Lights On The Hill, the enduring memorial and convoy weekend for truckies, and others associated with the transport industry who have passed away, returns to the industry calendar on October 1-2.
Established over 20 years ago in Gatton, Queensland, Lights On The Hill gets greater recognition each year, as it becomes more widely known and appreciated, not only within the transport industry, but also with the wider public.
For the first time this year, the organising committee has embarked on a massive TV campaign on SKY News Regional and 7 CENTRAL TV networks with 30 second advertisements which commenced airing on September 9.
This TV promotion features the backing track of Slim Dusty’s song Lights on the Hill in a very fitting tribute to the memorial itself.
Joy McKean, Slim Dusty’s wife, who actually wrote the song, very kindly gave the memorial foundation committee the approval and licence to use the song for the duration of the promotional campaign.
Every year, this dedicated group of volunteer committee members promotes various events and activities taking place over the first weekend of October, centred around the recognition and remembrance of all those who have lost their lives or passed away over the preceding 12 months.
Also feeling the pain of lives lost are a number of committee members themselves.
They have also lost related loved ones, or close contacts, who were greatly involved in the transport industry, and who were more often than not drivers.
They feel not only the pain of their own loss, but also for the many other people who have also lost their own loved ones, or close contacts.
Lights On The Hill starts on Saturday, October 1, with two large truck convoys leaving from Brisbane and Toowoomba and converging in Gatton.
It is a truly amazing spectacle to see an incredible number of brightly polished and glistening prime movers traversing the Warrego Highway, where families gather along both routes to watch, wave and blow horns from under umbrellas sitting on their picnic chairs, or sitting on ute tailgates under ‘lean-to’ tents.
When the convoy arrives at Gatton Showgrounds there is plenty of entertainment in store as well. Music this year is provided by headline act The Wolfe Brothers, with support from talented performers such as Hayley Jensen and Josh Setterfield.
Together with an amazing truck show, food and market stalls, and unlimited free rides for the kids, you definitely will not be bored, promise organisers.
The entertainment goes on into the night with many people staying over and camping for the night in Gatton, or staying in local hotel/motel accommodation.
Sunday morning, October 2, sees the memorial service take place from 10am at the Memorial itself at Lake Apex Park, on Lake Apex Drive in Gatton.
This moving service always brings tears to many of the assembled family members and other guests, who pay their respects to those whom they have lost, with a wreath and flower laying ceremony as an integral part of this service.
Join any of this year’s events at lightsonthehill.com.au where you can register for the convoys and/or secure tickets for the entertainment on October 1.
Please note that tickets are not required to attend the memorial service the next day.