No sooner had we farewelled a rather tempestuous 2025 then we were again on our way north to Epping Forest on Saturday, January 10, with a foul day forecast with high winds and cold damp weather.
And feeling at the same time so sorry and concerned for friends, including Bette Phillips, and truck drivers in Victoria suffering their catastrophic bushfires and heat.
It was feared this would deter people from attending, and no marquess could be erected for insurance purposes, but this is Tasmania, and at least 300 folk turned up on the day at the Ampol Epping Forest roadhouse for the 11th memorial service at the memorial wall there, and for the dedication of 15 new plaques on the rapidly filling wall.
This in fact brings the number of plaques on the wall to 232, and as Jonathan Price told us, this had necessitated the construction of an extension with the slab already laid in preparation for next year.
On the day we were also pleasantly surprised to see the extensive car/truck parking area had been bituminised making for a much better, drier and cleaner area, but mainly for dampening the dust and flying debris on a windy day.
Fourteen beautifully detailed rigs turned up on the day as well as a good crowd of 300 or so people, both family friends and other interested people, for a time for reflection, but also a time for a welcome get together and catch up.
Again, there was great country music from Apache to entertain those who attended prior to the service, delivered from the trailer/stage towed by Jonathan Price’s immaculate “Huon Delivery Services” 2019 K200.
Tia Hodgetts and Amanda Wilson manned a successful stall selling “wall” merchandise, and taking orders, with proceeds going to the “wall”.
Starting punctually at noon, Jonathan Price welcomed the crowd and acknowledged the many people who have worked to make the occasion a success and especially those who had turned up with their trucks on the day.
Following his speech Donna White read the beautiful and emotional “Truckies Poem” which was very well received.
Then Adam Hodgetts, on behalf of the committee, thanked all who had contributed to the installation and maintenance of the Memorial Wall since its opening in 2015, including previous committee members, and donors with a prominent mention of Big Rigs and its much-appreciated continued support for the “memorial wall” and the Tasmanian industry.
The Reverend Rev. Philip Bentley then made a sensitive and thoughtful speech relating to the hard and demanding, and sadly often tragic, life of truck drivers, and their families, and then blessed the wall.
The 15 names were then read out for those to be commemorated this year as follows:
Michael “Mick” Gobbey, Thomas “Tommy” Bishop, James “Jimmy” Sherwood Dunster, Wayne Roberts, Greg “Triff” Triffett, Bobby BobImlach, Scott “Scooter” Craig Rimon, Paul “Vinny” Vincent, Rick “Rockstar” Augostin, Frederick “Freddy” John Williams, Barry “Bazz” Lincoln, Stuart Woolnough, William “Bill” George Free, Vernon “Stork” Lloyd Pyke and Paul “Rowey” Rowe.
One minute’s silence was observed.
Floral tributes were placed against the wall from: “The Tasmanian Memorial Wall”, “The Victorian Truck Drivers Memorial”, and the “White Hill Truck Drivers Memorial” in South Australia, being laid by Rachel Rawlings, Adam Hodgetts and Tia Hodgetts.
The flags were respectfully lowered to half-mast by Wayne Pearce and Jonty Price and then whilst Pipe Major John Fardon from the Launceston RSL Pipes and Drums played “Amazing Grace” and suitable airs, the family and friends of those newly commemorated men filed quietly along placing colourful flowers in the niches alongside their respective plaques.
The 2026 memorial was, against the odds and the weather forecast, another moving and emotional day, one thoughtfully organised with their customary efficiency and due reverence by the committee.
We once again repeat that the road transport industry in Tasmania is indeed fortunate to have this central, well maintained, and accessible monument, at Epping Forest, on the Midland Highway approximately half way between Hobart and the north of the state, to commemorate the lives of those many drivers who have gone on before us.
It was pleasing to observe the formwork done for the much-needed extension for future memorial plaques, with funding, and council permission, already received. The newly tarred parking area was also duly noted and greatly appreciated.
This site is situated adjacent to the Epping Forest roadhouse and truckstop with sweeping views across to Ben Lomond, and it satisfies the need for, and appreciation of, a quiet and pleasant place for people to come and pay their respects to lost family and friends, to maybe refuel and enjoy some refreshment from the roadhouse, conveniently on site.
In today’s troubled times, it is a pleasure to see the memorial wall remaining secure in the capable hands of these present committee members who have proven to be truly dedicated guardians of this important memorial, fulfilling a deep need for somewhere where these hard-working men can be respectfully remembered and their lives celebrated.
- For more pictures from the memorable day, make sure you grab your free copy of the January 30 issue of Big Rigs from the usual outlet.