55 industry heroes celebrated at Shell Rimula Wall of Fame

Over the weekend, 55 of Australia’s trucking heroes were celebrated at the Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs for their lifelong commitment to the road transport community.

These industry legends were celebrated as part of the Festival of Transport, which ran from Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28.

The Festival of Transport kicked off with the Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) Breakfast on the Friday morning, then headed to the Alice Springs Turf Club for Cummins Race Day.

On the Saturday, the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame inductions were the major highlight, with over 350 people in attendance to celebrate the 55 new inductees.

Among them was Hazel Whitmore, who in 2021 also received the Trish Pickering Memorial Award.

In 1964, Hazel and her husband Reg purchased the Leaghur school bus run, which saw Hazel driving full time for over 30 years. Over two decades, the pair built up a strong bus business, laying the foundations for what was to become one of the Northern Victoria’s largest family-owned companies. After Reg’s passing in 2002, Hazel managed the financial and administration side of the company, fundamentally shaping the way it is today.

With Covid restrictions affecting last year’s plans, 2022 saw a return of in-person festivities. Among the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame inductions were last year’s inductees, who were given the opportunity to be involved in the ceremony.

The evening concluded with the Legends Gala Dinner held in the Kenworth Hall, which was a fantastic way to celebrate all of the new inductees.

Then on the Sunday it was Open Day, with a mini train and the museum bringing many people together.

“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on how important the road transport community is for our country,” said Nick Lubransky, transport marketing manager, Viva Energy Australia (the Shell brand licensee in Australia).

“We are excited to be back celebrating such an important community and recognising those individuals that have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the transport industry.

“For 21 years now, Shell Rimula and the Road Transport Hall of Fame has supported this special occasion and we are delighted to be back this year to welcome the 2022 inductees in person.”

The 2022 Shell Rimula Hall of Fame Inductees are: