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There’s plenty happening over the coming months. Here’s our pick of events to add to your diaries.

JULY

2025 WiTA Toots Awards
July 5
Darwin Convention Centre, NT

Women in Trucking Australia’s (WiTA) Toots Awards celebrate and promote female participation in the heavy vehicle industry. The awards will be presented at the awards dinner in Darwin.

Gold Coast Truck Show
July 27
Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, QLD

There will be plenty of trucks, cars and bikes on display, with show awards taking place across all three vehicle categories. The day will have lots to see and do for the whole family, with entertainment provided by cover band Pheonix Rising, who will rock it out on centre stage.

AUGUST

Casino Truck Show
August 2
Casino, NSW 

The date has already been set for this year’s Casino Truck Show, one of the biggest events in Australia’s trucking calendar. Tens of thousands of people and hundreds of trucks are expected to descend on the town as usual – last year, truck entries had to be capped at 600. Attendees can look forward to a great day out with food, trade stalls, kids’ amusements and much more.

LRTAV State Conference
August 8-9
Move Museum, Shepparton, VIC

The Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) will host its annual 2025 Conference in Shepparton, featuring all things livestock and rural. Registrations will open soon, with more details to come.

Coolgardie Rodeo and Outback Festival
August 15-17
Coolgardie, WA

Organisers of this year’s Coolgardie Rodeo and Outback Festival are planning an even bigger and better event, with an expanded truck and ute show and a brand new tractor display.

National Historical Machinery Association National Rally
August 23-31
Kingsthorpe Park, QLD

Biennial National Historical Machinery Association National Rally is being held this August 23-24 in Jondaryan, Queensland, with the fun continuing in conjunction with Steaming under the Southern Cross.
Transport enthusiasts can look forward to 10 days of heritage displays and activities – expect classic and vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, antique engines, tractors and machinery along with antique earthmoving equipment and heritage steam equipment such as traction engines and road rollers. Check out working displays, ploughing and earth moving demonstrations, a working blacksmithing display, market stalls, live entertainment and much more. Exhibitors from machinery car and truck clubs welcome. Visit the website susci.com.au for more details or contact the Secretary Warren Buckley (email secretary@susci.com.au or call 0414 334 006). www.facebook.com/trucks.trains

Festival of Transport 2025
August 28-31
Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Held at the National Road Transport Museum’s hometown of Alice Springs, the four-day Festival of Transport 2025 will host various events including the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame Induction, Transport Women Dream Maker Award, Truck Drag Racing and a street parade.

SEPTEMBER

NatRoad Connect 25
September 11-12
Shepparton, VIC 

NatRoad’s annual conference gives you the opportunity to connect with industry representatives, operators, NatRoad members and partners to receive practical operational information and advice. Save the date to your calendar and keep an eye on their website for updates closer to the time. 

OCTOBER

Mental health fundraiser
October 11
Nobby, Queensland

Following a successful event in 2024, another fundraising event will be held at Rudd’s Pub in Nobby, to raise mental health awareness in the transport, rural and civil industries. This time, all net proceeds will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Camp Quality Convoy Perth
October 12
Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley

Camp Quality’s Convoy Perth is a fun way for anyone who drives a truck to show their support for kids facing cancer and their families. Supporters will cheer on our Convoy, as we travel a 53km route around Perth City and Osborne Park, starting and finishing at Perth Hockey Stadium. The event venue will host a free Family Festival packed with entertainment and experiences catering for kids and adults alike.

There will be food vans, kids’ rides, face painting, roving entertainment, live music, fundraising awards ceremonies, and the chance to cheer on the returning Convoy.

Plus, you can check out all the trucks and vehicles at the Show ’n’ Shine after the Convoy returns.

Technology and Maintenance Conference
October 14-15
Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC

The TMC Conference brings together technical professionals, fleet and workshop managers, technical regulators, mechanics and service technicians. For 2025, the event moves to a new venue – delivering bigger exhibition spaces and a larger workshop area.

The venue will also provide greater space for workshops on trucks and trailers, and expanded networking areas.

The 2025 program will focus on key industry priorities, including safety, productivity, environmental sustainability, cost efficiency, and workforce career development.

NOVEMBER

Brisbane Convoy for Kids
November 1
Brisbane, QLD  

The Brisbane Convoy for Kids is back on November 1, travelling from Larapinta to the Redcliffe Showgrounds. Once it arrives, a family fun day will take place, with a wide range of activities on offer including live entertainment, auctions, food stalls, free kids’ rides, face painting, animal petting, magic shows, and a night lights display. Convoy participants also compete in a range of categories, with awards handed out on the day.  

Ulverstone Truck Show
November 1
Ulverstone Showgrounds, Tasmania

Held as part of the Thank You Day Show, a fundraising event to raise money for Beyond Blue and New Mornings, this year’s truck show component will feature a Kenworth focused show alongside the usual truck show. There will be prizes for both shows and lots of giveaways. The event starts at 9am.

Mullumbimby Truck Show
November 8
Mullumbimby, NSW

Held in conjunction with the annual Mullumbimby Agricultural Show on the second Saturday of November each year, you won’t want to miss the Mullumbimby Truck Show! This event will feature a truck parade through the town, sideshow alley, kids’ rides, food vans, full bar facilities and live music. Other features include horse and cattle events including trotting. For further truck show info see the registration form at www.mullumbimbyshow.org.au.

Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show
November 15
Bathurst Showgrounds NSW

The Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show is back, with plenty to see and do for the whole family. More info to come.

Illawarra Convoy  
November 16
Illawarra, NSW

Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Illawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families affected by potentially life threatening medical conditions, together with charities that work with these people, and local hospitals. 

Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
November 29-30
Castlemaine, VIC

Held at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve and organised by the Castlemaine Rotary Club, this year’s truck show is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees can expect plenty of well-presented trucks on display, as well as food, a licenced bar, kids’ rides, free health checks and live music.For more information, visit rotarycastlemaine.org.au/page/truck-show.

Have you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au

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Since 1974, this rural pub has been a popular stop for truckies along the Bruce Highway, serving up home cooked meals and good old fashioned hospitality.

But with the current lease expiring on July 31, it will be closed to make way for a 24-hour service station.

Prior to its current location, the pub was located just across the road. Image: Raglan Tavern

The Raglan Tavern is located halfway between Gladstone and Rockhampton in Queensland. Its current owners purchased the pub three and a half years ago, and since then it’s been leased by husband and wife team, Chris and Melissa Short.

Situated on 10 acres, there’s plenty of room for trucks to park – at its busiest times, Chris says there have been up to 40 trucks parked at the site.

“Truckies are our biggest customers. Without truckies we wouldn’t have a business. I do all the cooking here and I’ve made a lot of truckie mates. A lot of oversize loads travel along this way so we get a lot of them stopping here,” Chris said.

Inside the historic pub. Image: Raglan Tavern

“There was never any consultation with the town about losing their pub. The truck drivers I’ve spoken to have said they are not happy at all. But it’s just too late, it’s all over and done.

“There’s nowhere else around here for the drivers to stop for a good feed. The next pub they can pull up at would be in Yaamba – that’s about 1.5-2 hours away from here.”

Plans for the new service station were lodged with the Gladstone Regional Council back in 2023 after the pub was purchased by the developer SJS Fuels Pty Ltd in August 2022.

The pub has plenty of space for trucks to park up. Image: Raglan Tavern

According to the plans, the current pub building will be converted into the service station shop, with the outdoor undercover area knocked down to make way for fuel bowsers.

Interestingly, another service station is also being built just next door.

“They’re not bulldozing the pub, but where the beer garden is, they’ll get rid of all of that,” said Chris.

“The service station being built next door already has the tanks in the ground. So there’ll be two service stations side by side.

“Melissa and I have run this pub on our own because it’s so hard to get staff out here. The new service station will be open 24/7 so I’m not sure how they’ll go with that.”

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The post End of an era: Popular truck stop to close after more than 50 years appeared first on Big Rigs.

Transport and logistics company, Centurion, continues to bolster the efficiency and safety of its operations in Western Australia.

Last week, Centurion deployed its first quad tanker combination from Wubin, Western Australia, to the Pilbara.

The road train was tasked with delivering energetic precursors which play a role in the synthesis of energetic materials used in the resources industry.

Last month, Centurion opened a new facility in Queensland.

The post Centurion quad tanker hits the road appeared first on Trailer Magazine.

The specialist carrier, which commenced operations in Mascot, New South Wales, in 1993, celebrates 32 years of business.

“From humble beginnings in a small shed in Mascot to now operating 68 company-owned depots across the country – it’s been an incredible journey of growth, commitment and service,” the company said in a statement.

“Thank you to our dedicated team, loyal customers and valued partners for being part of the ride.”

Direct Freight Express was an early adopter of the latest technology running single, B-double and B-triple combinations across the country multiple times a day.

It is also committed to the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) high productivity scheme.

In 2019 it launched a 42-metre-long B-triple which was approved for Level 3 access developed specifically for a transit lane between Perth and Adelaide.

The carrier has always prioritised cost savings and fuel usage with the heavy vehicles it invests in for transporting palletised freight.

Direct Freight Express is driven by service while striking a balance between outlay, innovation and upkeep.

In February this year the business announced the opening of three new depots in Victoria – Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton.

Direct Freight Express Managing Director, Joe Catania, said this expansion strengthened the company’s national footprint.

“These new locations will enhance our ability to provide top-tier logistics services across Australia,” he said.

November last year the carrier developed a new facility in Kenwick, Western Australia.

In other news, the results of a recent road safety operation should serve as a wake up call for all road users.

The post Direct Freight Express reflects on growth appeared first on Trailer Magazine.

Treasurer of Queensland, David Janetzki, said the 2025-26 Budget includes a historic 80:20 funding deal for $9 billion of upgrades for the Bruce Highway.

In addition to the 16 projects already in planning or under construction for the Bruce Highway, other key initiatives of the $41.7 billion Transport and Main Roads Budget include:

The Safer Roads, Better Transport Plan including Barron River Bridge, the Bribie Island Bridge, the Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan and Mooloolah River Interchange.
The Wave with seamless public transport all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport – with heavy passenger rail to Birtinya and metro all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport through Maroochydore CBD, with an additional $40 million to accelerate planning for stages 2 and 3 in this year’s Budget.
Faster Rail between Logan and the Gold Coast with $5.75 billion jointly funded with the Australian Government.
$100 million Country Roads Connect program to boost the safety and flood resilience of regional unsealed roads.
$27.5 million for the Schools Transport Infrastructure Program to improve the safety and operation of schools across Queensland.
$15 million for the Keeping Our Waterways Safe program (formally War on Wrecks), with a focus on action and enforcement activity.
$2.2 million to remove the fee for a new Disability Parking Permit to deliver on our election commitment and provide cost of living relief.

Janetzki said the Budget was about delivering a plan for Queensland’s future.

“We promised a fresh start for Queensland and that’s exactly what this Budget delivers,” said Janetzki.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, said this year’s Budget is helping deliver a transport network that meets the needs of a growing population, supports the economy and connects communities.

“Whether it is the Barron River Bridge in Cairns, The Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan or the Bribie Island Bridge, we are progressing these important projects for Queensland’s future,” he said.

“We are delivering to ensure Queensland is well positioned to meet the challenges of hosting the 2032 Games, while also preparing for the significant transport demand that comes with a growing state.

“We’re working across multiple levels of government and with industry bodies to explore innovative products and delivery options to drive value for money and manage project cost pressures.

“These include improving design quality, conducting earlier investigations to manage risk, and engaging with industry early to ensure better outcomes.

“This is about managing a decade of mess and mismanagement left by the former Labor Government to deliver the generational infrastructure needed to protect our way of life for the future.”

In other news, Force Enterprises Earthmoving & Haulage has expanded its trailer fleet.

The post QLD Budget commits record $41.7B to road, rail projects appeared first on Trailer Magazine.