Travelling from Glebe to the Longford Showgrounds, 96 trucks took part in Tassie’s biggest truck convoy, raising $16,500 for Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania (RFDS).
The Tasmanian Truck Owners & Operators Association (TTOOA) Truck Run was held on March 14. This is the 37th year for the event, which has come back with a bang after being cancelled last year due to COVID restrictions.
Robert Wise, who has been in the TTOOA since it started in 1983, served as Secretary and organised the Truck Run annually, until his retirement a couple of years ago. Now 81, he was back at the event this year.
His daughter Julie Wise, Secretary/Treasurer of the TTOOA said, “He stepped up again this year and organised the trucks at their meeting point and again on arrival at Longford. Mum has always been there to support him and the association during this time. For 28 years my father was the Secretary and organised the Truck Run.”
Truck Run regular, Bob Imlach, was also there for the day. He has been in 36 trucks for the Truck Run, missing only one year due to being away on the mainland.
At the 2021 Truck Run, several trophies were awarded. Heath Rice was awarded the Zane (Mick) Woolley Trophy for Truck of the Day; Best Fleet on the Day went to Pro Dig; Best Vintage Truck of the Day was won by Dicky Beckett; and Robert Leighton was recognised with the David (Porky Saunders) Trophy for Donation of Service.
There was also a mega raffle of over 350 donated prizes, with items ranging in value from $25 to $500, along with an auction.
Around 1500 people came through the gates on the day, to admire the trucks and be entertained by DJ Sticks, a jumping castle, food stalls and Tazzie Toys.
In addition to the money raised from the event, the Tassie Hay Runners also donated $10,000 to RFDS.