Industry News

Industry rallies to ensure success of Truckies against Bullying event

Andrew and Sandy Lattin instigated the first Truckies Against Bullying in November of 2023 at Bendigo as a result of their children having been bullied at school, and the couple wanting to create more public awareness around the issue.

Being a truck driver, Andrew felt they could garner some interest from the industry to come along to the Bendigo Showgrounds to show support and create a truck show at the same time.

With the outside world often regarding truckies and their trucks as ‘tough’ and ‘aggressive’, the couple saw an opportunity for the public to come along to a show and realise that was not the case.

“It was a dual opportunity,” said Andrew. “We would be able to educate the public about the trucking industry, in that we’re not all big and bad, and at the same time create more awareness of the scourge that is bullying. And while our experience has been through our children, there are many adults who have also suffered.”

That show last year was a success and the Lattin’s undertook to repeat the exercise, moving it forward by a month and turning it into a two-day event from October 5-6.

“To be honest, we weren’t sure we could get it up and running again this year,” said Andrew. “It was pretty tough trying to find support and at one stage Sandy was talking about selling her car. We were prepared to do anything we could to get this up and running.

“Thankfully, Daimler Trucks at Ballarat got right behind us and came through with some fantastic sponsorship. I can’t say enough about them. The way that they got behind this they have set the precedent for anyone else. What they’ve thrown in for the show has been incredible.

“Pickering Transport, who have a depot here in Bendigo also jumped aboard, as have Kennards Hire and Air CTI. Then we have Mutated Motors who drew our new logo for nothing and donated two drawings for our raffles. He is a local Bendigo business that is just starting out, so for him to do that was incredible.

“We have to give a big shout out to Shane Martin who owns Macway Transport and runs a couple of Freightliner Cascadias. He was instrumental in helping us gain the Daimler sponsorship. I’d also like to thank Big Rigs for their publicity and support for what we are doing.

‘Whilst the number of trucks of trucks coming along has not dramatically increased over last year, we have come a long way over the past few weeks in terms of sponsorship and that will allow us to promote the event in a bigger way going forward.”

The support from industry was overwhelmingly positive.

Shane Martin has been a supporter of Andrew and Sandy’s efforts since day one.

“Mate, why wouldn’t you come out to show your appreciation for their efforts and the cause,” he said.

“We had a convoy on Saturday morning and the noise was incredible as drivers happily answered kids pleas to blast their horns. I’m telling you, next year we will really light Bendigo up! We had some newcomers this year and I asked them if they enjoyed it and their response was overwhelmingly positive.

“The thing about bullying is that you can’t see it coming and you want to get onto it before it gets too late. I have a son, Macklin, who at the age of seven or eight got bullied at school through no fault of his own.

“He had a bit of a tumble up on the monkey bars when he was a young fella and knocked his two front teeth out which had to be removed. Consequently couldn’t speak properly and he got bullied mercilessly to the point where we had to pull him out and put him into another school.

“Now that might not sound like much to an adult, but the effect on him was pronounced. You look at somebody but you can’t see what’s going on inside. That’s what’s scary.

Shane said too many people lose loved ones through silly stuff that could be easily avoided.

“When I joined the group I just thought of Macklin and remembered what a shit time it was for him. I just don’t like bullies!

“To me they are just cowards behind a keyboard or on a phone. There is obviously an underlying issue with them but it just doesn’t sit well with me because as I said, you don’t see the impact it has on people.”

“That’s the reason why I joined the group and I’m now on the committee here. Hopefully over the next couple of years we will take this truck show to new heights to where we are well and truly respected on the truck show calendar.

“The thing about trucks being involved in something like this is that the perception of trucking and truckies is that they are big, tough, strong men. Truck drivers are people just like every other Joe Blow.

“We bleed like everybody else, we go through all the emotions. In the trucks we go through the loneliness and everything that goes with it. It is a tough job when you’re away from home but the camaraderie out there with some of the blokes on the road, I absolutely love it. It still does exist and their support for events like this prove it.

“This is a visual support for the kids who have been bullied. I think this industry can carry a lot of weight. Nothing melts my heart more than to drive one of these and see a little fella sitting on the side of the road indicating for me to sound the horn.”

‘Hillbilly’ from the Victorian Brotherhood came to talk with those needing help to change their lives.

In a classic case of, ‘It never rains, but it pours’, the heavens opened up on the Saturday afternoon, the deluge and strong winds sending people scurrying and the myriad of stallholders – of which there were many – packing up shop. In a great show of support, most of those stallholders were back on the Sunday morning setting up again.

The weather event could not have been more badly timed, with the Australian Horizons Foundation funded concert, featuring The Party Animals and others scheduled that evening.

While the weather meant crowds were down, that didn’t stop The Party Animals from putting on one heck of a show.

To undertake putting on an event such as this is massive. You cannot do it by yourself, but until recently Andrew and Sandy have done just that.

Their efforts it appears have not gone unnoticed with the recent influx of sponsors – and more such as Kenworth Shepparton dealer, Graham Thompson Motors, indicating that they would like to be more involved ensuring that Truckies Against Bullying will be on again in 2025.

Hats off to you all.

For more pictures from this year’s event, look out for the October 25 issue of Big Rigs at your usual outlet. 

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The post Industry rallies to ensure success of Truckies against Bullying event appeared first on Big Rigs.

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