have you paid your 2011 membership ?

Issue No # 15: JULY 2011

have you paid your 2011 membership ?

The Soweto Gospel Chiorwas treated to somethingdifferent when theyrecently took to the streetsof Alice Springs in theBangtail Muster (May DayParade) on the back of ourFiat flatbed. The Fiat wasdonated to the Hall of Fameby the Luppino family andwas used at the Dandenongmarkets. The world renowngroup travelled the countryand performed two sell outconcerts in Alice Springs.

Soweto Gospel Chior sings to Alice from the back of Fiat

End of An Era: Tom Kruse Passes On

The end of an era reigned on the road transport industry this month when legendaryBirdsville mailman, Tom Kruse passed away on 30th June 2011 just short of a year afterhis beloved wife Valma. Tom is pictured above with proud daughter Helen Hamp at theunveiling of the bronze bust in his likeness at the National Road Transport Hall of Fameas a highlight of last year’s ReUnion 2010. Photo: Ian Doyle - Corrugated Productions

ReUnion 2011 LoomsIts all go at the National Road Transport Hall of Fameas staff and volunteers gear up for ReUnion 2011 whichis turning out to be bigger than expected.

CEO Liz Martin said she suspects the bigger thanaverage turn out is due to the national publicity theShell Rimula Wall of Fame induction achieved last yearwith the success of ReUnion 2010 and other events.

“Our ReUnion is now recognised as one of the mostprestigious events on the road transport calender anddelegates come from every corner of the country andevery sector of industry every year,” she said.

Liz said she was excited that all the sponsors had comeback on board including Shell, Kenworth, Cummins, NTIand Freightliner saying without their support the eventwould be nowhere near as successful.

“The other thing that makes us stand out from the restis that we have the most amazing group of volunteerswho continuously dedicate their all to making ourmuseum and events the best. Without them, our museumand our reunions simply would not exist.”

At the time of printing there were over 60 inductees for2011 and that is about 20% more than average on anormal year and 50% more than what usually happensthe year after the ‘big ones” like ReUnion 2010.

The Ryan Family of Alice Springs accepted the award forJohn Ryan AO (their husband and father) in 2010.

Noon Mahomet wasinducted at ReUnion 2010.Sadly he passed away froma fatal heart attack earlier

this year. Noon’s fatherSallah was a cameleer inCentral Australia before

entering the trucking game.Noon joined him in 1965driving a 1960 cab-overAEC he remembered as

being “old, ugly and roughas guts”. Noon was

working for BIS drivingroadtrains carting iron oreand lived in Whyalla at the

time he passed away.

Transmission

Kenworth and DealerHall of Fame in print!

As part of Kenworth’s 40th anniversary of Australian manufacturing in2011, we have just released a children’s book featuring the Hall ofFame, an all new K200 and the original Grey Ghost, K125CR chassis40008, the first truck offline at Bayswater on March 2 1971. EntitledKenny’s Great Adventure, the story follows Kenny as he travels toAlice Springs and the Hall of Fame.

In an interesting twist however, the Grey Ghost currently on display atthe Hall of Fame is actually heading for Bayswater in February for a fewweeks. It will share the limelight there with the outstanding new 2011model range, as a tangible reminder of how far Kenworth has come in 40short years.

Since chassis 40008 came offline, there have been almost 45,000 trucksdesigned and manufactured at Kenworth’s Bayswater plant; 54 modelsthat have collectively covered billions of kilometres across Australia’sharsh terrain and toughest applications. Many thousands of Kenworthowners and drivers have shared these kilometres, and created countlessstories and legends along the way. Some of these stories adorn thewalls of the Hall of Fame, providing rightful recognition for the pioneersof road transport in Australia.

Hopefully the new children’s book can help to spark a similar interest intrucking amongst the next generation of youngsters; an interest thatmay develop into a life long passion for our dynamic and diverse roadtransport industry in Australia.

Order Your Copy TodayOrder Your Copy Today$20 incl P&H$20 incl P&H

Kenworth T908: A True Australian IconIf you’ve seen an Australian passport recently, you may have noticed a familiar-looking vehicle, a KenworthT908 Road Train. Mark Hayward, the passport designer, found the T908 in a country town in central NewSouth Wales and captured its image on page 30 in the new passport because of its status as an icon of theAustralian road transport industry. The T908 with multi-trailer combinations operates across Australia,transporting everything from livestock to mineral ores. With the capacity to handle 610hp engines, the T908is versatile enough to operate in almost any application where the front axle weight is critical.

Launched in May 2009, the latest “N-Series” passport also features other images that depict scenesrepresentative of a day in Australia, from Kookaburras serenading the dawn, to a local cricket match andHolden cars parked outside a hotel at dusk. As well as being visually stunning, the N-Series is the mosttechnically advanced passport Australia has ever produced. The document is produced by the sameorganization that prints Australia’s currency, and includes several advanced security devices, such aslaminate coating made of tiny glass beads that have been laser cut to create images of kangaroos and emus.Right : Australia’s most recent N-Series passport features an image of the iconic Kenworth T908 Road Train.

Photo Credit: Australian Passport Office and Note Printing Australia

Kenworth Dealer Hall of FameOur prized K125CR Kenworth has returned to Alice Springs after spending severalmonths in Victoria. This uniquely historic vehicle was the first truck to come off theproduction at Kenworth’s Bayswater facility in 1971. Chassis number #400008, it haspride of place in the Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame.

The Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame comprises around 11,000 sq ft of display spacedevoted to the history of the Australian designed and built Kenworth, and theDealer network that brings this product and back up support to customers acrossAustralia. The development of Kenworth in Australia makes an exciting story, fromthe earliest beginnings with fully imported and locally assembled product in the1960’s, through the watershed of Australian design and manufacture in 1971,to thehandover in 2005 of the 30,000th Australian built truck. The Kenworth Dealer Hall ofFame highlights the role Kenworth has played in opening up the Australian continent,perhaps the remotest and harshest environment for trucks anywhere in the world.

The displays are regularly augmented with new material, including additional truckscurrently under restoration. The Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame has already becomea destination for all those people with a love of the trucking industry and the peoplewho have helped shape the ongoing story.

Transmission

The official journal of theRoad Transport Historical Societyand the Old Ghan Train Museum

Correspondence To:The Editor, Liz MartinPO Box 8099, Alice Springs, 0871

Phone ContactsTruck Museum 08 8952 7161Train Museum 08 8952 7161CEO’s Office 08 8953 8940Caretakers Res. 08 8953 2955

ChairpersonKel Davis 0421 771 412chair@roadtransporthall.com

Managing EditorLiz Martin 0429 201 549info@roadtransporthall.com

Advertising RepresentativeLiz Martin 08 8952 7161info@roadtransporthall.com

Contributions This IssueLiz Martin Debi RobinsonKelvin Davis Jakob KlunykJohn Tucker David Kent

EditorialEnquiries to the Editor. All membersand friends are invited to contribute

*****************************Annual Subscription$20.00 per annum for three consecu-tive issues. NOTE: Our TransmissionNewsletter is FREE to members)

DisclaimerThe statements contained in thispublication, while based on informationbelieved to be true at the time of print,are not in any way guaranteed orendorsed. No liability will be accepted bythe Road Transport Historical SocietyInc. for accuracy or correctness of contentof any article or member contributions.Likewise, all photographs are believedto have been credited correctly.

Kel Davis

NoticeBoard

courtesy of

3Board of Management 2011

C.E.O. Liz Martin OAMPATRON Lew Couper

Chairperson Kelvin DavisVice Chair (and SA) David KentVice Chair Russ DriverSecretary Debi RobinsonTreasurer VACANTKenworth Jim HurleyOld Ghan Railway Peter DendleVictoria Graham HolmesQueensland Louie DeenWest Australia Max WinklessNew South Wales Bruce GunterTasmania *VACANT*

Road Transport HistoricalSociety Incorporated

The Road Transport Historical SocietyInc. is a community based volunteerorganisation dedicated to thepreservation and presentation of ourunique transport history.

The National Road Transport Hall ofFame in Alice Springs is the main projectof the Society. It is a collection of oldtrucks, vintage and veteran cars andcollection of photographs andmemorabilia representing the diverseoperation of road transport in Australia.The display includes a workshop facilityand the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame.

This includes the magnificent KenworthHall of Fame where the history of thisfine company is exhibited in a state-of-the-art museum and display that isconstantly being upgraded.

We are also responsible for the Old GhanTrain Museum which is an integral partof Central Australia’s heritage. Thisdivision boasts a tea-room, museum andhopefully, train rides in the near future.

The newest part of the Museum is theCameleers Garden and display in theGhan Museum honouring the role of theearly camel men who pioneered both ourroad and rail industries.

The affairs of the RTHS Inc. and all itsdivisions are managed by a Board ofManagement duly elected by themembership. All members of this Boardwork in a voluntary capacity.

Roving Ambassadors

Mick ClausenFrank Whiting and Lee DavidsonDianne and Kevin ShayGreg Whitford and Annette BatesonYvonne Ball and Keith HoldenSandra Sauer and Ray ParkerElaine Ball and Larry Doneman

reunion

2011Put it in your diary now

26th -29th Augin

Alice SpringsBOOK NOW

Ph 08 89527161

Fromour

ChairmanKEL

DAVISI am finally back on deck after having afew visits to the hospital over the pastcouple of months but hopefully can seelight at the end of the tunnel.

Following my return I was pleased to seeso many of our volunteers, old and new,on deck for the 2011 season and there isa massive amount of work going onaround the place. This year is what Lizcalls “a year of consolidation” and she isfocussing on completing many of theprojects we had started but not finishedbetween the rain and reunion in 2010.

The ReUnion this year looks like beingbigger than what we expected which isgood. It just shows how much our Wallof Fame is appreciated by the industryAustralia - wide. I had a comment theother day, from an American visitorsaying our museum is the best way tolearn about trucking in Australia and hewishes there was something similar in theUSA. Liz has been asked by several NZ’sif they can have a section here becausethere is nothing like it over there either.We can be grateful that our sponsors,Shell, Kenworth, Cummins, Freightlinerand NTI have been so supportive.

Liz has really had the pressure put on herthis year with staff shortages and mebeing so sick but in true form she haspulled us through with the Hall of Fameand Old Ghan doing better than ever. Werecently had our busiest (non-event) dayever and even had the boys from theworkshop washing dishes so we couldkeep up. It is a credit to our volunteersthat they just jump in where the biggestneed is. Special thanks to board membersDebi Robinson, David Kent, GrahamHolmes and Peter Dendle who havesupported Liz above and beyond the callof duty during this time. Thanks also toJakob Klunyk and Annette Bateson.

As we continue to grow we need tochange our structure so that we moreresemble the big business we are now.We turned over a million dollars plus (notcounting the reunion) this year. Prettygood for a self-funded community basedorganisation but it means we have to re-assess a few things. We have a specialmeeting at the reunion and I encourageall members who are inAlice Springs to attend.

Transmission4

Comment by Vice Chair: David Kent

see

Since late last year I have been working on compiling a completeasset register for the Hall of Fame truck and vehicle collectionspending a week over Easter gathering information on our exhibitsto add to the register. In May I also spent a week at the Hall ofFame in Alice Springs helping Liz and her volunteers with a tradeconference for Optus Telecommunications.

We fed about 600 people over two days. While I was there I alsoassisted with cooking and setting up for a wedding for 120 aswell. They were both highly successful events which made quitea substantial amount to go towards ongoing projects at the Hall.We must thank our CEO Liz Martin for the effort and work thatshe puts in to make these fundraisers as successful as they are.

Looking to the future of the Road Transport Historical Societyand the National Road Transport Hall of Fame some decisionsneed to be made as to the direction we take in the future. Ourexisting constitution says executive positions on theManagement Committee have to be Alice Springs residents.

We have sought professional advice and have been advised thatthis no longer need be the case if our constitution is amendedaccordingly - with the exception of the Public Officer. Keypositions can be held by interstate members or persons withparticular skills that would enhance the management committee.We have called a special general meeting to be held at the ReUnion2011 to get a feeling from the members but if you would like tocontact us with ideas it would be gratefully appreciated. I can becontacted on 0417 802 134 or email: piriebus@westnet.com.au

I really think that we need more corporate input into the boardwithout in anyway excluding our membership and it wouldencourage our members from anywhere in the country to putthemselves forward for board representation.

Since our highly successful reunion in 2010 we have had somegrowing pains within the management committee with three ofour Alice Springs based board members resigning for personalreasons. We thank them for their contribution to the Hall of Fameand Old Ghan over many years and wish them well in the future.

Kel Davis, our chairman has been in and out of hospital, initiallywith kidney problems, and this developed into something wherethe doctors could not diagnose what was wrong with him and heended up in a critical condition in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.Following diagnosis and ongoing treatment he has just returnedto Alice Springs and things seem to be under control.

Thanks must go to all the volunteers who stepped up and assistedLiz with the Hall of Fame during this difficult time. They literallycame from north, south, east and west! I particularly thank ourSecretary - Debi Robinson, Ghan Tea Rooms Manager - JakobKlunyk, Peter Dendle - Old Ghan Board member and life memberAnnette Bateson for the massive effort they put in when thegoing got tough. Congratulations must also go to the volunteersfor the huge effort they have put in over the last six months.

Finally, special thanks must go to Liz Martin for the way she hasheld things together for the Hall of Fame over the last few months.

David Kent is one of two Vice-Chairmanon the Road Transport HistoricalSociety Management Committee. Hisportfolios include the Bus and Coachindustry, South Australia, theCollection Asset Register and StaffLiaison among other things. Althoughhe lives in Port Pirie, SA, where heoperates Port Pirie Bus Service,Spencer Gulf Coaches and a mechanicalworkshop he is one of our most activeBoard members. David writes;

OUTBACK PHOTOGRAPHYwww. outbackphotography

redsandphotographics.synthasite.com

Greg WhitfordGreg WhitfordGreg WhitfordGreg WhitfordGreg WhitfordRedsand PhotographicsPh: 0407186487whitty58@msn.com

Framed, MattMountedPrints

Retail orWholesale

QueriesWelcome

Tell DickaboutYour

Diamond

Richard Smith (Dizzy-To) Co-Author of the WW11 Diamond TRegister book is in the midst of updating his register of WW11Diamond T’s all over the world. He is particularly interested inT980s, 981, 969A and 968s and would appreciate any details,information or photographs you have.

Basically he’d like to know the Model and Chassis number, dateof manufacture, engine make and number, WW11 Registration,military registration and civilian registration. Also details suchas the cab and body type. Finally he’d like to know previousand present owners and the vehicles location and condition.

Email Richard direct on: vj3346@talktalk.net

BERTHA:Our prized1942 Diamond T980as used by KurtJohannsen after WW11

Can

you help? FROM THE U.K.

Freightliner: Where it had its origins

This magnificent example of aFreightliner is housed in the NationalRoad Transport Hall of Fame. It wasthe first to come into the country.Photo: Greg Whitford

Freightliner is a divisionDaimler Trucks NorthAmerica. It wasfounded in 1942 asFreightliner Inc. Itsheadquarters are inPortland Oregan andhas approximately25,000 employees.

It all started in the 1930swhen ConsolidatedFreightways startedproducing their owntruck line out ofremodelled Faegolsbecause most trucks onthe market at the timedid not have thestrength to climb steepmountain grades. In1949 the company soldits first truck outside ofits own business toHyster forklifts. Thattruck is housed at theSmithonian Institute.

In 1951 Consolidated engaged theWhite Motor Company to sell theirproduct and this continued for 25 yearsuntil White got into financial difficulty.In 1974 Freightliner became a stand-alone company. In 1981 it became partof the Daimler-Benz Group.Consolidated Freightways continued asa carrier right up until 2002

Transmission 5

The Chief ExecutiveOfficer’s Reportby Liz Martin OAM

During this time I had the chance to Test Drive the new Hyundaii45 sedan, and I must say what a beautiful car; other than thetendency of the car to sit on 120km per hour in a 90kph zonewithout you realising it. This car handles beautifully whether youare travelling the flat open highways or the winding mountain andlake back roads that are abundant between Perth and MargaretRiver. The fuel economy would have even the most fanatic Ford orHolden drivers drooling. I only had to top the tank up twice duringthe entire trip (and one of those was topping up when I returnedthe car to the airport on my way home).

One of the features of the drivers status display is your tripcomputer which had so many different features it would take metoo long to explain them all, but suffice to say my favourite displayactually told me how many kilometres I could drive before the tankran dry - very helpful considering I was in an area I didn’t know.

Along with a spacious and luxurious interior this car is definatelyin the top five of the favourite cars that I have driven. Finally forthose going over to the lovely region of Margaret River this is myrecommendation for you. Turn off the Sat Nav, I know you all havethem lol, allow yourself to get good and lost in the area, you neverknow what little secrets you will find. They have everything downthere from Candy Cow’s sweet shop to Howling Wolves (a fantasticwinery). And, delicious cheeses I had to bring home for Liz!

Jakob Test DrivesHyundia i45 on his

holiday to WAThis year I managed to getaway from Alice Springs on aholiday. I spent eight daysover in Western Australia,staying in Busselton on theNorthern edge of the lovelyMargaret River area

Can you believe it? ReUnion 2010 isalmost a year behind us and ReUnion2011 is racing towards us faster thanwe can keep up with. The last yearhas flown and I feel like we should bepreparing for Christmas 2010 notdoing end of financial year business.

We have a great ReUnion 2011 planned with several highlights.The main one, of course, is the induction into our Shell RimulaPioneers Wall of Fame where the men and women of our industryare recognised for their contribution. I thank the Shell Company ofAustralia for the fantastic support that they give to us every year,both in kind and financial. We could not do what we do withouttheir support. Likewise for our other sponsors; Kenworth, who arewith us all year long and support us in many ways and Cumminsand Freightliner who support every ReUnion. Special thanks mustalso go to Eaton for sponsoring this newsletter and NTI whosponsor something for us every year. There are of course manyothers too numerous to mention but be assured we appreciate it.

We have had a very busy year with functions and we could nothave done that without the support of our volunteers. I amconstantly amazed at the amount of effort that they put into ensuringour functions are the best. We never fail to get countless commentsfrom our customers about the friendliness and helpfulness of ourvolunteers. We’ve had a couple of weddings, a dinner for theAustralian Transport Council, a couple of conferences, two dinnertheatres as well as several others. As a self funded communityorganisation it is these functions that give us our funds for projects.

On a more serious note, and as alluded to in both Kel Davis’s andDavid Kent’s reports, our organisation is growing at a fast paceand we need to look seriously at succession planning and settingdirection for the future management of our facility. This is somethingI feel very strongly about because, as much as I hate to admit it, Iam not going to be here forever. We all have a duty to ensure thatwe have a structure in place that ensures our ongoing success inthe years that come. We have some amazing business acumen andcorporate knowledge on our wider Board of Management and Ihave been very fortunate to be able to use those people as mymentors and support base over the past few years. Special thanksgo to Graham Holmes and David Kent particularly - both of whomhave really stepped up to the plate for me during this transitionalperiod. Unfortunately our constitution reads that key positions(Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) on our managementcommittee must be resident in Alice Springs. I would like to seethose positions opened up to our full membership and to ensurethat those persons and organisations who have a vested interestand financial investment in our facility (like Kenworth, majorsponsors and another major manufacturer just about to come onboard) have equal opportunity at management committee level.

That is not to say that we do not appreciate the dedication andcommitment of our earlier locally based committees. We certainlywould have not got to where we are without them and I thank eachand every-one of those who served in the first 15 years. They’veall been a spoke in the wheel that got us here but we have outgrownthe local footy club, church fete style of management. We are a bigbusiness and need big business skills to ensure we stay here. Inthe next newsletter, prior to our AGM, we will be putting in a fullreport and proposed amendment to our constitution that will enableus to properly utilise the skills that are available to us. We grossedwell over a million dollars this year and that is an importantmilestone and message that we need to change our managementstructure. Think about it in the meantime andplease feel free to call me if you have concerns. Liz Martin

Welcome BackIt was great to catch upwith members and goodmates Leon and PennyTodd who called in to stayat the Hall recently. Leonwas inducted into the Hallof Fame in 2010 . Leon andPenny are two of thetrucking industry’s trueoutback characters.

Until recently Leon andPenny were managing acattle property in theWarrumbungle Rangesbut have recently hit thetrack with their two dogsand cat to travel Australiain their caravan.

Leon is no stranger to the road having had a long and variedcareer in road transport having started carting cattle all around thetop of South Australia in his Dad’s old International in the 60s.From there he carted freight to Paraburdoo and Mt Tom Price, andhauled between Adelaide and Darwin on the Old South Road beforecarting cattle throughout Central Australia. He drove many trucksincluding a Mack R600, Kenworths and a 1977 Autocar but hismost famous was his 1980 smart looking two tone brown KenworthTW that he called his “Express Cow Taxi”. Renown throughoutthe industry as a go anywhere hard worker who’d get the jobdone, we remember he liked to “chuck a happy” ocassionally too!

Penny and Leon (front) with son in lawWayne and daughter Adrienne behind

Transmission6

Hall of Fame Old Ghan Museum

THE END OF AN ERA -Vale Esmond Gerald (Tom) Kruse MBE

By Liz Martin OAMIts hard to think back to the firsttime I’d heard about Edmond Gerald(Tom) Kruse. To me he was initiallyone those people, just like KurtJohannsen and Noel Buntine, whosevery names caused tough truckingmen to gasp in awe whenever storieswere told about the trials andtribulations of their early days.

He was a giant of a manwith the gentlest of hearts

I’d known Noel Buntine pretty well all my life, and knew KurtJohannsen for much of it too, but my first real connection withTom Kruse came in the late 1970s when my ex-husband and Ioperated a freezer van service between Adelaide and Darwin forMcDonalds Transport. One of the other subbys was Colin Hampwho was Tom’s son in law. The old South Road (Stuart Highway)between Port August and Alice Springs was all dirt, bulldust andcorrugations then and there were plenty of opportunities roadsideto sit by the campfire and tell stories - like when you were brokendown or bogged to the axles. Having always been a bit of a historyhead, and an advocate of the trucking industry, I was fascinatedwith the stories I heard about Tom Kruse.

I met Tom a few times over the years but our friendship began inearnest when a small group of us in Alice Springs decided to opena truck museum. From the very beginning we were determined toinclude the social history of the men and women who drive theindustry. In that first instance, there were just ten men whom weidentified as worthy of research. They were Kurt Johannsen, NoelBuntine, Dave Baldock, James Crawford, Price Hill, Jack McCafferty,Alan Brown and Jack Hurley, Harry Ding and of course, Tom Kruse.These men were the first ten inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall ofFame at our very first induction ceremony. The thing that sticks inmy mind is that not one of them thought they’d done anythingmagnificent. They were just doing their job. Tom was no different.

I was struck by his gentle personality, genuine humbleness andquiet sense of humour. He never lost that twinkle in his eye. Tomvisited us a few times at the Hall of Fame over the years and I sawhim several times at other places - probably the most memorablewas in 2004 when Kel and I went to Marree for the 50th anniversaryof the Shell Company and John Heyer’s legendary documentary,‘Back of Beyond’ which featured Tom Kruse’s outback run andcatapulted him into national (and international) recognition.

We flew to Adelaide and caught a charter bus to Marree to attendthe celebration. We were just returning from a scenic flight overLake Eyre when a radio message came from the Flying Doctor tosay that they were also just approaching Marree air strip with Tomon board. Naturally we gave way and landed five minutes behindhim giving us a few precious minutes of privacy before he hittown and the hundreds of people eagerly awaiting his arrival. Wehitched a ride on the back of the Blitz that delivered him into Marreeand from that moment forward he was literally mobbed. Peoplelined up for hundreds of metres just to have their photo taken andshare a few words with one of our national treasures.

Tom Kruse, known the world over as the Birdsville Mailman, wasone of this country’s most well known outback characters havingmade a name for himself delivering mail, general supplies, fuel andmedicines throughout the outback regions of Central Australiafrom 1930s to the 1960s. Born in Waterloo, SA, on 28th August1914, Tom was the tenth of twelve children and the son of the localblacksmith, Harry Kruse. Tom initially worked for his older brotherArthur before taking a job at the general store in Yunta workingfor John Penna delivering supplies to local stations.

When John Penna sold the business to Harry Ding in 1934 Tomwent with it. He was just 22 years of age when he first tackled thenotorious Birdsville track inaugurating the first Dings motorisedmail service on New Years Day 1936. The young Tom was alreadya seasoned driver and proved up for the challenge. He recalled thetrack was little more than “pads between bores” at the time. Thefirst government run service was pioneered in that area by JackHester in 1884 with a mail-passenger service operated by AugustHelling starting in 1884. In later years George Roberts deliveredthe mail and for the ten years before Harry Ding took over, HarryWilliams, and his son George, held the mail contract. Tom followedin the footsteps of some great men. We are fortunate that throughthe various mediums of media, and the dedication of many people,we have been able record Tom’s story for future posterity.

The track between Yunta and Birdsville is still renowned today asbeing one of the most arduous in the country. For twenty yearsTom Kruse conquered continuously moving sandhills, sand anddust storms, flies and flooded rivers, bogs and breakdowns to getthe mail through. Tom, and his aboriginal offsider, Henry Butler,had to find their own way through and usually blazed their owntracks. Subsequently these would wash out each wet season andthey’d have to renegotiate new ways through the flooded swampsand quagmire of the 3000 kilometre depression fed by theDiamantina, Cooper and Georgina Rivers at Goyders Lagoon. Ifthe going was good it took seven days but mostly it took a lotlonger. Once it took six weeks. Sometimes Tom would have todetour up to 200 miles off his original track to avoid getting bogged.There were no real hills for landmarks in this desert landscape,only timeless sand dunes that shifted quietly and consistentlyovernight. Some of these sandhills were over 100 feet high andTom would have to take three or four ‘runs’ at it before he couldget to the other side, often using matting for traction.

In 1939 Tom Kruse carted fuel and supplies for Cecil Madigan whobecame the first European to cross the Simpson Desert by Camel.Tom married his sweetheart Valma Fuller in 1942 and moved toMarree as manager at Harry Dings depots in Marree and Lyndhurst.In 1947, Tom purchased the business from Harry Ding and fromthe 1st January 1949 operated the Birdsville mail contract in hisown name. He did this continuously for the next fifteen years andeventually sold out to Pat and Ruth Smith in Quorn, SA, in 1963.

His routes took in a massive area of Central Australia; all up some500,000 square kilometres! Tom’s fortnightly trips took him to placessuch as Birdsville, Lyndhurst, Lake Harry, Goyders Lagoon, Burt’sHole, Mount Fitton and Alton Downs, but he also called at placeswith unusual names like Dulkaninna, Cannuwaukaukaninna,Ooroowillanie, Kopperamanna, Mungarannie and a place nowcalled New Well then known as Mulkanundracooracooratarraninna.

Tom faced many challenges over the years. One of his hardest wasgetting employees who could cope with the hardship. It was alonely life and drivers had to rely heavily on their own bush skillsin a landscape that was equally destructive to man and vehicle ifyou let it beat you. Harry Ding had told Tom it was “the world’sworst country for wheeled vehicles” and a land with littlecompanionship. You had to be mates with yourself because therewas no-one else. Drivers had to contend with hundreds of miles ofnothingness where course sand penetrated their eyes, their clothesand their food. The freezing desert winds chilled them to the boneirrespective of how many clothes they wore. Where others failed,Tom thrived and before long was known to all and sundry alongthe track as the Birdsville Mailman. It didn’t matter what it tookTom always got the mail through delivering it with a friendly smile.He bought sweets for the kids and news of births, deaths andmarriages from the outside world. Tom cooked and ate his mealsby campfire often also contending with the days breakdowns atthe same time. Changing springs by fire light was an all too commonoccurrence; and when his stock of springs was all used up a greenlimb cut from the nearest a mulga tree had to suffice.

Transmission 7

At night the only sound was the far off howl of a hungry dingopack, the eerie hoot of a lone owl or the hum of millions of mossieswaiting to make a meal of him. The summer months were equallygruelling. Once, in 40 degree heat, Tom was forced to walk formiles to Mungerannie and back to Mulka to get help from PoddyAiston to fix a broken tailshaft. Another time he was bogged to theaxle at Pandie Pandie and had to be airlifted out because the truckwouldn’t budge. Later, in 1963, five members of the Page familydied in the same spot through heat exhaustion and lack of water. Itwas at Pandie Pandie, in 1957, that Tom abandoned his mostfamous truck, the hybrid Leyland Badger fitted with a Thornycroftrear end and gearbox, featured in the documentary, Back of Beyond.This movie won the most prestigious award at the VeniceInternational Film Festival in 1954. A year later Tom was awardedan MBE for services to the outback community. The Governorhad flown to Birdsville to present the decoration but Tom wasstranded along the track, cut by floodwater, and couldn’t make it.

In 1952 Tom handed over most of the driving to Monty Scobiewho did it for about three years. Tom then went damsinking andearthmoving but still did frequent trips along the Birdsville routethat made him famous right up until 1963. Tom sold out to PatSmith in 1963 and moved his family to Cumberland Park in Adelaidewhile he went dam sinking and road making in the north of thestate. Tom and Valma had four children by then, Pauline, Helen,Phillip and Jeffery. As they grew up Valma was able to spend moretime with Tom in the bush. Tom retired in 1984 but always wantedto retrieve the Leyland Badger truck that had been abandoned atPandie Pandie Station near Birdsville in 1957. It was located duringthe Jubilee Mail Run Re-enactment to celebrate the 150thanniversary of South Australia. Tom’s Leyland Club was retrievedat this time but when Tom visited the Badger again in 1989 he wasdetermined to reignite interest in retrieving it also.

The Badger was eventually retrieved and an enthusiastic team setabout restoring it. The Leyland Badger Restoration Group, headedby Ian Doyle and Neil Weidenbach, were literally bitten by the“Badger Bug” and by 1996 it was complete. Special thanks mustalso go to Aynsley Rowe who rebuilt the wooden body from scratchhaving started with “just one door and three floorboards”.

In 1999 Tom delivered some 7000 letters along the way during hisfamous ‘Birdsville to Birdwood’ re-enactment which was beingheralded as the mail truck’s last run. The journey raised $12,000 forthe Royal Flying Doctor Service and culminated with Tom’sbeloved Leyland Badger being presented to the National MotorMuseum in Birdwood, SA. Tom Kruse was a young 85 at the timeof the re-enactment and was thrilled to catch up with old mateGeorge Bell from Dulkaninna Station who just happened to becelebrating his 80th birthday when they caught up after 40 years.

Tom was recognised in many ways and to me he always seemed alittle nonplussed about the fuss everyone made of him. He wasliterally a living treasure. He was inducted into the National RoadTransport Hall of Fame in 2000 and in 2003 was recognised as an‘Outback Legend’ by Australian Geographic. From 2008 to 2011five bronze busts of our legendary Outback Mailmen were placedat the National Motor Museum, Birdsville, Maree, Waterloo andhere at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in celebration ofone of the country’s greatest outback characters. This magnificenttribute was made possible through the efforts of Ian Doyle, whoheaded up the Appeal Team, and the generous support of manyorganisations including the CMV Foundation and Pilatus Australia.

Tom’s bust here was unveiled as a highlight of our ReUnion 2010celebrations. It was his 96th birthday and I saw his eyes mist upwith pride as the thousand strong crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday’to him. His wife Valma had died just the week before. It was verymoving and I realised just how privileged I am to have shared afew precious moments of his time over the past twenty years.

Australia Farewells its Legendary Birdsville Mailman: 1914 - 2011

ABOVE: Tom Kruseand Roy “Brickie”Taylor with Badger

prime-mover rebuild inOoraroo, SA.

Photo: John Mannion

LEFT: Tom Kruse,loaded to the hilt with

supplies and fuel on theBirdsville Track,

catches up with a mate .Photo: Kevin Pitcher

RIGHT: TomKruse on the

sandhills nearCoopers Creek

Photo: StateLibrary of SA

BELOW: Gaffneyand Kruse’s

Cummins poweredFederal with hay.

Photograph:John Mannion

LEFT:Tom Kruse’s

beloved LeylandBadger has beenrestored and is

on display at theNational Motor

Museum inBirdswood, SAwhere it sits in

honour of one ofour greatest

outback legends.

Transmission8Jim Hurley finally gets his

HG42 Cletrac OliverLiz gets a number plate

from Minister McCarthy

Liz Martin was excited to accept the veryfirst of the NT’s new number plates fromTransport Minister Gerry McCarthy.

It is the first time in the last 32 years thatthe plates have been changed and Liz saidshe felt honoured the Minister had thoughtof the Hall of Fame for the first one. It isenvisaged that the new style plates will bein service for another 30 years during whichit is estimated some 1.5 million platecombinations will be produced.

The plates will still be featured in ochre andcarry the NT OUTBACK AUSTRALIA tagline. The plate presented to the Hall of Fameis CA 00 AA and this will be followed byCA 00 AB through the alphabet afterwhichthe second last letter will move from A to B.

Jim Hurley, RTHS Board member andManaging Director of Brown and HurleyGroup, now owns a HG42 Cletrac Oliver.

Tracking down a little HG42 Cletrac Olivertractor had been an obsession of Jim’s formany years. It is the same model as thevery first vehicle his father, Jack, foundingpartner of Brown and Hurley, had ever sold.

Through a series of wrong phone numbers,a different tractor being advertised andpeople in the know Jim tracked the Cletracto Dale and Karen Bracken’s house wherehe was able to negotiate the purchase. Dalehad initially purchased the tractor at theToowoomba Swap but hadn’t got aroundto doing anything with it. Dale and Karenare excited it has gone to a good home.

book launchStories

from theRoad II

where:

when:

National Road Transport Hall ofFame, Alice SpringsSaturday 27 August 1.00pm

Another priceless collection of thechallenges and achievements ofAustralia’s road transport legends in abeautiful hardcover coffee style book.

Written by Liz Martin this book is asequel to the popular Stories from theRoad book launched in 2007. Publishedby Focus Publishing Group in Sydneythe book is a full colour, hard cover,coffee table style book that is a must forevery transport enthusiast’s library. Thebook features 50 profiles of roadtransport families from all around thecountry and all sectors of industry.

Vince and Domenica Ridolfo purchasedthis Foden second hand in 1963 to cutand cart timber for the State ElectricityCommission in Western Australia. WhenVincent passed away in 1988 Domenicastepped into managing the company.Since then the business has grownconsiderably and the Ridolfo Group ismanaged by sons Anthony and Danieland son-in law John Di-Toro.

The highly respected Melbourne basedcompany of L Arthur Pty Ltd first startedin 1898 when Louie Arthur operated ahorse stable servicing the city centre andYarra River. Today the company is stillowned by the family and operates withover 200 pieces of equipment.

We’ve seen a lot of uses for Mack trucks over the years butthis nifty little motorhome is among the cutest. This photowas taken at Huka Falls in NZ and was donated to our MackMuseum by Kerry Kendrick and Lorraine Williamson

musingsMack enthusiasts areinvited to send photos in forour ever-growing MackTruck Photo Collection.

liz martin’s book $30.00This is Liz’s story about growing up in the Outback. It is ajourney through the Northern Territory of the 1950s, 60sand 70s that will take you deep into her experiences in thebuffalo and trucking industries, the eye of Cyclone Tracy,some illegal barramundi fishing, the snap of a crocodilesjaw and the making of the iconic National Road TransportHall of Fame in Alice Springs. Liz is a natural story tellerand her sense of humour shows through in her writings.

please add $12.50 postage and handling

Transmission 9

2011 Shell Wall of Fame Inductees

BEE Brian Brian *SURPRISE*BEE KevinBEGELHOLERobertBLIZZARD EricBOLCH MalcolmBROWN PhillipBURKINSHAW RayCALI Joe and LenCARR A.W. (Billy) *SURPRISE*CLARK NormanCOOPER KevinCRIGHTONDave *SURPRISE *CRONSHAW JohnCURTIN Mick *SURPRISE*DAWE BernieDERJAHA AndyDUNOON Doug and Joy *SURPRISE*EDWARDS MervENGLISH George *SURPRISE*EVANS Norman *SURPRISE*FINDLAY DavidFRANKLIN ShaneHART John (Jock) *SURPRISE*HARVIEKeithHEPPELL NoelHOUSTON KeithHOVEYRussell *SURPRISE*HUGHES BarryJONES Bart (Boss)KENTWELL BernardLAUNDESS OwenLAURIELeslie (Bill) *SURPRISE*LORD AllanLUNN GraemeMcGRATH FrankMcMULLIN JohnMAHONEYJohnMINTY JohnMURRAY JohnNATION HenryNAYLOR FayeOGILVY JefferyPEACH Russell (Jack)PIKE CliffordPORTER (Bugs) IanRADFORD GaryROWE Edward (Ted)ROYTERPeter *SURPRISE*RYAN Garry *SURPRISESAMPSON PeterSCOTT WayneSCOWN Edmond (Ted)SEARLE RobertSMITH BrianSMITH RossSTUPURAS JohnSTUPURAS AugustusSYMES DarylTARANTO AlexVICK Trevor JohnVAN LUENEN “Big Will”VINEColinWALKER Bruce *SURPRISE*WALSH BarryWATKINS JackWEYGOOD RayWHALAN DarbyWHEELHOUSECliff* SURPRISE*WILLIAMS DennisWILSON Edward (Ted)

Trucks In Action Displayplanned for Bertha’s Shed

One of the things thathas been missingfrom the Hall of Fameis how we display andinterpret our mostprecious roadtrains.

We are fortunate to hold some of theworld’s rarest trucks in our collection. Weare now going to ensure that these mightyworkhorses of yesteryear get a home of theirown and are properly interpreted anddisplayed as they should be.

For this reason we have decided to extendthe Home for Bertha by another bay or twowhich will allow us plenty of room to showour other roadtrains in all their glory. Thebuilding already houses Bertha, KurtJohannsen’s legendary 1942 Diamond Tand self tracking trailers. She’ll soon besharing her space with Julie, our 1957Rotinoff Viscount, our 1934 AEC‘Government Roadtrain” and our Whiteroadtrain and cattle crates. The idea is toshow these trucks as they would haveoperated on the highways complete withloads they would have hauled. Severalsemi-trailers will also be included.

How You Can HelpIt goes without saying that we alwayswelcome sponsors in developing any of ourprojects but we understand that times arehard and welcome your support in otherways. Please contact Liz if you can assist.

Curtain Sides: one side of the buildingwill feature full length (60m) of curtain sides.This is an ideal opportunity to show yourcompany logo in the Hall of Fame.

Turntables, Landing Legs and Dogs: Thenew display will incorporate several smallerdisplays showing developments incomponentry. We are looking for items tolike landing legs, turntables, ringfeeders,and chains and dogs.

Photographs: Most trucking companiesaround the country have a few old photoslaying around of their trucks in action. Wewould prefer these already framed ormounted. The more we have the better.

Vestey’s1957 RotinoffViscount roadtrain.

Old Ghan Train Museum and Tea Rooms

Located right next door to the NationalRoad Transport Hall of Fame

Why not take the time while you are here tohave a look through our train museum andadmire our bird feeding area and Garden.

* tea and coffee* fresh baked scones* cake and cookies* fresh sandwiches* pies and pasties

Thanks for the Good TimeDon and Shirley Brooks

Don and Shirley Brooks, originally fromMundubbera (QLD) have been volunteeringat the Hall of Fame for the past three monthsand will soon be heading off to continuetheir ‘grey nomad’ trip around Australia.

We will be sad to see Don and Shirley leaveafter spending so much time here with us.They have been a wonderful asset to ourorganisation, and typical of the farmingbackground they come from, have provedthemselves capable of anything we havethrown at them over this time.

Shirley has been working on the Hall ofFame counter welcoming visitors andexplaining where all our exhibits can befound. Don has done all sorts of jobsincluding working on the trucks, helpingcook at functions and more recently he’sprepared the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame sowe can fit in our sixty plus 2011 inductees.

All our volunteers have done a sterling jobwith functions this year and Don and Shirleywere no different doing everything fromcooking, serving and cleaning up. Donusually won first prize with the dishes (nosmall amount with groups of 250 plus) and,no easy task with his height and our shortsink. We are still undecided whether to callhim the kitchen bitch or the sink monster!In all seriousness, they have made aninvaluable contribution to the museum andwe wish them well on their travels and hopethey find time for a rest along the way.

“We have a lot of fun enjoying many hourswith the other volunteers and doing themany different chores that need to be done.We’ve also enjoyed many laughs doingkitchen chores after big functions. BothLiz and Kel are welcoming people and wehope to be back next year.”says Shirley.

Transmission10

Peter Sampson arrived in the NorthernTerritory after hitching a ride fromKingoonya, SA at the age of 16. He jumpedin with a bloke called Dave who driving aLeyland Buffalo road train for HeavyEquipment running Adelaide to Darwin.

When they arrived at the Alice his contactat Northern Transport was out at Giles soPeter decided to continue on to Darwin tohave a look with the intention of returning.The Buffalo blew a diff just outside Alicedelaying the trip as the repair was done onthe side of the road. After a stopover atBarrow Creek, Peter was given the chanceto drive and drove the Buffalo road trainthrough to Churchill’s Head.

When they finally arrived in Darwin theowner of Heavy Equipment gave him a joband Peter started driving road trains in theTerritory at just 16 years of age. His first rigwas a Leyland Beaver progressing to theBuffalo. One of his first jobs was moving aFrench ADB drilling rig from Port Keatsvia Daly River to Adelaide River over a bushtrack that had been made by a dozer. Therewere many flat tyres from stakes and noroad houses so all repairs were done onthe side of the track.

Leaving Darwin Peter worked for Jucor andRPM in Alice Springs for a while and laterwent to Katherine to work for Buntine’swhere he met his wife of 40 years, Barbara.Peter recalls the roads were all dirt in thosedays and most were not more than bushtracks. Many trips were made to VRD andoutstations such as Pigeon Hole andMoolooloo. There were no roadhouses andmany a feed consisted of rollie poleys (tinswith worn off labels) from the tuckerbox.There were no air conditioners, no fridges,no sleeper-cabs and bed was a swag onthe ground. Most of the work was cartingscrubber bulls to the meatworks howeverduring the wet seasons it was repairing thegear. One season they carted rail line toPine Creek and another copper ore on theflat beds into Mt. Isa.

Peter says, “They were hard days howeverNoel Buntine is still the fairest man I haveever worked for. I’ve had a fortunate life.

Peter (Twiggy) Sampson Shell Rimula Wall of Fame Inductees for 2011

Alex Taranto was born in 1930 in Italy, andat the tender age of 15, started worktransporting bags of cement on a donkeythrough the hills of Sicily. He moved toAustralia in 1951 and celebrating his 21st

birthday during the ocean voyage.

After arriving in Australia, Alex worked ashort stint at Ford Motor Co, beforemoving to the Snowy Mountain Schemewhere he became very skilled at driving anytype of vehicle and was recognised as aprized employee.

He then moved to Warrnambool to start hisinterstate driving career working firstly withJoe Harrington on interstate before joiningTom Barton, where he quickly made a lot offriends, who would turn out to be lifelongfriends. He met his wife, Joy, in Warnambooland still credits her “beauty and innerstrength” for his survival in Australia.

Alex moved from Barton’s to Johnson’sTransport, where he became their numberone driver. By this time, Alex had drivenInternationals, Leylands and Mercedesand had carted general freight, livestockand refrigerated, which is the specialist fieldthat he would enter into. Alex then joinedAlan Howard’s Refrigerated Transport andwhen the company moved to Geelong, sodid Alex. And he was soon driving his firstKenworth, “a big flash unit with a 335Cummins in it”, the envy of most drivers.

Alex then turned his hand from a driver tooperation’s manager for Howard’s andstayed there up until 1971 when he madethe decision to start out on his own. Hestarted slowly and built up from one truckending up with a fleet of 12, heralding thearrival of a small, but very efficientcompany, Taranto Freezer Vans.

In 1981 Alex joined forces with Noel Griffenand the new name ‘Taranto Twinro’ waslaunched. Alex was a positive influence onthe growth and management of thecompany eventually moving to Bundabergto manage the fresh produce arm of thisbusiness. This company experienced rapidgrowth and within a very short time itbecame known as Refrigerated Roadways.

Although Alex retired in 2000, and enjoysretirement with his wife Joy in Brisbane, hestill lives and breathes road transport.

Alex Taranto

Will Van Luenen, known as Big Will wasborn in November 1956. He first learnt todrive in a Dodge 760 Diesel at the age of 18.As soon as he got his licence he boughthis first rig a CK40UD, and Van LuenenTransport was born. His next truck was a30/70 ACCO and it was in this truck he beganhis love affair with the Hume Highway.

Early on in travelling the Hume he realizedthe importance of drivers travellingtogether. If there was ever an accident orbreakdown he was always the first to stopand help regardless if he knew them or not.That was the camaraderie of the day. Willwent on to drive the Hume for 35 years.

During this time he met and talked withmany people. He believed radios were atruckies lifeline, a tool to be used with otherdrivers, especially with fatigue management.He would always take the time to talk toother drivers, to offer advice, report roadconditions, safety issues, or just to besocial. It didn’t matter to him if he knewthem or not. Will would often joke he hadtwo phones and two radios in the cab.

Big Will always had the utmost pride in allof his rigs. They were always keptimmaculate with polished chrome rims, tanksand painted tyres. Early in his driving careersomeone called him “Shiny Wheels fromShepparton” as an insult. Will thought itwas funny and it became his favouritesaying and motto for many years. The thinghe enjoyed the most about the early dayswas the fact there wasn’t as much regulationin the industry, people were responsible fortheir own actions and had to think forthemselves or slip fall behind the eightball.

In his 35 years of driving Big Will becamean icon of the Hume Highway. He befriendedthousands of drivers during that time. Hewas a true gentleman and was very highlyrespected among his peers. A funeralattendance of over 1300 people, 80% ofwhom were drivers shows the amount ofrespect the industry had for him. A few daysafter tragically being killed doing the job heloved, a memorial was built at the accidentsite. It is maintained by fellow truck-drivers.

‘Big Will’ Van Luenen1956 - 2011

Transmission 11

Bernie Dawe was born April 1946 on the outer skirts of Adelaide;the young bloke spent his younger years growing up in Brompton.The years marched on by and soon the young Bernie got a keeneye for trucks and with travelling around with good friend PhilDavies. Before you could say “Jack Robinson”, Bernie soon wasup and about steering trucks driving for Jack Penrose. Whilelearning the ropes Bernie was happy to work for feed and keep.

Along the way this mechanised swaggie drove for Klein’sTransport carting Lightburn products and hand loaded freight ofConcrete Mixers back from Sydney to Adelaide and Victa Mowersto Sydney from Adelaide. Bernie recalls, “It was hard yakka backin the good old days but that is when mateship was true blue”.Bernie then opted for a change of scenery and moved to WesternAustralia. The big day came in his life when he went out andpurchased a “brand spankin’ new truck” when he was only 23years old. The rig was a “Pommie” Atkinson Seddon. “

The Seddon had a Perkins V8 and rated at a “whole 185 horsepower”. The single drive truck pulled a Fruehauf 34 foot bogietrailer for Brambles Manford. The work Bernie was doing was outan about the north west around Port Hedland, Karratha and MountTom Price of Western Australia and “in those days the roads weredirt and rough as all hell” . A year marched on by and when theSeddon was “stuffed” Bernie upgraded to a MAN 9215 “ManyAlterations Needed”. The bonneted truck was single drive andused it to pull a flat top trailer subbying for TNT.

Over time Bernie came back to South Australia and started drivingfor Kevin Bunker for when he had only a few trucks, Bernie wasdoing the big haul to Sydney and return hauling freight forAllTrans.. As well as this Bernie also “done a stint working localaround Adelaide for Booths and Northline”, but he soon yearnedfor the open roads. “ Local was just not my cuppa tea” .

As the years past on by and Bernie had a “swag” of his owntrucks over 40 years, at one stage employing eight drivers. Alltogether e has owned some 35 trucks including Ford Louisville’sand Kenworth’s from cab overs (COE) ,SAR, T900, T650, 904 andcurrently operates his own “smick -looking” Kenworth T 908specialising in wide loads where he “gets to sleep every night”.

Bernie Dawe: Started with Feed and KeepIan first started driving roadtrains as an offsider in 1976with Geoff Hanson in Quilpie,South West QLD carting cattle.Ian had to obtain a speciallicense to drive trucks becausehe was underage but right fromthe beginning he had a passionto drive Road Trains andnothing was going to stop him.

Ian’s first truck was an 1984International with two singledeck cattle crates. After loadinghis truck, Ian used to “scoot offdown the track to boil the billyand cook a feed” for the driversfollowing behind. Ian thenprogressed to a Diamond Rio,with two double deckers withsingle pointer trailers. WhenGeoff Hanson sold out toMcIvor Brothers “I went withthe business”, says Ian.

McIvor Brothers brought allnew equipment and this wastime Ian first started pulling tripledouble decker trailers. Ian wenton to spend nearly ten yearswith McIvor Brothers. Afterthat Ian headed north to cartcattle for Road Trains ofAustralia (RTA), haulingthroughout the Territory, NorthQLD and WA seven years.

Ian then started carting fuel, forAFD, this was when Ian startedpulling quad road trains, Ianworked for AFD for seven years.

Ian (Bugs) Porter

He then swapped to Northfuelsfor a further seven years. Iantrained numerous “newstarters” to drive Road Trains& how to cart fuel correctlyduring this period.

During his time with Northfuels,Ian liasoned with Peter Goed, inrelation to improving roads &suggesting locations to buildnew parking bays, capable ofhandling triple & quad roadtrains.

Ian arrived at Newman, inWestern Australia & worked forG & S Transport, driving tripleside tippers, carting quarryproducts for one year.

Ian’s retired from Road Trains,& is employed by BHP Iron Orein Newman as a Fuel Controller.

Ted Wilson was known as the inventivepartner in Rightway Engineers, whichproduced bogie trailers, concretemixers, semi-trailer turntables andslide rails in Condell Park NSW. It laterbecame Transparts Sales. Ted workedon structural designs while partnersTom Tuite looked after finance andGeorge Pilgrim engines and gearing.

The first mixers, sold to Eric Chadwicksconcrete plant at Moorebank NSW, held5 cubic yards, were driven by chain, andfitted with a Holden motor and gear box.Mixers were also sold to Thiess Bros atthe Snowy Mountains Hydro ElectricScheme. These were converted to run onrails inside the vast number of tunnels.

When Ted was asked by Max Winkless,of Antill Ranger Transport, if he coulddesign a way to separate a truck andtrailer faster and more efficiently. He drewup designs for a “quick release”turntable and made small models out ofwood and when he was happy with theresults production commenced.

Other models to meetincreasing legal loadlimits were designedover the years.

Ted went on to inventa quick release stowbar (tow bar) and aninnovative sedanmounted caravan thatwas highlighted on theInventors show.

Edward (Ted) Wilson

Edward ‘Ted’ Wilson1914 - 1983

The Management Committeepasses its condolences onto

the Nilon Family with thepassing of road transport

legend, Frank ‘Smiler’ Nilonon 26th June 2011. Smiler,aged 82, suffered a heartattack after an operation.

Transmission

After many years of carting livestock,wheat, wool, cotton and anything else hecould get his hands on, Rocket (hispreferred nickname) traded in his first bigrig for a newer model, a Blue Flintstonewhich he had for many years. After thatthere was a string of trucks including MackR models and Superliners, to his currenttruck, a Western Star Constellation.

Ross still continues to cart from near andfar, often crossing many borders to get tothe next job to keep his own owner operatorbusiness going and growing after 30 yearsof being in the transport industry.

Ross Smith was born and bred in Dirranbandi and was destined to be a truckie from anearly age. He was excited when he got his first truck driving job with Stewarts Transportin Dirranbandi in 1980. After realising at that young age, that this was the life for him,he and his wife Tina purchased their very own truck, a C Line International in 1985.

The respect and admiration Ross has forand from his clients, friends and family foris hard work and dedication to thissometimes gruelling lifestyle is veryevident. While this industry puts food onthe table for his family of five, Ross saysthis job has provided a lifetime of happymemories accompanied with lifelongfriendships. His mates say Ross Smith isthe “best truck driver and bloke we know”and hope that his application to the ShellRimula Wall of Fame is approved and Ross’dream of being inducted into the “TruckiesHall Of Fame” alongside many of his oldmates becomes a reality.

Ross (Rocket) Smith: Livestock, Wheat, Wool and Cotton

Jeffrey Ogilvy began his transportinvolvement as a driver carting sheep andgrain in the mid-north area of SouthAustralia not long after leaving school. Hedrove a petrol engine International with atwo and a half deck sheep crate. This tookhim to all parts of SA and western NSW.

Change of vehicles and companies sawJeffrey driving a Volvo prime mover with atriple deck sheep crate/ double deck cattlecrate carting stock in all of the southernareas of the country. Particularly noteworthy, Jeff was commissioned to carrydrought affected stock from western NSWto Peterborough SA sale yards, a task hedid with great care and attention. As aresult, during restocking, Jeffrey undertookmany loads back into the area.

Jeffrey then changed to a position thatwould last for nearly the whole of hisworking life, driver of Mack prime movershauling fuel tankers into the far north ofSA, the far eastern desert areas of WA, andwestern QLD and NSW for ParnellTransport Industries. This involved cartingfuel to outback clients including cattle/sheep stations, roadhouses, aboriginalsettlements, mining and drilling camps,crusher plants and earth moving camps andgraders on the side of the road.

Jeffrey Ogilvy: No #1 Driver for Parnell Transport

Special skeletal tanker trailers designed andbuilt by Parnell Transport Industries wereused for this work. Equipped with a complexmanifolding system Jeffrey was able onoccasions to off load fuel from rail tankerson the newly built railway line and haul toremote outback locations.

Dr. Peter Sweatman from the AustralianRoad Research Board, Melbourne workedwith Jeffrey in the research into strains andstresses in road trains as part of theresearch into the open use of triple roadtrains in South Australia. This work isportrayed in the film “The 33rd Wheel”.Jeffrey was the driver of the first approvedtriple road train to travel from Pt. Augusta,SA to the NT border. After the StuartHighway was sealed, Jeffrey, still drivingMack prime movers, hauled triple fueltankers throughout the area.

After having started work as a roof tilerKevin found his love for trucks was toostrong so he began working for his father.On his nineteenth birthday he obtained hislicense and drove to Sydney that very nightin a 1419 Benz. After 4 years with his fatherhe was given a new truck, a Triple 1 Scaniahauling General Freight betweenMelbourne and Sydney.

Towards the end of 1985 Kevin joined DJ &W Wells driving interstate in a MitsubishiRigid for Emery Transport . In Late 1986 hejoined FATE Express driving a T Line Rigidhauling overnight freight for SkyroadExpress. “Dampier Express” was formed fouryears later when the opportunity arose forKevin to become an owner driver withWards Express.

Now working for himself the company grewconsiderably, going from owner driver tosmall fleet operator. Over the next 17 yearsthe fleet consisted of MAN rigids,Transtars 4700, Powerstars , and KenworthAerodynes. Overnight parcel express andairfreight were the main contracts withMayne Nickless , Ansett Airfreight, TNT(Riteways) and Mainfreight .

During his 17 year career as a road transportoperator Kevin showed dedication, loyaltyand commitment. He was noted for theexcellent care and attention he gave to hisfleet and his reliability and willingness tohelp others in their time of need.

The saddest memories Kevin has are for themates lost along the way. He is held in highregard by his fellow truckers and employers.Kevin enjoyed the mateship andcamaraderie of the industry. Cooking mealsfor mates was his specialty, oftensubstituting GOAT for beef onunsuspecting diners because it was cheap!

In May 2006 Kevin was forced into earlyretirement when he suffered a cardiac arrest.His short term memory was affected but hisfond memories of the Hume highway werenever erased. His family and friendscontinued to run Dampier express for thenext 17 months, but due to ill health, inOctober 2007 the decision to sell thebusiness was reluctantly made.

Kevin ‘KC’ CooperKevin spentmost of hisyounger yearshelping hisfather Kenservice trucksin the familyb u s i n e s s ,Letts Tsptlocated inYarraville Vic.

12

Transmission 13

Kevin Bee, best known as KB, left school at the age of 15 joiningthe family business carting asbestos to Point Samson fromWittenoom in an AEC Monarch. They also carted manganesefrom Peak hill to Meekatharra. Kevin’s father and his two boyswere known as Mumbles, Stumbles and Grumbles amongst theirpiers. For the next 12 years KB continued to cart a wide array ofmaterials through out the Pilbara. Other consignments at thetime included asbestos, manganese and sections of the MarbleBar railway. In 1963 he met and married the love of his life Shirley.

In the mid 1960’s he started carting general goods and timber eastin an AEC. By 1970, with three children in tow, Kevin started work-ing with the Main Roads Dept. constructing the roads and bridgesthrough out the North West of WA. A time remembered by hisfamily as the “Opening up of the North to the world. Later, based inPort Hedland, he worked as a transport operator for United HireServices running through the Kimberley and Pilbara regionsserving mining, drilling exploration sites and remote communities.

In 1979 KB moved his family to Karratha to manage SwanlineHauliers during which time it merged with Brambles Manford.Between the two cartage companies they carried a large portion ofthe Burrup gas project from Perth to Karratha as well as the sec-tions of gas pipeline which was been run to Perth. Kevin thentransferred to Brambles in Kewdale but the call of the bush wassoon too loud to ignore. His desire for a “mobile office” saw himpurchase his first truck ,a MAN. The MAN’s first Contract was toBells Bros, pulling a pantech sectioned as frozen/chilled as well asspecialised general cargo, single trailer, tri axle servicing the mailand food run to the townships of Leonora, Laverton and the greateastern/Eyre highway to Eucla. During this time KB updated to anew Scania 142H which he called “the shopping trolley”.

A new opportunity arose when RAND Transport opened its doorsin late 1986. Kevin became a primary contractor hauling generaland refrigerated transport from Perth to all over the eastern states .He upgraded prime movers and trailers a number of times andrevelled in the road train aspect of this time having numerous trucksand trailers and operating with his own contract drivers (includinghis own sons) within this company.

In 1998 his final pride and joy was purchased, a Ford Louisville, thelast of the Fords. He called it his “Yankee poodle” given its Frenchand American heritage. Like most of the trucks he had becomeattached to it served him well. In late 1999 his diagnosis ofMesothelioma put the maxi’s on in regards to his explorations. Hisearly departure was indicative of his travelling creed. He spent hisfinal months with family and friends close by his side.

Kevin Richard “KB” Bee: 1938 - 2000

Ted began his driving career accompanying Fred Hornby, whowas employed by L & M Rowe as a truck driver. Ted purchased hisfirst truck, an S Model Bedford in 1957, the year he turned 18. TwoFords followed. On April fools day 1960 Ted had a narrow escapewhen he had to bail out of one due to brake failure. Ten years ofInternational trucks followed. In 1972 Ted recognised the need fora much better truck for his job in the bush and the type of workthat was presenting itself. Ted and his cousin Gavin travelled toMelbourne with the intention of buying a Mack, but ended up atKenworth Trucks. This was the start of Ted’s friendship withManny Melkonian, which continues to this day. He came home tothe proud owner of a second hand S Model Kenworth, GM 8V71.

This was followed by a variety of Kenworths in the followingyears including an ex-McPhees S2, a new S2 Kenworth 6V71 GM,S Model 8V71 ex Charlie Roker, a new SAR Kenworth 8V71, 1980 anew S2 Kenworth 6V92, a new W925 Kenworth Caterpillar 3406,several C500s and a C501. In late 1980 the industry changed fromhardwood to softwood. Ted and Richard have worked in theGrampians where Ted’s father Len and Uncle, Malcolm had beencutting Redgum in the 1930’s.

Ted is known for his casual approach to life, for being a generousand wonderful friend, colleague and is always willing to helpanyone in need. Ted has been there to mentor and kick start manyyounger, less experienced operators and who all admire and aregrateful to have shared time with Ted. Ted has said that he is veryfortunate to have been able to do what he loves doing.

Edward (Ted) Rowe : Kenworths and LogsTed Rowe’s familystarted logging in1925. He is the thirdgeneration loggerand is still driving aC500 Kenworth BDouble daily.

Ted and son Richardnow run the loggingbusiness with threeC500 Kenworthprime movers.

richardscurrently collecting

Anything to do with tyresor wheels, particularly

the Michelin Man

Memorabilia aboutLeader Trucks and

their origin and uses.

Information,Photographs anditems relating toScammell make,

especially the Scarab

Photographs and storiesabout the house-moving

sector of industry

Memorabilia andstories about theOshkosh make

Photographs and othermemorabilia and storiesabout Leyland vehicles

Photographs and othermemorabilia about the

legendary Mack marque

Contact Liz 0429 201 549 or email info@roadtransporthall.com

Shell andother

petroleumproduct

literatureand

artifacts

Transmission14

On hearing that her elderly grandfather had just passedaway, Katie went straight to her grandparent’s house tovisit her 95 year old grandmother and comfort her. Whenshe asked how her grandfather had died, her grandmotherreplied, “He had heart attack while we were making loveon Sunday morning.”

Horrified, Katie told her grandmother that two people nearly 100 yearsold having sex would surely be asking for trouble.

”On no, my dear,” replied granny. “Many years ago, realizing ouradvanced age, we figured out the best time to do it was when the churchbells start to ring. It was just the right rhythm. Nice and slow andeven. Nothing too strenuous, simply in on the Ding and out on theDong.”She paused wiped away a tear and then continued, “and if thatdamned ice cream truck hadn’t come along, he’d still be alive today!

Jest For Fun of it

Heading for Westonia, windy and wet,the grass was all green, soggy and yet

there came a motor with smiles and a wavewith young Mr. Peter and Blanche, very brave.

As they stopped and chatted among legs 6 foot long,we hoped and prayed they would do nothing wrong.

“Welcome” they said “to our fair l i tt le town”,“Drop in for a cuppa” and “we’l l show you around.”

Our gear had been stolen and worn very bareour spirits had listed, ‘twere barely there.

We needed a hold up, a rest, to revive,when wereached your fair town, we were mildly surprised.

We met dear old Arnie, discussed this and that,then roamed around with his chooks and a cat.

Tho’ his pigs round the back were a bit on the nosewe proceeded to find out ‘bout the good lady ‘Rose’.

Rose didn’t f l inch when we told her our stories,her pub’s like a scene from back in the forties.

Now she knows all the faces and proceeded to call,It’s not easy to find a good place to fit all.

She gave us directions, a bit out of townand told the young man we were coming around,

We arrived on the scene and met the fair folkI thought they were thinking ‘this must be a joke’

His name was Dick Cooper and needless to say,He told us “O.K. you’re all welcome to stay”.

Now Dick is a man with a mouth full of wit,He can fix most things you can poke with a stick.

He can serve you a beer or drive your big truck’but don’t be surprised if he tells you “get lucked”.

If you’ve got something doing, he’s the man you payor buy him a beer, he’s quite happy that way.

Then we have Cheryl with cheeks ful l and f lushAnd long curly hair she can’t tame with a brush,

She’s mother and mate, doing all the house choresShe can stifle the sniffles or siblings at wars.

Now Cheryl has nurtured and planted some trees,most days you will f ind her bent at the knees.

She inspects all the plants she has lovingly tended,if a rabbit strolls by it will surely get rendered.

Then we have Kasey, full throttle a girl,a voice which would make Dame Melba swirl.

She’s mothers’ r ight hand and wil l surely be missedwhen she goes off to board with her very long l ists.

She can argue, discuss, she’s great at debateI wonder what man she’l l take as a mate.

She’s won lots of medals in the sport - gymnastics,her body’s so trim it must be elastic.

We then come to Kane, a boy of just seven,Some days he is hell then others he’s heaven.

He’ll recite you a ballad or sing you a songbut in five different languages it can take rather long

His brain works in ways which is rather amusingBut don’t tell the lad that he may be a losing.He has talents unbounded and stories to tell,

though some days he drives his poor Father to yell.

His Dad is his hero, so don’t get me wrong,He’ll cheer us all up with another long song.

There is one more child, who’s a real little goer,He’ll give Dick good reason to buy a bulldozer.

He goes by the name of Bronson you see,A cheeky young mite as big as your knee.

You can’t pin him down or stop him in motion,I think Cheryl needs a strong magic potion.

The Camels and Cats, the dogs and the sheep,the emoos and chooks, even pigs in their keep

wil l surely go bush when Bronson’s’ about,or run to four winds when he gives them a shout.

We’ve had some giggles, bad t imes and woes,We’ve got some new babies, now it ’s our t ime to go.

We’re off to the beach, the end of the line,We hope that the weather stays cool and fine.

We’ve had a good time here; we’ve had a long rest,In this litt le town we’ve had only the best.

Everyone’s fr iendly with a nod and a wave,Good manners abound here, so don’t misbehave.

We’l l miss our new friends we’ve met on the way,We’ve certainly walked such a long, long way.

Two years and more, i t ’s been a f ine treck,some days I feel l ike an old shipwreck.

So it ’s down to the ocean to skip some waves,throw in a line or just watch the haze.

West of the Cross

by

By Debi Robinson

Handy Hintsand Quotesfrom Yesteryear by John Tucker

Grease and oil will dissappear from over-alls and denim jeans if you add a cupof salt to the washing in the machine.

Clean stained brass and copper witha paste of salt and vinegar: leave overnight,rinse and buff with a soft cloth.

You can give brass a really nice shine byapplying worcestershire sauce andpolishing with a soft cloth.

To remove rust spots from vehicles crumplea piece of aluminium foil, dip in coca colaand rub over the affected area.

Nails will be easier to drive into hard woodif pushed into a cake of sunlight soap first.

Age is only important when it comes todead fish and good wine.

There’s many a good man to be found undera shabby hat.

If your down and think nobody cares, trymissing a few mortgage or truck payments

There’s always death and taxes....exceptdeath doesn’t get worse every year!

Life is like a toilet roll. The closer you get tothe end the faster it goes.

Life is like a ladder - everystep you take is going tobe either up or down.

and Liz’s favourite.....The most labour saving device availabletoday is still a rich husband

WARNING:Politicians can damage your Wealth.

Debi kissing Baby Bear beside mother Minnum

Transmission 15Wake Up Time

Courtesy of Craig Leggett(Ex SAS & 1 RAR)

When the shearing sheds are silent andthe stock camps fallen quiet

When the gidgee coals no longer glowacross the outback night

And the bush is forced to hang a sign,‘gone broke and won’t be back’

And spirits fear to find a way beyond thebeaten track.

When harvesters stand derelict upon thewind swept plains

And brave hearts pin their hopes no moreon chance of loving rains

When a hundred outback settlements areghost towns overnight

When we’ve lost the drive and heart wehad to once more see us right

When ‘Pioneer’ means a stereo and‘Digger’ some backhoe

And the ‘Outback’ is behind the house.there’s nowhere else to go

And ‘Anzac’ is a biscuit brand andprobably foreign owned

And education really means brainwashedand neatly cloned

When you have to bake a loaf of bread tomake a decent crust

And our heritage once enshrined in goldis crumbling to dust

And old folk pay their camping fees onland for which they fought

And fishing is a great escape; this is untilyou’re caught

When you see our kids with yankee capsand resentment in their eyes

And the soaring crime and hopelesshearts is no longer a surprise

When the name of RM Williams is ayuppie clothing brand

And not a product of our heritage thatgrew off the land

When offering a hand makes people thinkyou’ll amputate

And two dogs meeting in the street iswhat you call a ‘Mate’

When ‘Political Correctness’ has replacedall common sense

When you’re forced to see it their way,there’s no sitting on the fence

Yes one day you might find yourself anoutcast in this land

Perhaps your heart will tell you then, ‘Ishould have made a stand’

Just go and ask the farmers that shouldremove all doubt

Then join the swelling ranks who say, ‘don’t sell Australia out!’

Scania to preview theWorld’s Most PowerfulTruck at ReUnion 2011With 3500 Nm and 730 hp, Scania’s newflagship V8 has the highest torque andpower ratings of any truck engine. Newdetail styling gives all V8 range evengreater visibility on the road. In 2010, thenew Scania’s R-series was judgedInternational Truck of the Year.

In 2011, Scania is bringing the latestflagship of the Scania range, the R 730, toAustralia to preview the world’s mostpowerful truck in a land where big V8engines have always been made mostwelcome. Having been launched at theBrisbane Truck Show it will now tour thecountry calling in to Alice Springs.

“Scania’s V8 trucks have built a niche oftheir own in the truck market,” says RogerMcCarthy, Managing Director of ScaniaAustralia. “The vast majority of Scania’sV8 customers buy for rational reasons.They need the performance, dependabilityand availability to get their job done asefficiently as possible” .

This unique combination of performance,transport efficiency, fuel economy anddurability, coupled with driver appeal meanshigh productivity in all respects. As a result,Scania V8 truck models have a very highresale value.

“The sheer power of the new R 730 isimportant, but even more so is the torquerating. Having 3500 Nm of torque on tapmakes a joy out of any transport task andis bound to put a smile on every driver’sface,” Roger says.

Scania V8 trucks are very popular in thehigh-output end of the truck market,globally accounting for more than half ofthe total sales volume around 600 hp andabove. With four power ratings to choosefrom, Scania’s demanding V8 customersnow have a wide range of choices thatnobody else can match.

The combination of 3500 Nm and 16.4 litre730 hp engine is more than any competitorcan muster. Scania’s powertrain has beenadapted to handle this with ease. Areinforced Scania gearbox is used fitted asstandard with the new Scania Opticruiseautomated gear-changing system. Thanksto the smooth power delivery inherent in aV8 engine, other powertrain componentsremain largely unchanged.

The new V8 is fully integrated in Scania’smodular engine range. The engine is basedon the modular engine platform andtechnologies used on Scania’s newest in-line engines, while also sharing numerousfeatures and components with the existingV8s. Scania’s principle of step-by-stepdevelopments that always fit together withother parts and components, minimises thehassle for customers. Professional servicingand parts supply are readily available.

The V8 powered Scania R730 had apowerful effect on the judges at the recentBrisbane Truck Show taking out the Truckof Show award against strong competition.Transport operators visiting Alice Springsfor the ReUnion will be given theopportunity to take this, the worlds mostpowerful truck, on a test drive while theyare in Alice Springs for the ReUnion.

* Special General Meeting Notice *A Special General Meeting of the Road Transport Historical SocietyIncorporated will be held on Sunday 28th August 2011 at 2pm in StuartsBush Kitchen at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame. All membersare encouraged and welcome to attend and participate this meeting.

SPECIAL BUSINESS: To discuss amending the Constitution to allownon-Alice Springs based members to nominate and be elected toexecutive positions on the Society’s Management Committee and todiscuss the reasoning behind making this change with the membership.

Liz Martin 0429 201 549 David Kent 0417 802 134Kel Davis 0421 771 412 Graham Holmes 0408 385 810

Transmission16

Our Volunteers Busy At Work, Rest and Play with “Trucks ‘n’ Trains ‘n’ Tea Rooms”

Peter and Annette have been busy at theOld Ghan. Peter is our board representativefor all things “train” and as well as makingnew stairs for the sleeper carriages andablutions he’s been repairing the roof onone of the flat cars. Annette is busy doingup Old Ghan memorabilia for museum.

We caught Dave on top of one the flat carsbusy screwing in new panels. Dave hasbeen a great help in both workshops.

Dave thought he might be safe from thecamera by hiding in the paint shed butthanks to some sneaky skulking by ourintrepid photographer, Debi, we got him!Dave hails from Portarlington and has beenworking in both Hall and Ghan workshops.

Neil has been looking after the KenworthDealer Hall of Fame but has also proved areal pro at scone making in the Ghan TeaRooms. They are ssssscrumptious! His wifeLorraine has been operating the till at theOld Ghan souvenir shop. Both have been agreat help in the Hall of Fame shop as well.

Sue has been an absolute treasure in theOld Ghan Tea Rooms and is responsible forthe delicious home-made pumpkin soup weserve up. Jenny (right) has proved veryversatile as usual and has been working inboth the Hall of Fame and Old Ghan shops.With friend Peta, she also undertook themassive task of stocktake for this financialyear and spring-cleaned the Hall of Fame.

Nick-named the “Rustic Brothers” (becauseLiz told them she wanted the pergola leftrustic) John (sitting) and Jim put in the lastpole for the new pergola at Stuart’s BushKitchen with the assistance of Geoff (back)and Mark (on shovel). This so we complywith the new Territory smoking laws. Theybuilt the pergola out of leftover material froma dismantled ex WWII Sydney Williams hut.

Jokingly called “Magic Mark” by one ofthe volunteers, Mark is one of those blokesthat doesn’t know how to walk. He’s beenbusy making short work of Liz’s “To Do”list at phenomenal speed from closing inthe archive room to putting the rear wall onthe Rotinoff Shed and making displaycabinets for the Old Ghan train museum.

Peta and Geoff are spending the next tenyears travelling around Australia. Peta is adab hand in both shops and Geoff has builtshelving for the archive room and library.

Caught by the fire-side having ‘smoko’ inthe Old Ghan workshops are John, Geoff,Dave, Liz, Annette and Peter with Markkneeling in front. The furry one is Tuppywho is responsible for rodent eradication.

Transmission 17

Are you coming toALICE SPRINGSAnd do you have your own

caravan or motorhome? Areyou interested in being a

VOLUNTEERYou can volunteer at theNational Road TransportHall of Fame or the OldGhan Heritage Railway

in exchange for a

FREE CAMP

The Road Transport HistoricalSociety Inc. is a communitybased, volunteer organisation

dedicated to the preservation andpresentation of Australia’s unique

transport heritage. It’s huge facilityincludes the Kenworth Dealer

Hall of Fame and the famous OldGhan Heritage Railway as wellas a meeting and conferencevenue and function facility.

No matter what your skill - oryour interest, we have a job tosuit you - stay for a month, or

stay for a year - it’s your choice

The requirement for volunteeringis 20 hours per week per couple or14 hours per single person. Thereare toilets and showers and dogsare okay if they are contained in

your area. A small power contribu-tion is applicable to all on site.

Museum: 08 89527161CEO: 0429 201 549Chair: 0421 771 4 12

Trucksand

Trains

Geoff called in for a few weeks to help outBig Bad John in the workshop with therestoration of our three-wheeled ScammellScarab (ex-Margatich, SA). It is an unusuallittle truck that attracts a lot of attentionfrom visitors and Geoff is just the bloke tosettle in for a yarn with them.

Our family of Volunteers Busy At Work, Rest and Play

Ron’s pretty handy with the tools atanything mechanical and Joan is helpingout at the Old Ghan souvenir shop.

Life member Mick Clausen has been backfor another visit as he criss-crosses thecountry. Mick jumps in where-ever thebiggest need is from cooking weber spudsto helping with the Scarab. He has afondness for our 1911 T Model and alwaysensures it is running smoothly. This usuallyinvolves a putt putt around the grounds !

Greg Whitford and Annette Bateson are lifemembers and roving ambassadors for theHall of Fame. Greg has been helping theboys in the workshop and doing some workin the grounds while Annette has beenhelping Liz in the office with the end offinancial year work. Its also a well knownfact that she’ll gladly jump in at the TeaRooms to do the dishes when its busy ifJakob bribes her with an iced chocolate!

The Wall of Fame would not be what it istoday if it were not for the sterlingcontribution of Di and Kev Shay who havemade the trek from Brisbane in theirmotorhome religiously for many years tomake sure its ready for ReUnion time.

Maureen plays at sorting Bruce out in theGhan shed. Maureen has been updating ourVolunteer Manual and Bruce has beenmaking ladders for the Old Ghan Bed andBreakfast sleeper carriages.

TransmissionPayment Information

You can pay for any item or service from the RoadTransport Historical Society Inc. by Cheque,Money Order, Credit Card or Direct Deposit.Please take the time to fill out this slip and returnit with your application for any of the services sothere is no confusion. Thank you for your sup-port.

My name is

Attached is my application and payment for,

eg: membership, Buy a Brick, Memorial Park

CREDIT CARDWe accept Visa, Bankcard Master Card

Name on card

Card Number

Expiry Date

Security Number

Amount $ Date

Signature

CHEQUE / MONEY ORDER

Please make payable to R.T.H.S and post to:Road Transport Historical Society Inc.PO Box 8099, Alice Springs, NT, 0871,

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Name: Road Transport Historical SocietyBSB: 015881Account: 2575 49867

1. Please use your name as the reference2. Post forms to address at bottom of pageOR fax to 08 89529895 or 08 89538940

RETURN TO : Road Transport Historical Society Inc., PO Box 8099, Alice Springs, NT, Australia 0871OR fax 08 89529895 OR email info@roadtransporthall.com OR for any enquiries call 08 8952 7161

OPTION 1. The cost of any placement of ashes,plaques or other memorial items in Memorial Parkis a standard $50.00 if you supply the item.

OPTION 2. If you want us to arrange the plaquefor you the cost is $200.00 for the supply of astandard brass plaque (A5) which will be mountedon the stone of your choice in the garden setting.

Memorial Park is located in the grounds of theNational Road Transport Hall of Fame in bushlandsetting with large sand stones placed around asmall dam. It is the ideal serene setting to inter orplace a memorial to your loved one in a realtruckie’s place.

Your Details

Name.

Address

Phone

OPTION 1 : Wording on your Plaque(Maximum: 200 characters over 8 lines)

Please ensure you print neatly and thatall your names are spelt correctly anddates accurate.

in memorial to your loved onesMemorial Park

Your DetailsName.

Phone

Wording on your Brick(Maximum: 60 characters over 3 lines)

Check Spelling and Dates are Accurate

Remember a loved one, an oldtrucking company or era, pay

tribute to your mates or even anold workhorse from yesteryear

BUY A BRICK

Road Transport Historical SocietyPO Box 8099 (2 Norris Bell Ave)

Alice Springs, NT, 0871, AustraliaPhone: 08 89527161 Fax: 08 89529895Email: info@roadtransporthall.com

Name

Address

Phone Email

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP (AUD$) Pensioner $30 pa

Single $65 pa

Friend $25 pa

Corporate $250 pa

Life $1,100 life

Gold $5,000 life

Platinum $10,000 life

Inductee FOC 1st yr.

************************** Mack Mates Club

($250 - $5,000. Call Liz for more info)*********************************

TRUCKS TRAINS

I agree to abide by the Constitution ofthe Road Transport Historical SocietyIncorporated.

Signed.

Print Name.

Dated

NEW RENEWAL.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

new

Subscription $20.00 pa to newsletter

SubscriptionAnnual Subscription

for Transmission Newsletter

Pay only $20.00 for the next four issuesof Transmission Newsletter. Price

includes handling, postage and GST.

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Enclosed

Date

Thankyou for your Support

Give the

Gift of

Membership

Membership

Membership

Membership

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or a

Memorial Brick

Memorial Brick

Memorial Brick

Memorial Brick

Memorial Brick

to the man in

your life

Transmission

Proudly hosted by the Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club

Ev eryon e w i th a lo ve

o f Au s tra l ian Road

T ra n s p o rt H i s to ry

w e l co m e

Bruce Gunter

Phone: 0424 172 877

Email: bruceg@bingogroup.com.au

ORGANISERS

Ron Kirk

Phone: 0408 625 573

Email: shirlandron@hotmail.com

W E S T E R N S Y D N E Y

H I S T O R I C A L

T R U C K C L U B

Join us for a nostalgic trip retracing as much of The Old

Hume Highway as possible South out of Sydney and

relive some of the sounds, sights and smells of the pre-

emissions era.

Highway 31 down through Camden, up over Razorback,

picturesque drive through Mittagong, Berrima, Marulan,

Goulburn, and eventually into Yass.

shown along with first hand stories of life on the road.

T H E H U M E

O L D H U M E H I G H W A Y R O A D R U N A U G U S T 2 7 T H - 2 8 T H 2 0 1 1

Contact the organisers to receive an entry form and accommodation information. Entry fee $25.00 per vehicle

new linen tea-towel / wallhanging just $15 inc. post

We have 1000 of these to go. All Proceeds go to our new“Trucks In Action” semi & roadtrain display in the Museum

Transmission

25th -31st August 201025th -31st August 201025th -31st August 201025th -31st August 201025th -31st August 2010

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