The sun was shining in Murray Bridge, SA as hundreds of people gathered at the White Hill Truck Drivers’ Memorial to pay tribute to truckies who have lost their lives.
A beautiful service honoured the fallen drivers as nine names were added to the memorial wall, including the wall’s first female truckie, Molly Lena Baulch.
A change of the usual date from November to March 2 to accommodate local grain carters paid off as 49 trucks came out in support, a major increase on last year.
With many of the trucks bearing banners honouring the deceased, they proceeded in convoy from BP Wingfield to White Hill for the service.
Afterwards, more than 300 people made their way to the nearby Christian Reserve for a truck show and family fun day.
Attendees celebrated the transport industry, reminisced about loved ones, and admired some of the gleaming rigs on display.
Johnboy Transport caught the attention of the crowd, taking home the People’s Choice Award, and the big one – Truck of the Show – went to Damien Reid from Whitehaul Transport.
Due to a shortage of volunteers, the show element of the day has been on hiatus in recent years, and President of the organising committee, Shaun Wood, said he was delighted it was able to return.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I was surprised and blown away at the turn out,” he told Big Rigs.
“We would like to thank our sponsors, vendors, photographers, volunteers and everyone who came out to support the event.”
Names added to the Memorial Wall:
Jeff Long
Adrian Smith
Dennis Neville Hoare
Phillip Leonard Gillies
Shane Robert Spencer
William Henry John Atkins
Kevin Ronald Pitcher
Molly Lena Baulch
Phillip Reginald Powell
Award winners
Truck of the Show
1. Damien Reid, Whitehaul Transport
2. Joel Hanlon, JET Trucking
3. Robert Rawlins, Rawlins Transport
Best Fleet
1. JET Trucking
2. Riverglades Transport
3. Nuriootpa Traders
Best Truck Under 2 Years
1. Joel Hanlon, JET Trucking
2. Paul Jolly, Paul Jolly Earthmoving
3. Tony McNicol, Riverglades Transport
Best Truck 2-8 Years
1. Jack Staker, TBS Freight
2. Jerome Taylor, McKay Bulk Transport
3. Kane McDonald, JET Trucking
Best Truck 9-15 Years
1. TML Transport
Best Truck over 15 Years
1. Jackson Van Der Linden – Jacks Foundations
2. Nathan Fullgrabe – Murrayland Transport
3. John Stevenson – Johnboy Transport
Best Truck Over a Million Kilometres
1. Robert Rawlins, Rawlins Transport
2. Tyson Haigh, JET Trucking
3. TML Transport
Best Tow Truck
1. Brenton Levi, Truck Factory
Best Rigid
1. Paul Jolly, Paul Jolly Earthmoving
2. Elaine Armstrong, Rawlins Transport
3. Brenton Levi, Truck Factory
Best Vintage
1. Robert Rawlins, Rawlins Transport
2. Elaine Armstrong, Rawlins Transport
Cleanest Engine Bay/Driveline
1. Damien Reid, Whitehaul Transport
2. Tony McNicol, Riverglades Transport
3. Jerome Taylor, McKay Bulk Transport
People’s Choice
1. Johnboy Transport
2. Steve Mitchell, Pat Harrold Transport
3. Nathan Fullgrabe, Murrayland Transport