Truck drivers show their heart

• Tasmanian Truck Owners and Operator member Colin Berne, president Rob Bayles with the cheque for $45,000 for RFDS Tas CEO Nicole Henty, TTOOA member and main raffle prize gatherer Ros Bonner and Alan Sheppard and Tom Barnett who were part of the Recycal team which won Best Fleet of the Day.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania has received its biggest ever donation from the Tasmania Truck Owners and Operators Association’s annual truck run from Launceston to Longford.

An amazing $45,000 was presented to the charity last Thursday, raised largely through generous gate donations and a mega raffle of donated goods at the truck show.

The 42nd Longford Truck Run has grown every year for the past four years, contributing an outstanding $132,000 to RFDS Tasmania, enabling the delivery of vital, free primary health services to those in need around that state, including some of the state’s hardest-working individuals - truck drivers.

 A significant portion of these funds supports the RFDS Tasmania Truckie Check Ins, a program offering free mental and physical health checks tailored to truck drivers’ unique needs.

They received blood pressure monitoring, smoking cessation support, and an important opportunity to discuss mental health - essential services for a community that often faces long hours and demanding conditions.

More than 100 truckies participated in RFDS Tasmania’s check-ins in 2024, from those who carry the state’s fresh produce to supermarkets and hay for livestock to the log truck drivers and grain carters – all with their rigs beautifully presented.

Prizes were presented to the best of the best with Longford’s TasMulch taking out the Zane “Mick” Woolley Trophy for Best Truck with an impressive new Kenworth T659 and Recycal was awarded Best Fleet for the immaculate presentation of their workhorses.

Impressing with Best Vintage Truck was Kelvin Campbell with his Mack B Model.

The David “Porky” Saunders Trophy for donation of service to the event went to TTOOA secretary Julie Wise who has been involved with the truck run almost from its inception.

As a 13-year-old she would help her dad Robert and the other members who started the truck run, initially to Myrtle Park, 42 years ago, and has helped in various roles over the years, since 2020 as secretary/treasurer.

A special award for Best Auctioneer went to Warren Johnston, a stock auctioneer who has donated his time for the past three years.

TTOOA president Rob Bayles said that the truck run received overwhelming support from businesses across the state and also from the general public – much of it born from respect for the RFDS.

“It’s great that the money raised is also helping support our truckers – anything that helps prevent a serious medical episode while driving is a good thing and I know the health checks have picked up on a few issues that have required a referral to the GP.

“It’s just a wonderful day and a credit to all the volunteers who pitch in and the truckies who spent so much time preparing their trucks and then take the time out to get involved.”

RFDS Tasmania CEO Nicole Henty, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the continued partnership with TTOOA.

“We are incredibly thankful for the unwavering support of Tasmania’s trucking community,” she said.

“The funds raised enable us to provide accessible, lifesaving health services and promote wellbeing for our truckies, who are vital to keeping Tasmania moving.”

Gallery Photos by Peter Barnett