When Big Rigs saw driver Andrew Henderson in Townsville, he had just driven in from Sydney, carrying equipment to set up a marquee.
Andrew, 43, works for Select Events and was sitting in the driver’s seat of a Mitsubishi Fighter.
“I have been here for two days and we have brought gear for a marquee which will be used for a sporting club anniversary,” he said.
The club in question was the historical Western Suburbs Cricket Club which is based at Cutheringa Park and was celebrating its 75th anniversary the next night.
Andrew has been a truckie in Australia for a few years and also drives other trucks for the company in his travels.
“They include a Volvo FH16 750 and a Mercedes 2653 which has an automatic gearbox and is comfortable,” he said.
Before arriving in Australia from New Zealand about five years ago, Andrew said he cleaned cattle trucks on the north island across the ditch.
I asked if it was a dirty job, especially when cleaning the trailers with animal droppings.
“I would just put on a different shirt and wear gumboots and get into it. It was great working on farms doing this,” Andrew said.
Asked about his favourite roadhouse, Andrew said it’s the Ampol at Chiltern along the Bruce Highway.
With regards to roads, he rates driving around the streets of Melbourne as the most challenging.
But Andrew added that he loves the road transport industry and has this message for those seeking a career. “I would recommend being a truckie to people,” he said.