Time for reflection as new names added to memorial wall

The White Hill Truck Driver Memorial Day was held at Murray Bridge in South Australia at the weekend.

It will go down as not only a memorable truck show, but a time of reflection to honour 12 truck drivers who have sadly passed on and were inducted onto the memorial wall.

The morning started with a large convoy from the picturesque White Hill Parking Bay down to the memorial itself for a touching service which was attended like families, friends and plenty of support on offer from the industry.

Many of the trucks carried banners of those who were being remembered.

The lead truck was driven by the event organisers Tavia and Shaun Wood from Woodtrans who carried a banner in memory of youngsters Tamika, 2, and her 17-month-old brother Khaleb Hourn who were tragically killed in a truck accident in 1995.

Edward and Marlene McArdle drove their Western Star in the event to honour the memory of son Matt. Image: Down the White Lines Truck Photography

Another family involved were Edward and Marlene McArdle. They lost their son, Matt, in April 2016 at the age of 24, in a truck rollover near Clare. They were in their 2007 Western Star to be part of the day.

At the memorial wall the drivers were greeted by a large crowd who had come to pay their respects and to reflect on those hard-working men and women, who were involved in the industry that are no longer with us.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial, and the trucks nearby did a horn sound off, that sent a shiver down the spine.

After the service under police escort the trucks of all sizes and ages made their way to Sturt Reserve for a truck show and family fun day.

There was a great atmosphere where the public and trucking community could come together to enjoy the trucks on display. There was food vendors, truck clothing vendors and even a logbook throwing competition for those who wanted to participate.

Wouldn’t it be great to never have to add another name to the wall.

– Additional reporting by Ann-Marie Hicks

Memorial wall inductees

Darryl Smith

John Lacy Burns

Peter Monty Phillips

Gordon John Jeffery

Darren Russell Mcfee

Neville George Mugridge

Robert William Dunn

Anthony John Kuchel

David Ronald Mumford

Garry Bryan Trewartha

Josh Roberts

Simon Ian Parkinson

Will Cassidy from Trans Australian went home with the Truck of the Show silverware. Image: Truckspotting Ararat

Truck show winners

Best Truck 0-6 months – Heidi

Best Truck 6 months – 2 years – Wayne Hicks

Best Truck 2-8 years – Sargeant Livestock

Best Truck 9-15 years – Garden Grove 950

Best Truck over 15 years – Transtar (White/Orange)

Best Truck over 1 million klms – Transtar (Orange/White)

Best Tow Truck – Dial a Tow

Best Rigid – Kuchel Contractors

Best Vintage Truck – Kuchel Contractors

Best Fleet – Garden Grove

Cleanest Engine Bay – Kuchel Contractors

Peoples Choice – Steve Mitchell (Pat Harrold Transport)

Truck of the Show – Will Cassidy (Trans Australian)

For more pictures from the event, grab your free copy of the March 14 edition of Big Rigs from the usual outlet. 

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