This weekend, the Lights On The Hill Trucking Memorial Service will pay tribute to truckies who have lost their lives, remembering their contribution to the industry.
Though the service is usually held as part of the Lights on the Hill Memorial Convoy Weekend, the convoy won’t be taking place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year, the Memorial Service will take place on Sunday 4 October at 4pm, at the Lights on the Hill Memorial Wall, Lake Apex Park, in Gatton, Queensland.
“The Memorial Service normally takes place at 10am on the Sunday, but because of COVID, we’ve changed the time to give people the chance to view the memorial ahead of the service,” says Juanita Johnston from the Lights On The Hill Trucking Memorial.
Organisers will follow a COVIDSafe plan. Restrictions will apply to the number of people allowed onto the wall at once for plaque viewing, with viewing available from 9.30am to assist with this.
Around 25 truckies who have lost their lives will be honoured, including John (The Ferrett) Moran – a former truckie, gossip columnist and founder of Convoy for the Kids – who passed away on 28 July 2020. “There will be a large plaque sitting on the side of the wall, telling his story. His name will be read along with many others. He also wrote a poem quite a few years ago and it’s read out at every Lights on the Hill Memorial Service,” explains Johnston.
As part of the COVIDsafe plan, those wishing to attend must register and provide their details for contact tracing purposes. Registration ahead of the day is preferred and can be done by emailing lightsonthehill@live.com.au, however registrations can also be taken on the day. For those attending, social distancing guidelines will need to be adhered to.
This year, the Memorial Service will also be streamed on the Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial Inc Facebook page.
“We are really proud of being part and honouring the transport industry because they’ve kept the nation going,” adds Juanita. “They didn’t have to stop with COVID, they kept going despite all of the restrictions and have done really well.”