Brisbane Truck Show is almost upon us, and with it comes the inaugural Show N Shine event, sponsored by Silverback, to be staged along Little Stanley Street on the edge of South Bank Parklands.
Some 28 Best of the Best trucks are coming from all over Australia to partake in the event from May 15-18.
Adrian Fenech who won Truck of the Show at the Dane Ballinger Memorial Show with his wife Aymie and daughter Elouise. Image: Prime Creative MediaThis is a golden opportunity to see these trucks from other states in the flesh – many of which have only been seen in photographs by the truck loving public at large.
One such is the Cornwill Brothers Legend SAR #59 that has not yet ventured beyond Victoria.
Andrew Derham with his 1989 500 V8 Mack Value-Liner. Image: Graham HarsantA working truck, ‘Dynamite’ is a rolling piece of art, created by Troy Cornwill and aided by brothers Wayne and Rick.
Regular readers of Big Rigs will know what has been done to this truck since the Cornwill’s took ownership, but the boys have not stopped there.
We asked Wayne if the continued work was due to the invitation to attend the show.
“Not at all,” he replied. “Troy comes up with another modification or enhancement weekly – if not daily. We have probably accelerated some of the things we wanted to do because of Brisbane, but were going to do them anyway.
“Initially we were undecided as to whether we’d go or not. Two trucks off the road for a week, lost work, travel costs, accommodation, etc means we’re down the tube for well in excess of $30,000.
“But we had so many calls from friends and strangers pleading with us to go, that we bit the bullet.”
Damian Toms with Austwide’s T900. Image: Graham HarsantAnd bitten the bullet they have, purchasing a 30-year-old float and doing it up in the Cornwill colours.
Dynamite will be hauled up by its older brother and amongst the winning-est trucks in the country, ‘Paradise’, the boy’s now 16-year-old T908.
“We thought of driving Dynamite up but there wouldn’t be time to clean and polish it once we got there,” said Wayne.
It’s a shame Paradise won’t be on show – or the trailer for that matter.
Another Victorian on show will be Andrew Derham’s 1989 500 V8 Mack Value Liner, ‘Stayin Alive’.
Winner of Koroit Truck Show in 2023 and ‘24, the truck had been pulling road trains and was in a poor state of repair when Andrew and dad, Dave Derham took ownership and enlisted the help of Steve Thomas to strip the truck back to nut and bolt, bringing it back to better than new over a three-year period.
As with the Cornwills’ gear, this truck earns its keep and is called upon regularly to supplement the family’s business.
Yet another Victorian truck at the show will be Auswide Transport Solutions striking T900, driven by cancer survivor Damian Toms.
The amazing artwork on the truck represents Damian’s fight with the disease in the form of The Grim Reaper on the engine cowling and cab rear.
“My way of saying, Up You!” said Damian.
The sides of the truck portray the Nullarbor Plain, where the truck spends a fair amount of time. This is one to spend some time pouring over at the show, if only to take in the intricacies of the artwork.
Cesare Colli is looking forward to the Brisbane event. Image: Graham HarsantCesare Colli has been invited to bring his 1981 build White Road Boss across from Perth.
Cesare purchased the truck new in 1982 and it ran as a logging truck until 2004, followed by B-double and pocket road train work.
Having undergone a number of paint changes as Cesare’s timber and hardware business has changed colours, the current superb orange finish carries only a couple of muted scrolls and of course lashings of chrome.
You won’t miss ‘The Boss’ at the Best of the Best – and you wouldn’t want to.
“Being invited to Brisbane as part of a 28-truck display is pretty special and too good an opportunity to pass up,” Cesare told Big Rigs.
“My whole family will be attending and some friends will also join us to celebrate the occasion.”
From NSW, Robinson Earthmoving will attend with the ever-popular Mack Super Liner, in this case a pristine 1987 V8 500 model with a 65” bunk for downtime.
Robinson Earthmoving’s 1987 Super-Liner. Image: Graham HarsantWhen you see ‘Here’s the Deal’ at the show you may think that it could only be beaten by a royal flush.
Time will tell.
From Tassie will come Chris Watkins 2007 Western Star 4900 FX in glorious green.
Mactrans will be bringing their (very) special 100th Anniversary Edition Mack Super Liner and Fenech Transport out of Bringelly, NSW will ‘show-up’ with their 2013 K 200 which won honours at the Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck show in both 2023 and 2024.
And of course there will be many more, all of whom are taking time off work and spending a lot of their own hard-earned to give you, the public a display like never before.
Chris Watkins’ 2007 Western Star. Image: Graham HarsantCurator Warren Aitken, a well-known custom truck fanatic and contributor to Big Rigs’ sister publication OwnerDriver, said he’s “stoked” with the final lineup.
“I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by trucks, either driving, shining or photographing them, and I know the pride drivers take in their rides,” he said.
“Being able to celebrate and acknowledge the quality of eight regional shows by inviting their champions to the National Show ‘N’ Shine Championship is a great recognition for all those shows.”
Silverback Managing Director Nelson Woodbury adds that a truck is more than just a vehicle.
“It’s a testament to the grit and unstoppable spirit of the industry that keeps Australia moving,” he said.
“We are excited to be behind the inaugural National Championship that showcases only the best trucks from around the country.
“It is a true Battle of the Beasts, and the winner will be rightly crowned the Champion of Champions.”
You can be assured that all these owners will be putting in as much work as the Cornwill boys to present their trucks in their very best light. So please show them all your appreciation if you are there.
As well as official judging, there will be a People’s Choice award, so get yourself to Brisbane between May 15 and 18 and not only enjoy the show, but have a rare opportunity to see the best-of-the-best from around Australia in one place for the very first time.
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