Ricky Ross started his career as a truck driver when he was just 18 years old – and 42 years later, he still loves the work.
Now 62, Ricky said his first job was with North Queensland Fruit and Vegetables, which was run by the well known Pozzebon family.
“I used to cart fruit around town and was there for more than five years,” he said.
The Townsville-based truckie then joined Louis Transport driving a Volvo and Hino.
“I used to travel south to Bowen and Collinsville and was there for eight years,” he added.
Following that were two stints with Followmont and then six years delivering furniture for Pickfords.
Ricky then drove a tautliner for IPEC, carting parcels, and that continued for over 12 years.
“After that I drove for NQX carrying bulk freight mainly in a Mitsubishi. Then I worked for the TAIHS driving a bus transporting patients to hospital,” he said.
For more than two years, Ricky has worked for Border Express driving a Fuso and delivering all around town.
“I went into the Border Express office looking for a job and the boss said I was what he was looking for as I had truck and forklift licences. I really love this job and the boss is good,” he said.
Outside work Ricky enjoys various sports and in his heyday was a quality cricket, rugby league, Australian Rules and indoor cricket player.
Once a demon fast bowler Ricky represented North Queensland as a young cricketer.
“I went to the Goldfield Ashes cricket carnival at Charters Towers for 40 years and for 27 of them played for Tropix. We used to stay for the three nights after games at Bivouac Junction beside the Burdekin River,” he said.
Ricky played rugby league for the now defunct WEA’s Club and found a genuine passion playing for local AFL Indigenous Club Garbutt Magpies as a centre half back or fullback.
“I was part of their premiership side in 1983,” he said.
Garbutt Magpies celebrated its 70th anniversary with two functions in Townsville on October 30 and November 1.
Guests came from as far away as Tasmania, Adelaide, Darwin, Brisbane and many parts of the far north.
Over the decades numerous players were employed as truck drivers and two who spring to mind are the late Noel Ross, and Francis Tapim who was at the anniversary.
“It was so good to meet up with so many people there and some I haven’t seen for decades. It was a happy time for us all,” he said.
Want to be featured on our Driver Profiles pages? Email editor@bigrigs.com.au, telling us about what you do, where it takes you and what you enjoy most about being on the road – along with a photo of you and the truck.