A big storm was in the vicinity when Big Rigs saw owner-operator Ted Markwort near his truck at the BP Cluden in Townsville.
The 61-year-old is based at Deniliquin in NSW and drives a 2007 Western Star.
He has been a truckie for 38 years and an owner-operator for 20, and said fuel and registration costs were major concerns.
“I have plenty of work though and like what I do,” he said.
His company name is ECM Haulage and Markwort had a load of pipes from Melbourne, bound for Townsville.
“I have to pick up cotton on the way back in NSW,” he said.
Markwort said the Newell Highway was in a bad state overall. “They need to stop the water seeping under the surface to fix it up,” he said.
This quietly spoken gentleman of the highways and byways cooks most of his own food whilst away, on a gas burner. “I really enjoy a T-bone steak,” he said.
Born at Longreach in Queensland, Markwort has German and Aboriginal heritage.
He likes the Western Star, which he’s named ‘Takin Care of Business’.