Over 40 names were added to the Australian Truck Drivers Memorial in Tarcutta, NSW over the weekend.
Families and friends of truck drivers who have passed away gathered at the local park for a memorial service, followed by an evening function.
Pam McMillan, who has been involved in the committee for the memorial since 2005, said it was a beautiful ceremony.
“It was very well attended and very moving. There were over a thousand people there.
“It’s always very emotional for the families.
“We have some families who come every year, it’s always on the last weekend in October and they set aside that weekend.”
SARTA president Sharon Middleton sang and spoke at the event, and Amanda Cassar, whose father John Kelly is on the wall, also made a speech.
Kelly was a well-known figure in the transport industry and a close friend of McMillan.
“John was instrumental in setting up TruckSafe, the ATA’s industry accreditation program,” McMillan added.
“He was our best friend for many years.
“I got involved in the memorial committee because it’s something very dear to our hearts.
“It’s one thing in life, you know you’re doing a good thing.
“It’s for our industry. My husband Dougie is the chair of the committee and he got involved for the same reason.”
The memorial was founded in 1994 and established with funding from Recar in memory of truck drivers and those directly related to the industry who have passed away.
The memorial wall holds the names of hundreds of people who have lost their lives in the line of duty whilst working for the transport industry – some driving, some whilst loading and unloading.
With the inclusion of a separate “In Memory Of” wall, families of drivers are now also able to have the names of their loved ones who have died of illness or natural causes included.
If you would like the name of a family member added to the wall next year, you can call Pam McMillan on 0407503605 or visit www.tarcuttamemorial.com.