The White Hill Truck Driver Memorial Day was held at Murray Bridge in South Australia at the weekend.
It will go down as not only a memorable truck show, but a time of reflection to honour 12 truck drivers who have sadly passed on and were inducted onto the memorial wall.
The morning started with a large convoy from the picturesque White Hill Parking Bay down to the memorial itself for a touching service which was attended like families, friends and plenty of support on offer from the industry.
Many of the trucks carried banners of those who were being remembered.
The lead truck was driven by the event organisers Tavia and Shaun Wood from Woodtrans who carried a banner in memory of youngsters Tamika, 2, and her 17-month-old brother Khaleb Hourn who were tragically killed in a truck accident in 1995.
Another family involved were Edward and Marlene McArdle. They lost their son, Matt, in April 2016 at the age of 24, in a truck rollover near Clare. They were in their 2007 Western Star to be part of the day.
At the memorial wall the drivers were greeted by a large crowd who had come to pay their respects and to reflect on those hard-working men and women, who were involved in the industry that are no longer with us.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial, and the trucks nearby did a horn sound off, that sent a shiver down the spine.
After the service under police escort the trucks of all sizes and ages made their way to Sturt Reserve for a truck show and family fun day.
There was a great atmosphere where the public and trucking community could come together to enjoy the trucks on display. There was food vendors, truck clothing vendors and even a logbook throwing competition for those who wanted to participate.
Wouldn’t it be great to never have to add another name to the wall.
– Additional reporting by Ann-Marie Hicks
Memorial wall inductees
Darryl Smith
John Lacy Burns
Peter Monty Phillips
Gordon John Jeffery
Darren Russell Mcfee
Neville George Mugridge
Robert William Dunn
Anthony John Kuchel
David Ronald Mumford
Garry Bryan Trewartha
Josh Roberts
Simon Ian Parkinson
Truck show winners
Best Truck 0-6 months – Heidi
Best Truck 6 months – 2 years – Wayne Hicks
Best Truck 2-8 years – Sargeant Livestock
Best Truck 9-15 years – Garden Grove 950
Best Truck over 15 years – Transtar (White/Orange)
Best Truck over 1 million klms – Transtar (Orange/White)
Best Tow Truck – Dial a Tow
Best Rigid – Kuchel Contractors
Best Vintage Truck – Kuchel Contractors
Best Fleet – Garden Grove
Cleanest Engine Bay – Kuchel Contractors
Peoples Choice – Steve Mitchell (Pat Harrold Transport)
Truck of the Show – Will Cassidy (Trans Australian)
- For more pictures from the event, grab your free copy of the March 14 edition of Big Rigs from the usual outlet.