Highly respected and much-loved Queensland operator Darren Nolan of Nolan’s Interstate Transport passed away peacefully on March 6 surrounded by family.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Darren Nolan,” the company posted on its Facebook page today.
“A beloved son and brother who was a cherished family member of Nolan’s Interstate Transport. The contributions he made to our business are immeasurable and his presence will be missed by all who were privileged to work with him.
“Darren was an integral part of our business, and his legacy will remain.”
Nolan’s said Darren’s knowledge and passion for compliance and workplace health and safety was second to none.
Throughout his career, Darren served on several industry boards and was well known and respected throughout the transport industry.
In 2022 he was awarded the prestigious Don Watson Memorial Award for conspicuous service to the Australian trucking industry.
In one of his last interviews, with Big Rigs last year, Darren, then 53, talked about his diagnosis with renal cancer nine years earlier and how he had made the difficult decision to take medical retirement from the Gatton-based family business that he ran alongside brother Adrian (aka Flea).
Darren said he was proud of the role he played in implementing a new national transport management system and engaging with industry bodies and associations in a bid to push governments for better outcomes.
But he said nothing topped the people he’d met along the way.
“The people make the workplace, and the customers. It was a pleasure to come to work every day in the family business where you walk in, you get to say gidday to the workers, and also to your mum and brother,” Darren said.
“I walk into Flea’s office, no appointment necessary. We all operated on that same premise. If you wanted access to our offices, you just walked in, and I don’t think there are too many businesses out there today where you can do that.”
Darren will be farewelled on Saturday, March 15 at 10am at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church 15 Maitland Street, Gatton.
Following the service, the family has asked industry to join them for refreshments at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, 34 Lake Apex Drive, Gatton, to share memories and celebrate Darren’s life.
Darren is survived by wife Sarena and their daughter Adelaide.