This year marks a milestone 50 years of operation for Lalor Towing Services; an impressive amount of time to run a family owned business.
The business has spent half a century working recovery and towing light and heavy vehicles back to safety after an accident or breakdown.
But trucks and cars aren’t the only thing they’re pulling.
The Kenworth T909 pulled the Best Recovery award at one of Australia’s biggest truck shows.
Michael Donchos rolled into the Casino Truck Show with the Kenworth T909, not expecting much, other than peeping on other unreal rigs.
“The show last year was great. I only went at that time to have a look at the other trucks but was freaked out at the amount of people and rigs that attended,” he says.
“I bought the T909 second hand and left it as is. My brother and Dad like it too much, they won’t let me paint over it.
“It’s basically as good as new, there’s only a few kilometres on it.”
The retro looking rig has still got it, bringing home a prestige title, and it’s no surprise
with its ’70s disco feel, orange lighting and detailed scrollwork.
It’s almost like it was made to turn heads.
“I put a lot of effort into keeping the truck up to scratch,” he says.
But was this win that unexpected for Michael?
“Yes and no. There's a couple of trucks at the show like lorries and they’re pretty nice rigs.
“I guess it depends on the judges that day. I know what they look out for and I’m pretty fussy with my own trucks, I like to clean them up, inside-out.”
And without a doubt, this Kenny was cleaned up.
Wondai winners
The prime age of 21.
At this age, you’re either out at the bars every weekend, travelling the world, working casually or still at uni; just beginning to figure things out and deciding what life will look like for you.
Red Angel had decided though.
By the time he was 21, he got his truck licence, and was off driving almost immediately.
“The south Burnett area in Queensland is a
monster Kenny sure is a beauty.
Image: Michael Donchos
big hub for the transport industry,” he says.
“My uncles and cousins all had trucks, and I was the youngest out of the lot of us.
“When we were growing up, I would go driving with them in their trucks and that’s how it all started.”
For Red, getting into transport wasn’t a decision, it was inevitable.
As a truckie that lives in Wondai, the annual truck show is a must visit.
“It’s my little hometown show,” he says. “Harley's Heavy Diesels is the mechanic in the area, and he was one of the major sponsors.
“He got on Facebook and asked if any of the trucks I work with would be interested in coming to the show.”
So they came. Five gleaming machines, three from Power’s Transport and two Sanbella Holdings trucks, owned by the same company.
All five trucks shared a commonality. Their ability to turn heads before they even found a parking spot.
“The Sanbella trucks are T909s bought brand new. One is only about six months old
and the other is three to four years old,” he says.
“Then there’s the Powers trucks. I drove an old road boss which has been fully reinstalled and done up nice.
“It’s a ‘78 model and that was bought in ’79, and they’ve still got it. I drove it for them in the mid '90s.”
Their iconic design, paint and colours have been the same for as long as Red can remember, but with a standout red colour scheme like that, it makes sense to never change when it looks that good.
And with rigs that stand out from the rest, awards are expected.
Greg from Sanbella was awarded the Truck Show Winner Best 0-3 Years with the Kenworth T909 and Zac from Powers Transport took home the top spot in Best Lights and Best Interior with a stunning T909 also.
At Wondai, amid the chaos of the day, the shiny chrome, blaring horns and chatty truckies, Sanbella Holdings and Powers Transport didn’t just show up. They stole the show.
The five head turners. Image: Sanbella Holdings and Powers Transport
No surprises that these rigs were the show favourites. Image: Sanbella Holdings and Powers Transport
Coolgardie
COOL AGAIN MAKING
The small outback town of Coolgardie hit record breaking crowd numbers at its fifth Outback Festival
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Kirk Norman
Photography & Allies
Captured Moments
By the time the music stopped and the last engine cooled, Bodean Buckingham was lost for words.
“We were kind of like… what just happened?” he says.
Still half shocked at the 7,500 strong crowd that thundered through the Coolgardie Outback Festival this year – a record smashing
Check out this line-up
This Ramsay’s truck left an impression on Gail
number for the town of just a few hundred.
“It was very overwhelming; the weekend went by in a blur,” Bodean says.
“There was such a large number that attended, and our team were absolutely pumped trying to keep up, so it was quite tough, but good fun at the same time.”
Over time this show has grown, but it all
An impressive range of trucks kept the crowds entertained
started – as Bodean tells it – with a simple question between mates five years ago, “how do we make Coolgardie, cool?”
Well, displaying monster rigs is one way to do it.
This year’s event saw 33 trucks line up –slightly fewer than usual, with a few regulars off crook or flat-out on jobs.
“Even though some were busy with their own work, it’s good to know they’re doing well at the same time, and we’re still gaining support, which is great,” he says.
Among the showstoppers were Ramsay's Transport and Low Loader Logistics, rolling in with old school Mercs and a custom import Kenworth with an “epic” cab on it.
But it wasn’t all just chrome and Kenny’s –one of the biggest hits was the show’s first ever Dozer Muster.
“We had 30 bits of equipment rock up for that, it made all the difference,” Bodean says.
“To give you an idea of how well the Dozer
Muster was received, at seven o'clock at night when the band was supposed to be kicking off, everybody was too busy watching the dozers.
“It was very well received, and we feel very blessed to have made it all happen.”
What made this year so special for Bodean though wasn’t just the machines and engines, it was the gathering. For the first time, everything was in the one place.
“It just worked out really well,” he says. “The highlight was seeing the turnout, everyone enjoying themselves and getting that positive feedback, when behind the scenes we were ducks under water.”
But that’s what it’s all about. Bodean and the Coolgardie team put themselves through this day of hardship for the wider community, and they would do it all over again.
“For us, it’s about being able to give back to our community,” he says.
“We surprised the local RSL with a $5,000 check and we usually give about $60,000 back to the community in some form each year. We’ve also got a few other secret projects coming up that we’re excited to make a difference in.
“We probably don’t beat our drum loud enough about what we do, but this year, I reckon we’ve made a bit more of a song and dance.”
And maybe they have, but if the sound of roaring engines and 7,500 boot stomps on the Coolgardie grounds mean anything, I would think the town is singing their praises quite loudly, and possibly even saying, “wow, Coolgardie actually is cool,” – just as Bodean and his mate originally planned.
More dazzling Kennys
Live music kept the vibes alive
Old school cool
Bedford
BACK BRINGING THE
Left stranded for decades, a 1953 Bedford gets revived into a stunning, vintage truck classic
It was full of rat faeces. Overflowing in fact, so much that it spilled out of the cab doors like something out of a horror movie.
Most people would’ve slammed the door shut and walked away, but Tom Grib just couldn’t help himself.
Tom has given the truck some much needed TLC
About a year ago, Tom was deep into an internet rabbit hole, hunting for a cab over engine truck to tinker with.
As a guy that normally does up “oddball” cars, this was his chance for a project a bit different than usual.
“I’d looked at all the usual suspects, Fords and Chevs, but then this 1953 Bedford popped up sitting around somewhere in northern New South Wales,” he says.
Sight unseen, he rolled the dice.
“I had never seen a truck like that in the flesh before and after sitting on it for a few weeks, I thought, you know what, this truck is really cool – and far cheaper than it should have been – I spent almost as much on freight getting it to me than I did on the actual purchase.”
“I paid $1,500 for the truck and $500 to get it here.”
Rat faeces filled the Bedford at first
Images: Tom Grib
What arrived looked like it had been trapped in time. The truck hadn’t been registered since 1980 and had sat, wasting away in a dry farm shed for gosh knows how long, with a grain bin still bolted to the back and dust caking every inch of it.
“It was absolutely covered in dust and dirt.
I don’t think it had ever been washed,” he says.
“It was obviously a farm truck back in the day and would feed the cattle with that grain bin, which has now been removed.”
Miraculously, there was no major rust, just one hole barely three millimetres across.
The cab still wears its original paint, complete with markings on the door from a bygone era.
“I bought the truck off the original owner's estate, the paint is untouched, this is how it came to me,” Tom says.
“Then there’s the driver’s door, which is a different colour. I did a bit of research myself and it must have gotten damaged or ripped off at some point as there is evidence of that.”
Where most may have torn it down and started afresh, Tom took a different route.
“I’m just cleaning it up really. I rebuilt the brakes and cooling system, bought new rubbers from the UK and I’m getting new glass for the back of the truck because some was missing,” Tom says.
“At the moment I’ve got it all running but it did take a few weeks; it’s still got the original motor and gearbox in it as well.”
The wipers are still pending, and Tom plans to do a chassis and motor swap on it to get the truck moving quicker and be more comfortable to drive in.
“I’ve got a 6BTA Cummins inside and want a more modern chassis. But overall, I’ll be keeping the patina of the truck how it is.”
There’s still a few bits and pieces to do, but Tom reckons this is one of the easier restos he’s done.
The next step? Getting the Bedford registered.
“I just realised the other day as well, I don’t even have a truck license, so getting one might be a good idea,” he laughs.
Tom’s plans with the Bedford are up in the air.
“I don’t really have a plan,” he admits. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, but I would like to take it to the truck show in Yarra Glen in November.”
And so it should be showed off. This rig was a workhorse back in the day, it fed cattle, then sat silent for decades. Thanks to Tom, only now has it come alive again.
This truck isn’t yet polished and perfect. But it sure has come a long way from rust, rats and now, to resurrection.
A workhorse back in its prime, Tom has restored the Bedford substantially but left the paint untouched
The town may be small, but Coleambally sure knew how to make a big racket with their 17th vintage rally
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Riverina Vintage Machinery Club Inc. Rally
Coleambally – Facebook
This 1927 Chev is a throwback in time
“This weekend highlighted just how good it is to live in a small town,” says event organiser Gail Hibbert.
“Watching how everyone came together, and were spread out doing different jobs, from setting up to cooking, parking cars and running events.
“The day wouldn’t have come together without this community all pitching in and I’m reminded how lucky we are.”
She’s referring to the Coleambally Vintage Rally held in a town of just 600, who all put in for the 17th bi-annual event on August 9 and 10.
This weekend saw the little town of Coleambally make big noise and leave a mark on those that came.
“It’s amazing that such a small town like Coleambally can hold an event like this,” she says.
And what an event it was. Crowds gathered in awe for the Bucyrus dragline and Blackstone engine demonstration, along with the twilight tractor pull.
Then there were the featured tractors, trucks, cars and memorabilia that had machine lovers wanting more; plus, the food and camping made the weekend one to remember.
If you ask Gail how it all began, she says it started with passion.
“The Riverina Machinery Club wanted to showpiece their own machinery and support the town,” she says.
“Most of the original members are still here, but some have passed. They have been the strength behind the club.
“But let me tell you, the interest for vintage machinery is getting more and more popular with the young ones now, which is so great to see.”
This year, 229 exhibits lined the grounds, including 118 vintage tractors, 41 stationary engines, 39 classic cars, 24 old-school trucks, nine motorbikes and three displays of treasured memorabilia.
More than 1,200 people wandered the grounds, marvelling at the mechanical beasts of a bygone era, tuning in to the sounds of a distant puff of a diesel engine
Awards
Best Feature Tractor
Best Feature
Stationary Engine
Thomas Munn – C670 Chamberlain
Paul Connell Kelly & Lewis
Best Feature Truck Andrew Cotty
Best Overall Exhibit Wagga Wagga Historic Engine Club
Tractor
Stationary Engine
Truck
Vintage Car
Ian Payne John Deere 75
Dave Hawkins Roseberry
David Willis Mack R600
Daniel Whitred Citreon
Classic Car Dennes Notte Mustang 1967
Motorcycle
Memorabilia
Lighting Plant
Best Stationary Exhibit of Historical Significance
John Scott 1953 AJS
Patrick Bailey Assorted Lawn Mowers
John Little
Andrew Jackson Fergy
A huge variety of old school trucks rolled in, even miltary vehicles!
DEALS Events
24 old-school trucks rolled in
The more vintage – the better, both miltary and farm equipment joined the show
firing up to the close chatter of mates catching up beside big rigs.
“There were mainly Macks and Kenworths there this year,” Gail recalls. “But the feature truck this year was a beautiful White.”
For Gail, organising an event like this is great fun when you have the passion behind it.
“I love the old machinery,” she says. “This may sound silly, but to be honest, seeing the vintage trucks, cars and tractors gives me a thrill, it brings me such enjoyment seeing them at the rally.
“But the friendships the show creates and maintains is really special too.”
The ripple effect of the rally spreads far beyond the show gates. It breathes life
into Coleambally for a weekend.
Visitors roll in, pubs fill up and local businesses get a boost.
“The rally brings tourists in, supports our local community and provides entertainment for our people,” Gail says.
“I hope it sparks more interest in machinery. What it did bring to the town though, was definitely a good weekend.”
What started out as a handful of people deciding to show the nation what they had, has turned into a bi-annual town tradition.
So, if you ever find yourself on a dusty road in the Riverina in early August, follow the sound of the engines.
Chances are, you’ll end up in Coleambally.
The people of Coleambally showed off their machinery
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Garry Houghton’s two Internationals have travelled from rust to roar
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Garry Houghton
On the road it’s a standout
It started with a runaway truck and a smashed fence.
That’s how Garry Houghton first heard of the rugged old fire truck.
“Its brakes failed, and it hit a bloody fence,” he says. “That’s when my mate Ed caught it.”
Ed’s rescue of the vehicle after its mishap wasn’t the end, just a pitstop in its life.
Garry eventually bought the 1950 International off Ed in 2012, bringing it into a new chapter of life under the Houghton name.
“When I first saw the International, there was the chassis and axle, and the cab was just sitting on it, it wasn’t even bolted on,” he says.
“It was just a pile of parts, and I had never pulled a truck apart in my life, so I didn’t know where to start.
“I gave the truck to a panel beater and the old fellow stripped it, sandblasted and undercoated it. Then did all the brakes, but he
didn’t touch the motor or the gearbox.
“He put on new tyres, he sanded it back, fixed all the ripples in the panel work and painted it. I finished putting it together from there.”
Garry put all the trim in the door and mud guards as well as front and back panels.
He had never heard it run, so getting it up and going was a real pleasure.
And by 2015, its first trip was up to Alice Springs.
“Finding the right truck parts was the hardest thing about this restoration, because I’d never dealt with International parts before,” he says.
“I spent a lot of time online looking for parts that were suitable, but all that I could find were from the US.
“Then I went to a truck show in Dubbo, and I found a guy who helped me out.
As shown in these images, from a pile of parts, this rig has had quite the transformation
“I didn’t really have to buy much, just window rubbers, pedal pad rubbers, accelerator pedal, door handles, all things that had worn out on the old truck.”
The 1974 International ready to cruise
This truck took about three to four years to restore
And that’s what the trucking community does. Help each other out.
So, while Garry’s International fire truck carries a rough past, his other rig certainly doesn’t carry as many battle wounds and is a different beast altogether.
His 1974 International D1210 has had no dramatic brake failures or fences taken out –but still commands attention.
This stunning rig was up for auction in Brisbane last year, and Garry had to make it his.
“I bought it as is, fully restored and looking how it does now,” he says.
“Doug Bell from Toowoomba restored it. He pretty much did everything to it, except the engine which they pulled out of another truck that caught on fire. It had
been sitting there for a long time – then it was reconditioned and put into the 1974 International.”
“This resto took about three to four years to complete. All I’ve done to it is add taxi wrap and wash it a few times.”
Garry was using this truck on club rego, but now, it’s time for the slick rig to find another home.
“I was building a garage for the truck, but the council knocked me back, and I can't keep it undercover, it's too good of a rig for that.”
His love for trucks came from his father who was a restorer in the late ‘60s, fixing up old Chevs, Fords, Morris Minors and so on, and Garry would help out here and there.
But for a small while, his life had little to do with trucks and he went down a different road.
Until about 15 years ago, when Ed introduced him to a fire truck that ran into a fence…
The retro rig is as slick as anything
THE WOMEN OF
Pilbara
The Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Group is a female run family business, that focuses on driver training and heavy haulage services
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Trasko
Photographics
Heather and her two daughters
Driving trucks has historically been seen as a man’s job, something that women won’t, or shouldn’t get involved with.
But when Heather Jones heard the statement that “women don’t drive trucks”, after starting her own transport company along with her two daughters, she knew something had to change.
“I was with 30 other women when I heard that statement, so we decided to become more visible,” she says.
“With those girls, we formed the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Group (PHHGG).
“The business is about road safety and driver education first and foremost, but also it's a segue for women and young men to get proper training if they do choose a career in transport.”
Heather believes women have a different approach to teaching and learning, and that is why PHHGG is a game changer.
“Women are more risk-averse than men, they tend to not make harsh or rash decisions but instead follow the things they’ve been asked to do,” she says.
And PHHGG isn’t just about driving, but also fostering an environment where women can thrive.
“We’ve created a safe space that’s managed and run by women, where they can feel comfortable learning and growing," she says.
“Women learn differently, sometimes that means they need a female driver trainer who speaks their language. We have male driver trainers also that we’ve employed and given the right training to.”
Right now, PHHGG has four big rigs with another eight being up at the mines to conduct driver training for brands like Volvo, Mack and even an old Scania.
“We start our learners off in an automatic as it can be quite difficult to wrap your head around the Roadranger,” Heather says.
“Then after about 12 months, when they have learnt all they need to know, like the load, the width, speed and dimensions, we will upgrade them to a Roadranger or a manual box. This won’t be for everyone, just for those who haven’t been exposed to mechanical vehicles, as it’s much easier to get
behind an automatic wheel.”
When Heather talks about a typical day on the job, she doesn’t shy away from the hard work involved.
‘We’re working on a special project right now at Fortescue Mines and our days are long,” she says.
Heather says their day starts at 3:30am in the morning, they have breakfast, then their prestart at 4:45am, and they are then ready to be in the trucks by five to train their new drivers for 12 hours.
Their day ends at 5:30pm, followed by dinner only an hour after that. Their bedtime is at 7:30pm.
This is a 12-month program, which incorporates the Central Regional TAFE Cert III in Driving Operations where new starters will learn everything from basic mechanics to tyre-changing and fatigue management.
Heather’s work goes beyond the road and mines. For over 20 years she’s been visiting schools inspiring the next generation to consider a career in trucking.
The PHHGG team has a conversation with school students about road safety, the importance of trucks to every Australian and the work life of a truckie.
And don’t expect PHHGG to deliver you a typical career day presentation.
One of their four standout pink trucks
The bright pink screams empowering women in transport
DEALS People
Heather and her team bring along some of their dazzling trucks and engage students with videos and PowerPoints slides.
“We usually choose an outback school that normally wouldn’t have many visits from people, and the kids are great, they don’t stop asking questions,” she says.
“Before I talk to the class, I normally ask, ‘how many of you here have ever thought about becoming a truck driver?’ we normally get one or two hands, and they’re usually the kids of truckies.
“At the end of it, the kids don’t want to go back to class, and so we ask them, ‘how many of you now would consider driving a truck?’ and we normally get about 75 per cent of hands in the air. Our industry should be doing this to every school in all areas.”
Heather has noticed that there’s clearly a vast pool of interest out there that just needs the right guidance and encouragement, and
kids can leave with a newfound respect for the industry.
“I think we underestimate how interested children and young people are in a career driving trucks,” she says.
“Normally, when we advise the students the wage they could potentially earn as a truckie, especially in the mines or the Pilbara, we’ve even had the teachers wanting to come and join us,” she laughs. “There’s no HECS debt and no university. You get your license and just start earning.”
The most rewarding part of Heather’s job is seeing over 360 new drivers out on the road that PHHGG has trained up.
“To see them out on the highway, have a meal with them or receive a photo of their latest job or truck is the most amazing part of this job,” she says.
“However, the hardest part for me is continuing to see newly licensed drivers
This monster Mack is a beauty
thrown out onto our roads without any training. Employers tend to think that because you hold a license, you must be trained.
“Holding a license is a license to learn, a need to be taught.”
As for the future, Heather’s vision for PHHGG is clear — more training programs, more life-changing opportunities, and of course, more women behind the wheel.
“We're looking at developing more involved intense training programs for people who truly want to learn how to be a safe professional driver,” she says.
“We've got a few things in the wind at the moment, but for now I love continuing to share how to drive safely and how to be a professional truck driver.”
PHHGG opens doors for women and sets the stage for a brighter transport future.
Heather urges women in transport to always ask questions, even at the risk of feeling silly, she assures everyone that there’s never a dumb question.
Her passion for the company didn’t start with PHHGG, but long before in 1969, when her father, a truckie and crane operator, introduced her to the world of heavy haulage.
This love for mighty machines and empowering women has been in her blood since her youth.
And what’s more inspiring than a motherdaughter trio carving out their own path in an industry that often overlooks women?
finds strength in empowering women in transport and educating students on road safety
Heather
A PHHGG trainee (Cheyanne) stands next to the iconic ‘without trucks, Australia stops’ sign
DEALS Data
Truck market maintains pace
As we venture deeper into the second half of the year, the recent dip in truck sales has been maintained in August. A total of 3,637 sales were made across all sectors in August, finishing seven units ahead of July’s 3,630 sales.
Heavy Vehicles – Monthly Sales
Hino had a strong August with 406 truck sales.
Image: Hino Australia
However, these latest T-Mark Data released by the Truck Industry Council is markedly down from this time last year, where there were 4,114 sales recorded in August 2024.
A total of 3,637 trucks were sold across all four major market segments in August, with the leader once again surpassing four figures. Isuzu broke the 1,000 barrier once again, finishing with 1,015 sales for the month. The next best was Hino who rose strongly with 406 monthly sales, with Fuso taking third ahead of Kenworth with the 335 sales compared to Kenworth’s 267.
In fifth was Volvo with 165 units sold, while Scania (101) just surpassed the century and kept ahead of Mercedes-Benz (93).
IVECO was the best of the rest with 79 deliveries while Fiat (63) and Mack (61) fought a tight tussle.
Medium Vehicles – Monthly Sales
Light Vehicles – Monthly Sales
Heavy duty
While the overall sales number was slightly better in August, heavy duty sales dipped in August as only 1,081 units were sold compared to 1,118 in July. Kenworth remained the leader with 267 sales, finishing more than 100 ahead of the second placed Volvo (162) and Isuzu (154). Scania finished with 101 sales, while Fuso (73) kept ahead of the tied Mercedes-Benz and Mack with 61 units apiece. DAF maintained a narrow lead over Hino, 44 to 40, while IVECO (33) was narrowly ahead of UD Trucks (32).
Medium duty
The medium duty market remained relatively steady compared to July’s lower month as the dip was maintained via 539 August sales. Isuzu was a clear leader in the segment with 250 sales,
DEALS Data
beating Hino’s strong month of 164 sales. Fuso was a clear third with 92 units, with Hyundai (12) a distant fourth. The remaining five brands who sold medium-duty trucks in August all were in the single digits in a lopsided sector.
Light duty
The light duty market continued to drop, down from 1,332 in June and 1,218 in July as it finished with 1,190 sales in August. Despite this descent, Isuzu maintained its healthy lead with 611 sales for the month, tripling the second placed Hino with 202 sales. Fuso was a comfortable third with 170 units, while Fiat (63) and IVECO (43) stayed clearly ahead of a tight pack that includes Renault (27), Mercedes-Benz (27) and Volkswagen (26).
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Heavy cargo and container handling equipment specialist Big Forkli s recently supplied a gantry crane to handle precast concrete on a major project in Sydney
Since 1984, Forkli Traders – now with its new branding Big Forkli s PTY Limited – has been at the very centre of the material handling equipment industry.
Over this time, the business has built a reputation as one of the most respected names for companies using heavy duty general cargo forkli s, specialised container handling forkli s, and reach stackers.
Big Forkli s also o ers a range of other terminal handling equipment, including straddle carriers, terminal tractors, and roll trailers.
Various options are available to its customers, whether it’s procuring a brand-new piece of equipment, used machinery, or hiring a product on a long or short-term basis.
Several leading material handling equipment brands with extensive experience are o ered by Big
Forkli s – such as Ma and Hyster –so customers know they can count on the grunt of its machinery to get any job done.
Ensuring minimal machinery downtime for its customers is critical for Big Forkli s, and it’s why the business provides thorough appraisals and maintenance.
Delivering machinery across Australia and overseas, Big Forkli s prides itself on providing solutions for a wide range of applications, not just handling containerised freight.
Remote mine sites and agricultural companies have even bene ted from Big Forkli s’ machinery, alongside road and rail operations.
Most recently, Big Forkli s supplied an Isolader 21 rubber tyre crane gantry to New South Wales-based Concrete Structures for the new Sydney Fish Market project.
This authentic operating sh market facility is expected to be a major food and dining attraction on Sydney’s inner harbour.
Concrete Structures director
Carmine Coiro says the Isoloader 21 was successful in handling precast concrete, which the business produced for the project.
“I would buy another one in a heartbeat if I win another project where this solution ts,” Coiro says.
Big Forkli s currently has two Isoloader HL-PC-35 rubber tyre gantry cranes, which can also be used for precast concrete handling.
With a safe working load of 35tonnes, these machines are available to be sold separately, or as a duo that can tandem li and walk.
or flt.com.au
A pair of Big Forklifts’ reach stackers attached with hooks, serving as mobile cranes to handle a wind turbine segment
Big Forklifts supplied an Isoloader 21 crane gantry to handle precast on the new Sydney Fish Market project
Two Isoloader HL-PC-35 rubber tyre gantry cranes tandem lifting a bridge beam
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The all-new range of Isuzu trucks has arrived. With a sleek new cab design, more advanced safety features and a smoother, more comfortable drive, the new range will change the way we rely on our trucks. Forever.
To find out more, visit your nearest Isuzu Trucks Dealer or visit isuzu.com.au
