As we approach the end of the year, it’s clear that 2025 has been another big one for TASCO — a year full of change, growth, and continued momentum. Each year, we seem to get a little busier, and this one has been no exception.
The growth we’ve achieved is a direct result of the hard work and dedication shown across every part of our business — from our administrative and retail teams to our logistics and wholesale operations. Each of you plays an important role in ensuring we safely and successfully serve customers across the vast regional footprint we operate in.
This year, we’ve reached a number of significant milestones: expanding further into South Australia, divesting parts of our business, welcoming new employees, celebrating impressive staff service anniversaries, continuing our network revitalisation, and growing our Carriers fleet.
Looking ahead, 2026 will mark an incredible milestone — TASCO’s 70th year in business. This is an achievement we can all be proud of, and I want to sincerely thank every staff member, past and present, whose efforts have helped us reach this point. I look forward to celebrating this special occasion together.
As we move toward the holiday season, I’d like to express my appreciation for your continued commitment and hard work on behalf of the TASCO Group. I hope you all enjoy some well-earned downtime with family and friends.
Ross Lake, Managing Director
Hi and welcome to the latest edition of Network News.
This year marks several milestones and achievements, as well as challenges faced across the business. Special congratulations go to Sonya McIntosh and Helen Aisbett, both recently celebrating 40 years in the fuel industry and providing invaluable support in TASCO’s Carriers division.
Key Challenges of the Past Year
The past 12 months have brought considerable pressures. A softening of petrol sales has been driven by the rise of fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles, reducing fill-up frequency and foot traffic in stores. This directly affects non-fuel sales, such as food and beverages, which are crucial to profitability. The gradual adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in metropolitan areas, also poses a long-term challenge.
The cost of doing business has risen due to increased utility prices, supply chain disruptions, and mounting regulatory demands—from environmental compliance to fuel price reporting—adding administrative and technological burdens. Illicit tobacco remains a major industry concern, with around half of all tobacco sales now believed to be illegal, costing the country billions in lost revenue and increasing crime risks for legitimate retailers.
The sector has also seen intense merger and acquisition activity, with large players like Viva, BP, and Ampol expanding aggressively, putting pressure on smaller independent operators. Additionally, retail crime and violence have escalated, mirroring national trends. TASCO has seen a significant rise in theft and break-ins, prompting major investments in CCTV, alarms, and staff safety measures, as well as higher insurance costs.
Achievements and Progress
Despite these challenges, TASCO has made major strides in digital transformation, completing a full migration to the cloud for both Microsoft Office and its accounting platform, Octane—enhancing efficiency, collaboration, and data security.
The Outdoor Payment Terminal (OPT) upgrade project is nearing completion, with 19 of 30 sites converted, thanks to the efforts of Mark MacKenzie and his regional management team.
On the retail front, TASCO has introduced new Roadhouse and Big Bite branding, upgraded facilities, and launched the Quick Fuel point-of-sale system, improving transaction efficiency and customer experience. The long-awaited Trentham Cliffs Roadhouse is on track to open before Christmas.
TASCO received multiple nominations at the New Sunrise Iceworks Conference in Dubai, including awards for Tailem Bend, Wodonga, and Leeton, with Leeton winning the 2025 Digital Award. Next years conference in Las Vegas promises even bigger opportunities.
The Carriers division continues to grow, supported by new prime movers and trailers to meet rising demand. Safety awareness has improved through the use of Guardian camera systems, helping highlight road hazards and driver vigilance.
The Wholesale division faces a difficult year due to dry seasonal conditions, impacting crop yields and fuel demand. Nonetheless, TASCO remains committed to supporting its agricultural partners.
A major highlight has been TASCO’s strategic partnership with Ampol, expanding operations into metropolitan South Australia—including Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula—marking a bold step into new markets. This success owes much to the dedication of regional managers and depot staff, particularly at Murray Bridge.
Looking Ahead
Next year, TASCO will celebrate its 70th year in business, tracing its roots back to Graham Francis Lake, who founded the company in 1956. This milestone stands as a testament to TASCO’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to community and service.
As the year closes, I extend my gratitude to all staff, business partners, and customers for their loyalty and commitment. With continued teamwork and investment, TASCO is well positioned for another year of progress and success.
Evan Newell, General Manager
Another year has flown by, and I would like to thank all staff for their hard work and dedication throughout 2025.
This year has seen some exciting developments within the wholesale side of our business. The installation of the new Compac OPT units across several sites in our network is progressing, with plans to have this completed early in 2026. We will be installing a total of 30 new Compac units with 25 replacing existing units and 5 units at new locations.
Overall, our volumes have remained steady despite some difficult conditions across numerous fronts. We continue to perform as expected within the South Australian region since we’ve expanded our services into new areas. Littlehampton, North Adelaide and surrounding districts now join Murray Bridge, Bordertown and Naracoorte as TASCO service areas within South Australia.
This expansion has been extremely well received by these customers, and I would like to extend a special thank you to Steve Cheriton and his team at Murray Bridge for their outstanding work in supporting and driving this project.
It’s currently harvest time across much of our network — one of the busiest periods of the year for our Depots and Drivers. Thank you to all staff involved in ensuring our customers’ fuel and lubricant requirements are met efficiently and safely during this demanding season.
Looking ahead to 2026, we remain focused on continuing to consolidate our operations with an eye to expand and grow when opportunities arise. Remaining focused on ensuring we deliver the same high-quality fuels and lubricants our customers have come to expect throughout the TASCO network.
Mark Mackenzie, Operations Manager
Congratulations to our Sowing Promotion winner!
After receiving an overwhelming amount of entries into our $5,000 Holiday Promotion that was held during Sowing, we would like to congratulate the winner...Diane I'anson.
Diane and her husband Matthew have been long term customers of TASCO Petroleum and we thank them for their business. What a prize, enjoy your holiday!
Henty Field Days
Welcome to our network!
We would like to welcome the following staff, who have joined our network since the last edition.
Congratulations to our Chief Finance Officer, John De Luca who recently completed a Masters of Business Administration.
Held at the Melbourne Business School, John has been completing his studies over the course of the the last 18 months.
John graduated on the 18th of October and we congratulate him on this achievement.
Sarah Lymbery, Albury
Matt Sutherland, Benalla
Luke Shingles, Wagga
Daniel Henderson, Broken Hill
Darren Hinton, Bunnaloo
Kerryn Finch, Kerang
James Barbary, Mildura
Trully Doloksaribu, Mildura
Nick Walsh, Robinvale
Braiden Ardley, Sea Lake
The Henty Field Days were held on the 22nd, 23rd & 24th of September. This year was one for the records, with 3500 companies represented on 1200 sites, spanning 14km of shop front making Henty the biggest field days in Australia.
We had the team from TASCO on site and a great few days were had. Congratulations to the Henty Field Days committee on a fantastic year!
Gavin Simmons, Sea Lake
Abby Willett, Sea Lake
Cheyenne Vogler, St Arnaud
Giles Johns, Swan Hill
Harley Marshall, Trentham
Jon Sangalang, Trentham
Melanie Brogan, Wodonga
Nicole Cottier, Wodonga
Cathy Galbraith, Wodonga
Tessa Wood, Wodonga
Staff Achievement
A sister act
A Family Legacy at Tailem Bend Roadhouse: The Axon Sisters
At the heart of Tailem Bend’s roadhouse is a story of family, dedication, and community connection – a story carried proudly by the Axon sisters: Kristine, Julie, Donna, Gail & Helen.
For decades, the Axon name has been woven into the fabric of the roadhouse, making it more than just a stop for travellers – it’s a place where hard work, loyalty, and family values come together.
Between them, the sisters and their mother have dedicated more than 136 years of combined service to the Tailem Bend Roadhouse, shaping it into the welcoming, familiar stop it’s become for travellers, locals, and truck drivers alike. Their story is one of loyalty, laughter, and love for what they do – and for each other.
Together, Kristine, Julie, Donna, Gail & Helen have seen the business evolve, welcoming locals and visitors alike with the same friendly faces that regulars have come to know and appreciate.
Their story is more than about clocking in and out of shifts – it’s about carrying on a family legacy. Generations of travellers have been served by the Axons, whether it’s a hot meal, fuel for the road, or simply a warm smile at the counter. For many, stopping at Tailem Bend isn’t just about convenience – it’s about familiarity, comfort, and the trust built by families like the Axons.
A Family Legacy Begins
The Axon family’s connection to the roadhouse goes back generations. Their mother worked at the site in its early years, and it wasn’t long before the next generation followed in her footsteps.
Gail was the first to join, coming across from Golden Fleece in 1985, when the site was still branded Ampol. Not long after, Donna followed in 1986, and together they began building a name synonymous with hard work and heart. Helen and Julie soon followed joining Gail and Donna in 1997. While Kristine’s path took her to the local hospital for nearly a decade, she then joined her sisters at the roadhouse in 2004.
Pictured: Left to right - Kristine, Julie, Donna, Gail & Helen
While the sisters share family connection, their personalities all differ and are all unique. Eldest of the sisters, Kristine was noted as being strong, "Too strong, doesn’t ask for help" - Donna. Second eldest sister Julie is very clearly the quiet one, shy and doesn’t like to rock the boat - just goes with the flow. “If my looks could kill though” laughs Julie. Next in line is Donna, loves to have a laugh and the other half of the self declared "package deal" that is Donna and youngest sister Helen. In the middle is Gail, described by her sisters as strong willed, the rebel, no filter and the first to ask a question. Completing the puzzle is the baby of the family, youngest sister Helen, described as "can be firey and the other half of the package deal that is Donna and Helen".
“Even when I’m here, I still feel like I’m home”
What has kept the sisters part of the team for so many years? They all agree: it’s the family-oriented culture, the balance between work and life, and the strong team around them. “It’s a great environment,” says Kristine. “We’ve always had good people around us, and that makes all the difference.”
For Donna and Helen, working side by side has become second nature. “We come as a pair,” laughs Donna. “We’ve been working together for so long — we just know how each other works.” Reliability and trust run deep between them. They know each other’s rhythms, moods, and even when to step in without a word spoken. “I like it,” adds Donna, simply. “It just feels right.”
Roles, Change, and Resilience
Over the years, the sisters have taken on everything from front-of-house service to management roles, often filling in wherever needed. “I still enjoy coming to work,” says Kristine. “I enjoy the work — it’s getting harder as we get older, but we still love it.”
From driveway service days, “That’s where I met my husband — 37 years later, we’re still together!” laughs Kristine, to new POS systems, rebrands, and building extensions, they’ve seen the roadhouse evolve time and again. Gail sums it up best: “I started with Ampol, and now we’re back to Ampol. Full circle.”
"I remember I used to be able to work an 8 hour shift on my own, definitely couldnt do that now!" – Julie.
The best advice the sisters have for anyone starting within the hospitality industry, “If customers are aggressive or nasty, you want to send that customer off happy”.
When asked about some highlights of working at the roadhouse, there was no shortage of conversation. The roadhouse has seen customers such as Nat Bassingthwaighte, Lisa McCune, Jacko from AFL team Geelong and Angry Anderson pop by. Angelo "The fishing guy comes in a few times, I had to cook him fish one night and I was very nervous about having to cook a fisherman, fish!” Donna said.
Further public faces were, Jason McCartney Bali bombing victim and his brother, “Were you on this is your life?” asked Gail, always being the sister to speak up and ask any questions that some may shy away from. A very fun visit was from performer Hans in his eye catching pink hummer.
When asked if the sisters enjoy working together they all responded with similar thoughts. Kristine noted “its probably got to the point if one of us moved too far away, we wouldn’t like it, Tailem Bend to Mannum would be the furtherst we have been away from each other our whole lives”. As the interview with the sisters wraps up, Gail notes “I'm proud of working for a company like TASCO and the opportunities I was given through TASCO".
The Axon sisters are a reminder of what makes Tailem Bend Roadhouse so special. Their dedication shows that the roadhouse is more than a pit stop – it’s a meeting place, a memory-maker, and, in this case, a true example of how family and community spirit keep the wheels turning.
TASCO Connect 2025
The TASCO Connect 2025 Conference officially began on Tuesday the 21st of October, bringing together staff and industry partners for two days of learning, collaboration and connection.
The event kicked off with staff check-in, followed by an energetic team-building session of Minute to Win It. The activity sparked plenty of laughter, as teams worked together to complete challenges. The evening concluded with a relaxed staff dinner at Harvey’s Bar and Grill, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Day One Highlights
The first official day opened with the TASCO Welcome & Business Update, delivered by Ross Lake and Evan Newell, providing insight into our progress and future direction.
From there, attendees enjoyed a full program of engaging presentations, including:
Ross Smith from Complete Credit Management
Dave Bickle from New Sunrise Group
Danielle Jones from William Buck
Rob Watson & Matt Haigh from Ampol Elisha Radwanowski from ACAPMA
Following a great first day, staff and business partners were invited to TASCO's annual Gala Evening that is held at a surprise location each year.
Gala Evening, The Terrace - Royal Botanic Gardens
Our annual TASCO Gala Evening was held on Wednesday, 22nd of October, at The Terrace, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Guests began arriving from 6:00pm, welcomed by the beautiful lakeside setting, elegant interior, and the lush surrounds of the gardens, creating the perfect backdrop for an evening of celebration.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of our annual awards, beginning with our site recognitions. We would like to congratulate:
Retail Site of the Year: Kerang Depot of the Year: Naracoorte
Following the site awards, it was time to shine a light on our Staff Excellence Awards. These awards encourage nominations from across our network, with no limit to the number of entries, ensuring every team member has the opportunity to be recognised for their efforts.
Congratulations to our 2025 Staff Excellence Award winners:
HSSE Champion: Aaron Cardwell, Benalla Business Innovation: Robert Bond, Mildura Service Excellence: Steve Cheriton, Murray Bridge Community Engagement: Helen Aisbett, Bendigo
With formalities complete, guests enjoyed their final course while taking in the incredible atmosphere and views of the gardens. We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the TASCO Gala Evening such a memorable occasion.
Day Two Highlights
Day Two of TASCO Connect 2025 focused on strengthening internal connections, sharing insights, and fostering open discussion across our business.
The morning began with a Wholesale Group Panel Session hosted by Mark MacKenzie. The Wholesale panel included staff from our wholesale side of the business, and Brad Johnson from Johnsons Trucks. The panel answered questions from the audience and explored key topics within the wholesale space.
After morning tea, Pete Jessup and Mark Hughes from our Retail Department took the stage, sharing updates on retail operations, including highlights from our exciting refurbishment projects across the TASCO network.
Following Retail's presentation, John De Luca hosted a second Group Panel Session, featuring staff from Credit, HR, Finance, and Admin which allowed for valuable two-way discussion, with staff encouraged to ask the departments questions and engage in meaningful dialogue.
On conclusion of the second Group Panel Session, staff were then introduced to Communication Coach Rik Rushton. Rik delivered an engaging and practical session on workplace communication, equipping teams with tools to build stronger collaboration and connection.
Day Two was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on our internal strengths, share expertise across departments, and continue building the collaborative spirit that drives TASCO forward.
TASCO Connect 2025 proved to be a fun few days for staff and business partners, combining team spirit, networking, and valuable insights to carry forward.
Thank you to all who attended and we look forward to 2026!
Managing Business Risks Raised by the Cost of Living Crisis
By Gallagher.
It's becoming more expensive to run a convenience store, but a cost-of-living crisis means operators can't easily pass these costs on to customers through higher prices. This directly impacts profit margins, pushing owners to investigate alternative business models to protect their earnings. Re-evaluating their risk management and insurance coverage may also need to be prioritised.
Several factors continue to drive the cost-of-living crisis. Inflation is at the heart of it, with the rising costs of essential goods, energy, and consumer products eroding people's disposable income.
Rising energy, transport and inventory costs are impacting both consumers and businesses. As household budgets tighten, people have less to spend, which means convenience store operators must consider new approaches to adapt. These changes can, in turn, affect how you manage risks and what your insurance coverage needs are.
Business Strategies to Mitigate Cost-of-Living Impacts
These strategies can help businesses better navigate the challenges of rising living costs and maintain stability in today's uncertain economic climate.
Adapt pricing models
Offer more affordable options to attract budget conscious customers without eroding profit margins. Increase the pricing on what customers value most while maintaining basic offerings at a lower cost.
Reduce operational costs
Look for ways to increase efficiency and cut unnecessary expenses, such as renegotiating supplier contracts or optimising energy use.
Diversify revenue streams
Explore new product lines that may be less affected by consumer spending cutbacks.
Improve customer engagement
Focus on customer retention by improving service. Providing exceptional customer service can differentiate a business from its competitors.
Prepare
for long-term uncertainty
Use flexible budgeting to adjust quickly to changing economic conditions.
Cost of Living Impacts on Businesses
The cost-of-living crisis has led to reduced consumer spending, particularly in non-essential categories. Many businesses face shrinking revenues, prompting them to rethink pricing strategies, reduce costs or delay investments. Operationally, rising inventory costs squeeze margins but you need to avoid alienating customers by pushing up pricing.
The financial strain also extends to labour costs, as employees demand increased wages to match inflation. To manage this, businesses might need to hire temporary staff, which can increase overall expenses and introduce new risks.
How Insurance Can Support Businesses
Key Business insurance policies to consider as protection against cost-of-living impacts include:
· Business Interruption Insurance: helps businesses maintain cash flow when they are unable to operate due to unforeseen events so you can continue to pay expenses and wages
· Liability Insurance: can protect your business from the financial burden of lawsuits, which may increase due to economic pressures. Liability insurance can help cover the financial cost of lawsuits, covering legal fees and settlements
· Credit Insurance: protects against the risk of nonpayment by customers by mitigating the financial impact of unpaid invoices
· Customised Insurance Solutions: insurance brokers like Gallagher can tailor insurance solutions to meet your specific needs.
How Gallagher can help
As long-standing partners of the Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA) and the chosen insurance broker for many retail businesses across Australia, our business insurance specialists will ensure your business has the protection it needs.
CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE
This article has been prepared by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co (Aus) Limited (ABN 34 005 543 920, AFSL 238312).
Gallagher is an international insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm, operating in over 130 countries. We are the chosen partner to more than 125,000 Australian businesses, from small businesses through to multinational corporations and iconic brands.
Through our network of more than 30 regional and metropolitan branches across Australia, we understand local business communities because we are part of them ourselves.
Learn more at AJG.com/au
DISCLAIMER
To the extent that any material in this document may be considered advice, it does not take into account your objectives, needs or financial situation. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you and review any relevant Product Disclosure Statement and policy wording before taking out an insurance policy.
Driving our network
Hi all from the department that delivers!
From our last report, things in TASCO Carriers have been very busy even though we have gone through what is usually our quiet period across the winter months.
June saw a spike in demand due to the effects of war overseas and customers wanting to stock up worried that the price was going to skyrocket which in the end didn’t really occur. The spike then had a flow on affect in July and August where demand dropped off leading to a higher than usual stand down day period. During these months we take the opportunity to get annual and general service work done on all of our fleet seeing us spending upwards of $200K in maintenance. Working closely with our finance department we completed our 2025/26 budget for it to be submitted for approval.
Operationally we were challenged with an incident involving a semi combination rolling onto its side causing an extremely serious event. The incident blocked part of a very busy highway and lead to us engaging our emergency response partners ISS along with support from Ron Finemore Transport, Dodd Fuel and AAA Towing. The recovery of the vehicle combination took 8 hours as we had to decant 23,000 litres of mixed product from the trailer onto another truck combination. This was done so that we could right the rolled vehicle and have it taken away for repair. Our staff did an excellent job in assisting with the recovery and clean up. Well done.
In Swan Hill, our operation changed where we were no longer able to do the linehaul side of pick up from the terminal due to losing both night drivers. This has had minimal impact on the operation to this point however we will be tested with supply and demand in the coming months as we head into harvest.
Steve Cheriton and John Carra managed to get us settled into our new parking arrangements with the Stevens Group in Adelaide which according to our driver Anthony, is working very well.
Driver turnover continues to challenge not only us but the transport industry as a whole. Long-term this is very concerning. On a positive side though we are excited to have employed our first female driver which hopefully encourages more females to apply for driving positions within our company.
After a lot of work and encouragement it’s great to see the number of drivers that are activating the Manual record on the Guardian camera system highlighting the dangerous actions of other road users and near misses. Some footage that has been shared really highlights the dangers and the need to be alert at all times, as things can change so quickly.
We experienced our second serious incident in this period when a camper van reversed into our Midura A Double combination in Renmark causing extensive damage and putting the combination out of service for 6-8 weeks while being repaired. We were lucky that no one was hurt and that the emergency services were there quickly to manage the situation including the recovery of spilt product. Again, as with the other incident our emergency plans were activated and worked as anticipated bringing together our external incident support groups as well as our own internal staff to safely control and clean up the incident. Well done and thank you to all those involved.
A big congratulations to both Sonya and Helen on achieving 40 years of service within the fuel industry and a huge thank you to them both for their support managing the day to day administration and compliance side of the TASCO Carriers business.
We have two new FM13 Volvo prime movers that will be in service mid-October which will allow us to retire some of our older fleet. In addition to these two new prime movers, we have managed to purchase a secondhand combination from another Ampol distributor which is due to come into service mid-October. During October, we also have surplus equipment going through Pickles Auctions.
TASCO Carriers welcomes Melanie Brogan – Wodonga, Mathew Sutherland – Benalla and Darren Hinton –Bunnaloo.
Steve Rose, TASCO Carriers Manager
Driving Towards a Cleaner Future
TASCO Introduces Euro 6 Volvo Trucks
At TASCO, we’re always looking for ways to drive progress — not just in performance and reliability, but in sustainability and safety.
As part of our continued investment in a cleaner, smarter fleet, TASCO has introduced new Euro 6 Volvo trucks into our operations, marking an exciting step forward in both environmental responsibility and efficiency.
Euro 6 is the current emissions standard for heavy-duty diesel engines — including Volvo’s powerful FM/FH D13 and FH D16 models that TASCO operates. Rather than specifying how engines must be built, Euro 6 sets the limit for how clean the exhaust must be. These standards have driven significant innovation in engine design and aftertreatment systems.
From 1 November 2025, all new heavy vehicles supplied to the Australian market must meet ADR 80/04 (Euro VI) standards. TASCO’s proactive adoption of Euro 6 technology demonstrates our commitment to staying ahead of the curve — ensuring compliance, reducing emissions, and investing in a sustainable future.
As we integrate these new Euro 6 Volvo trucks into our fleet, TASCO continues to deliver on our promise of efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. It’s another way we’re investing in the future — for our drivers, our customers, and the communities we serve.
We would like to thank our business partners and suppliers, Brad Johnson and the team at Johnsons Trucks. They continue to be an integral part of our business and we look forward to having the new equipment on the road.
Euro 6 = cleaner air, smarter engines, and stricter emission control.
Celebrating 40 years of Service Helen Aisbett & Sonya McIntosh..
On the 23rd of September, we were thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone — 40 years of service within the fuel industry for our very own Helen!
Helen began her career with Ray Jackson Petroleum in 1985 as a data entry operator based in Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Over the years, she worked in a variety of administrative roles, including time spent providing relief support at other sites such as Wagga.
In the 1990s, Helen moved to the Mobil depot in Sandhurst Road, taking on depot operations administration until 2011, when she transitioned to Rohs Road, East Bendigo in an administrative and compliance role. In 2017, Helen moved to the old Shell depot in Strickland Road, where she continues to demonstrate her effectiveness, adaptability, and loyalty. Her current focus is on transport and dangerous goods (DG) operational compliance within TASCO Carriers. Throughout her 40-year career, Helen has seen the business evolve through major industry changes, always adapting and contributing her deep knowledge and experience. Helen is a valued and respected member of the TASCO team.
On behalf of everyone at TASCO, we extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Helen for her 40 years of service.
On the 8th of October, we celebrated another monumental milestone within our business, 40 years of service to TASCO Petroleum for Sonya McIntosh!
Sonya entered the fuel industry at just 16 years old and, four decades later, continues to play an essential role within our TASCO Carriers department. Her knowledge of the business and reliability make her an integral part of the team, ensuring that the day-to-day operations and compliance of our TASCO Carriers department run smoothly and efficiently.
Throughout the years, Sonya has witnessed significant change across the business and the broader fuel industry— from evolving safety standards and technology (notably the fleet technology!) to TASCO’s continued growth, expanding the network across multiple states. Through it all, her dedication, reliability, and professionalism have remained constant. Sonya’s commitment to the business and her long-term contribution are to be commended.
On behalf of everyone at TASCO Petroleum, we extend our sincere congratulations and thanks to Sonya for her 40 years of service.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
Myth: There is a law called CoR
Truth: CoR is the term used to define 10 parties that have a Primary Duty.
The Primary Duty is the part of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) that makes parties other than drivers responsible for safety when heavy vehicles are used on the road.
Any organisation that relies on heavy vehicles, in any part of their business, is a party in the Chain of Responsibility - and has a duty to manage public risk by ensuring that drivers, loads, vehicles, routes and sites are safe.
At TASCO, safety isn’t just a box to tick — it’s the foundation of everything we do. Whether on the road, in the depot, or at our retail sites, the wellbeing of our people, customers, and communities is always front of mind.
Each year, our network takes time to reinforce that commitment through Safety Week — an initiative led by our HSSE Manager, Robert Bond, that brings the entire network together in the name of safety, awareness, and connection.
Safety Week aims to not only refresh essential safety practices but also to encourage open conversation and strengthen the culture of shared responsibility across our network. It’s a week that combines learning with fun, reflection with action — reminding us that safety isn’t just about rules, but about people.
Our 2025 Safety Week began on Monday, 8th September, and ran across all TASCO sites and depots. Each day featured a dedicated theme designed to engage staff and highlight key aspects of workplace and personal safety.
The week’s line-up included:
Monday – Spot the Hazards
Tuesday – Sun Safety
Wednesday – Safety Pledges
Thursday – R U OK? Day
Friday – Safest on Site
Celebrating Participation and Leadership in Safety
Throughout the week, we were thrilled to see strong engagement and creativity from all corners of the TASCO network. From colourful sun safety selfies to thoughtful pledges and team events, the enthusiasm was outstanding.
Our staff embraced the opportunity to reflect, share, and celebrate what safety means to them — not just in the workplace, but in their everyday lives.
This year’s Safety Week 2025 champions truly embodied the TASCO spirit and we would like to congratulate..
Safety Champions: Robinvale Service Station – for their proactive approach, enthusiasm, and commitment to safety engagement throughout the week.
Runners Up: Bunnaloo Depot – recognised for their strong participation, creativity and team spirit.
Photo of the Week: Sam Hensgen, Robinvale Service Station, for capturing the essence of teamwork and safety awareness through an inspiring photo submission.
Safest on Site (Best on Ground): Nicole Byers, Bendigo Service Station – for her consistent dedication to safe work practices and leadership in promoting a safety-first mindset.
“Safety Week is about more than just activities — it’s about starting conversations and building habits. Every year we see stronger engagement and greater ownership of safety across the TASCO network, and that’s something we can all be proud of.” - Robert Bond, HSSE Manager
SPOT THE HAZARDS
... There are at least 14 to be found!
* This photo is staged and in no way represents the standard that TASCO strives to achieve.
FOR A LIMITED TIME BONUS YETI*
1ST OCTOBER, 2025 - 30TH NOVEMBER, 2025
Purchase a 208L of the following products:
• Mobil Delvac Modern™ Super Defense 15W40
• Mobil Delvac Modern™ Extreme Defense 15W40
• Mobil Delvac Modern™ Full Protection 15W40
• Mobilfluid™ 428
Fuel & Lubricants Review 2025
This year has been one of progress and opportunity. We’ve continued to expand our services, increased service fee work with Ampol and Statewide Oil, and strengthened our teams across multiple locations through Lubricants Training for the Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial sectors.
We remain committed to supporting both our new and long-standing customers by staying competitive and responsive to the changing needs of the lubricant industry. Our focus remains on being a trusted partner for all lubricant and equipment solutions.
Throughout 2025, we placed strong emphasis on reducing slow-moving stock items across all locations. With the help and dedication of our depot staff, we successfully achieved a significant reduction in these holdings. I’d like to sincerely thank everyone involved — your hard work and cooperation made a real difference in achieving these outcomes.
A special thanks also goes to our suppliers. Working alongside our valued business partners allows TASCO to remain a strong and competitive force in the lubricants and equipment markets, giving us a distinct edge over our competitors.
We also saw an increase in customer engagement during this year’s Field Day season. These events continue to be an important opportunity for us to connect face-to-face with our customers — relationships that are often built over the phone throughout the year. Field Days not only strengthen existing connections but also open doors to potential new customers, giving us the chance to showcase all that TASCO has to offer.
As we approach the festive season, I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope the holidays bring you happiness, rest, and perhaps a frothy or two with family and friends.
We look forward to building new partnerships and strengthening existing ones in 2026!
Jason Wells, Lubricants & Marketing Manager
Fuelcube 4500L with 80LPM Bowser and Hose Reel Set Up
· Self bunded cube with lockable cabinet on the front fascia
Suitable for diesel
2” fill point with camlock & cap
· Multiple options for drawing fuel from the tank
· Lines & provisions for Genset Refuelling
· Forklift & crane lifting points
Hot dipped corner posts for protection
Stackable for transporting when empty
· Statutory decals fitted
Large equipment cabinet
$15,125
Fuelcube 6000L with 80LPM Bowser and Hose Reel Set Up
Self bunded cube with lockable cabinet on the front fascia
Suitable for diesel
2” fill point with camlock & cap
· Multiple options for drawing fuel from the tank
Lines & provisions for Genset Refuelling
Forklift & crane lifting points
Hot dipped corner posts for protection
Stackable for transporting when empty
· Statutory decals fitted
· Large equipment cabinet
$17,545 .00
GM10kl Self Bunded Diesel Poly with Standard Pump Package in Pump Bay
Self bunded for environmental protection & prevents contamination
Fitted with a lockable cabinet
Thermal protection
2” camlock filling coupling
Complete with 240V Transfer Pump 100LPM, 6m Hose, Auto Nozzle, Bulk
Fuel Filter, High Level Alarm, Bund Leak Detection, Digital Flow Meter, Mechanical Overfill Protection Valve, Digital Level Gauge
Suitable for diesel
$16,940 .00
Farm Refueller Single Skin 4.5kl with 80LPM Bowser and Filter Set Up
· Complete with 2” fill point camlock ball valve, check valve & Calibrated dipstick
· Lifting lugs on tank
Heavy duty front step fitted to front of the tank for access to dip point
· Designed to provide a cost effective solution to replace overhead diesel tanks in the agricultural industry
Farm Refueller Single Skin 9kl with 80LPM Bowser and Filter Set Up
Complete with 2” fill point camlock ball valve, check valve & Calibrated dipstick Lifting lugs on tank
Heavy duty front step fitted to front of the tank for access to dip point
· Designed to provide a cost effective solution to replace overhead diesel tanks in the agricultural industry
$18,150 .00 $12,400 .00
Farm Refueller Single Skin 18kl with 80LPM Bowser and Filter Set Up
Complete with 2” fill point camlock ball valve, check valve & Calibrated dipstick Lifting lugs on tank
Heavy duty front step fitted to front of the tank for access to dip point
· Designed to provide a cost effective solution to replace overhead diesel tanks in the agricultural industry
$26,015 .00
As your trusted insurance broker, our purpose is to help you face tomorrow with confidence.
• By managing your risk.
• By helping you foster a healthy, thriving workforce.
• By bringing together global reach and local expertise.
• To help your business and your community through every challenge you face.
Gallagher is a long-standing partner of ACAPMA and the chosen insurance broker for many retail businesses across Australia. Our industry specialists will work with you to understand your business and help you to identify the right insurance cover to mitigate your risks.
Since
Retail Review 2025
Firstly, I would like to thank our retail team members, site managers, area managers, commission agents, and business partners for their incredible work this year. I’ve said it for many years now, but 2025 has truly been a huge year for our department!
Our network revitalisation program continued strongly throughout the year, with complete refurbishments and rebranding projects across several key locations — including Mildura Bridge Café & Fuel, Fernleigh Rd Café & Fuel, Big Bite Mildura (Ozpride), Big Bite Sea Lake, and Charlton Roadhouse amenities.
Currently under construction is Tailem Bend Roadhouse, with completion scheduled for early December. This site is undergoing a full transformation, including new internal counterworks, amenities, dining area, and kitchen. The Tailem Bend Roadhouse rebrand was officially completed earlier this quarter, marking another exciting milestone in our network refresh.
Be sure to check out Sister Act on pages 8 and 9 featuring the Axon sisters at Tailem Bend — together, they share an impressive 136+ years of service with TASCO! It’s a fantastic read and a great reflection of the loyalty and dedication within our TASCO family.
Across the network, we’ve continued to see positive growth. Fuel volumes have remained strong and stable, while food sales have increased by an impressive 22%, and hot beverage sales have soared by 38.18%.
While shop volumes have experienced a slight decline due to ongoing changes in tobacco sales, our overall network performance remains very encouraging.
And now for the big one — Trentham Cliffs is on track to open in December this year. After much anticipation, this project is finally nearing completion, and we can’t wait to welcome customers to enjoy the new facilities just in time for the holiday season.
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus remains on network revitalisation. Several additional sites are already being scoped for refurbishment as we continue to strengthen the Roadhouse, Café & Fuel, and Big Bite brands across our network.
The ongoing transformation of our sites reflects TASCO’s broader commitment to delivering memorable customer experiences — going beyond fuel and food to create destinations that travellers look forward to visiting.
Thank you again for your dedication and hard work throughout 2025. Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and well-deserved holiday season!
Pete Jessup, Retail Manager
Dubai ICEWORKS 2025
“We’re not here to blend in, we’re here to stand out.” That was the inspiring theme behind this year’s New Sunrise Iceworks Conference, held in the dazzling city of Dubai.
Iceworks is an annual conference hosted by the New Sunrise Group, bringing together the best independent retailers in Australia for a week of networking, insights, and workshops. The 2025 conference, held from 6th–10th October, provided a dynamic platform for industry leaders, innovators, and partners to share ideas, collaborate, and explore the evolving convenience landscape of Dubai.
Dubai — this year’s destination — truly redefines luxury and innovation. From its towering skyscrapers to its traditional souks, the city offers an unforgettable blend of experiences. Delegates enjoyed world-class shopping, diverse culinary delights, and a vibrant culture that seamlessly merges the old with the new.
Business Sessions
The business sessions provided delegates with informative presentations, showcasing how each area of the business is driving growth and innovation.
Most notably, was the unveiling of the My Sunrise Rewards app, the biggest digital launch in New Sunrise history and another first for the independents. The integrated loyalty platform allows customers to earn and redeem points in-store, driving repeat visits, deeper engagement, and unlocking powerful shopper insights.
“Stay tuned, the full launch is on the horizon, and it’s going to be big,” - Andrew Cardinale.
Supplier Engagement & Study Tour
The conference featured a Supplier Engagement Session, encouraging collaboration and innovation. These supplier engagements are designed to inspire innovation and strengthen connections across the network.
Following the Supplier Engagement, a study tour included visiting sites such as ENOC, Emarat, ADNOC, Spinneys, Carrefour, and Waitrose.
The experiences not only highlighted Dubai’s worldclass approach to retail and service but also provided valuable insights to bring back to the Australian convenience sector.
Snowball Gala Dinner
The week concluded in spectacular fashion with the annual Snowball Gala Dinner and Afterparty, a night of celebration, recognition, and connection that perfectly wrapped up another amazing and successful Iceworks Conference.
We would like to extend our congratulations to the operators of our Leeton Service Station, who were awarded the Digital Award for 2025, for their efforts across social platforms.
A special mention and congratulations to our other nominees on the night:
• Tailem Bend Roadhouse – Roadhouse of the Year
• Ampol Wodonga – Sunrise Brand Award
• TASCO Petroleum – Snowball Community Award
• Pete Jessup, TASCO Retail Manager – Snowball Retailer of the Year Award
These nominations and awards highlight the dedication, innovation, and community spirit that define our network and the people behind it.
Overall, the 2025 Iceworks event brought together over 400 of Australia’s leading independent convenience retailers and suppliers. Proving to be not just an event — but a celebration of excellence, innovation, and the shared ambition to continue standing out in everything we do.
Thank you to New Sunrise Group for another memorable Iceworks!
Upgraded Amenities: Charlton
Travellers passing through Charlton will be pleased to hear that the amenities block at our site has undergone a full refurbishment — delivering a clean, modern, and comfortable experience for everyone stopping in.
Located at 166–186 High Street, Charlton VIC, the upgraded facilities feature all-new hardware throughout, including brandnew toilets, showers, basins, and fittings.
The refreshed design ensures improved functionality, hygiene, and comfort, catering to both locals and those travelling along the highway.
This upgrade reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing convenience and providing a welcoming environment for all who visit our network. Whether you’re making a quick stop or taking a well-earned break, you can count on Charlton’s renewed amenities for a more enjoyable roadside experience.
We have received great feedback so far from customers, with the refurbishment very well received!
Next time you’re on the road, make Charlton one of your stops — you’ll notice the difference.
"We travel 14 weeks a year in our caravan and these are the cleanest and nicest toilets I’ve been to."
"Most clean and new toilet and shower with such a nice quotes as - don’t worry pee happy made me to give reviews."
"Renovated bathrooms were a lovely surprise for our family. Thank you and all the best. Alex"
"Very clean and tidy restrooms. Felt almost hotel like, well done."
THE CLIFFS ROADHOUSE
A New Destination with a Historic Touch Coming to Trentham
Cliffs
Set to open its doors in December 2025, The Cliffs Roadhouse at Trentham Cliffs in NSW is the newest addition to our network and the region’s highway landscape — a fully serviced stop that blends modern convenience with a touch of local history.
Located just a short distance from the picturesque banks of the Murray River, The Cliffs Roadhouse will offer travellers, truck drivers, and locals alike a comfortable and welcoming place to rest, refuel, and recharge.
The brand-new establishment is more than just a service centre — it’s designed as a true highway destination. The site will feature a comprehensive convenience offer and quality fuel services, alongside an elevated roadhouse-style restaurant that brings a fresh take on traditional highway dining.
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or sitting down for a hearty meal, guests can expect great food and genuine country hospitality.
The Cliffs Roadhouse will also be equipped with premium amenities to meet the needs of all visitors — including modern toilets, clean showers, and laundry facilities, ensuring a comfortable stop for long-haul drivers and travellers on the move.
With its modern design, historic character, and prime location, The Cliffs Roadhouse promises to become a key part of the Trentham Cliffs community — a place where convenience meets comfort, and where every journey feels just a little more enjoyable.
The Cliffs Roadhouse, Trentham Cliffs: your new stop by the Murray.
Sea Lake site undergoes major renovation to expand food offering.
As we continue our network revitalisation, we also welcome our first complete Big Bite branded store to the TASCO network.
Our site at Sea Lake has undergone a significant refurbishment, bringing with it a new level of service and convenience for travellers and locals alike. With food sales at the site steadily increasing, the upgrades were both timely and essential to ensure that the location could continue to grow and meet demand.
At the heart of the transformation is the installation of a fully equipped kitchen, designed to support an expanded food offer. The renovation also features modernised facilities throughout, including new hot and cold display units, upgraded counterworks, and additional shelving to strengthen both the food and convenience offer. A barista coffee insert has been introduced, serving Common Good coffee, ensuring that customers can enjoy a premium coffee experience to compliment their meal.
As part of the refurbishment, we have also implemented our branded food store, Big Bite. This aligns with our broader commitment to providing memorable customer experiences—going above and beyond the basics of fuel and food to create a stopover destination that travellers look forward to visiting.
Pete Jessup, TASCO Retail Manager noted that the changes at Sea Lake are part of a wider strategy to lift the standard of our networks roadside service across the region. “We recognise that today’s customers are looking for more than just fuel. They want quality food, fresh coffee, and a welcoming environment where they can take a break and recharge,” Pete said. “Our investment at Sea Lake reflects our commitment to delivering exactly that.”
With the Calder Highway serving as a vital transport route, the enhanced Sea Lake site is positioned to play an important role for both locals and those passing through. Next time you’re travelling the Calder, make sure to stop in at Sea Lake to experience the newly refurbished site!
Fernleigh Rd Café & Fuel Receives a Fresh New Look in Wagga Wagga
Fernleigh Rd Café & Fuel has unveiled a complete refurbishment, breathing new life into the popular Wagga Wagga site and delivering a modern space that blends convenience with café-style comfort.
The upgrade represents a significant investment into the local community, ensuring customers have access to not only essential services but also an inviting environment to relax, refuel, and enjoy a meal.
The transformation inside the store is immediately noticeable. A sleek urban aesthetic has been introduced, featuring clean lines and a layout that provides a true café experience. A dedicated dining nook has been created to offer a comfortable space for those choosing to dine in, while the overall atmosphere now mirrors the quality and variety of the food on offer.
One of the most substantial changes is behind the counter. The installation of brand-new appliances and the creation of a modern cook area have enabled the team to expand the menu considerably. Customers can now enjoy an extensive range of freshly prepared options, from light bites and barista coffee through to hearty meals designed to cater for both dine-in patrons and those seeking convenient takeaway.
Alongside its café offering, Fernleigh Rd Café & Fuel continues to deliver a comprehensive convenience range, ensuring it remains a one-stop destination for both locals and travellers. The balance between a strong food focus and essential convenience retail has been succesfully achieved with the new layout.
The refurbishment is about more than a visual upgrade. It demonstrates our commitment to evolving with customer expectations and raising the standard of what a modern café and fuel location can be. By combining quality facilities with attentive service, we aim to provide an experience that goes beyond the traditional roadside stop.
With its revitalised design, expanded menu, and enhanced facilities, the new-look Fernleigh Rd Café & Fuel is set to become a local favourite and a reliable destination for those travelling through Wagga Wagga.
Fuelling your journey
Accepted at over 1,900 locations Australia Wide
Ampol Acquires EG Australia
Ampol Limited has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire EG Australia, a leading Australian fuel and convenience retailer with approximately 500 sites nationwide, for a headline price of $1.1 billion.
The acquisition strengthens Ampol’s position as one of Australia’s leading transport energy providers, expanding their fuel and convenience offers for customers and delivering earnings and free cash flow per share accretion for shareholders.
It marks a pivotal and highly strategic step forward for Ampol, where a larger, combined network will allow Ampol to better serve a broader customer base. Through the expansion of the Ampol Foodary convenience retailing network and the rollout of the value-oriented U-GO offering, Ampol is uniquely placed to leverage its capability as a known and trusted brand in fuel and convenience retailing.
Managing Director and CEO, Matt Halliday said the acquisition is a strategic growth opportunity for Ampol given the longstanding relationship with EG Australia, which includes a brand licence agreement and existing 15-year fuel supply agreement.
"The proposed EG Australia acquisition makes sense for Ampol. It is a business and market we understand well through more than 15 years of commercial relationship. We are uniquely placed to leverage our demonstrated capability as a known and trusted brand in fuel and convenience retailing to integrate the business smoothly and realise the value offered through this investment," Halliday said.
"For customers, the combined network will offer greater choice and convenience, enabling us to better serve a broader customer base. Key to this will be the expansion of our premium Ampol Foodary convenience retail network, the rollout of our value-oriented U-GO offering, and extension of Woolworths Everyday Rewards."
"For shareholders, the transaction is accretive to earnings per share and free cash flow, underpinned by $65–$80 million in identified synergies from overhead rationalisation, U-GO conversion cost savings and efficient operations and economies of scale – all achievable through proven integration levers".
"It will also provide a greater footprint and flexibility to execute our strategy around electric vehicle charging, to align with the pace of customer adoption, which we see as a vital component to our long-term plans."
After this deal is completed, the fuel and convenience and fuel marketing businesses, across Australia and New Zealand, will represent circa 85% of Ampol Group earnings. Ampol will propose to divest approximately 20 sites across locations where network overlap will occur as part of its application to the ACCC.
This acquisition remains subject to regulatory approval and is anticipated for completion in mid-2026.
Full article: https://www.ampol.com.au/about-ampol/news-and-media/ampolenters-agreement-to-acquire-eg-australia
Approaching 60 years in the industry, Hicks Transport Group is one of Australia’s leading transport operators.
Based in the Murray River border town of Cobram and with offices and depots in Shepparton, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, the privately-owned family business boasts a 70-strong fleet of vehicles – prime movers, container sideloader, refrigerated transport and various other trailer types – that provide daily services between Melbourne and Cobram and surrounding regions, interstate services between all major eastern seaboard cities and South Australia, and cool-room and dry storage services.
The late founders, Brian & Lorna Hicks, established Brian Hicks Transport in 1968 in the small community of Koyuga (near Echuca in northern Victoria). At the time Brian was living and working on the family farm, consisting of beef cattle and cropping. Brian used the farm truck – a D-Series Ford rigid with dog trailer – to cart his own hay and produce and soon began carting goods for neighbouring farms for payment, including a trip to Sydney – the first of many interstate journeys.
Marriage to his late wife Lorna and four children followed as Brian continued as an owner-driver in Koyuga, his passion for the transport industry growing each year. In 1981, Brian purchased another truck – a Scania 110 – to extend the services provided for neighbouring farmers to local businesses in and around the township of Echuca and Koyuga. He employed his first full-time driver. In 1989, Brian and Lorna decided to sell the farm and relocate the young family to Cobram when an opportunity to purchase Pullar & Co. Transport – consisting of three trucks – presented itself.
Four years later, in 1993, Brian purchased the block of land where the current head office and main depot is located, which includes maintenance and refuelling facilities.
This hard-working ethos has paid off with the business experiencing significant growth since, with a series of company and vehicle acquisitions and a growing foothold in the Goulburn and Murray Valley’s fruit market.
Today, Hicks Transport continues to expand its operations and provides a range of services including:
• General Freight Services
• Refrigerated Services
• Container Services
• Storage Services
• Rigid Deliveries
"We’ve had the pleasure of working with TASCO Petroleum for many years, and they’ve become more than just a fuel supplier to Hicks Transport Group—they’re a trusted partner. No matter when we need them, TASCO always delivers on time and with dependable service. We’re grateful for their ongoing support and look forward to many more years of working together."
Naomi Beasley, Director. Hicks Transport Group
Raising funds for MND (Motor Neurone Disease)
Since 2014 Hicks Transport Group have proudly supported and taken part in raising funds for MND. This cause is one close to the hearts of Hicks Transport, particularly Warren, Simon & Naomi who lost their mother Lorna Hicks to the disease over 20 years ago.
Daniher’s Drive is an annual four-day charity drive spearheaded by 2025 Australian of the Year, AFL legend and FightMND co-founder Neale Daniher that raises funds in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND). Lorna’s Cobram Crew have participated in every Drive since its inception in 2015, netting more than $500,000 in funds across the eight events to date.
The crew comprises Warren and Simon Hicks – whose mother sadly passed away from MND in 2002 at the age of 51 – and a group of friends largely from the Cobram area. The team’s flagship fundraiser each September is a golf day at Cobram-Barooga Golf Club which attracts more than 200 players across all 36 championship holes at the scenic course.
“This year we’re targeting $60,000 – every last dollar of which will once again go towards finding a treatment and cure for what Neale rightly calls ‘The Beast’,” Warren says.
TASCO were proud to donate $1,000 in fuel vouchers to the team’s golf day auction.
