Hendrickson has appointed Luke Callaway as General Manager – Oceania, taking leadership of the company’s operations across the region. Callaway is excited to guide the company’s next phase of growth. “It is a real honour and privilege to be entrusted with leading our amazing team across the region. We are building something special here, and I’m excited for the next part […]
Hendrickson appoints new regional GM appeared first on PowerTorque.
One in three intercepted heavy vehicles were found to be non-compliant, according to a recent joint enforcement operation on the Bruce Highway in Queensland. Operation Overwatch, which ran ahead of the Christmas holidays, saw National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) work in partnership with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to conduct roadside inspections […]
NHVR heavy vehicle sting nabs 30 per cent of drivers appeared first on PowerTorque.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has lodged a detailed submission with the Fair Work Commission responding to the Transport Workers’ Union’s draft Contractual Chain Order (CCO). While the ATA supports the introduction of a CCO covering maximum 30-day payment terms and mandatory annual rate reviews, it is urging targeted changes to ensure the framework works […]
ATA responds to Union’s FWC submission appeared first on PowerTorque.
The Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland (LRTAQ) has opened nominations for its annual Young Person in Transport Award.
Developed to recognise and acknowledge the contribution younger transport workers are making to the sustainability of our industry, the award is open to people who 35 years old or younger.
Nominees can work in any part of the livestock and rural transport industry, including drivers, mechanics, schedulers, administration officers, shed hands, managers and more.
Nominations can be made by clicking here are open until February 26.
Rhys Johnson. Image: LRTAQThe winner will be announced at the LRTAQ’s Bull Carter’s Ball in Townsville on Friday, March 27. The event is held as part of the three-day LRTAQ Annual Conference, running from March 28-28.
Last year, part owner, truck driver and mechanic at Dulacca Transport, Rhys Johnson, was named the 2025 Young Person in Transport Award winner.
The post Nominations open for Young Person in Transport Award appeared first on Big Rigs.
Australian Truck Radio’s ‘Truckies Top 100’ celebrates the songs that keep the nation’s drivers company this Australia Day.
The Truckies Top 100 is built by truckies, for truckies, drawing directly from listener requests and feedback gathered year-round.
Australian Truck Radio’s Simon Smith said the programming reflects one of Australian radio’s most loyal niche audiences, guided by the voices of the drivers it serves 24/7.
“The Truckies Top 100 comes straight from the people who move the nation,” said Smith. “We listen to what works, what gets requested and what drivers tell us they want to hear in their rigs.”
Enduring road anthems continue to dominate. Slim Dusty remains a firm favourite, with Jimmy Barnes and AC/DC forming the backbone of many truckies’ playlists – a trend that has held strong heading into 2026.
Australian Truck Radio has also made access easier than ever. Tune in: online, via iHeartRadio or through the free app (App Store for iPhone and Google Play).
Listeners are invited to join the countdown from 9am on Australia Day, as Australian Truck Radio plays through the Truckies Top 100.
Top 10 highlights from the Truckies Top 100:
Lights on the Hill — Slim Dusty
Driving Wheels — Jimmy Barnes
StarTrucker — Slim Dusty
Married to My Bulldog Mack
Highway to Hell — AC/DC
Sounds of Then — Ganggajang
Thunderstruck — AC/DC
Working Class Man — Jimmy Barnes
Boys from the Bush — Lee Kernaghan
Born to Run — Bruce Springsteen
Got a song request? Download the app today and send a direct message.
The post Truckies Top 100 returns for Australia Day appeared first on Trailer Magazine.
Visy Logistics and BlueScope have signed a new agreement with a strong focus on specialised trailer equipment and local manufacturing.
Under the agreement, Visy Logistics will expand its Western Australian fleet with purpose-built trailers, including 10 new prairie wagons manufactured in Australia using BlueScope steel.
The trailers have been designed to meet the safety, compliance and freight-handling requirements of BlueScope’s WA operations.
The new equipment will form part of a dedicated fleet supporting BlueScope’s steel distribution across the state, servicing infrastructure and manufacturing customers.
According to Visy Logistics, the trailers incorporate modern design features to protect product quality in all weather conditions, improve operational safety and enhance payload efficiency.
Safety upgrades include integrated roll stability systems and retractable trailer stairs, aimed at reducing risk for operators and the wider community while improving loading and unloading efficiency.
The agreement is also expected to create 21 new jobs in Perth, supporting the operation of the expanded fleet.
BlueScope Western Region Processing and Logistics Manager, Tony Egbers, said the partnership aligns with the company’s broader supply chain priorities.
“This agreement reinforces our commitment to safety, reliability, and continuous improvement in supply chain performance,” said Egbers.
Visy Logistics Country Manager, Wayne Boxshall, said the new arrangement builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies.
“This new arrangement reflects the strength and longevity of our partnership with BlueScope,” said Boxshall.
“Over many years, we have forged this relationship by consistently delivering on our promise across the Eastern Seaboard,” he said.
“We are proud to extend that same commitment to BlueScope and their WA partners.”
For Visy Logistics, the agreement represents another milestone in its national steel transport strategy, reinforcing its position in specialised steel logistics while showcasing Australian-made trailer solutions built with locally produced steel.
In other news, Australian Truck Radio’s ‘Truckies Top 100’ celebrates the songs that keep the nation’s drivers company this Australia Day.
The post Visy, BlueScope boost WA steel logistics appeared first on Trailer Magazine.
Australian Truck Radio’s ‘Truckies Top 100’ celebrates the songs that keep the nation’s drivers company this Australia Day. The Truckies Top 100 is built by truckies, for truckies, drawing directly from listener requests and feedback gathered year-round. Australian Truck Radio’s Simon Smith said the programming reflects one of Australian radio’s most loyal niche audiences, guided […]
Truckies Top 100 returns for Australia Day appeared first on PowerTorque.
Australian Truck Radio’s ‘Truckies Top 100’ celebrates the songs that keep the nation’s drivers company this Australia Day.
The Truckies Top 100 is built by truckies, for truckies, drawing directly from listener requests and feedback gathered year-round.
Australian Truck Radio’s Simon Smith said the programming reflects one of Australian radio’s most loyal niche audiences, guided by the voices of the drivers it serves 24/7.
“The Truckies Top 100 comes straight from the people who move the nation,” said Smith. “We listen to what works, what gets requested and what drivers tell us they want to hear in their rigs.”
Enduring road anthems continue to dominate. Slim Dusty remains a firm favourite, with Jimmy Barnes and AC/DC forming the backbone of many truckies’ playlists – a trend that has held strong heading into 2026.
Australian Truck Radio has also made access easier than ever. Tune in: online, via iHeartRadio or through the free app (App Store for iPhone and Google Play).
Listeners are invited to join the countdown from 9am on Australia Day, as Australian Truck Radio plays through the Truckies Top 100.
Top 10 highlights from the Truckies Top 100:
Lights on the Hill — Slim Dusty
Driving Wheels — Jimmy Barnes
StarTrucker — Slim Dusty
Married to My Bulldog Mack
Highway to Hell — AC/DC
Sounds of Then — Ganggajang
Thunderstruck — AC/DC
Working Class Man — Jimmy Barnes
Boys from the Bush — Lee Kernaghan
Born to Run — Bruce Springsteen
Got a song request? Download the app today and send a direct message.
The post Listen to the ‘Truckies Top 100’ on Australian Truck Radio this Australia Day appeared first on Big Rigs.
If you like trucks and tractor pulls and the smell of burning rubber, then Tooradin is the place to go around the middle of January each year.
With a $25 entry fee it is not the cheapest event on the trucking calendar but you do get bang for buck if the above appeals and looking at the queue of people lined up to get in, the organisers have created a successful formula.
This year (so I was told) there were some 112 trucks on show which was down on the number when I last attended two years ago. That said, there was plenty of quality on display as the accompanying photos illustrate.
One such was G&D Inverno from Dalmore in Gippsland, who specialise in dangerous goods, carting chemicals to wherever they are needed, and who brought four trucks along to Tooradin for the public to drool over.
Giuseppe, known to all as Peppi, and his wife Danielle have been in business for 26 years – since Peppi decided to branch out from working for his father and go it alone.
“My dad was a truck driver as well,” said Danielle. “So I grew up running around in the passenger seat, learnt how to service trucks and I would go to truck shows with him. He told me to never marry a truckie but I knew what I was in for when I married Peppi – and who listens to their parents?
“Mind you, when we got married we said that we were never going to have a truck of our own. Now we have seven.”
“I figured if I was going to drive a truck I may as well own it so that’s how it started,” added Peppi.
Two of the trucks the Inverno’s brought along were Legends, an eight year old T900 which was Rig of the Year in 2020 as well as awards at Casino and the Dane Bellinger Memorial Truck Show. The other Legend, a much newer SAR won at Alexandra last year.
So they are no strangers to winning but as Danielle is quick to point out, their success is down to their two sons, Jeremy (23) and Christopher (19).
“They do everything to make our trucks look as they do – all the polishing and cleaning. We come to the shows to support what they are interested in doing. And it’s not just for the shows; they are like this every day of the week.
“Whenever the trucks are home the boys are very rarely inside. They are in the shed fiddling, polishing, whatever it takes. They will come to an event like this and walk around, studying and looking to see how they can do things even better for the next one. We are very proud of them. Their attention to detail is second to none.”
The boys work has paid off, as the Legend SAR will be at the Brisbane Truck Show Best of the Best next year as winner of Alexandra.
“I have the hard task of keeping it in this condition for the next eighteen months until we go up there,” laughed Peppi. “I‘ll come home at the end of the week, the boys open the door and see food crumbs on the floor. “DAD! You’ve been eating in the truck, what’s going on?”
With that attitude the SAR should do well at Brisbane and any other event it attends.
And the Inverno’s did well at Tooradin winning Best Fleet, Best Kenworth Legend, and Runner-Up Best Prime Mover in 6 months-2 years, 5-10 years and 20-35 years, so well done lads.
As a postscript, the boys don’t drive for the family but both did apprenticeships. Jeremy is a full-time mechanic and Christopher is in his second year of engineering.
“They get trades behind them first and if they want to go driving after that…”
I first interviewed David Rule, who owns Budget Tennis Courts, 10 years ago at Koroit where he won Truck of the Show with his Kenworth T650 – a rigid tautliner.
Now he was at Tooradin with his other truck – a K100 tipper. The truck is a 1985 model but looks superb both outside and in.
Originally a prime mover owned by Lamattina from Clyde it was a market truck. Two owners later, Dave bought it and did a bare metal restoration.
“Originally it had an 8V92 in it and that dropped a liner. Very few people can work on those now so I put a fully rebuilt Caterpillar 3406E in it. The truck has only done 900,000km from new, so barely run in.”
Apart from being “a pain in the arse to get in and out of” Dave loves the truck, so we were sad to hear that it and the T650 are both up for sale.
“Unfortunately I fractured my back. I’d like to say that I was on top of the 650 and a huge gust of wind blew me off but unfortunately nothing as flash as that. I caught Covid back in September, got really crook, went to bed and passed out for two days.
“Whilst I was unconscious, I fell out of bed and fractured my back. Luckily my son found me. Two weeks in intensive care and its onwards and upwards now. I will just have to do it differently in the future.
“I’m not selling the business but just have to do it differently and one of those differences is that my son who works with me can’t drive a manual. So I’ve bought an auto for him.”
So if anyone is looking for a classic 1985 K100 in absolute mint condition and low miles, Dave is asking around $110,000.
For that you’ll not have to spend an extra cent. If you’d like something newer, he’s after around $130K for the T650. You can call him on 0415 543 321.
Good luck with your back and the future, Dave.
Tooradin: Trucks, tractors, burnouts and lots of smoke and noise. What’s not to like?
For more pics from the Tooradin event, grab your free copy of the January 30 issue of Big Rigs from the usual outlet, or lock in an annual subscription posted to your door. Get started by clicking here.
The post Trucks, tractors, burnouts and lots of noise appeared first on Big Rigs.
Brown and Hurley welcomed a select group of apprentices into the business last week, marking the beginning of their careers in the transport industry through a comprehensive induction program designed to set them up for long-term success.
Chosen from thousands of applications, the new apprentices participated in a week-long induction that went far beyond standard orientation, focusing on building strong foundations, practical skills, and support networks that will serve them throughout their careers.
“Programs like this reflect what Brown and Hurley stands for,” said Brown and Hurley CEO Ryan O’Doherty.
“We believe in investing in people, developing skills from the ground up, and creating pathways for young people to build meaningful, long-term careers. Apprenticeships are not just about filling roles; they’re about passing on knowledge, upholding standards, and ensuring our industry remains strong for generations to come.”
The induction week covered essential areas including workplace health and safety, PPE usage, truck and tractor product knowledge, spare parts processes, and branch operations. Apprentices also visited key suppliers including Cummins and smash repair facilities, providing hands-on exposure to the broader industry ecosystem.
The new apprentices spent their induction week getting stuck into the basics to assist them on their journey ahead. Image: Brown and HurleyHannah Gaskain, Group HR Manager at Brown and Hurley, said the program had strategic importance.
“Induction week is about far more than ticking boxes or handing out manuals. We create a strong foundation by covering safety, workplace standards, and practical expectations upfront, which reduces risk and builds consistency as apprentices transition into the workforce,” she said.
In a unique addition to this year’s program, Brown and Hurley invited apprentices’ families to a welcoming afternoon, reinforcing support networks and providing insight into the company’s values and operations.
Brown and Hurley also introduced financial literacy resources, presented by its Chairman, Rob Brown, alongside his business partner, Sue Howard, using the MoneyLike learning resources; recognising that career success extends beyond technical skills.
These practical tools around budgeting and money management aim to support apprentices in building strong futures both professionally and personally.
“I was impressed with how the week was set out. I learned a lot,” said apprentice Anton, from Tolga.
“Being split up into small groups and having shorter sessions was good. I also liked the trip to some suppliers and smash repairs, seeing their facilities and extent of repairs.”
The week concluded with team-building activities including ten-pin bowling, putt-putt golf, and slot car racing, helping apprentices bond and form support networks they can rely on throughout their apprenticeships.
As the formal induction ends, apprentices now transition to their respective branches across the network, where they’ll apply their learning in real-world settings supported by experienced mentors.
The post Brown and Hurley welcomes next generation of trade apprentices appeared first on Big Rigs.