OwnerDriver 392

Heavy Loads Demand Stronger Gear

Every part of a trailer matters when you are hauling serious weight. SAMPA’s trailer equipment works quietly underneath and in the background so everything stays steady. Landing gears hold firm during loading and parking, kingpins keep your connection solid through every mile, and wheel chocks add that extra layer of

safety when parked up. More than just parts, they are the reason your trailer stays steady, secure, and ready to face whatever challenges come your way. When your load is heavy, your equipment shouldn’t be a heavy question mark. That’s why professionals choose SAMPA.

Contents #392 SEPTEMBER 2025

30

21

CASINO WRAP

Records fell as the 2025 North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show dominated the northern rivers of NSW, Geoff Crockett writes 24

STATEMENT PIECE

With numerous decades under the belt, family operator QMR has decided to showcase its business in an exciting way courtesy of an eyecatching new DAF delivery, Sean Mortell reports

30 GAELIC GLORY

In the 20 years since Cahal Carey made the move from the Emerald Isle to Australia, he’s managed to succeed in the heavy haulage game. Warren Aitken checks out his flagship Volvo that caps off two decades of hard work and success

42 PASSION AND PERSISTENCE

In Melbourne’s outer suburbs sits Chugh Transport, a small family business that is taking on transport giants with excellent service and a growing fleet of Scanias

44

FINANCE FOCUS

A new joint venture will see Isuzu Australia work with a Japanese financier to create a new leasing and finance company for local customers

46

WA #2

For Mark and Jayde Holt, forging a successful business at Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance has been all about dedication and quality service, Warren Aitken discovered

51

EXPANDING FOCUS

With more than a century of experience under its belt, Monroe has recently grown into various markets through local manufacturing and certification commitments

53

FUPS FOCUS

AJ’s Total Truck Gear/Kentweld Bullbars has recently become one of the very few government approved in-house FUPS rating bullbar manufacturers in Australia

BEHIND THE WHEEL Sean Mortell

EDITORIAL

Editor Sean Mortell

E-mail Sean.Mortell@primecreative.com.au

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Contributors Warren Aitken, Frank Black, Sarah Marinovic, Rod Hannifey, Michael Kaine, Glyn Castanelli, Geoff Crockett

Cartoonist John Allison

PRODUCTION

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Setting the standard

With many longstanding Australian trucking companies recently having to leave the industry, it begs the question – what can be done to stop this trend?

It’s been a horrible few months watching many wonderful Aussie trucking names announce their exit from the transport industry. It seems each week there’s another big company or family operator calling it quits, leaving behind an incredible enduring history.

How has it got to this? The answer may be more complex and ongoing than one simple editor’s note, but it demands attention for the sake of the industry’s future.

A collection of our beloved columnists have weighed in on the defining industry issue in this September edition of OwnerDriver, with there being a common theme in their message to the sector: set your rates. This has since been supported by the Western Australian government, who in early August launched its own online freight rate calculator tool for the state’s owner drivers.

The WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure now has the tool available on its website alongside a further range of resources to help owner drivers determine whether they are being adequately paid when it comes to the jobs they do on the roads each day.

“Owner drivers play an important role in keeping Western Australia’s road freight transport industry supply chain running,” Western Roads Federation CEO Cam Dumesny said at the time.

“We estimate there’s around 7,000 owner drivers in WA and competition in the sector can be fierce, leading some owner drivers to cut their rates to unsustainable levels to secure work.

“And while competition is an integral part of heavy road freight, owner drivers should be able to negotiate a safe and sustainable rate of payment with their hirer.”

It’s a particularly unique challenge in WA, as owner drivers also face the massive distances required to reach the ends of the state. Add in roads that are often

unsealed and requiring a range of payloads and the need to set the right rates with customers is pivotal to an operation’s profitability.

“What we’re providing is the tools to enable owner drivers – who have invariably invested heavily to establish themselves as road freight operators – to quote on jobs and ensure all their costs and overheads are met, and their business remains viable,” Dumesny said.

It may not be the entire solution, but an interactive cost calculator for rates and a guidelines for 13 different truck types and configurations at least makes a start for owner drivers. Let’s hope it gets the ball rolling before too many more operators close their doors.

Outside of this, there’s some beautiful trucks in this edition of the magazine. The DAF you see on the cover, courtesy of QMR in Queensland, is a stunner and is sure to make a splash on the highways. Check out page 24 for the full story behind this new addition to the recycling giant’s fleet.

A green shade takes over our Truck of the Month for September as Warren Aitken ‘split the G’ on his Guinness and met Cahal Carey. His new Volvo is the perfect example of a well-deserved statement piece forged from years of hard work, as can be seen on page 30.

Outside of that, the usual array of insightful truck technology and tips for driving on the road are inside, as well as our variety of columnists discussing the industry’s latest news. From page 21, don’t miss our comprehensive wrap of the jam-packed Casino Truck Show courtesy of Geoff Crockett. We hope you enjoy the read, and stay safe.

“We estimate there’s around 7,000 owner drivers in WA and competition in the sector can be fierce, leading some owner drivers to cut their rates to unsustainable levels to secure work.”

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The Goods NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

What’s new on the roads

Record funding and major upgrades are the talk of the month as road projects continue to move across the country

The Western Australian government has announced record road safety funding, with nearly $57 million injected into more than 100 road upgrades, while New South Wales has looked to assess the road safety standards of its road network via a new interactive map. Down in Victoria, a $964 million road maintenance blitz finished in July to cap off a busy period of works on the nation’s roads.

WA RECORDS MILESTONE ROAD FUNDING

The Western Australian government has announced a record funding injection of nearly $57 million to support more than 100 major road safety programs across the state.

The funding includes nearly $27 million for the state black spot program, while $30 million will go to the safer roads program.

More than 100 locations across the state will receive road safety upgrades, including 54 in regional Western Australia.

The funding will deliver both upgrades and critical planning and pre-construction works.

In addition to the state government’s committed funding, a further $8.46 million will be contributed by local governments from around WA to support safety projects on local roads.

The major funding injection takes the total amount invested into various WA road safety programs to more than $800 million. This is on top of the almost $1 billion invested since 2020 on the WA government’s Regional Road Safety Program.

“This announcement represents the biggest investment we’ve ever made through these two critical road safety programs,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.

“Improving road safety is a high priority for our government, which is why we continue to make significant investments to upgrade roads across Western Australia.

“We know that small changes can make a massive difference when it comes to road safety, and the investment we’ve announced will support upgrades at more than 100 locations around the state.

“This significant investment complements the work we’re already doing through the landmark Regional Road Safety Program, which has seen around $1 billion invested since 2020, and roughly 10,000 kilometres of our state’s regional road network

upgraded with safety treatments like sealed shoulder and audible edge lines.”

NSW UNVEILS INTERACTIVE ROAD SAFETY MAP

The New South Wales government has unveiled a major step forward in safer road networks, releasing an interactive digital map that shows safety star ratings of more than 35,000km of roads.

The interactive map shows the ratings of more than 20,000km of state and 15,000km of regional roads, with the map highlighting that NSW is performing well compared to other Australian state and territories when it comes to road safety ratings.

NSW recorded more than 71 per cent of all road travel taken on state roads being rated three or more stars according to the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) national standard.

Using data collected over the past 10 years, the map shows that NSW is closing on the national target of having 80 per cent of all road travel in the state being taken on state roads rated three or more stars by 2030. This features roads that have the most modern safety features, such as barriers, divided dual carriageways and wide shoulders.

While the map confirms NSW has some of the safest road corridors in Australia, including the Hume and Pacific Highways, it also highlighted opportunities to increase road safety measures further.

It showed that less than one per cent of roads are rated five stars (such as new and high-speed roads), while some 90 per cent of all road travel in the state takes place on roads rated two stars or more, with room to lift more roads to three stars by installing extra safety features.

A further 23.5 per cent of travel is on state roads are rated two stars, while 3.8 per cent are rated one star.

“While in NSW more than 71 per cent of all road travel taken on roads rated highly under the national standard, we know there is room to roll out more safety features on our roads,” NSW roads minister Jenny Aitchison says.

“We’re using this information to take a serious look at our road network and then leverage the data to deliver evidence-based upgrades and safety improvements.

“You can’t fix what you don’t measure. This map shows us what’s

working and where we can go further. It’s a vital step forward in making sure every region gets the safe, high-quality roads it deserves.”

AusRAP targets do not require all roads in NSW to become five-star, rather, they focus on lifting more of the network to three stars or above, focusing on those roads with higher traffic volumes which research shows significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death.

The release of this data is part of the NSW government’s effort to improve fairness and transparency across the road network, pinpointing locations for further investment.

This map will enable evidence-based decision making about road safety improvement funding, ensuring fairness in distributing safety infrastructure like barriers and wider shoulders.

“In the recent budget, we announced we’re investing $2.8 billion in road safety projects across the state,” Aitchison says.

“These are much-needed projects that will greatly reduce the risk of death and serious injury across our road network. For example, over two years, we will improve an estimated 450km of the one and two star roads to at least three stars or greater.”

VICTORIA’S ROAD BLITZ SEASON WRAPS UP

The Victorian government has confirmed its $964 million road maintenance program for 2024/25 came to a close in late July.

The projects have seen hundreds of kilometres of road across the state be repaired, resurfaced or rebuilt to keep Victorians moving and providing more reliable journeys for freight operators.

Crews have inspected roads and responded to calls from local communities to undertake repairs on more than 211,000 potholes.

Almost 41,000 signs have been

repaired or replaced, with over 20,727sqm of graffiti also being cleaned from the road network.

Workers have also inspected more than 8,000 structures on the road network, including bridges and culverts to ensure they continue to be operational, with more than 3,000 safety barriers also being repaired on major highways.

The state government says around 70 per cent of this program has been delivered on roads and roadsides across regional Victoria, with major works delivered along the Great Alpine Road, the Mallee Highway, the Monaro Highway, the Surf Coast Highway and the Western Highway.

The work doesn’t stop there – later this year, crews will be back on the road delivering the Victorian Budget 2025/26 Better Roads Blitz, a record $976 million investment to repair and maintain our roads.

As part of these upcoming works, crews will focus on delivering long-term solutions to repair Victorian roads – with rehabilitation and resurfacing works prioritised to protect the longevity of our road network for years to come.

“Crews have worked tirelessly to deliver long-term repairs on our road network, completely rebuilding and repairing hundreds of kilometres of roads to ensure smooth journeys for all Victorians,” Victorian roads and road safety minister Melissa Horne says.

“We delivered record roads funding last year and this budget delivered even more – our massive $976 million Better Roads Blitz will fix potholes and upgrade road surfaces right across Victoria.

“Whether you’re driving to work, carrying goods along our key transport routes or travelling through on your way to one of our tourist destinations, you’ll be experiencing the benefits of this road maintenance blitz.”

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Major brands sign heavy duty truck alliance

The two global OEMs have officially signed a new strategic agreement that will see the brands combine for a heavy-duty truck platform

In international news, Isuzu Motors and Volvo Group have signed a new strategic agreement that will see two major heavy vehicle manufacturers develop a common platform for heavy-duty trucks.

The deal between Isuzu Motors and UD Trucks will result in the platform for medium heavy-duty truck models for the Japanese and other Asian markets, using Volvo Group technology.

While the deal is built on the strategic partnership framework agreement that was initially established in October 2020 between the two companies, the agreement now has a minimum duration of 20 years.

This will result in a continued supply of key components, particularly powertrains from Volvo Group, while also ensuring ongoing technical support in development and quality assurance.

Isuzu says the partnership will focus on advancing platform development and strengthening customer support systems to ensure a stable and successful market introduction.

“This new agreement marks a significant milestone in

the deepening of trust and collaboration between Isuzu Motors and Volvo Group,” Isuzu Motors chairman and CEO Masanori Katayama says.

“By combining our technological strengths and expertise, we are paving the way for the future of medium heavy-duty trucks in Japan and across Asia.”

Bulk Group launches regional express

The double acquisition will result in the launch of a new entity that will transform regional freight in New South Wales

Australian boutique transport and logistics company Bulk Group has announced the launch of a new Regional Express division following the acquisition of two freight businesses.

The creation of Bulk Regional Express follows the acquisition of North Coast Freight (NCF) and Lormac Transport.

The acquisitions are set to bring together the trusted teams, service excellence and deep local knowledge of NCF and Lormac, with Bulk Regional Express being teased to “supercharge regional logistics” across NSW with greater scale, smarter systems and Bulk Group’s national backing.

With Bulk Regional Express already operating key depots in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour,

Grafton and Ballina, a new Tamworth depot also came online in early August.

This marks the beginning of an ambitious growth strategy that is focused on delivering high-performance, customer-first solutions along critical NSW freight corridors.

Former owner and managing director of NCF and Lormac, Craig Hurst, will lead the new entity as managing director, steering the business through its next phase of growth and innovation.

“This is a win for our customers and our people,” he says.

“We’re keeping the same heart, values and regional service DNA, but now with the added backing of Bulk Group’s national infrastructure and support.”

“By combining our technological strengths and expertise, we are paving the way for the future of medium heavy-duty trucks in Japan and across Asia. It will further enhance the stability and reliability of our products and services for customers.”

By signing the agreement, Volvo Group president and CEO Martin Lundstedt says both companies will complement each other’s strengths, leverage their respective technologies and create larger scale synergies to further strengthen the strategic alliance and address future logistics challenges.

“This set-up creates a true win-win. By leveraging shared technology, both parties can drive industrial efficiency and long-term value for customers,” Lundstedt says.

“It strengthens our ability to grow revenues while contributing to a more competitive offering in the Asian market.”

Bulk Group CEO Lachlan Tindal has explained why the operator made the move and what it means for local partners.

“This move strengthens our regional capability and reaffirms our commitment to our customers in building a dependable and

scalable logistics network right across Australia,” Tindal says.

Bulk Group and Bulk Regional Express look forward to continuing strong partnerships with existing clients and suppliers, while welcoming new customers into the fold.

NHVR launches port-focused operation

The ports of Botany, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Bell Bay will be the main focus for the NHVR in its latest safety operation

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has launched a new heavy vehicle safety operation that focuses on safety around Australia’s ports.

Operation Quay is set to begin immediately and run over four weeks to ensure heavy vehicles travelling in and around port facilities are safe and compliant.

NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) will work alongside police to conduct roadside inspections and boost safety while checking compliance with load restraint, vehicle roadworthiness and fatigue laws.

NHVR chief operation officer Paul Salvati says with heavy vehicles undertaking a transport task around port facilities normally moving large shipping containers, it’s crucial that every container is properly restrained, secured using compliant equipment and checked before every journey.

“Heavy vehicles transporting freight in shipping containers are more likely to be involved in safety incidents in comparison to vehicles carrying general freight, with unique challenges associated with containerised cargo such as load instability and the potential for rollover,” he says.

“Tragically, there have been 60 lives lost in crashes involving a heavy vehicle this year, and the last thing we want to see is further road trauma occur on Australian roads.

“That’s why NHVR SCOs will work with industry around ports across the country throughout Operation Quay to ensure they are

complying with their safety obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

“This includes Port Botany in New South Wales, the Port of Brisbane in Queensland, the Port of Melbourne in Victoria, the Port of Adelaide in South Australia and the Port of Bell Bay in Tasmania.”

Salvati says with the rising movement of goods through the nation’s ports, heavy vehicle traffic in and around the freight terminals is only increasing.

“Ports are among the busiest transport environments across the country, so it’s imperative heavy vehicles are operating with heightened caution and are adhering to all safety requirements – even travelling at low speed around a corner can cause unsecured cargo to move dangerously,” he says.

“Incorrectly positioned loads can impact a heavy vehicle’s stability, steering and brake performance – and if a driver is unable to brake or steer effectively, lives are at risk.

“Furthermore, if the cargo inside the shipping containers is incorrectly packed, poorly restrained or not balanced across the container, the vehicle can become unstable, and the risk of a rollover increases.”

Salvati says it’s also critical that drivers comply with fatigue requirements and are well rested, alert and fit to be behind the wheel.

“While we understand drivers often face time pressures and demanding schedules, safety should always be the top priority – no

load, no matter how important, is worth the risk,” he says.

Inspector Gareth Bosley of QPS’s road policing and regional support command says officers will be conducting a range of compliance checks during Operation Quay to help keep all road users safe.

“Queensland Police are committed to ensuring heavy vehicles operating in and around the Port of Brisbane meet all safety obligations,” Bosley says.

“During Operation Quay, our officers will be checking for fatigue compliance, mechanical condition, and the secure restraint of loads, as well as targeting any dangerous behaviour on our roads, including drug or drink driving.”

Bosley says the freight environment around the Port of Brisbane presents unique risks, which makes proactive enforcement and engagement critical.

“Ports are high-pressure environments with constant freight movement, and that comes with increased risk. By working alongside the NHVR during Operation Quay, Queensland Police are making sure heavy vehicle operators, owners and everyone in the supply chain are putting safety first,” he says.

The NHVR is also reminding consignors and consignees, transport operators, packers and loaders and container terminal operators, that the Chain of Responsibility means everyone involved in the journey is accountable for safety and has a duty to ensure freight is packed, restrained and loaded safely.

New CFO for Followmont

The experienced trucking industry member has confirmed he is now at the

major Australian transport operator

Australian transport operator Followmont Transport has appointed a new chief operating officer.

As of late July, Warwick Rust has confirmed he is in the role at the popular operator.

The experienced trucking industry member has joined Followmont after three years at Team Global Express as its general manager – fleet.

Prior to that he served nearly 20 years at Toll Group, including being the state manager of Queensland, the national strategic operations manager and the general manager – fleet.

Rust says he’s “incredibly proud” to commence the new role at Followmont.

“Followmont has long been recognised not just for its operational excellence, but for its commitment to people, partnerships and purpose.

It’s a company built on strong family values, and a reputation that speaks volumes across the sector,” he says.

“To be entrusted with this opportunity is both humbling and energising. It’s a privilege to work alongside a team that’s driven, capable and committed to the communities we support.

“I look forward to contributing to Followmont’s continued growth, innovation and legacy of service. Excited for what’s ahead.”

First unfair termination case heard under new law

The new unfair termination law has been put to the test for the first time in the road transport sector

The very first instance of a case based on Australia’s new regulated road transport contractor unfair termination laws has been made.

In December last year, two new codes were announced that meant businesses can’t unfairly terminate a worker’s contract without following a fair process.

The Road Transport Industry Termination Code has been in place since February 26 this year to ensure truck drivers receive a fair process before their contracts can be terminated.

The first case under the new law was decided by the Fair Work Commission, with Ho Wong of Maxma Transportation looking for remedies over an alleged unfair termination by lighting wholesaler SAL National.

Wong’s company Maxma provided delivery services for various customers that included SAL National.

In about May 2023, Maxma entered into a contract with SAL to deliver goods to SAL’s customers, but on April 1 this year, SAL terminated the contract.

While working full-time as director of the company, Wong wasn’t employed by the business and received director’s fees from time to time.

He employed between seven and 10 workers across administration and driver duties for Maxma – throughout the contract period, his employees conducted most of the delivery driver work.

The central issue of the case was around whether Wong could be determined as a regulated road transport contractor under the new laws.

The result saw the Fair Work Commission dismiss the unfair termination remedy due to Wong being deemed as not protected

from unfair termination because, at the time of the termination of the contract, he was not a regulated road transport contractor.

“Mr Wong did not perform all the work to be performed under the contract. Maxma’s delivery drivers performed much of the work under the contract because, for the most part, they delivered the goods to SAL’s customers on a daily basis,” the Fair Work Commission says in its decision.

Safety education trailer takes home heavy vehicle safety award

The ‘Steering the Future’ trailer has taken home a major award for its dedication to improving heavy vehicle awareness

The Australian Road Safety Foundation Heavy Vehicle Safety Award, sponsored by Scania, was presented to ‘Steering the Future’ at the annual awards event at Parliament House in Canberra in July.

Steering the Future is an education and inspiration trailer designed to engage and inform the next generation of road users. It was developed by the team at Truckin’ Life, who have more than 80 years of combined experience in the road transport industry, and who understand the daily challenges faced by professional drivers.

“As parents of teenage children currently navigating the licencing system, it became alarmingly clear that there is little to no focus in the learner handbook about how to share the road safely with heavy vehicles,” Steering the Future co-owner Craig Forsyth says.

“There is a lack of awareness around crucial topics such as truck blind spots, stopping distances, and turning space. As we often say, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’.”

Craig says that Steering the Future aims to be on the road 40 weeks of the year, delivering an education program to schools across the country, using engaging and age-appropriate presentations.

“We aim to equip young Australians with the knowledge and respect required to drive safely around trucks and other large vehicles. If you have not grown up in a trucking family, or have no direct links to the transport industry, there’s often little understanding, let alone appreciation for the essential work our drivers do every day to keep Australia moving,” he says.

“We want to create more aware and respectful road users, and if even a small number choose a career in transport, we are helping build better drivers from the ground up. That is a win for all road users.

“The Steering the Future team feels incredibly privileged to do the work we do and are truly grateful for the recognition we have received. Thank you to the Australian Road Safety Foundation for hosting these important awards, and to Scania Australia for supporting the Heavy Vehicle Safety Award.

“To receive this award from Scania, a company that places such a strong emphasis on safety, not just within its vehicles but across all areas of their operations and workforce is an incredible honour. It is clear that we share very like-minded goals when it comes to creating safer roads for everyone,

and we are truly proud to be recognised by a company so deeply committed to driving positive change in our industry.”

Scania Australia managing director Manfred Streit echoed Craig’s sentiments, saying that the award goes to the heart of Scania’s values.

“We have a long and storied history of developing the safest trucks, and also through our Scania Driver Training programme, helping to guide existing drivers to be the best they can be, in terms of safety, fuel efficiency and above all, having the right attitude behind the wheel,” Streit says.

“The Steering the Future programme is aimed at preparing new drivers to be able to share the road with trucks and may well even encourage some youngsters to take up a career in transport. We congratulate the Steering the Future team for their success to date and hope that many more schools in Australia take advantage of this road safety training asset.”

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IVECO acquired by automotive giant

The European heavy vehicle manufacturer is set to be acquired by a global commercial vehicle powerhouse

European commercial vehicle manufacturer

IVECO Group is set to be acquired by global vehicle company Tata Motors, creating a new commercial vehicle group.

The international shake-up will see the two manufacturers form a single commercial vehicles group with the reach, product portfolio and industrial capability to be a global force in the transport industry.

The acquisition sees Tata purchase IVECO for approximately 3.8 billion Euros, excluding IVECO’s defence business and the net proceeds from the defence business separation.

IVECO says its board of directors has unanimously supported the offer and recommended it be accepted by shareholders.

The acquisition is set to be completed in the first half of 2026, pending financial regulatory clearances.

Both companies say the offer brings together two businesses with highly complementary product portfolios and capabilities and with no substantial overlap in industrial and geographical footprints.

Together, IVECO and Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle business will have combined revenues of 22 billion Euros split across Europe, India and the Americas.

Tata Motors chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran says the combined group will be better positioned to invest in and deliver innovative, sustainable mobility solutions by leveraging both supplier networks to serve customers globally.

“This is a logical next step following the demerger of the Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle business and will allow the combined group to compete on a truly global basis with two strategic home markets in India and Europe,” Chandrasekaran says.

“The combined group’s complementary businesses and greater reach will enhance our ability to invest boldly. I look forward to securing

sustainable mobility. Moreover, the reinforced prospects of the new combination are strongly positive in terms of the security of employment and industrial footprint of IVECO Group as a whole,” IVECO Group chair Suzanne Heywood says.

IVECO Group CEO Olof Persson has welcomed the acquisition and the opportunities it will bring.

“By joining forces with Tata Motors, we are unlocking new potential to further enhance our industrial capabilities, accelerate innovation in zero-emission transport, and expand our reach in key global markets.”

the necessary approvals and concluding the transaction in the coming months.”

The deal is also set to unlock superior growth opportunities for both sides of the acquisition, spreading capital investments over larger volumes.

“We are proud to announce this strategically significant combination, which brings together two businesses with a shared vision for

“By joining forces with Tata Motors, we are unlocking new potential to further enhance our industrial capabilities, accelerate innovation in zero-emission transport and expand our reach in key global markets,” Persson says.

“This combination will allow us to better serve our customers with a broader, more advanced product portfolio and deliver long-term value to all stakeholders.”

Border Express opens new depot

The Australian logistics operator has confirmed another new depot is set to open soon as it continues its national expansion

Australian logistics company Border Express has announced the next stage of its evolution as it’s set to open a new depot in New South Wales.

The upcoming opening of a new depot in Kooragang, Newcastle, will allow the Victorian-based operator to strengthen its national network.

Border Express says the new depot is a “strategic move” to strengthen and enhance its service to the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Hunter Region area.

“The Kooragang facility is designed to streamline freight operations, enhance delivery times and improve service coverage across a key logistics corridor in New South Wales,” Border Express says.

The Newcastle depot follows hot on the heels of the operator’s recent Townsville depot that was opened.

“The newly built depot, over 4,000sqm space, features a combination of warehouse space, office and amenities, and a large

main awning area to support all-weather operations,” Border Express says.

“This expansion reflects

our continued investment in infrastructure, people and technology to deliver fast, reliable and secure freight services to

our valued customers.

“Thank you to our incredible team and partners who made this possible!”

Reliability redefined.

The all-new range of Isuzu trucks has arrived. With a sleek new cab design, more advanced safety features and a smoother, more comfortable drive, the new range will change the way we rely on our trucks. Forever. To find out more, visit your nearest Isuzu Trucks Dealer or visit isuzu.com.au

CASINO ROYALE

Records

fell as the 2025 North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show dominated the Northern Rivers of NSW,

Geoff Crockett writes

Rolling into Casino on Friday afternoon with rain pending and light fading after two flights and an hour-long drive through the countryside, it was hard to know exactly what to expect.

While it was a given the show would be well run, the organisers and Richmond Valley Council have this down to a tee, this Friday night would be different to 2024, with the inaugural addition of the Friday Night Lights showcase.

Casino Truck Show organiser Darren Goodwin had said in the lead up to the show registrations for the 550 available spots in Saturday’s line-up had sold out as fast as a Taylor Swift concert, so there was no doubt there would be truckies in town, or arriving.

While in the past a dozen or so trucks had come into the middle of town and parked up outside the pub where the sponsors gathered for a pre-show get together, this year the organisers had stepped it up to another level.

Live music had been booked, the cafes were staying open later, and the invite was out there for those arriving on Friday night to bring their trucks into town, turn on their lights and showcase the electrifying efforts they’d put into illuminating the big beasts.

The word had obviously got out with plenty of locals and visitors braving the slightly chilly air and lining the main street into town as the sun went down to admire a mini truck parade that soon had the streets lit up like Christmas.

Rows of reverse-parked trucks provided all manner of lights, including some cool windscreen LEDs that were able to be programmed with winking eyes or short messages.

While the rain threatened and eventually fell around 9pm, the sun had started disappearing around 5.30pm and the crowd had a solid couple of hours before it thinned out as people headed home to come back and do it all again on Saturday.

And do it they did.

Richmond Valley Council’s Community Connection Manager, and truck show comms leader, Sharon Davidson said the crowds had been estimated at 40,000 this year – a record result for the regional event.

Sharon also said the charity auction raised $26,000 which would be divided up between prostate cancer awareness charity Get Yourself Checked and local charities who would have the opportunity to apply for cash to support their projects.

For those who haven’t been to Casino Truck Show, it’s handy to know that it’s run in the centre of town, on bitumen, with trucks parking north, south, east and west of the central roundabout and the city centre is blocked off to pedestrians-only for most of the day.

Casino itself is in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, about an hour’s drive from the coastal town of Ballina, famous for its Big Prawn.

Normally, Casino, has a population of around 12,500 people.

The Saturday element of the show starts with a truck parade where thousands of people line the route into town, kicking off their morning by finding their own patch of roadside, some with barbecues and camp chairs, from which to watch an hour-long parade roll past.

This year’s parade was capped at 200 trucks – a decision taken by the organisers to allow enough time for the trucks to be parked up for judging and for people to enjoy the balance of the day.

The parade starts at 10am, and the city is returned to normal by around 6pm that night. Last year more than 700 trucks turned up for the show and while not everyone participated in the parade, it was certainly more than the 200 trucks this year and that parade had rolled on for nearly two hours.

Another thing to note is that Casino Truck Show is known as one of the “richest” in terms of the number of prizes and vouchers given out to trucks judged as winners on the Saturday afternoon.

The award’s ceremony lasted an hour-and-a-half, with another record set at the finale when the Tiny Lollback Truck of the Show award went to two Kenworth T900s driven by Chris and Andrew Muscat of Muscat Haulage.

Both trucks are working trucks with about 1.2 million kilometres on the clock, and their polished presentation was so close the judges couldn’t split them.

For the Muscat brothers, whose business has a fleet of 13 trucks hauling out of Yass in New South Wales, the win was a welcome surprise and a great opportunity to shine the spotlight on their team.

Andrew said the family business had started with his mum and dad, off the back of his Ddd driving with his own brothers back in the 1970s.

He and Chris are second generation from there, and now their children were becoming part of the team too.

He said the business had grown during the COVID years as demand for deliveries skyrocketed, and, now, with about 20 staff on board, it was staying steady as the market tightened.

“Something like this, it actually gives you that boost again and shows you that there is a lot of pride in the industry and a lot of good operators,” Chris says.

For Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow, the truck show is a highlight every year.

“I’d like to thank everyone who’s turned up this year,” Mustow told the crowd during the awards ceremony.

“The weather’s been kind to us, and I’d like to really thank Mick (from North Coast Petroleum) for being our major sponsor and every other sponsor who makes this truck show so successful. I believe it’s the best in Australia and the southern hemisphere.

“I can’t tell you my appreciation of everyone coming.

“If you’re showing (your truck), or you’ve just come to support it… family… friends – it means a lot to our area.

“I talked to the Lismore Mayor this morning out at an art show I was at, at Bentley, and he owns a restaurant in Lismore, and he said there were trucks pulling up at five o’clock this morning at his cafe in Lismore getting coffee.

“So, it’s not only for Casino in the Richmond Valley area, it’s for the whole North Coast, and I’d say the same happened at

and Grafton and Coffs Harbour and all the way along the coast.”

For Darren Nelson and James Pooley, who made the trek from South Australia to share their truck cleaning wares with the crowd, the show was an eyeopener.

James, who is the production coordinator for CarChem Products, makers of the truck cleaner Trucking Gold, said there had been plenty of interest during the day and getting to be part of the show made the trip worthwhile.

Truckie Tim Wells made the trek from Goodiwindi in an Ambrose Haulage 1996 Kenworth T904.

Wells said he counted himself lucky to work for a company that was happy to be part of the show and proud of the gear it ran for its grain and fertiliser haulage in and out of Brisbane and Newcastle.

Front and centre on the main roundabout, Krystina Parker and Mark Tobin from Followmont Transport were fielding interest and selling merchandise in support of the Get Yourself Checked charity started by Mark and Country Trucker Caps’ Brett Hanly.

Krystina said the t-shirts and caps were proving popular and the message was certainly getting out there about the relatively new charity and its mission of raising awareness and funds for the fight against prostate cancer.

While there was plenty of trucking equipment and merchandise, including Casino Truck Show shirts, caps and hoodies for sale, it was the trucks the fans had come for, and just about every brand was represented in one shape or another.

While Kenworths dominated the trucks on show, followed closely by Macks, there was a solid line up of classic Fords along with new releases such as bright white MAN loaded with spotlights and carrying a Lion airbrushed on its back.

Jon Kelly and his HHA crew were out in force with “Kelly’s alley” boasting a range of the group’s heavy haulage trucks that are about to be auctioned by Pickles, alongside some stunning classics from the collection, some of which will eventually be on show at a museum-type showroom that’s currently in the planning stage.

For Casino’s local cafes, pubs and charities, such as the Lions’ Club with their ever-popular sausage sizzle, the steady flow of customers is sure to have topped up the tills in a big way.

The local artists jumped in on the spirit of the event too, and those who wandered down Barker Street to the gallery were treated to an installation project that saw a Kenworth colourfully covered in all manner of embroidered blankets and wheel hub warmers.

With visitors coming to Casino from all over Australia, and New Zealand too, the show has a carnival atmosphere (yep, there’s even a kids’ entertainment area with rides too) that is easy to get carried away in.

With two stages rocking out live music, hundreds of highly polished trucks to oogle and the joy of the truckies and their families enjoying a good time away from the road for a few hours, catching up with friends and telling trucking stories with smiles on their faces, it’s easy to see why Casino just keeps on getting better every year.

STATEMENT PIECE

With numerous decades under the belt, family operator QMR has decided to showcase its business in an exciting way courtesy of an eye-catching new DAF delivery, Sean Mortell reports

Bottom: This sleek DAF was delivered in late July

There’s something special about a family business. Siblings working together each day. Joining forces with parents, aunts and uncles, sometimes even grandparents. Once the day is done, returning back to the family home for dinner, and surely more conversations about work and the state of the business.

Since 2003, the Chambers family has been living this dream. It was then that Neil Chambers founded Queensland Metal Recyclers (QMR), starting with offices in Rockhampton and Yatala. In the years since, Neil’s family has also taken to the business, including his son Jackson.

As the general manager of QMR, he reports to Neil –the sole director – each and every day. As one of four brothers, the entire suite of Chambers boys work at QMR, with the other three over at the brand’s Western Australian operations.

“Us in the family are always moving around between Queensland and WA to help the business,” Jackson told OwnerDriver

“We remain involved in both sides as it still is the one company. I remember my father starting the business with a small rigid truck, a few bins and a paddock to start buying and selling metal.

“From a young age, I’ve been involved in collecting scrap metal from car wreckers through to manufacturing businesses.”

While Jackson remembers helping Neil in the early days of the business, QMR has now grown to become a sizeable transport operator. As Neil and his band of boys have scaled the company, he has evolved from a sole operator to the leader of a group of 60 staff.

As the family has evolved the business, this has led to the operations conducted in Queensland to constantly change. The main office in Yatala has grown to take in and process all transfers made from the Rockhampton branch in central Queensland.

“Rockhampton is a satellite yard where the metal comes in – there’s no processing – and it’s loaded into bulk tippers before being brought to Yatala,” Jackson says.

“From here, it gets exported. We’re doing around 500 tonnes of metal each month in Rockhampton, running singles and B-doubles for the better part of 20 years.”

As these daily runs have progressed over the years, QMR has looked at ways of making its operations

“Everyone loves the Kenworths and the big trucks, but I find that when it comes to driver comfort and how you feel when you pull up, DAFs are second to none.”

more efficient. Around two years ago it started talking to manufacturer Tefco Trailers about developing a road train combination that would get approved to run up Australia’s east coast on the Bruce Highway.

The idea has been to try and gain as much weight and payload as possible. During this conversation, QMR started also talking with Smedley’s Engineers, with a preliminary assessment assessing the operator could run vehicles at 79.5 tonnes gross.

“Our motivation to order these trailers was all about efficiency and max payload,” Jackson says.

“After ordering the trailers, we started looking at what trucks we could use to pull it. We wanted the truck to do two return trips to Rockhampton each week, five a fortnight and 10 a month.

“This formed the basis of our analysis – we looked at the trucks we had and decided we needed a new or near new truck that was fuel efficient, pulls strong weights and allows our drivers to pull up at the end of the day without feeling beaten up so they could drive again the next day comfortably. We want to look after our staff.”

With these changes come the need for top-notch equipment that is innovative, safe and efficient. On the fleet side, QMR has found the right partner by choosing early to closely align with dealer Brown and Hurley to get the latest and greatest Kenworth and DAF truck models.

“Our fleet is predominantly made up of Kenworths and DAFs,” Jackson says.

“Our very first prime mover was a DAF that was purchased by one of my brothers in 2014. The DAFs in our fleet have been terrific – having driven them myself, I find them to be quite comfortable as you can have a conversation on the phone easily in the cabin.

“Everyone loves the Kenworths and the big trucks, but I find that when it comes to driver comfort and how you feel when you pull up, DAFs are second to none.”

This personal preference led Jackson and the QMR team to take the new DAF XG 660 for a test drive at the local Brown & Hurley dealership. It was enough to convince them that the DAF product was the ideal truck for QMR’s latest needs.

“The truck was excellent to drive and we’re very excited to see it up and running now that it’s been delivered,” Jackson says.

“We just drove the stock model and we were happy – we thought it was terrific.”

With the DAF set to become QMR’s flagship truck in its fleet, a bit more effort than normal was put into

“We’re excited to have this beautiful truck going down freeways so that our customers and the industry can see it.”

the final design of the truck’s exterior. After seeing a special DAF truck on display at the Brisbane Truck Show in May, Jackson wanted to create a similar look that was eye-catching on the highways.

Working with Brown & Hurley, Jackson looked over the colour schemes, deciding to emulate the business’s black colour base while adding streaks of green and silver throughout.

“We wanted to go the extra mile with bells and whistles to create a truck that makes a statement on the road,” he says.

“It’s all about the image of our company on the road. I’m satisfied that this is one of the best looking scrap metal trucks out there – I may be a bit biased but I just love looking at it.”

While the outside of the new DAF certainly lives up to QMR’s lofty expectations, the internal is also packing plenty of surprises. A range of creature comforts ensure drivers can enjoy the space and quietness of the truck while out on the roads.

“One of our drivers is six foot six and he could almost jump in the cabin – that’s how high it is,” Jackson says.

“We compared it to other trucks and came back to this DAF as the model we wanted.”

The truck, which was delivered in late July, is QMR’s fourth DAF to grace its prime mover fleet. Now out on the road, it provides a statement truck that leads QMR’s logistics-driven endeavours throughout Australia.

With QMR’s operations growing to now include Performance Based Standards (PBS)-approved vehicles that run to and from the Port of Brisbane, the DAF fits in with a variable fleet. Outside of trucks, a plethora of floats, material handlers and excavators also aid in the process of end-to-end metal recycling.

“We handle a lot of different things and we have a range of various trucks and trailers,” Jackson says.

“Having new gear that is under warranty and

is well-serviced has made a huge different to our operations – knowing a truck is capable and safe gives us peace of mind, and this DAF is no different.”

Throughout this growing assortment of machines, the latest DAF prime mover stands tallest in Jackson’s eyes. Much like the family business, the newest DAF model shows signs of evolution.

With more DAFs on the way, the QMR family is preparing to continue growing behind the newly delivered statement truck that is making a mark on Australian roads.

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“We want to continue selling our older equipment and buying newer models, like we have with this DAF,” Jackson says.

“We’ve got another 36m road train in a production slot for our WA operations, and we’re potentially looking at having another DAF truck pulling that too.

“We’re excited to have this beautiful truck going down freeways so that our customers and the industry can see it. We’re a family business that is very driven, and this DAF makes us so excited about the future and our journey.”

NHVR Peter Austin Load review

The NHVR is calling on the industry to have its say when it comes to feedback for its Load Restraint Guide review

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has rebranded and reformatted the Load Restraint Guide (LRG) to enhance its usability, with a review of the guide currently underway to ensure it continues to meet the needs of industry.

The LRG is an important resource that is used across the heavy vehicle industry to support safe and compliant loading and load restraint practices. Within the guide, there is a broad range of technical information and detailed diagrams to help determine the restraint required for loads transported on heavy vehicles.

Originally published back in the ‘90s with several updates since, the guide is one of the most widely used safety documents in the heavy vehicle industry. It plays a crucial role in ensuring heavy vehicle loads are transported safely.

This year, the guide went through a re-brand where images were refreshed and inconsistencies corrected, including reformatting the guide to make it more user-friendly. You can view the updated guide on our website.

Although the changes made were relatively minor and primarily cosmetic, the 2018 version of the guide remains current and valid for use as well.

The guide is an extensive document and to ensure it continues to remain current and reflect safe load restraint practices, a review into the guide has commenced to ensure the needs of our evolving industry are met.

The Review of the Load Restraint Guide - Discussion Paper provides information on what changes have been

considered and the rationale supporting those decisions. This paper will assist industry in understanding the scope and direction of potential updates and assist in gathering feedback.

The aim of this update is to improve how the guide supports safe loading outcomes, compliance with loading requirements and to promote a safe, productive and efficient heavy vehicle industry. The review will focus on improving how loading requirements and performance standards are explained and applied in the guide, which will ensure the next edition is clearer and most practical to use.

An important consideration we are applying in the review is how the guide supports training and education across the heavy vehicle industry. The guide is widely used by registered training organisations, transport companies and safety professionals to educate drivers, loaders and workers on safe and compliant load restraint practices. Making sure the content is clear, up to date and practical so that it helps trainers deliver consistent messaging and supports learners in applying

guidance on the job.

The NHVR is seeking feedback from anyone that may have an interest in the safe loading of heavy vehicles; this includes operators, loaders, packers, receivers, manufacturers and engineers. We are also interested in hearing from people and businesses that support industry through the delivery of training or who manufacture load restraint equipment, vehicle structures or who designs them. Your feedback can cover a variety of topics like structure, layout and overall usability.

Feedback provided during this consultation period will help identify ways the guide can better support training outcomes, whether that be through clearer explanations, improved diagrams or more relatable examples. Enhancing the guide’s usability in learning and development settings will contribute to safer and more consistent loading practices across industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s important that the guide remains aligned with how people learn and apply safety information.

As new vehicle technology and load restraint systems emerge, it’s important that the guide keeps pace with modern equipment and methods. This review provides an opportunity to make sure the guide remains relevant to current transport practices and addresses newer technologies and equipment supporting how loads are secured and transported. This is a great opportunity for industry, engineers and other interested parties to get involved and contribute feedback through our consultation channels. The guide was created for a range of different industry sectors, and we want to ensure it continues to be a reliable source of information. That’s why we’re seeking feedback from as many corners of the industry as possible. Feedback should be provided to nhvr. regulatorystandards@nhvr.gov.au by Friday September 12, 2025. If your

“We encourage you to share your practical experiences and suggestions to help ensure the updated guide is clear, consistent and useful for all who rely on it.”

feedback includes attachments or is longer than three pages, we encourage you to include a short summary of your key points.

We encourage you to share your practical experiences and suggestions to help ensure the updated guide is clear, consistent and useful for all who rely on it. Should you have any questions regarding your submission or a general query on the guide, please reach out to our team via the email address above for assistance.

Your feedback is more than just a suggestion – it’s a direct contribution to industry safety and better regulatory outcomes. Let’s work together to ensure the Load Restraint Guide continues to support those at the front lines of freight movement across Australia.

POLITICS Senator Glenn Sterle

It’s a sham!

Senator Glenn Sterle discusses sham contracting and the work he’s doing to run the dangerous practice out of the transport industry

Sham contracting is the biggest pox on the transport industry and this illegal practice impacts everyone involved.

Sham contracting occurs when an employer misrepresents an employment relationship as a contractor arrangement. This can involve requiring a worker to obtain an ABN and submit invoices, even if the working arrangement more closely resembles an employeeemployer relationship.

And when that happens, drivers who are engaged on ABNs get the bleeding daylight screwed out of them by dodgy employers who know they can take the piss and get away with it. There is no requirement for the employer to provide pay as you go

tax, drivers don’t get paid penalty rates or superannuation and they don’t get annual or long service leave.

I want to be very clear, it is completely illegal to get an ABN and drive someone else’s truck. Employers know this and yet they engage accountants who know how to play the system and who are aiding and abetting tax avoidance.

It was brought to my attention recently that as of June 30, 2024, there were over 172,000 active NBNs in the road freight industry.

Now, a number of these will be legitimate, but there is no way known that 172,000 of them are and that should sound alarm bells through the ATO.

I have also been made aware that the

SENATOR GLENN STERLE is a current Labor Senator for Western Australia in Australia’s Federal Parliament. He is also the Duty Labor Senator for the Federal Electorates of Durack and O’Connor and has experience as a transport operator

road freight industry has been identified as high risk for shadow economic activity, which according to the ATO is the dishonest and criminal activities that take place outside the tax and regulatory systems –including sham contracting. From 2021 to 2023, the road freight industry has risen from top seven to one of the top four ANZSIC categories for reported tax evasion behaviours.

I have written to the ATO and have suggested that a taskforce be set up to look into this as soon as possible because if this practice is allowed to continue, those drivers engaged on ABNs will keep screwing the living daylights out of the rates for owner drivers who are doing the right thing and industry standards, including rates and conditions, will go backwards. Companies come and go due to a number of reasons including poor management or low rates. In my opinion, sham contracting is one of the factors leading to the destruction of good companies simply because it’s just getting too hard to run a business.

Anyone who follows trade and transport news would have seen this. Some companies who do the right thing by their staff are now paying out all of their employee’s entitlements, closing the doors, putting up the ‘for sale’ sign and are sending all of their equipment off to auction.

The unscrupulous owners of companies who are engaging drivers on ABNs should be run out of the industry because they are the ones contributing to the race to the bottom.

GAELIC GLORY

In the 20 years since Cahal Carey made the move from the Emerald Isle to Australia, he’s managed to succeed in the heavy haulage game. Warren Aitken checks out his flagship Volvo that caps off two decades of hard work and success

There is no arguing that the Volvo truck catalogue contains an extremely diverse selection. They have a truck for every occasion, stacked with state-ofthe-art technology, class leading safety features, peak power performance and torque curves that’ll make your eyes water. They pride themselves on supplying safe, reliable and cost-effective equipment designed to be economically and mechanically efficient. They pretty much have a set-up to suit any and all applications. And while on the practical side globally they can build whatever you need, on the aesthetics side of things, Volvos down under don’t receive the same attention that their European counterparts receive.

A lot of that is dictated by the vehicle measurement differences between hemispheres, the weight limits per country, the road conditions and the fact that a 14-hour day in Europe sees you traverse half a dozen countries, while in Australia it’ll only see you past five roadhouses, three fuel stops and a handful of rest areas. The Volvos that prowl the Australian Outback highways are more often than not out there doing the hard yards with very little glamour.

When a young Irishman decided he needed his own heavy haulage behemoth to transport equipment for his contract crushing company, his Irish roots and European influences of said roots saw him buy a brand-new Volvo. But Cahal Carey didn’t just want a workhorse, he wanted a showpiece.

“Everything we do here we do to the highest standard, so when we ordered the truck, we wanted that to reflect the effort we put in across the whole company,” he says.

With memories and influences from his Irish ancestry, Cahal got the ball rolling on what has become one of the coolest XXL Volvos gracing our highways.

An Irish influence in our transport arena is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, the Irish influence on Australian culture and history is extremely profound. It is estimated that anywhere from 10 to 30 per cent of the Australian population has either full or partial Irish heritage.

The Irish have played a huge roll in the history of this country, from the likes of Ned Kelly, whose old man Jon ‘Red’ Kelly came from Tipperary, to brothers John and James Toohey, founders of Tooheys Brewery, who came from County Limerick. You have the likes of Mick Fanning, another one with Irish ancestry through his dad, born in Malin Head in County Donegal. Or if you are of a more literary persuasion, you may know the name Tom Keneally, via his grandparents who hailed from County Cork – this legendary novelist and playwright is another one for the list. In case you didn’t attend any of his lectures, he is also famous for his 1982 publication ‘Schindler’s Ark’ which became the award-winning movie ‘Schindler’s List’.

While these are some of the more renown Australian-Irish descendants, the fact is the Irish are a huge part of Australian working culture, which I learnt a lot more about when I managed to slow Cahal Carey down long enough for an interview. The ‘Culchie’ from the Glens of Antrim, who came over to Australia to have some ‘craic’ and ‘give it a lash’, talked me through his transition from a shovel swinging plumber to ‘sucking diesel’ with a second hand 13t digger and is now ‘up to 90’ with his highly successful contract crushing business. All of this has led to Cahal purchasing his first heavy haulage truck and top spec float and, as you can see, this eyewatering Irish influenced automobile is ‘deadly’.

Before we get into the story, let me just explain a few of the comments from the previous paragraph. Firstly, the statements highlighted in the previous paragraph are my attempt to incorporate a touch of Irish slang into this feature. Culchie is a term for someone from rural Ireland. Craic means fun. Give it a lash obviously means to give it a go, while sucking diesel is an expression used to mean making progress. Up to 90 implies someone is extremely busy and deadly is Irish slang for awesome or great.

I will no doubt try and intertwine a few Irish digs into this tall tale and, as a card-carrying Kiwi and lifelong rugby fan, I am allowed a little extra leeway when it comes to ‘acting the maggot’ (or in Kiwiana – ‘taking the piss’). The Irish are our Achilles heel when it comes to the footy, and because of the

Left: Cahal Carey is a very humble man when it comes to talking about his success. He much prefers just to get in, do the work and do it well rather than talk about it. But he let a bit of his guard down when it came to his new truck, talking with passion and pride on the purchase of this impressive set-up

Top: With quarry clearance given, Warren and the 700hp Volvo pull away from the rest area and enter the quarry to deliver another machine to the Glendun Contract Crushing team

Right: Another custom BlingHQ design is the full-length bumper bar sleeve with custom stainless cover for the rear batteries, all designed for easy access to the batteries when needed

Opposite top to bottom: Over in Europe they love their twin exhaust set-ups, something Cahal wanted on his workhorse. Ryan included the straight stainless shroud to keep with the smooth look of the Volvo; Another BlingHQ build is the drive guard cover that really does tidy up the messylooking air tank set-up; The Volvo is fully equipped with all the mod cons, including the essential Icepack, which the Bel Air team painted to match the theme of the whole unit; As the sun sets in Brisbane, the Glendun Volvo sits gleaming in the company yard, ready to hit the quarry roads the following day

respect we have for them, our best way of expressing that is to have some ‘craic’ at their expense. Hence while we are focused on this Irishman’s perfectly put together Volvo, and the Australian companies that have been integral in its finished appearance, I will take some jabs throughout, so don’t ‘take a dander’.

Back to my interview with the young entrepreneur and his extremely impressive excursion into trucking. As I mentioned earlier, trucking is not Cahal’s forte. Growing up in Ireland, he was always fascinated with trucks and loved seeing the cool lorries that graced the Irish highways – his brother-in-law even runs several trucks back home on the Emerald Isle.

Cahal, however, followed the pipes rather than the pedals and became a plumber. Armed with a plumbing trade, youth and exuberance and I’m assuming a desire for a more enjoyable climate, 21-year-old Cahal packed his duffle and came over to Australia in 2003 with barely a four-leaf clover to his name.

“All the Irish boys seemed to be working the tunnels in Sydney, so I ended up there,” he recalls.

“I’d done a little bit of plumbing, but the money wasn’t great,

so I went to the tunnels. I was on the end of a shovel and the guy didn’t turn up to drive the excavator and the boss asked me to have a go and that’s where I started.”

It’s a very humble summation by the Irishman, but also pretty accurate. He took to the excavator work like an Irishman to Guinness and pretty soon got the opportunity to buy his own little 13t digger and begin the journey to what is now Glendun Contract Crushing, an arm of Glendun Group.

Digging out the Sydney Tunnels soon led to a shift to Brisbane – by that stage he had accumulated a few more bits of equipment and put them to work in the Brisbane tunnel projects. Contacts and opportunities there soon led to Cahal investing in some crushing plant equipment and working out west. The professionalism and approach the young Irishman took on site soon led to more opportunities, followed by more opportunities, which led to more gear, more employees and so on and so forth.

Which leads us into 2023, 20 years since Cahal had landed in Australia and, with an equipment and machinery count over the 200-piece mark, Cahal decided he wanted to look at putting his own transporter on the books.

“It completes a part of the puzzle when you can move your own equipment around,” Cahal admits, who up until that point had been using a contractor when gear needed returned or relocated.

“It makes more sense – we can plan projects better and when there’s a last minute issue we are able to move it ourselves, it adds a lot more flexibility to what we do.”

I reiterate, Cahal and the Glendun crew are not truck people. Cahal’s a truck fan, but that’s a far cry from knowing where to start when it comes to purchasing a brand-new truck and float setup. Cahal’s office manager Sarah Emery explained the process of purchasing a float came from observing the contractors they dealt with.

“We only deal with the best, that’s what we’ve built this company on and that’s how we approach every deal and

every job,” she says.

“None of us had experience with trailers but we noticed the best were all using Drake. So, we went straight to Drake.”

The Glendun team took a similar approach to purchasing the trailer as they would when they chose a truck. They explained to Drake exactly what they would be doing, explained what sort of gear they would be moving – maximum and minimum, and let the people in the know tell them what they needed. That would turn out to be the stunning Drake 5X8 widener and 2X8 dolly.

When it came to the truck, well there really wasn’t much of a debate there. Growing up in Europe with the landscape dominated by the two big Swedish powerhouses, Cahal had his hat in the Volvo camp.

“We run a lot of Volvo gear anyway,” he states. “So we’re familiar with the brand and we know how good it is. We went and saw the guys at VCV Pinkenba and they have been fantastic to deal with. Like the trailer, we explained what we wanted to do with it, and they talked us through the best set-up.”

Dressing the big purchase was the next challenge for Cahal.

“The Volvos and Scanias around Ireland are finished off with a bit more detail,” he says.

“Over here it’s not quite the same. Like back at home this would just be a pretty basic truck, but here it stands out. If you see a Volvo or Scania coming down the road finished off differently, it’ll probably be an Irishman.”

Once the decision on ‘what’ truck was finalised, dressing it up was a project the truck nut side of Cahal had already fine tuned.

“I’d already been doing a bit of Pinterest-ing and stuff, looking at designs back home, and found one with lines like this back in Holland,” he explains, adding that the colours were already set.

“The colors of our logo and on our branding was black, white and grey, so we stuck with that.”

The truck got sent from Volvo off to Bel Air Truck Spray painting in Darra, where Rob and his team set to work on bringing the Holland design onto a big, black Aussie Volvo. Bel Air also painted the tanks and the Icepack, keeping the whole unit nicely streamlined.

“It makes more sense – we can plan projects better and when there’s a l ast minute issue we are able to move it ourselves, it adds a lot more flexibility to what we do.”

Top: The maneuverability of the Volvo is another winning feature for driver Warren and the Glendun Team. The Contract Crushing team often expect the Volvo in some tight places, which thankfully it can achieve

Above: While the Big Volvo may be exceptionally dark with its black look, there’s no dark surrounding the truck with more spotlights than the MCG on this truck

Below: The custom build backing plate to tidy up the Suzy coils was another BlingHQ addition. It also gave Ryan another spot to put a few more LED lights on

“We want to be known as the best contract crushers in Australia and this truck would be representing us. It needed to look as professional as we are, and show the pride we take in our work.”

Next step for Cahal and his first truck was finding someone to take the working showpiece to the next level, adding the extra touches needed to make the truck stand out.

“It’s not easy finding people that spec out the Volvos, but the guys put me on to Ryan at Bling HQ and he’s been great. I did have to convince him I needed all the lights though,” Cahal laughs.

Ryan has had his fair share of Volvos through his Hattonvale workshop, but the Glendun FH was one of the biggest Volvo projects for Bling HQ and a challenge Ryan was ready to take on.

“Cahal was very much influenced by the European look and you can see that with the big lightbar on the roof,” Ryan says.

“I built that and had it painted rather than polished and Cahal ordered the lights out of Europe for me to fit. It can be a challenge with the Volvos as you can’t do a lot to them, versus the likes of a Kenworth where you can take nearly everything off and do something. It can be a real challenge and that’s what I like about it. Customer demand has led me to come up with ways of changing and adding to the Volvos.”

A good example of this is when you look at the rear end of the big FH.

“I put a full width bumper bar sleeve on the back end, which

most people don’t do,” Ryan says, adding in a few of the other specialty parts he designed and built.

“I fitted the dual exhaust, which apparently they do over there as well. I built the trim up, the Suzi plate to tidy that up, as well as the drive guard assembly to cover the air tanks. I added in a drain valve chain to drain the tanks. And then there’s all the other little things like mudflap pieces, wrapped tanks, extra LEDs – all up there was about 400 hours of work in this one.”

Ryan became quite familiar with Cahal over those 400 hours as the Irishman would venture out to Hattonvale on numerous occasions to discuss and add extra ideas to the growing Volvo to-do list. Those trips became a bit of a touchy subject for office manager Sarah over the course of the build.

“I did have to pull Cahal up with the stainless, he just kept adding more. He was like a kid in a candy store to be honest,” Sarah laughs, though she is quick to point out why.

“We want to be known as the best contract crushers in Australia and this truck would be representing us. It needed to look as professional as we are, and show the pride we take in our work.”

I can’t wrap this up without reiterating both Sarah and Cahal’s accolades for the man who gets the pleasure of steering this beast around Australia – Warren McCarthy.

“We are so lucking to have him as part of the team. Not just because he washes that truck more than I do my car,” Cahal laughs.

“But he knows his stuff when it comes to heavy haulage.”

Sarah agrees, heaping praise on the driver for helping the whole team wrap their heads around what can and can’t be done and, most importantly, how to do it correctly.

It very much seems that Glendun Contract Crushing, and Glendun Group as a whole, have managed to put together the perfect package for a first-time float. The right driver, the right setup. The perfect trailer combination and the pictureperfect truck. Just like the day back in ‘03 when Cahal dropped the shovel and succeeded on his first attempt as an excavator operator, the Irishman has put down his crushing gloves and tried his hand at truck design, and the result is quite simply ‘Uanhnach’ (it’s Gaelic, look it up).

Enhance fleet management through innovation and sustainability

As a global leader in IoT and connected transportation, Geotab processes and analyses data from over 4 million connected vehicles, generating over 75 billion data points per day. It’s a huge amount of data, and it is most powerful when we have the right tools to securely and efficiently manage it. That’s why we have partnered with Google to leverage Google Cloud’s data analytics and machine learning solutions.

Championing Innovation and Sustainability

Geotab has been awarded two Google Cloud Customer Awards for its achievements in the transportation sector. Recognition in both the Cross Industry and Sustainability categories underscore Geotab’s successful use of Google Cloud’s analytics to innovate and drive sustainable practices in fleet management.

Google says that the Awards are an opportunity to recognise the most innovative, technically advanced, and transformative cloud deployments across industries globally built on their platform.

In their congratulatory message to Geotab, they acknowledged Geotab’s role in “serving as an innovator for the industry”, which also highlights Geotab’s innovative integration of data to revolutionise the transportation sector, leading to transformative impacts across organisations and customers around the world.

Empowering sustainable transportation

As the world’s premier EV telematics provider, Geotab has demonstrated its commitment to reducing emissions through its Electric Vehicle Self-Assessment (EVSA) tool, which won Google Cloud’s Award for Sustainability.

The tool provides tailored EV recommendations to support businesses and governments in transitioning to electrified fleets. For two consecutive years, Geotab was also identified as a Cross-Industry winner impactful transformation facilitated by Google Cloud. The award also acknowledges the launch of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and its flagship transportation analytics platform Altitude.

Altitude has been pivotal in supporting government agencies by offering actionable, privacy-conscious data insights for city planning and transportation network enhancements.

Strong synergy of Geotab and Google Cloud show great potential

As a valued partner in the Google Cloud Ready - Sustainability validation program, Geotab plays a crucial role in accelerating sustainability programs and informing strategic decisions for future developments.

Geotab’s collaboration with Google Cloud delivers significant benefits, including real-time improvements in driver safety and behavior, advancement of sustainability goals, enhanced productivity and significant cost savings.

This partnership not only redefines fleet management standards but also illustrates the impactful role of technology in fostering a more sustainable and efficient transportation industry.

An industry-leading solution

Geotab’s partnership with Google demonstrates the company is at the forefront of leveraging data analytics and machine learning to enhance fleet management, drive sustainability and create safer transportation systems worldwide.

By integrating Google Cloud’s advanced analytics with its telematics expertise, Geotab is confident of continuing its lead in the development of sustainable transportation solutions, demonstrating the profound impact that innovative technology can have on the transportation system today.

NATROAD Warren Clark

Consider all options

NatRoad’s Warren Clark is urging regulators and government to consider further options when it

comes to implementing truck driver licensing reform

Reforms to Australia’s heavy vehicle licensing system are long overdue. While we are starting to see some welcome progress, with options for a nationally standardised training and licensing framework now being put to industry, the rate of change is too slow. If we want skilled, safe and well-prepared truck drivers on the road, the federal government needs to keep pace and stay open to the positive reforms already being put in place at state level.

NatRoad has long called for a national competency-based truck driver standard to provide clear training pathways for operators and aspiring drivers, while keeping all road users safe. There is clearly an unacceptable safety risk when drivers with incompatible experience and/or lack of familiarity with Australia’s roads, rules

and conditions are at the wheel of a heavy vehicle. We’re seeing the tragic results of putting inexperienced drivers in charge of heavy vehicles all too often.

While progress has been slow, it is encouraging to see the federal government taking action, with Austroads’ reforms to the National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework (NHVDCF) aimed at creating the national standard we have been calling for. There are two licensing pathways being looked at: one based on supervised training hours and the other on demonstrated driving experience.

These proposed methods are a positive step towards creating the national training and assessment model the industry needs, where drivers are tested and assessed on their ability to handle a truck in a range of conditions rather than basing their qualification on the period of time they

have held their licence. Having a nationally administered training and accreditation system will also go a long way to help address the dire truck driver shortage by providing clearer training pathways for those wanting a career in the industry. This will be essential to attract younger people and a more diverse and skilled workforce to fill the driving positions being left vacant by older drivers as they move into retirement. We already have 28,000 unfilled driver positions in this country, and that’s expected to blow out to 78,000 by 2029. The proposed reforms are welcome and will see more competent heavy vehicle drivers on the road. However, while changes are still being developed, the federal government must remain open to considering other approaches. For example, South Australia has already enacted changes to its licencing system, including the requirement for overseas licence holders (except New Zealand) to have held an Australian Heavy Rigid or Heavy Combination licence for at least a year before being eligible to apply for an Multi Combination licence.

Unfortunately, it appears Austroads is limited to considering only two alternatives: it can’t include others like the South Australian pathway. NatRoad believes all options should be on the table, and we think the reform process would be best served by adding the South Australian licensing model as another alternative. Heavy vehicle licensing reform has stagnated for far too long, so it is critical that we get this right. To do that all viable alternatives should be on the table. How we get there isn’t important, what matters most is that we end up with a safe and effective national licensing framework for the road freight industry that provides clear and effective pathways for new drivers to the industry and keeps all road users safe.

“Heavy vehicle licensing reform has stagnated for far too long, so it is critical that we get this right. To do that all viable alternatives should be on the table.”

SHED-LED GROWTH

Easyshed has chosen to add new Mercedes-Benz truck models to its fleet as it continues expanding its direct-to-consumer model

Australia’s largest shed brand is adding Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks to its fleet as it expands its business.

Easyshed is a regional success story, building its sheds at a state-of-the-art production facility in Albury, New South Wales. The company, which was founded in 1983 and is Australian-owned, has been recognised as one of Australia’s fastest growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) tech companies. As such, delivering its products is a critical part of this customer-first offering.

Easyshed has rolled out three Mercedes-Benz Actros 2663 trucks to its specialised ‘Big Sheds’ delivery fleet and intends to continue adding more over the next 12 months. The company has also introduced three Fuso Canter trucks to its metro ‘Garden Shed’ delivery fleet and will add three more later this year.

Easyshed CFO Johan Andersson says its transport fleet is central to its D2C offering, choosing to vertically integrate the delivery function to control and maintain their world class levels of customer service.

“Being an e-commerce business means that the delivery team and their equipment are the face of our company,” he says.

“It’s critical for us that we control that process, to enable us to deliver a high-quality product with the very best customer experience, right across Australia.”

Andersson says Mercedes-Benz Truck and Fuso products are perfect for the task.

“At our core we are a data-led tech company, so it makes sense to use the most technologically advanced

vehicles to deliver our products that prioritise safety, efficiency and connectivity,” he says.

Both the Actros and Canter models feature latest generation active emergency braking technology that can stop the truck in an emergency if it senses a potential collision.

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific vice president of sales and marketing Andrew Assimo says MercedesBenz Trucks and Fuso are thrilled to provide trucks for Easyshed.

“Easyshed is an amazing regional success story and we are excited Daimler Truck vehicles are delivering high-quality products to its customers,” he says.

The Easyshed trucks were delivered by local dealership Daimler Trucks Albury, the winner of the 2022 Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Dealer of the Year.

The Mercedes-Benz Actros 2663 sits at the top of the Actros line-up. It features a 16-litre OM473 sixcylinder engine that generates 630hp teamed with a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). The engine meets Euro 6 emission standards. In fact, Mercedes-Benz became the first manufacturer to offer a complete range of Euro 6 heavy duty trucks in Australia with the new generation Actros all the way back in 2016.

To meet Euro 6 emission standards, truck engines must produce 70 per cent less hydrocarbons and 77-80 per cent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx), as well as 50-66 per cent smaller particulates. While some manufacturers are just now introducing Euro 6, Daimler Trucks, including Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso, have notched up a combined

three billion customer kms with Euro 6 or equivalent drivetrains on Australian roads since 2016.

All trucks must meet the Euro 6 emissions standard from this November under a new Australian Design Rule (ADR 80/04) and some manufacturers are now introducing new technology to comply. Daimler Truck’s technology has all been operating in Australia for quite some time.

“There’ll be no surprises for Daimler Truck customers this November,” Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO Daniel Whitehead says.

“Our customers have billions of local miles under their belts with Euro 6 over the last eight years, proving our trucks can emit less and use less fuel. Our customers can work easy knowing nothing is about to change.”

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Looking ahead

The TWU is fighting for minimum standards and industry change for transport workers, both on the ground and in the air

As we get closer to the end of the year, there’s a lot happening around road transport.

The first: an update on our applications – using new laws won by the industry – to lift standards in road transport.

It’s been a robust process. A system that was designed by the industry to ensure broad industry consultation has achieved just that. Everyone has had the chance to have their say – whether that’s drivers, operators, transport associations, employers or the clients at the top of the food chain.

It’s been an uphill battle against a status quo that’s been deeply embedded for too long in road transport. A status quo of the Aldis and Amazons of the world getting to do whatever they like, getting through gaping loopholes in our laws.

And now the consultation phase is ending. What happens next is that these applications for decent standards in last mile and food and beverage delivery and maximum 30-day payment terms will go to an Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission.

Soon we could see the first sets of decent minimum standards put in place using these world-first laws – standards that every corner of the industry has had a say on.

Decades of judicial, coronial, academic and government evidence has shown that there is an ultimate cause to the tragic, unnecessary transport-related deaths and

huge company bankruptcy rates – it’s the economic squeeze placed on operators and owner drivers by the clients, the customers of our services, the retailers, miners, the banks.

Until now, those clients have been able to wipe the blood from their hands and say “nothing to do with us” as they bank huge profits. The power of these new laws means we can put an end to profiteering at our industry’s expense. Through these laws, we can together ensure the clients in our industry pay their fair share.

Our fourth application is a prime example of this opportunity to turn our industry around – for banks and retailers to pay up for cash-in-transit. Through this application, even entities as powerful as the banks have been pulled into the room with drivers and made to understand just what it is like to be a cash-in-transit worker.

Banks are making billions while cash-in-transit drivers are dealing with declining safety standards and falling pay and conditions but now, through the new system, they are being forced to get down to tin tacks about properly funding sustainable, viable and safe transport operations.

And it’s the same in the rest of road transport: greedy clients dragging down standards for everyone else in the industry.

Which brings me to my second update on TWU members around the country gearing up for a huge year in 2026.

Contact Michael at: NSW Transport Workers Union, Transport House, 188-390 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 twu@twu.com.au

I’ve had the privilege of attending conferences in different parts of the country made up of hundreds of delegates. Workplace leaders who are fighting for safer, fairer, more sustainable industries. Soon many of these delegates will return to their workplaces and begin a huge negotiation rounds in their sectors.

But it’s not clever negotiators that will fuel change. Change will come from the power of tens of thousands of transport workers coming together to call those wealthy clients to heel – and, for the first time ever, not just in road transport, but across aviation as well.

For too long, we’ve seen drivers pitted against each other, transport operators pitted against each other, responsible employers wanting to provide decent pay and conditions but finding it harder and harder to do so under the downward pressure of the “Amazon Effect” – the rampant undercutting and the onslaught of the gig economy.

So those applications I mentioned, and the standards that we will soon see in place? That’s a huge step forward to begin reforming the industry.

But the only way to truly take back power is in our numbers. In 2026, transport workers have aligned over 200 Enterprise Agreements to expire at the same time, so they can take action together if necessary and set better standards across sectors.

This is not an accident. Over the better part of 20 years, transport workers at the TWU have methodically and strategically aligned these agreements. The focus of this fight is the top of the supply chain, where clients have spent years rushing to the lowest bidder, decimating standards in the industry and pitting the industry against itself. We have to make the clients pay.

It’s a similar story in aviation, where airlines like Qantas have engaged in illegal outsourcing and ruthless costcutting to increase their profits. CEOs and executives in Australian aviation are still calling the shots. Instead of aviation being an industry of lifetime careers, it’s now a revolving door because the work is casualised, insecure and low-paid.

What’s clear is that we need decent standards funded across road transport and aviation, and the money must come from the top. Transport workers at the TWU are fighting back, and we have the momentum to achieve huge improvements.

We have to stick together to ensure success. Only through industry unity can we reclaim our fair slice of the top-ofsupply chain mega-profit that for too long has been unfairly and unsafely stolen from the pockets of transport workers and decent transport operators.

What is it that we’re calling for?

Decent pay, job security, safety at work, the ability to retire with dignity – these are not controversial demands. But these things have never been given freely. These laws to make our industry better were not handed to us on a silver platter. We had to campaign for years as a collective, united, to win these laws.

Now we need to bring these laws to life and we have a huge opportunity over the next year to do just that. For the first time ever, we have the legal weapons, the strategy and the industry unity to fight for our roads. Our skies. Our future.

And it starts right now.

UPGRADING COLD CHAIN truck technology

Geotab’s advanced updates to its cold chain solution include new hardware and enhanced software to reduce supply chain waste

Global connected vehicle and asset solutions leader Geotab has announced a major upgrade to its cold chain solution. The advanced solution introduces new hardware and enhanced software capabilities to provide businesses with greater visibility, control and compliance assurance for temperature-sensitive shipments. These enhancements aim to support local industries, such as food producers and logistics operators, to maintain product integrity and reduce supply chain waste.

In Australia, cold chain breakdowns are a major contributor to food loss. A 2020 government- and industry-sponsored study estimated that approximately 1.93 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables are lost in the cold chain each yearthis amounts to roughly 25 per cent of total production.

With an estimated 526 million tonnes of food lost globally each year with an estimated 7.6 million tonnes of food lost in Australia each year due to ineffective refrigeration, improving visibility and control across temperaturecontrolled supply chains is more critical than ever.

Geotab’s enhanced cold chain solution addresses the growing market demand, driven by tighter regulations and rising customer expectations, for more comprehensive, user-friendly, and granular temperature monitoring.

The relaunch includes the advanced IOX-COLD (in-cabin) and IOX-COLD RUGGED (IP67-rated for external mounting) devices. These units offer deeper, direct integration with major OEM refrigeration systems, simplifying installation, improving data accuracy and reducing potential points of failure compared to multi-sensor setups.

Accompanying the new hardware are several upgrades within the MyGeotab platform that help streamline operations, including:

• Near Real-Time Monitoring: Gain an up-to-the-minute view of cargo conditions for proactive decision-making.

• Multi-Zone Temperature Support: Ensure the integrity of multi-temperature loads with monitoring for each zone directly from the refrigeration unit –often eliminating the need for extra sensors.

• Advanced Alerts & Remote Commands: Set custom temperature alerts and utilise remote command capabilities (for supported units) to take immediate corrective action.

• Dynamic Historical Data: Analyse past shipment performance through interactive graphs, grids and maps to identify trends and optimise logistics.

• Improved Installation Process: An updated MyInstall tool streamlines the configuration and verification process.

“The impact of inadequate cold chain management is felt across industries, particularly in regions where long distances and climate extremes challenge food and pharmaceutical logistics,” Geotab AVP APAC David Brown says.

“Our cold chain solution is built to give Asia Pacific businesses the visibility and assurance needed to protect temperature-sensitive goods, ensure compliance and operate more sustainably. It’s about enabling smarter, data-

driven decisions that improve outcomes at every stage.”

Geotab’s integrated hardware and software solution supports a range of industries to reduce spoilage risk, meet compliance requirements, safeguard brand reputation and achieve greater peace of mind.

To know more about this, please visit https://www.geotab.com/au/cold-chain-management/

PASSION AND PERSISTENCE

In Melbourne’s outer suburbs sits Chugh Transport, a small family business that is taking on transport giants with excellent service and a growing fleet of Scanias

Not all emerging businesses have an amazing origin story. For Peter and Kirsty Chugh, the foundations of their transport operation came from a combination of tragedy and hard work.

“We started Chugh Transport after Peter’s father passed away in 2013 – we used his last name as tribute,” Kirsty told OwnerDriver

Armed with just the sole second-hand Scania prime mover and plenty of grit and determination, Peter started the family-owned operations by pulling removal containers and dropping them at the Port of Melbourne from Dandenong South along Melbourne’s southern outskirts.

There was no secret to their success – it was purely effort and passion that allowed Chugh Transport to get off the ground. From there, the tight-knit company expanded to both import and export.

Nowadays, Chugh Transport has diversified to the point that it’s out of the removals game entirely. Its fleet of 16 Scania trucks and roughly 37 trailers is at the helm of a fast-growing transport empire that completes a range of jobs each and every day.

“We do a little bit in every industry, including clothing, shoes, timber, steel, garden equipment, tiles and much more,” Kirsty says.

“We have a very diverse customer range, as we find it really important to keep our finger in a lot of different markets. Currently, with the retail market slightly down, we have interest in other areas to continue growing.”

Much of the business is focused on carting containers on A-doubles and Super B off the wharf in Melbourne and delivering to the yard, as well as using the company’s six side-loaders to deliver to customers’ premises.

With 20 employees on the books, mostly truck drivers and the all-important reach stacker drivers, the business has grown organically from the early days of the two directors doing everything themselves.

Peter and Kirsty have around 40 years of transport industry experience between them, initially starting in Queensland. As the operations manager for a transport company there, Kirsty was transferred down to Melbourne and Peter came with. He had worked with Wridgways Removals prior to their demise and managed to secure one of their Scania trucks, a 4x2 P 360, and used this in Melbourne to start Chugh Transport.

That truck now has more than a million kilometres on the clock and was recently overhauled, so it is still able to earn its keep when required.

While Peter started off driving for Chugh Transport, Kirsty managed the business, but now Peter is out of the literal driving seat and focused on building sales, and daughter Georgia helps out on the front desk in between her nursing studies.

Initially, the work was removals and then carting to and from the wharf for freight forwarders, but now delivering directly for customers is becoming

a growing component of the daily schedule, as well as warehousing.

After a couple of years, the business purchased its second truck, a second-hand R 480 prime mover from the Scania Used Truck team in Campbellfield.

“That truck cost $125,000, which was a great deal of money for us,” Kirsty says.

“Recently we put down $1.2 million on three new Scania trucks, so the times have changed. Early on we bought three or four second-hand Scanias, and then we started buying them new.”

Peter says the tempo of purchasing has increased – he looks forward to the day where he can order 10 in one go. It would be fitting considering Peter’s passion for Scanias, something that Kirsty says started a long time ago.

“He had driven Scanias in previous jobs and just liked the way they drove, so he wanted to keep buying them,” she says.

“We formed a good working relationship with Tevfik Onguc, and then later with Mat Staddon, Scania account managers at the Dandenong Branch, and it just went from there.

“We will be looking at securing additional holding space for the trailers in the short term.

“For us to move into this building was very exciting. It was a massive achievement for us to get a place on a main road and know that we’ve got the capacity to bring 15 trucks in here. At our previous location in Fowler Road there was no through traffic.”

Moving boxes around in Melbourne is highly competitive, and within spitting distance of Chugh’s premises in Dandenong South there are six heavy-hitting competitors plus a gaggle of smaller operators. There must be a secret to Chugh Transport’s success.

“It’s service,” says Kirsty. “Our customers know that they can talk to the boss at any time, especially if there’s an issue. With the bigger players you wouldn’t get to speak to the guy who owns the business. We don’t operate a call centre. Customers can get through straight to the directors.

“That’s a feature many of our clients appreciate. We’re hustlers. We go hard. Whether it’s a big player or small players, we take on the challenge.

“Customers are very demanding. It’s a very competitive market and I think the difference with us is we’re a family business. We give that one-to-one customer service. We know every single customer. We know their directors, too.

“We know who’s moving containers with us today, who’s moving containers with us tomorrow, who’s got containers booked with us next week. Part of our success is we’re not reliant on freight forwarders. We have a lot of direct customers, and they can see the benefit in using us. Our business is probably about 60 per cent direct to customer. The rest is with freight forwarders.”

Chugh Transport has bought into the Scania total transport solution offer of a range of services that take the pressure off running a business in a very competitive industry.

“All our new trucks are on Scania repair and maintenance contracts, and we have used Scania Finance Australia since the very first used truck we bought in 2013. We have had the Scania Driver Trainers in, and we also use Scania Fleet Monitoring,” Kirsty says.

“WE’RE HUSTLERS. WE GO HARD. WHETHER IT’S A BIG PLAYER OR SMALL PLAYERS, WE TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE.”

“Last year we bought three brand newies, and this year we have bought three as well; G 560 six-cylinder prime movers and R 590 V8s. The V8s pull the A-doubles and the G 560s pull the side loaders.”

The fleet also includes a G 440, 130-tonne rated R 590 V8, an R 620 V8, 460 P Supers and an R 540. Outside of trucks, Chugh Transport also owns and operates two reach stackers to help its wharf and port operations.

This allows the operator to run its A-double fleet around the clock, back and forth to the port, with a side loader and trailer fleet then delivering to customers.

Recently, a new facility on busy Remington Drive has benefited from exposure to passing traffic boosting its awareness, in turn luring new clients.

“It’s a big opportunity for us to expose ourselves more in the market,” Kirsty says.

“Moving to Remington Drive in March 2025, we expanded our footprint from 5,000m³ to 12,000m³, boosting our onsite capacity from 100 to 500 containers, but already we’re getting full.

“We can’t speak highly enough about Jade Saddler at Scania Finance and Amanda Buckley before her. We have financed all the trucks through them and Scania Finance has always come up with a solution that works for us. We know they work hard for us and to keep us. We’ve never had a call to go elsewhere. We do have a finance company that will look after us for trailers and forklifts, but Scania looks after all our financing for our new vehicles.

“We were very excited when we took delivery of our first brand new Scania, and in five years it has never missed a beat. We’ll be looking at trading it in maybe next year, it has only around 350,000km on the clock. We work our trucks hard, and they deliver.”

When it comes to the actual trucks, Peter says the Scanias are maintaining their reliability despite the number of kilometres being travelled increasing.

“We are starting to log bigger annual kilometres now that we’re expanding our customer base and our services, but probably not more than 85,000km per year on average across the fleet,” Peter says.

“Reliability is a strong point and that’s come from the Scanias as well. We have had two side of the road breakdowns in 11 years, and that’s down to the reliability of the trucks, and the servicing that’s carried out by Scania Dandenong.

“If we do have a truck off the road for an extended period Anna Marie Taylor from Scania Truck Rental gets us moving again with a rental unit. But we have a back-up truck in the fleet especially because we wouldn’t want to use a smaller truck for the bigger loads if one of those goes down. Our rule is we have designated trucks for designated work.”

As Chugh Transport looks to continue building on its remarkable tale by expanding into warehousing, Scania remains central to its success. The goal is to begin unpacking containers in its own warehouse before delivering loose freight to clients.

With this comes accreditation and skills that need developing. If the Chugh Transport story is anything to go by, it’s just another hurdle that Peter and Kirsty will jump over with aplomb, and a tablespoon of determination.

“Now we’re expanding into warehousing, because previously we didn’t have a warehouse, so we’re doing some container unpacks as well. We’d never done it before, but it is looking good because you’re offering a much more rounded service,” Kirsty says.

“We’d like to be able to bring containers here that are under bond while also being able to fumigate containers. As a family business, we’re definitely taking on the big boys – we don’t use contractors and we use our own equipment, including our Scania fleet.”

FINANCE FOCUS truck technology

A new joint venture will

see Isuzu Australia work with a Japanese financier to create a new leasing and finance company for local customers

Isuzu Australia has announced the evolution of its customer offer by launching a world-first finance service.

The update has resulted in the popular trucking brand establishing a finance and leasing company in Isuzu Financial Services Australia (IFSA).

From the third quarter of next year, the new company will be the first leasing company founded by the Isuzu Group outside of Japan and will be a joint venture between Isuzu Australia (who will hold 80 per cent of shares) and experienced global financiers Tokyo Century Corporation (TCC).

The move is part of the broader Isuzu Motors medium term business plan which focuses on the strengthening of existing operations and evolving the company’s product and service suite.

Isuzu Australia managing director and CEO Takeo Shindo says the launch of IFSA is the latest and boldest initiative in the local company’s efforts to ensure it provides an industry-best product and service offering covering all aspects of commercial vehicle ownership.

“Isuzu has a long and proud record in Australia and our success is built on understanding the complexities and sophistication of the local truck market and

delivering a fit for purpose product, backed by industry-best support,” Shindo says.

“Australia is regarded as one of the premiere markets for Isuzu worldwide, and Isuzu Australia is a centre of expertise in the global Isuzu family.

“With the launch of IFSA, we are achieving a goal for Isuzu internationally, and we are adding another key product for our customers – an integrated finance solution.

“We’re looking to support our customers across their commercial vehicle ownership experience, and IFSA provides us with critical competency of vehicle finance and leasing.

“For our customers, it’s a compelling offer of expert support in commercial vehicle acquisition, maintenance, finance and lifecycle planning.”

The Isuzu maintained operating lease will be

available at the point of vehicle sale through the Isuzu Dealer Network and will include the vehicle and body, registration, comprehensive service agreement, roadside assistance and other services.

Further, the asset risk and responsibility for disposal or resale at the conclusion of the lease is also covered in the maintained operating lease.

Isuzu Australia director and chief operating officer Andrew Harbison commented on the impact the new company would have on Isuzu’s full-service product suite for Australian commercial vehicle owners and operators.

“The addition of a finance and maintenance package is a significant enhancement to the suite of support services we have available for our customers,” Harbison says.

“Uptime and productivity are key deliverables in

the operation of capital equipment. As business becomes more complex, partnering with experts for core proficiencies such as commercial vehicle asset procurement, financing, maintenance and the eventual turnover of assets is an increasingly desirable option for many of our customers.

“With our existing stable of customer support products such as Service Agreements and Isuzu insurance, this is another tool for customers to manage their total cost of ownership and allows for the business efficiencies of known monthly and overall costs.

“It’s about providing our customers with the confidence that we’ve got their commercial vehicle requirements covered and they can focus on what they do best – their business.”

The establishment of Isuzu Financial Service Australia was formally announced by Isuzu Motors Limited and Tokyo Century Corporation, in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday August 5.

On the announcement of the company, founding partner Tokyo Century Corporation’s senior executive officer Toshio Kitamura says the brand is honoured to establish the new joint venture in Australia.

“Expanding the strong collaborative model we have built together in the US market into Australia, a key growth market, represents a significant milestone in our global strategy,” Kitamura says.

“With the success of this new partnership, we aim to achieve sustainable growth and enhanced corporate value for both companies.”

HARD WORKING HAPPINESS

For Mark and Jayde Holt, forging a successful business at Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance has been all about dedication and quality service, as Warren Aitken discovered

‘Good things come to those who wait’ –whether you remember this proverb from the 19th century French poet who is credited with its origin, or you remember it from the cheesy Guinness Beer ad that encouraged patience when pouring the perfect stout, either way it is a very traditional old proverb. One that we often tell ourselves when we are digging in to get the job done.

These days, however, there is a variation to that proverb, a variation I personally am a much bigger fan of and one that rang true for me when I popped out to the small country town of Pittsworth to check out the thriving family run company that, in just a couple of years, has snowballed into a major player in the heavy vehicle maintenance and fit out arena. Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance, owned and operated by Mark and Jayde Holt, has been built on the back of the variation of that old French lady proverb.

‘Good things come to those that get off their butts and earn it.’

I could add in a couple of other cliché quotes that also bear significance, like Aristotle’s ‘quality is not an act, it is a habit’ or the old Chinese proverb ‘if a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing well’, as these mantras have played a vital role in the success that the young couple have had. However, I don’t want to take away from the leading cause of Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance’s success. Hard work.

Hence that is the one thing I want to focus on with this story. Hard work. Okay, maybe hard work and quality work – so, two things. Actually, I guess you have to include drive as well. Hard work, motivated movement and quality. But then Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance has also succeeded because of the customer service and the hard-working employees as well. So now we are at hard work, motivated movement, customer service and a great team. Now even I have lost my train of thought. Let’s just focus on the man behind the tools and driving this company in Mark Holt.

I first met Mark several years ago. At the time he was running the workshop for Broadbent’s Transport

in Toowoomba and our paths crossed as he was a vital cog in the restoration and rebuild of the iconic ‘Plugger’ Bowden’s Mack Super-Liner. We shall touch on that soon, but let’s get into Mark’s pedigree first.

The necessary starting location is down in Albury on the family farm where Mark grew up with his siblings.

“Mum and Dad were the ones that instilled the working habits into us – they were very old fashioned when it came to hard work, respect and dedication,” Mark says proudly.

It was the long days fencing and looking after cattle that truly ingrained a work ethic in the young man. I am not going to spin tales about his schooling, however, I won’t try and tell you he was a dedicated learner, polite to his teachers and respectful of the school environment. In fact, he was bolting out the school hallways before the year 10 lunch bell finished ringing, starting an agricultural apprenticeship at the

age of 16. It was a much more favourable vocation than schoolroom learning for Mark.

I wish I could tell you Mark’s venture on to the tools at that age was the calling that centred him, but I would be sugar coating it a bit if I did.

“I did two years on that apprenticeship, then went off the rails a bit,” he admits.

It wasn’t until he reeled himself in and transferred his apprenticeship to heavy vehicles with a job at Ag-Spread that Mark learnt about work ethic and pride in the job. It’s fair to say that place sowed the seeds for Mark’s approach to everything now.

“I loved it there, they really taught me how to work,” Mark says.

“Jeff Delany was the best worker I’ve ever seen. It was a great start – they taught me how to do everything.”

That’s not hyperbole either. Ag-Spread had upwards of 60 trucks, located throughout the eastern side

of Australia. Dubbo, Newcastle, Brisbane, Mackay. There were Ag-Spread trucks everywhere and it was Mark’s job to help service them.

“I had no commitments and just worked. We’d pack up an A-trailer tautliner with water pods, compressors and stuff. Then the B-trailer we’d load with tyres, filters, parts, everything else,” he says.

“We hooked up an old Argosy to it and me and the boss would just travel everywhere servicing trucks and trailers. Hexham Shell, Dubbo GrainCorp, Brisbane Port, we’d just work wherever. It was great experience, it really taught me how to work and they were good on their servicing, so I learnt to do the job well.”

I won’t drag out Mark’s entire resume. It’s suffice to say that Mark’s apprenticeship wasn’t signed off underneath the tippers of an Ag-Spread setup, but instead in the back blocks of Kalgoorlie, where he was working for Bis Industries. Mark had followed one of his brothers across the paddock to the thriving metropolis of Super Pit country.

He completed his apprenticeship and grew his skill level to the point that by the time he left Kalgoorlie he had the role of workshop manager. More importantly though, he managed to meet the love of his life in Jayde.

The couple enjoyed life in Western Australia. Mark by now was managing the workshop for Rocky’s Own and had even been mastering the art of refurbing and rebuilding trailers. Then, in 2014, the couple decided to move back across to the east, opting to settle in Toowoomba where Mark had picked up a workshop job with Wagners Transport.

Between Wagners in 2014 and starting Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance in 2022, there were several other vocations, each adding skills and knowledge to Mark’s repertoire. Flex Industries, funnily enough a Kalgoorlie based company that had ventured east, provided an opportunity with the opening of their branch. It opened the door to a fresh challenge and increased experience for the ever hungry to learn Mark.

“We operated for years out of the Incitec Pivot shed just up the road here,” he says.

“It was great learning new stuff, we were overhauling all the Incitec road tankers, sending them out new again. I was also managing more people; we had a team of four or five and I learnt a lot about dealing with people.”

From there, Mark ended up managing the Broadbent’s workshop and subsequently became involved in his first full

restoration and rebuild project in Bowden’s 1988 Mack SuperLiner. While Mark admits he had experience refurbing trailers and tidying up some rather worn-out old rigs, the Bowdens Mack was his first real rebuild project and would be a bit of an ignition point for what would become Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance.

“I had started refurbing in Kalgoorlie, that got me into it. At Flex we were making trailers look new again, but it was when we undertook the full rebuild on ROO500 that sort of opened up things,” Mark says.

“I found I really loved the challenge of it, even just doing little bits. If somebody could do something then I could do it, and I would do it the best I could.”

To scratch that new itch, Mark took on a job at Pitstop, once again managing and working.

“Everywhere I have managed a workshop I always work as well. I like to be on the floor, doing the job with the others,” Mark says.

The plus side of his new job was working out on the Farmhaul sheds and now being involved in the fit outs of their new trucks.

“Farmhaul was buying 10 to 12 trucks a year, and I said I wanted to do the fit outs. It was fairly basic, just guards, lights, a couple of fridges, that kind of thing,” he says.

“As we did those, we started getting other people wanting to send trucks out.”

It was about this stage that Mark and Jayde started seriously talking about starting their own shop. Mark had finished at Pittstop and was keen for a new challenge.

“I always told him he should go out on his own,” Jayde says.

“He likes things done properly, in particular ways. He has always been firm on the level of work.”

It is also worth noting here that while Mark had been working long hours, managing servicing, repairing and rebuilding, as well as being a good husband and father, he somehow had also managed to squeeze in time for upskilling himself.

“When I was at Pitstop I had two trades, the agricultural and road transport. I had done air conditioning as well,” he says.

“Over the two years I was there though I also did six more RPL courses – I became an approved examiner for road worthies, an approved person to do roadworthies and measure-ups for the Queensland government. I did an auto electrical, advanced diploma in mechanical engineering and Cert IV in mechanical engineering. There was a lot of onsite and online learning, work evidence, all that stuff.”

Even just listening to the achievements and efforts Mark had put in, I felt very under accomplished. Seriously though, I’d done well finishing three books and two PS5 games on top of my workload over a two-year period.

All this meant that in 2022, when Mark and Jayde decided to start their own company, there would be no doubt about its success, it was just the speed at which it has grown that even stuns this humble young couple.

“When we first started, we had to borrow some money from my mum,” Mark admits.

“When it comes to designing and fitting out trucks, we have an advantage in that we also service them. So, we get to see what bends, flexes, what will work and what will break.”

“We had nothing, we only had one car and the tools I already had. We had to hire a ute, we leased a shed down the road here and the rest of the money I used to buy more tools. Jack stands, sockets, all the stuff I would need just to go and do the work people needed.”

While now the company is as much about fit outs and custom builds, the origin story for Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance is exactly as its title proclaims – fleet maintenance.

Mark was working eight days a week, 25 hours a day, travelling around doing maintenance and repairs for several local companies. The support he received from so many of the local fleet operators, both large and small, was what enabled him to succeed. That and the ‘good things come to those that work their butts off’ attitude that was drilled into Mark.

Within three months, Mark had not only paid his mum back but also taken on a worker to assist him. Within six months everything had basically doubled – workload and workforce. Mark was still travelling to look after his customers, but now work was literally lined up at the door as well.

The little three truck shed he leased was already too small and things were starting to move into fit outs as well.

“The maintenance was the main thing, our first fit out came from Pengelly’s who gave us a chance. By the end of 2022, Brown & Hurley gave us a break as well,” Mark says.

“At the start we were subbying work out to a few local engineering places for the fit outs, helping us design and build wraps and cutting.”

Within a year and a half, the reputation PFM had built saw the company pricing out and designing a custom shed for their rapidly expanding operation. In 2024, just two years after gambling on themselves and taking the leap, Mark and Jayde, as well as their 20-odd staff, moved into a purpose-built state of the art shed, with a full-length pit, fabrication areas as well as fit out bays, wash bay, paint shop and a backyard stacked to the brim with projects on order. Add in all the new equipment and what started out as a one man mobile mechanic can now do everything in-house from wheel alignments and tyre servicing to auto electrical and air-conditioning. They have the set up for interior designs OBM and IAP products, and of course there’s still the repairs and servicing.

It’s not just the servicing for his customers though –Mark and Jayde put a massive emphasis on their staff. They employ a lot of young fellas without trades and offer them the pathway to as many as six different apprenticeships.

“When I started out, I wanted to build an operation that could do it all, and with a team who love where they work. That’s what we have now, you can come here for everything,” he says.

“Fit outs, tele-tracking, scales and scale calibration, everything. We can build fit and service it all.

“When it comes to designing and fitting out trucks, we have an advantage in that we also service them. So, we get to see what bends, flexes, what will work and what will break. So, when we build custom trucks, we know that and that helps a lot.”

Now that I have spent a bit of time explaining what

Mark and the Pittsworth Fleet Maintenance team can do, I want to wrap it all together by focusing on why this young couple has been so successful. It has been mentioned before but I will reiterate. Hard work– it’s the call of our industry as a whole, and it is what has seen Mark and Jayde thrive.

If you happen to be out in Pittsworth on a weekend, there is only one place you will find open, PFM. And you will find Mark swamped in tools, servicing one of his long-running clients, or finishing off a truck ready for delivery. It’s not just about providing for his family; it is about pride in his work and pride in the product for Mark.

Thankfully that ethos has flowed throughout the workshop and the entire team hold themselves to the same standard (though maybe not the same

People working in transport, warehousing, and logistics may be exposed to a difficult or potentially traumatic situation during their career.

After an event like this, it is completely normal to experience strong feelings of fear, sadness, guilt, anger, or grief.

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds and Phoenix Australia have teamed up to develop our new Recovery after Trauma resources, designed to support people in their recovery journey, help recognise common trauma responses, and provide guidance on accessing ongoing support services.

hours Mark does). The team is something Mark spent a lot of time talking about. Mark recognises that without them, from the office to the wash bay, PFM wouldn’t be as successful as it is, and he points out the advantages of ensuring they have the best environment to work in.

“We have been really privileged to have the support of some great people. Transport companies like Ambrose Haulage, R&K, HBH, McVeigh’s and Darcy Transport that gave us a chance and the likes of Brown & Hurley that trust us with their customers as well,” he says.

“We love creating a good product, giving them good support and helping our customers. I am very proud of the stuff we do and ensuring everyone here has a job they are happy to come to.”

Supporting Your Recovery

truck technology

EXPANDING FOCUS

With more than a century of experience under its belt, Monroe has recently grown into various markets through local manufacturing and certification commitments

The history of Monroe is a storied one. It’s difficult to be in the transport industry and not know of Monroe’s origins, including the invention of the ‘Brisk Blast’ tyre pump in 1919. Nowadays, the shock absorber provider has become a valuable member of Australia’s heavy vehicle industry, with its locally produced shock absorbers, steering systems and suspensions leading the way on some of the nation’s most iconic trucks.

Over the years, Monroe’s products have been trusted by generations of fleets, with drivers and installers revelling in their superior performance and durability.

“We’ve been told by customers that they’ve been so impressed by the performance of our shock absorbers and have now started using them on all of their trucks and trailers where possible,” Monroe commercial national sales manager Chad Torok told OwnerDriver.

With refreshed branding and an expanding range of truck parts that meet the latest regulations, Monroe is ready to continue leading the way for Australia’s truck industry.

“Our local manufacturing across both the trailer and Kenworth truck sectors started when we launched our heavy duty truck and trailer shock absorber range in 2020 that was manufactured at our Adelaide plant,” Chad says.

“At the time we also had the drive and steer products we were waiting to get across the line. Alongside our local engineering team, we developed the Kenworth program based on vehicle coverage.”

In a Monroe-first, the manufacturer developed 45mm bore shock absorbers at its Adelaide facility, investing in its own manufacturing and dedicated engineering team to produce the next-level product. These developments resulted in a Monroe Magnum range of shock absorbers that are built to last the long haul.

This durability has resulted in maximum uptime for customers, with Monroe’s durable high quality products reducing the need for truck replacements. By keeping fleets on the road for longer, operators have been able to be more productive and profitable using Monroe’s parts.

“We’ve been trusted by generations of operators for more than a century, so the industry knows that durability is guaranteed and maximum uptime is our promise to the industry,” Chad says.

“There’s minimal maintenance needed for these parts. We’re the OE supplier for numerous global heavy duty vehicle manufacturers. We have extensive OE pedigree with heavy duty commercial vehicle manufacturers, with our European counterparts offering the highest coverage in the EU market for commercial vehicles in cabin and axle shocks.

“With local manufacturing and engineering now added, our products are tailor-made to withstand Australian conditions. Australia is unique and have tough environments – that’s why our very own engineering team ensure every product released is fit for local conditions. That’s why our product ranges for Kenworth trucks and trailers are both engineered and manufactured in Adelaide.”

After this initial range was successfully pushed out of the Adelaide facility, the Monroe team got to work on developing products focused on both the drive and steer in the Kenworth catalogue. Starting with the drive shocks, Monroe then levelled up

when it achieved Road-Friendly Suspension (RFS) certification for two of its drive shock absorber products.

From there, Monroe’s momentum resulted in the development of steers to support Kenworth’s truck replacement program in Australia. This included the development of the coil over cab damper, which has become a very popular part number.

This all occurred in the past five years, allowing Monroe to very quickly become a leading one-stop shop for Kenworth part supplies that are durable but also safety certified.

“We’ve developed all of these drives and steers based on popularity in the market – these products are proven in the market and aren’t a new line that we’re testing,” Chad says.

“The range has been out for more than five years now with overwhelming success. We’ve already done our testing and validation, so we know this range is proven and tested in the market and on Australian roads (on-highway and off-highway) – there’s an entourage of fleets that use this product every day.”

The RFS certification soon proved to be even more valuable for Monroe when it decided to expand into the trailer market. The certification allows trucks and trailers with Monroe’s parts on it to carry around 10 to 15 per cent extra loads on axles. When it comes to regulations, it’s also a key part of road infrastructure requirements.

“The industry knows this certification is necessary

“WE’VE BEEN TRUSTED BY GENERATIONS OF OPERATORS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, SO THE INDUSTRY KNOWS THAT DURABILITY IS GUARANTEED AND MAXIMUM UPTIME IS OUR PROMISE TO THE INDUSTRY.”

– on mass management, you need to be running RFScertified products on trailers,” Chad says.

“If you don’t run an aftermarket product in line with these OEM RFS parts, operators run the risk of penalties. Operators can be comfortable in using our aftermarket products as we’ve achieved these certifications.”

On the trailer side, these requirements have allowed Monroe to expand its shock absorber range that has become so highly valued in the trucking space onto trailers. With trailers running air bag suspension, shock absorbers play a critical part of the suspension. Higher replacement rates created a gap for Monroe to fill in the local market.

TOP: Monroe CB0294 Kenworth coil over cab damper is engineered and assembled in the Adelaide plant

BELOW: RFS certified range of Monroe Magnum shock absorbers for Kenworth and trailers

High demand drove Monroe to focus on the aftermarket side of replacing shock absorbers on Australia’s growing trailer fleet. While it does have OEM business, Monroe has instead focused on its network coverage to ensure numerous trailer operators are covered whenever they need a shock absorber replacement.

By providing a trusted aftermarket option that is RFS certified, Chad and the Monroe team are confident that their recent growth commitments will see the Monroe name become even more popular in various markets.

“We cover the majority of popular trailer axles and have an Australian manufacturing footprint,” he says.

“We understand that RFS certifications are required in our market, so by achieving certifications for our trailer shock absorbers, as well as on two Kenworth drive shocks, we are offering products that are safe, durable and built to last the long haul.”

KEEPING TRUCKIES HEALTHY - Healthy Heads

Tackling trauma together

Healthy Heads has teamed up with Phoenix Australia to help support those in the industry who have been

through trauma

At Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, we know that the transport, warehousing and logistics industries are full of hardworking people who keep Australia moving. But we also know that the job can expose you to some tough situations, like road accidents, near misses, workplace incidents or even violence on the job. Being involved in or witnessing these events can take a toll, even if you don’t feel it straight away.

After something traumatic happens, it’s completely normal to experience

strong emotions like fear, anger, guilt, sadness or grief. Most of the time, with the support of mates, family and time, people start to feel better. But sometimes, those events can leave lasting effects on your sleep, your mood, your relationships and your overall wellbeing.

or someone you’re supporting. First is the Recovery After Trauma guide, which is a comprehensive resource for anyone who has experienced a traumatic event and is either dealing with its immediate effects or noticing longer-term impacts. It explains common emotional and physical reactions to trauma, tips for looking after yourself in the days and weeks after, how to spot signs of more serious, lasting effects, what treatments are available and how to access them and how to build your own recovery plan. There’s also guidance for family, friends, workmates and managers on how they can support someone who’s been through a traumatic experience.

We know there’s not always time to sit down and read a full booklet. That’s why we’ve put together a quick, easy-to-read Glove Box Guide; something you can keep in your cab, locker or offer to a friend or teammate. It covers the basics: what you might feel after exposure to trauma, how to take care of yourself and when to reach out for help.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health to develop a new suite of trauma support resources, designed specifically for our industry. Whether you’re behind the wheel, in the warehouse, on the forklift or managing a site, these tools are here to help you, and those around you, recover after exposure to trauma.

straight away, other’s weeks or even

to-earth information ready when you

We created the Recovery After Trauma resources because we understand that dealing with traumatic events is not “one size fits all”. Some people feel the impact straight away, other’s weeks or even months down the track. Our goal is to make sure you have practical, downto-earth information ready when you need it, not just for yourself, but also for your mates, your crew and your family.

about ticking boxes or filling out

These resources offer practical tips, are easily accessible and, most importantly, are useful. They’re not about ticking boxes or filling out paperwork. They’re about real help for real people in our industry.

To make sure support is available at all levels, we’ve also created three short handouts: Helping Yourself After a Traumatic Event, Supporting Others After a Traumatic Event and Workplace Support for Trauma. These are ideal for toolbox talks, noticeboards, staff briefings or just sharing with someone who needs it. We get it; this industry prides itself on being tough. But trauma doesn’t care how tough you are. Feeling shaken, angry, flat or just not quite yourself after a traumatic event doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. These resources are here to remind you that recovery is possible and help is out there. You don’t have to go it alone.

We’ve developed several tools so you can choose what works best for you

can choose what works best for you

Trauma doesn’t just affect the person who experiences it, it can also ripple through families, teams and entire worksites. That’s why we’ve made sure our resources offer guidance not just for individuals, but for everyone in your support network. Whether you’re a driver, warehouse worker, team leader or business owner, these tools can help you understand what to do and what to avoid when supporting someone after a traumatic event.

All Recovery After Trauma materials are available now through the Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds website. They’re completely free to download and we encourage you to print them out, share them with your team or keep a copy handy.

“We know there’s not always time to sit down and read a full booklet. That’s why we’ve put together a quick, easy-toread Glove Box Guide”

FUPS FOCUS truck gear

AJ’s

Total Truck Gear/ Kentweld Bullbars has recently become one of the very few government approved in-house FUPS rating bullbar manufacturers in Australia

For more than 30 decades, AJ’s Total Truck Gear has been a force in the local bullbar market. From its humble beginnings in 1994 to acquiring Kentweld Bullbars in 2010, AJ’s has now become a leader in the bullbar and bumper market, supplying to a wide range of trucks.

It’s not just the experience in design and manufacturing that has led AJ’s to this point. While its bars complement each model of a truck’s unique features, the AJ’s engineering and design team has ensured it has stayed at the cutting edge of manufacturing practices by keeping up to date with new truck models.

This has come to the fore this year as AJ’s has gone though the approval process of becoming a Certified FUPS Rating facility.

“AJ’s Kentweld’s factory is now a certified front underrun protection system (FUPS) facility and we have our own in-house engineer,” AJ’s Total Truck Gear general manager Connor Thrush told OwnerDriver

FUPS is a safety system design that prevents cars from sliding under the front of a truck during a collision. The additional barrier between road users and the bottom of a heavy vehicle is now a legal requirement – as per Australian Design Rule (ADR) 84, bullbars and bumpers must be FUPS rated to be legally compatible or compliant on the front of a truck.

Previously, the AJ’s team had outsourced the FUPS approval process to an engineering company. However, after acquiring an engineer and adding them to the team, the manufacturer has been able to go through the processes involved to become approved to rate its own designs in-house to meet FUPS requirements.

“This is a gamechanger for us because now when we design a new bullbar or bumper for a truck we can have it FUPS approved and into production on the same day rather than wait weeks for someone else to approve it for us,” Thrush says.

“We are now one of the very few government approved in-house FUPS rating bullbar manufacturers in Australia.”

This development coincides with AJ’s innovative wedgelock no eyebolts bullbar system that has become a hit in the local truck market. By veering away from traditional eyebolts, this alternative system makes it easier for operators to release and tilt bullbars for servicing and maintenance.

The wedgelock system uses the truck’s air to lock and release the wedgelock system. At the flick of a switch, you can release the wedgelock. By then removing the tow pin, the bar can be tilted with ease – then after raising the bullbar back up and flicking the switch back on, it locks it all into place. The

device is compatible with only genuine AJ and Kentweld bullbars, suiting all American style trucks such as Kenworth, Western Star, Mack and Freightliner. A similar system is also being developed for Euro trucks such as Volvo, Mercedes, Scania, DAF, MAN, IVECO and more.

“We invented the wedgelock no eyebolts bullbar system and patented it roughly seven years ago to make it easier for drivers to complete their daily maintenance checks,” Thrush says.

“Over the years of owning a truck, the time saving of not having to undo and do up eyebolts all the time is proving to be massive for drivers.

“We’ve evolved this system over the past few years and we’re continuing to slowly improve it.”

AJ’s Total Truck Gear is continually looking for innovative ways to improve its bullbars and bumpers to be stronger, more aesthetic and add more value to every truck they go on. To learn more, head to https://www.ajstotaltruckgear. com.au/.

EYES ON THE ROAD Rod Hannifey

Rest area update

Rod Hannifey explains the process behind pushing for rest area reform and why it’s not an overnight fix

Goodaye all, I’m still working on the green reflectors with Transport for NSW looking for a contractor partner. TMR have replied saying there will be an audit of current rest areas on the Bruce Highway and there will be industry consultation, as they say will be done with Tiaro.

I have raised two other issues with Transport for NSW, including 100km/h speed limits for type 1 road trains on the speed differential between these and A doubles and PBS approved road trains, most of which seem to be permitted to 100km/h. This is only causing traffic friction and little to any real road safety benefits and the current requirement, only in NSW, of re-testing 70 year old drivers every year to retain their MC will result in people keeping their HC but not MC licence without re-testing. To those of us who drive full-time, there is not that much difference if you have done it for many years.

If you haven’t driven trucks for years, then maybe this is warranted, but if you are currently employed driving MC vehicles, your employer will provide a letter and Transport can obviously check your driving record. Then there’s the medical each year, as many do already, surely then we could get to 75?

Queensland is next, now allowing B-triples to 100km/h but not for type 1 road trains. Victoria allows a 100km/h limit for Type 1 road trains (and obviously WA and the NT for type 2 road trains, but that is too big a leap to even consider in the eastern states yet), SA, to me at least, is back to front, allowing it

on the narrow roads to Perth but not the wide roads with overtaking lanes east of Port Augusta – go figure.

Years ago at an industry event with the then RTA attending, one officer I spoke with said his favourite fine to give out was for a lazy driver only turning one sign of two over, eg turning road and leaving train, or turning long and leaving vehicle showing. At the time, I thought it a bit mean spirited, but now I see so many doing it, or simply putting a bit of tape over the still open signs, that I think he might have been right.

Yes, we know many car drivers don’t even read the “do not overtake turning vehicle” signs, but how do you know whether one sign is missing and you are about to overtake a long vehicle or road train? We have all had a time when one has gone missing or the clips don’t work, but it seems now like so many other things that some don’t care, so half enough is good enough. What do you think?

I have also sent an outline to the ATA for consideration about having something for drivers to aspire to or simply even to promote good behaviour, as opposed to the above, and I would hope most of you would agree. The industry has changed and will continue to do so and most of the “it’s not like the good old days” comments have, it seems, forgotten the bad parts of the good old days.

I find it interesting that most of those interviewed on Copy Southbound who speak of the antics of those days and have now retired say they couldn’t do the job now. Certainly they could not do now what they did then and most

ROD HANNIFEY, a transport safety advocate, has been involved in raising the profile of the industry, conducting highway truck audits, the Blue Reflector Trial for informal parking bays on the Newell, the ‘Truckies on Road Code’, the national 1800 number for road repairs proposal, and the Better Roadside Rest Areas Group. Rod is the former president of the NRFA. Contact Rod on 0428 120 560, e-mail rod.hannifey@bigpond. com or visit www.truckright.com.au

would agree this is generally a good thing – long, long hours and very quick trucks – though the mateship is probably the biggest loss from those times. Yes, the trucks are better, some roads are, though overall currently I would debate if that is true across the board, but there are more savage and onerous rules and penalties, more cars, trucks and caravans and little change in the number of rest areas. In that regard, I think we have gone backwards, particularly when you consider the rise in numbers and the size of the vehicles.

I met online with the HVRA Steering Committee last month, with the rest of the group attending the meeting in Canberra and Senator Glen Sterle, our chairman, did an interview with Luke and I on the Bonafide podcast the next day for Truckie Tuesday. He spoke of his aims to do something about the sham contracting and abuse of drivers, including those from overseas, from the use of ABNs to avoid properly paying drivers and the cheating and rate cutting that allows.

With that rest area work by the Steering Committee, three projects are underway, some have had delays – things we have no control over in any shape or form, but you can help. Some, of course, say it is our fault as members of the steering committee that nothing has changed and to any fool silly enough to think we would fix the problem overnight, get real. How many of you have dealt with any government department, let alone every state in Australia, trying to fix anything? We are trying to overcome the years of backlog and indifference for the needs of tired truckies, but we shall persist.

There have been surveys put out seeking input from drivers, have you filled one in? Yes, we have drivers involved, but even between us, we do not drive every road in Australia every week, so how can we know what you may need? I am compiling a list of smaller things, like simply adding toilets to some current sites, such as Kiga Bore, north and southside of Dubbo and roads with nothing and nowhere to stop, particularly in the wet, like from Wee Waa to Pilliga and Collarenabri to Walgett, but if you have another suggestion, let me or another member of the committee know. Otherwise we will keep trying, but I do ask that you recognise the constraints we work under.

Safe Travelling, Rod Hannifey.

WHAT’S ON upcoming events

NATROAD CONNECT 25

September 11-12

Shepparton, VIC

NatRoad’s annual conference gives you the opportunity to connect with industry representatives, operators, NatRoad members and partners to receive practical operational information and advice. Save the date to your calendar and keep an eye on their website for updates closer to the time.

CAMP QUALITY CONVOY PERTH

October 12

Bentley, WA

Camp Quality’s Convoy Perth is gearing up for another year of supporting kids facing cancer and their families. Supporters are set to cheer on the Convoy, as it travels a 53km route around Perth City and Osborne Park, starting and finishing at Perth Hockey Stadium. The event venue will host a free Family Festival packed with entertainment and experiences catering for kids and adults alike, as well as a show ‘n’ shine.

TECHNOLOGY AND MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE

October 14-15

Melbourne, VIC

The TMC Conference will bring together technical professionals, fleet and workshop managers, technical regulators, mechanics and service technicians, to discuss the latest in heavy vehicle maintenance and technical issues. This unique event brings the heavy vehicle community together over three interactive days at the Automotive Centre of Excellence in Melbourne.

BRISBANE CONVOY FOR KIDS

November 1

Brisbane, QLD

The popular convoy is back on the first day of November this year, with the truck convoy to travel from Larapinta to the Redcliffe Showgrounds. When the trucks pull up, plenty of family fun will be on offer, with live entertainment, auctions, food stalls and plenty more on offer. Awards will be handed out on the day to recognise the convoy’s best trucks.

ULVERSTONE TRUCK SHOW

November 1

Ulverstone Showgrounds, Tasmania

The Tasmanian truck show is part of the Thank You Day Show, which serves as an important fundraising event to raise funds and awareness for Beyond Blue and New Mornings. This year’s edition of the show will feature a Kenworth focused show alongside the usual truck events, with prizes on offer.

events

TIME TO EXHIBIT

Exhibitor opportunities are now open for the transport and logistics industries at MegaTrans 2026

Australia’s largest and most influential supply chain and logistics trade show, MegaTrans, is officially returning in 2026, bringing together the entire industry under one roof for another groundbreaking edition.

Scheduled to take place 16-17 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, MegaTrans 2026 will once again shine a spotlight on The Sustainable Supply Chain of the Future, attracting key players across freight, logistics, warehouse operations, transport technology, infrastructure, and more.

Building on the success of previous editions, MegaTrans 2026 will continue to serve as a comprehensive platform for:

• Exhibition – Showcasing

innovative products, services, and technologies.

• Conference – Featuring thought leaders and policy makers exploring the future of supply chain sustainability and resilience.

• Careers Hub – Connecting emerging talent with leading employers across the sector.

With thousands of decision –makers, buyers, and industry professionals expected to attend, exhibiting at MegaTrans 2026 offers unparalleled exposure, business development opportunities, and brand positioning.

Exhibition space is now available, with early registrants receiving access to premium floor positions and exclusive promotional benefits.

Businesses looking to reach a highly targeted audience, forge new partnerships, and demonstrate

MULLUMBIMBY TRUCK SHOW

November 8

Mullumbimby, NSW Always on the second Saturday of November each year, the 2025 edition of the Mullumbimby Truck Show will once again take place alongside the town’s Agricultural Show. Including a truck parade through town, sideshow alley and plenty of family fun, horse and cattle events are also part of the line-up for this year.

“WE’RE EXCITED TO WELCOME BACK EXHIBITORS AND PARTNERS FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE OUR BIGGEST AND MOST IMPACTFUL EVENT YET.”

leadership in the supply chain sector are encouraged to secure their spot early.

“MegaTrans is more than just an expo – it’s where the industry comes to connect, collaborate, and shape what’s next,” Siobhan Rocks, General Manager of Prime Creative

Media Events said.

“We’re excited to welcome back exhibitors and partners for what promises to be our biggest and most impactful event yet.”

To enquire about exhibiting or speaking opportunities, visit megatrans.com.au/.

NRFA Gordo Mackinlay

Time for action

The NRFA’s Gordon Mackinlay is calling on the industry to begin acting to see meaningful change

G’day fellow transport industry participants.

Today as I sit at my computer trying to string together something interesting for you, the most important part of this publication, that is you the reader, I consider a few things.

Let me explain, this article must contain a certain number of words. I need to ensure the content is relevant to our industry, as well as the timeline of what is happening in said industry. I must attempt at least to spell correctly (thank the Lord for ‘spell check’) and use decent language that is both understandable and non-offensive. I must deliver this article by a certain time and date and hopefully it is enjoyable for you, the end reader. These few things are part of the ‘minimum standards’ expected of me by the editor and publisher.

Now many of you are likely thinking to yourself, “It’d be a dream to have some minimum standards in the transport industry” – well the good news is that minimum standards are here.

If we think back to 2016, when I, with a group of like-minded operators, were of the opinion the ‘Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’ had set an RSO (Road Safety Order) that meant owner drivers and their ‘Related Entities’ were unable to compete against companies with employed drivers, we successfully fought to have the RSRT act repealed. We had to go it alone. When we questioned the tribunal, we were told to contact Fair Work. Upon contacting Fair Work and telling them of our plight, we were told that, as we were not employees, we were not eligible for help. We did not have a voice.

After joining the National Road Freighters Association Board in 2016, I joined a long battle to see a mechanism for smaller operators to finally get a fair go. Ultimately this resulted in the ‘Closing the Loopholes’ bill passed by both houses on December 7, 2023. The most important part of this bill, in my opinion, is that it meant small operators were now protected by Fair Work Commission. We actually have a mechanism to get heard. We have a voice.

This bill, almost two years old already, is the ‘chassis’ we need to build on, to set, monitor and maintain the conditions that, just like my editor expects, we as operators must be able to expect. For far too long, our industry has just accepted that we don’t deserve a fair go. For years we have turned up to do the job and accepted the mistreatment that is

GORDO

MACKINLAY is a former president and current board member of the National Road Freighters Association. To contact the NRFA see the website at www.nrfa.com. au, email info@nrfa.com. au or phone 0493 564 467

dealt out to us. This mindset that we as an industry have accepted must stop, and we must use the framework that is being built to set minimum standards to achieve this.

Just like when you step into your favourite dealership and tick all the appropriate boxes for your next truck, to be told by the salesman that it will be delivered in a couple of years, the legislation that this bill allows to be made is also taking some time to design, polish and deliver. And just like a well spec’d truck, the wait, though frustrating, is always long forgotten when you are behind the wheel making it work.

And just like a new truck build, we need to communicate our needs and wants so that our vehicle arrives ready to do the job we need it to do. Building this legislation is no different.

So, what can you do? Well firstly, take an interest. Start to search for information

and where you are asked to put your two bobs’ worth in, get off your butt and do it. Honestly there are a small group of people that have done a huge amount of work for you, the person reading this. If you are in any way part of the road transport industry, then you surely have something to contribute to this process we have been granted.

I just went to the Fair Work Commission website and in the search bar typed in ‘Minimum Standards for the road transport industry’ and got sent straight to the ‘Regulated worker minimum standards applications’ section. At this point I saw five applications had been put forward, one was finished, ‘Application for an employee-like minimum standards order’, and four were ‘active’. They are:

• ‘Application for a road transport contractual chain order’

• ‘Application for a road transport contractual chain order’

• ‘Application for an employee-like minimum standards order’

• ‘Applications for employee-like minimum standards order and road transport minimum standards order’ Three of these applications date back to 2024 and one to 2025. Incidentally, for those of you who love to hate the TWU, their name appears on each of those applications. They are off their butt, just as they were when we were fighting for a voice in Canberra. So, if you think this is RSRT all over again and they are just evil and must be out to get non-union members, then I suggest you take some interest in your future, get educated on the current situation and what you can do to have your say. Then make the effort,

“For years we have turned up to do the job and accepted the mistreatment that is dealt out to us.

This mindset that we as an industry have accepted must stop, and we must use the framework that is being built to set minimum standards to achieve this.”

put aside the social media and roadhouse rants about how crappy everything is and do something positive.

Be a little honest with yourself for a moment. Think about how long you spend each day whinging about the industry and how it’ll never change, the time spent typing useless comments on social media forums that will never ever change anything and put that time into going to the Fair Work Website and following the links that will actually help make change. Think if all the people that waste time commenting on the same social media blackholes also went and found the links and acted upon them, just imagine what we would achieve.

If you navigate your way around you will see a multitude of information, links to apply to join a subcommittee and the following email address: rws@fwc.gov.au to email submissions and enquiries. So, what has happened since December 2023? Lots behind the scenes, and now you, yes you the one reading this, has been gifted a voice. Don’t waste it.

Rocking the Roads Simon Smith

Slashing September

In the wake of Triple J’s Hottest 100 all time of Australian music, more iconic national music moments are in for September

In late July, Triple J counted down the best Australian songs of all time. If you missed it, here’s some classics from yester-year that featured highly in the votes:

#1: Never Tear Us Apart – INXS: the classic ballad took out top spot among voters.

#5: Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House

#6: My Happiness – Powderfinger

#7: Flame Trees – Cold Chisel

#8: Khe Sanh – Cold Chisel

#9: How To Make Gravy – Paul Kelly

#12: Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face

Again – The Angels

#13: Thunderstruck – AC/DC

#14: These Days – Powderfinger

#15: You’re the Voice – John Farnham

#17: Tomorrow – Silverchair

#18: Beds Are Burning – Midnight Oil

#21: Down Under – Men at Work

What do you think – do you agree with where some of these classics were placed? Don’t be afraid to reach out and let us know what you think!

When casting the mind back over the years, Australia has been a hotbed of rock music history, as proven by the countdown. When it comes to September, a range of music royalty birthdays reminds us of how great the

local music scene has been, courtesy of the Australian Truck Radio Rock & Roll Diary!

SEPTEMBER 11

1978: Well-known Australian musician and actor Ben Lee was born on this day. He started his career at the ripe age of 14 for Noise Addict before going solo in 1995. He’s since received acclaim for his feats on the screen.

SEPTEMBER 16

1975: The iconic Shannon Noll was born on this day in Orange, NSW. Best known for coming runner-up on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, Noll also captured the music scene when releasing ‘What About Me’ in 2004.

SEPTEMBER 22

1957: The popular musician Nick Cave was born on this day. The frontman

SEPTEMBER 24

1983: We may be reaching here, but it was on this day that Liam Finn, the son of Neil and Sharon Finn was born. Growing up in New Zealand after being born in Melbourne, Liam has grown up to join his father’s famous band Crowded House in 2020.

SIMON SMITH is the manager and producer of Australian Truck Radio. He has been in the radio game for 44 years and has been customising playlists for truckies for at least 20 of those. For great tunes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, download the digital app for your phone at www. australiantruckradio. com.au

SEPTEMBER 27

1953: Greg Ham of Men at Work was born on this day in Melbourne. He played the keyboard, saxophone, flute, harmonica, organ and synthesizer as part of the famous Australian band before his passing in 2012, aged 58.

September shows there’s plenty of big names who have made the month their own in Australia’s rock music scene. These people and their iconic songs have shaped the landscape of Australian rock music from the Australian Truck Radio Rock’N’Roll Diary!

“What do you think – do you agree with where some of these classics were placed? Don’t be afraid to reach out and let us know what you think!”

truck sales

FALLING BACK

The July Australian truck sales are in and there’s been a drop in last month’s sale figures compared to June’s upward trend

The latest Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark truck sales data is in for July, with the numbers dropping in July when compared to June’s 4,888 sales made. Last month there were 3,630 sales recorded across the usual sectors. While this is down from June’s efforts, it’s still 610 units above the same month last year.

Total trucks

In total, 3,630 trucks were sold across all market segments in July, with there being no surprises about who sat at the top once again. Isuzu’s 1,072 sales for the month saw it comfortably take first place, with Hino in at second for July with 396 sales while Kenworth held on to third with 259 sales, ahead of a fast finishing Fuso with 245 units. From there, Volvo recorded the 185 sales to stay comfortably in fifth spot, while Scania (93) narrowly beat out its European competitor IVECO (92) in July. Close behind was Fiat (85) and Mercedes-Benz (80), with Mack (74) not too far behind.

Heavy duty

The July heavy duty market saw 1,118 sales made, with Kenworth continuing to lead the way with 259 sales. Volvo narrowly claimed second spot, finishing with 183 sales compared to Isuzu’s 179. The pack dropped off from there, with Scania (93) claiming fourth ahead of the likes of Mack (74), Fuso (65), Mercedes-Benz (59) and Hino (53). Behind them were DAF (32), MAN (30), UD Trucks (27) and IVECO (23).

Medium duty

The medium duty market had a lower month, only recording the 531 sales. This is down from recent months, with 764 sales recorded in June, 670 in May and 600 in April. At the top of the leaderboard was Isuzu with 267 sales, with Hino providing spirited competition with the 166 units. After the top two, Fuso was in third with 63 sales, while IVECO (11) was the only other brand to reach double digits. Hyundai recorded the eight sales, Mercedes-Benz the six and UD Trucks the four, with DAF (three), Volvo (two) and MAN (one) wrapping up the market.

Light duty

The light duty market continued to bounce around, dropping slightly from the 1,332 June sales to finish with 1,218 in July. Isuzu led the way again with the 626 sales, with Hino in second with 177 and Fuso third with 117. The top three gave way to Fiat’s 85 sales, while IVECO (58) and Renault (53) had a tight tussle. Volkswagen was next best with the 29 sales, while Foton Mobility recorded 19 sales, Hyundai and LDV both had 16 apiece and Mercedes-Benz recorded the 15.

Vans

A quieter month on the van side saw only 763 sales made in July, down from the 1,311 June units. Mercedes-Benz Vans’ lead continued to extend with the 277 monthly sales, with LDV cementing second with 153 units. Ford was a clear third with 128 sales, while Renault (83) stayed ahead of the likes of Fiat (58), Volkswagen (36), IVECO (26) and Peugeot (two).

CLASSIC TRUCKING TUNES

After last month’s truckie celebrity column was such a hit, we’ve decided to go back to the well. Instead, this time we’ll be focusing on the most famous trucking themed songs from music history. Whether it be about life on the highway or a day behind the wheel, some of these songs may just take you back down memory lane.

Highway to Hell – AC/DC It’s a simple place to start – one of the Australian rock icon’s most popular songs is perfect for a life on the roads. While Australia’s truck drivers may not be focusing on the latter parts of the song’s title, the

wonderful guitar riff courtesy of the great Angus Young may be enough

the road on

next big interstate trip.

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

A classic in the road trip genre, this Willie Nelson earworm is also ideally suited to the trucking lifestyle. Released back in 1980, this country track is about life on tour, but can easily be adapted to long days spent traversing Australia’s freight routes, completing the run to another state or territory.

East Bound and Down – Jerry Reed

Not to be confused with the HBO series by the same name, this song, written by Jerry Reed and Deena Kaye Rose, very quickly gets to the trucking theme. While it may have been originally about a 28-hour round trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Texarkana in Texas, some of the iconic lines such as the title phrase have become popular trucking terms.

Convoy – C.W. McCall

This trucking classic proved to be the inspiration of a 1978 film and received newfound popularity in 2022 for its use during the Freedom Convoy, such is the iconic nature of this tune. Released by character

C.W.McCall, who was co-created by Bill Fries and Chip Davis, this song was a number one hit and even got into Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time.

Six

Days on the Road –Dave Dudley

It may be another American country classic, but it also applies perfectly to life on the road, behind the wheel of a big rig. Originally written by Earl Green and Carl Montgomery, country music singer Dave Dudley made this one a hit when he released it in 1963. It’s now known as the best celebration of the American trucking driver, meaning it’s perfect for your next road trip.

Prisoner of the Highway –Ronnie Milsap

The last one for this month’s column comes courtesy of Ronnie Milsap, with Mike Reid writing this classic ‘80s trucking tune. The song is all about a truck driver who is addicted to the open roads of the highway, finding freedom behind the wheel. It went on to peak at number six on the hot country songs charts in 1984.

Are we missing any great trucking tunes? Feel free to reach out to the OwnerDriver editor at sean. mortell@primecreative.com.au with your favourite trucking songs from music history.

FOR THE OWNER-DRIVER Frank Black

A luxury, not a lifeline

Frank

Black, as part of

the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee, describes the current state of rest area upgrades around Australia

Ican’t speak enough about the importance of truck drivers managing fatigue on the roads, not just for our own safety, but for the safety of every other road user in this country. Fatigue remains one of the most deadly and underestimated risks in our industry. It clouds judgment, slows reflexes and too often leads to tragedy. For those of us behind the wheel, the need for proper rest isn’t just a health matter, it’s a matter of survival.

We all know the pressure from the top of the supply chain is relentless. Clients and logistics managers want faster turnarounds, tighter windows and zero delay, all while the infrastructure we rely on to stay safe is still catching up. That’s why access to well-located, properly maintained rest areas for truck drivers is not just important, it’s essential. These places aren’t just somewhere to pull up. They are a critical part of keeping drivers alive and freight moving safely.

That’s also why I’ve been proud to serve on the federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee, chaired by Senator Glenn Sterle, a long-time advocate for truckies and a former driver himself. Under his leadership, we’ve been working to ensure that federally funded rest areas, co-funded by local councils or state road authorities, are being delivered, upgraded and maintained where drivers actually need them. Progress is happening. But as

anyone in road transport knows, infrastructure delivery isn’t as simple as drawing a line on a map. It’s often slow, frustrating and full of hurdles. Delays come from all directions, weather, heritage and environmental concerns, council processes and even community pushback. But the important thing is that we stay the course, because when it comes to driver safety, there’s no room for cutting corners.

Senator Sterle put it best recently when he said, “Truck drivers deserve better than a patch of dirt with no lighting, no toilets and no consideration for the basic dignity of the people who keep this country running”. That’s exactly the standard we’re aiming for, and slowly, we’re getting there.

New South Wales has the largest share of projects in the pipeline, not surprising given the size of its freight task. In the Hay Shire, the design of a new heavy vehicle rest area on the Sturt Highway is now complete, with construction to follow. At the Tycannah Rest Stop, both north and southbound upgrades are delayed due to concerns about vegetation and project scope. Meanwhile, heavy rain has hampered works at Goonary on the Bourke to Milparinka Road.

But there are wins too. The Pindari Tops Rest Area is ahead of schedule, as is the renewal of the Ted “Greendog” Stevens Truck Parking Bay. The Tomingley rest area is progressing

steadily, and the twin Ravenworth rest areas at Maude on the Sturt Highway are also on track, despite a brief delay. Up in Queensland, a new heavy vehicle rest area is being built at Homestead West, and the existing rest area at Roma on the Warrego Highway is being upgraded with wet weather in mind. Resurfacing is also underway at the Roma Truck Stop precinct – small but important work that can make a big difference to drivers pulling in late at night.

In South Australia, design work is nearly complete for a rest area on the Barrier Highway near Bindarrah, with construction timelines holding steady. On the Stuart Highway, works near Pimba and Arcoona are ahead of schedule. At Salt Creek, plans are on pause while cultural heritage issues are being addressed, a necessary step in any respectful and responsible infrastructure project.

In Victoria, some projects are progressing slower than we’d like. Works in Gippsland are facing delays due to local sensitivities, and in Yarriambiack Shire, upgrades to nine truck parking locations are running a couple of months behind schedule, though progress is still being made. Over in Western Australia, things are mixed. In the Shire of Pengilly, a light vehicle rest stop is being converted to support heavy vehicles, though there have been concerns about the impact on nearby road infrastructure. In Mukinbudin, a heavy vehicle rest area is finally back on track following lengthy approval delays. In Coolgardie, of all things, noise complaints have delayed asphalt surfacing at Bayley Street and Ladyloch Road.

There are other projects underway in the Northern Territory and Tasmania too, each with their own unique challenges, but all focused on the same goal: giving drivers the rest options we need.

And this is the thing – none of this is easy. It never is. There’s no magic button that gets a rest area from concept to completion overnight. Planning takes time. Approvals take time. Unexpected challenges come up, and often from directions you wouldn’t expect. But we have to keep pushing forward. Because lives are at stake.

As Senator Sterle also said, “We can’t talk about road safety without talking about where our drivers are expected to rest”. He’s right. You can’t expect a driver to manage fatigue safely when they’re forced to push on because there’s nowhere to stop. Fatigue kills, and the only way to combat it is by providing drivers with the opportunity to pull up, stop and recover.

So to every driver reading this: we see you. We know what you’re up against. And while it won’t happen overnight, the work is being done, not behind closed doors, but by people who know the industry, who’ve lived it and who care deeply about where it’s going. These rest areas are more than road projects. They’re part of a national safety strategy, one that’s long overdue. Stay safe, take the break when you need it and know that there are people in our corner fighting to make that decision easier every day.

“Australian Truck Radio is my ‘go to’ when I’m on the road. The music is on point, and I never get bored!”