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Nephew’s touching tribute to transport legends

After retiring from the roads and the rigours of running their own transport business, this couple spent 30 years as owners of a popular roadhouse – and now a tribute has been installed there in their honour.

Barb and Colin Harvey were legends on the transport scene. For many years, they ran CJ and BJ Harvey Transport, carting wool and providing supplies for rural stores.

Barb spent years driving her white Volvo G88, while Colin was behind the wheel of his Mercedes.

They went on to run the Little Topar Roadhouse for close to 30 years, up until they retired to Broken Hill in 2018.

The couple became renowned for their hospitality, forming friendships with the many truckies who regularly stopped by.

Sadly, Colin died in 2022, aged 84; and Barb passed away in March 2024 at the age of 80.

Cousins Jerram and Dean had the sign put up at the site. Image: Jerram Wetherell

Their nephew Jerram Wetherell, who now lives in Wagga, says his aunty and uncle were “true legends of the bush.”

Jerram has fond memories of travelling in the passenger seat of their trucks when he was a kid. And he too has worked around trucks for most of his working life, including now driving part time.

“They were such great people and I dearly miss them both. No one ever had a bad thing to say about them. They were always so helpful,” he said.

Wanting to honour their legacy, Jerram approached current Little Topar Roadhouse owner Jo Lindsay about installing a sign there in his aunt and uncle’s honour – and she very happily obliged.

Jerram, together with his cousin Dean Grose put the sign together – with Dean, a qualified welder, fabricating the sign out of steel.

It was installed just before Christmas on the median strip, near the fuel bowsers at the roadhouse.

“This was the last thing I wanted to do for them and I’m extremely happy with how it’s come up. I sincerely thank Jo for allowing us to do this for my aunt and uncle,” Jerram added.

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