At the BP Roadhouse at Cobden, we saw long-time old friend Tommy Buckle from Colac, who was driving a Moreland’s Logging 2022 Kenworth T610, powered by a 600hp Cummins X15, with an 18 speed gearbox and road train rated.
Tommy was towing a B-double fully loaded with plantation timber. He was on his way back to Colac from Nangwarry Station in South Australia, which he told us explained why the truck was so dirty.
“We run from anywhere in the south east/Mount Gambier area back to Colac. That’s around a 950-kilometre round trip. I’ve been driving for Moreland’s now for coming up to four years and frankly I am still loving it. They are a top outfit and I am still living the dream,” he said.
However, Tommy also added that he had a few gripes, “I am getting sick of the never-ending roadworks and bad roads, and also the endless mobile homes and caravans out there nowadays, especially those inconsiderate ones who hog the roads. Also the lack of decent roadhouses that serve good home cooked tucker and look after you
“In fact I think I really miss the old days, and those sometimes larger than life characters that you used to encounter on the road. And sometimes I miss my old ‘Volmack’ too.”
A big shout out also to our old mate Mick Saltic from Queensland, who is fighting some health issues lately, and will soon be writing a travel guide on hospitals he has recently visited.