This year’s Lights on the Hill Convoy and Memorial Ceremony was quite an emotional one for Nolan’s truck driver Grant Platts.
His father John Allen ‘Plattsy’ Platts was among the 54 names added to the Memorial Wall at Gatton this year.
John ‘Plattsy’ Platts passed away in 2008, aged 54. Image: Grant PlattsJohn passed away on June 28, 2008 at just 54 years of age. A truck driver for all his working life, he had spent about 10 years working for Nolan’s Interstate Transport before his sudden passing.
As Grant explained, “Dad passed away from a brain tumour. He was actually in the truck at the time and managed to safely pull over before he collapsed. That was how we found out that he had a brain tumour.”
Following in the footsteps of his father, Grant joined Nolan’s about 10 months ago, based at Gatton. Prior to that, he spent about 27 years as a fire fighter with Queensland Fire Department (QFD). Though he’s still an active member with QFD, he said he made the move into trucking full time as he was looking for a change.
Grant’s son Jye Platts also works for Nolan’s. Image: Grant PlattsGrant’s eldest son Jye Platts works for Nolan’s too, as an apprentice refrigeration mechanic.
Nolan’s has had a banner in honour of Plattsy featured on one of its trucks at the Lights on the Hill Convoy each year since his passing. The transport operator had a strong presence at the 2024 event, with 22 of its trucks taking part in the convoy.
This year, Grant had a second banner made up for his dad, which was proudly placed on a Nolan’s Kenworth T610 SAR.
Grant lays flowers at the wall, with his wife Deanna and grandson Harrison. Image: Shutter Shock PhotographyGrant had the honour of driving that truck in the convoy, “I have driven in the convoy before with QFD, but this time it was very emotional and very special – especially to now also be part of the Nolan’s family and driving a Nolan’s truck,” he said.
“I also had my uncle Kenneth Platts with me in the passenger seat, who is dad’s brother. He’s retired now but he was a truck driver too.”
The other Nolan’s truck with a tribute to Plattsy was driven by Nolan’s company driver Dean Linde, and his son Cooper Linde who also works for the company, in the wash-bay.
Following the convoy and event at Gatton Showgrounds on Saturday October 5, the memorial ceremony was held at the Lights on the Hill Memorial Wall at Lake Apex Park in Gatton, on Sunday October 6.
Though Grant has been to the ceremony in the past, he said this year was really special to him. He was joined at the service by his uncle and aunty, along with other family members. “They were so impressed by the service, and being from interstate, they didn’t realise the size and scale of the event, and how much went into it. The weekend was very special to be a part of.”
Grant and the family at the Memorial Wall following the service. Image: Grant PlattsJye also had the opportunity to sound the truck’s air horn as part of the salute to fallen drivers, at the memorial service.
Grant also added, “A big thank you goes to Flea and Sandy Nolan too for all of the effort they put in for us, and at Lights on the Hill across the weekend.”
[signup]
The post Truck driver pays a special tribute to his truckie dad appeared first on Big Rigs.