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Executive
Chairman John Murphy
CEO Christine Clancy
Publisher Sarah Baker
Client Success Regina Fellner
Trader Group Sales
Manager James Rock Printing IVE print, NSW ISSN 1449-6348
Issue 524
Kenworths of all shapes and sizes turned out for the Kenworth Klassic. Image: Steve Haskell
Welcome
to Issue 524 of your Deals on Wheels Magazine
Spring has well and truly sprung and with the finer weather the trucking community has come out to play across the nation in a big way.
For the organisers behind the growing Kenworth Klassic event in Clarendon, New South Wales, 2025 marked yet another record breaking turn out with more than 820 Kenworths rolling on to the showgrounds in support of the popular trucking brand and the chance to catch up with mates in a relaxed atmosphere. Check out the photos and story from page 82.
Further north, the Mackay Konvoy for Kids proved Queenslanders know how to put on a great event for a good cause, not only raising money for children in need but encouraging truckies from all over the country to point their noses north to join in the fun. Warren Aitken was along with his camera and notebook to capture the moment with his handiwork on show from page 88.
As the home of secondhand trucks, truck
parts and accessories Deals on Wheels is proud to support truck shows and the people who make them happen. This year we're back as the media sponsor of the Shamick Transport Rotary Castlemaine Truck Show which lands at the end of November. Truck registrations are open now, and details of the entertainment and plans for the weekend can be found on page 68 and 69.
As we head to toward the Christmas season, now's a good time to suggest gift ideas for the truck loving member of the family, and what could be better than a 13-edition subscription to this very magazine, delivered straight to your door. For just $90 it's the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Find out more by phoning the team on 03 9690 8766, emailing subscriptions on subscriptions@primecreative.com.au or going online to tradetrucks.com.au/subscribe.
And finally, a big congratulations to our long time advertisers and supporters Universal Truck Wreckers for bringing home the Excellence in Customer Service – Trade Services in the recent Shepparton Business Excellence Awards. Great to see.
I hope you enjoy this month’s edition and welcome all feedback at geoff.crockett@primecreative.com.au.
Truckie mental health campaign gains momentum
The mental health of workers across all industries is a big issue for Australia, and the transport industry is in no way immune to the issue
Almost one in five people who reached out to a free counselling service for blue-collar workers last year came from the transport industry.
The service, called TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter), provides no-cost mental health support, and its first annual impact report shows that trucking is second only to construction in terms of uptake. It’s a stark reminder of the pressures drivers face every day, including long hours, time away from family and the isolation of life on the road.
For Aaron, a driver with Martins Stock Haulage, that reality is all too familiar. He pilots Muttley, the company’s brightly wrapped TradeMutt “Razzle Dazzle” truck designed to spark conversations about mental health. Beside him rides his Blue Heeler, Rocco.
“Life on the road can be incredibly lonely when you’re hundreds of miles from home, stuck with your thoughts,” Aaron says.
“Having my dog with me helps, but I know not everyone has that. That’s why what TIACS is doing is so important — it takes away the barriers that stop people in our industry from getting help. It gives blokes and women someone to talk to when they need it most.”
The partnership between Martins Stock Haulage, TIACS and workwear brand TradeMutt started with a simple idea: put mental health support where people can’t miss it.
Martins rolled out its custom “Razzle Dazzle” truck in 2024, effectively turning a B-double into a moving billboard for TIACS.
Since then, the truck has clocked up more than 275,000 kilometres, carrying its message through remote towns and regional highways where services are often scarce.
The design, along with Aaron’s story, has become a powerful symbol of awareness, proving that even one truck can make a
difference when it carries a bigger message. TIACS’ impact report shows just how far that message is spreading:
• 19 per cent of all clients came from transport, postal and warehousing.
• 682 counselling sessions were delivered to transport workers in both genders and apprentices, making up nine per cent
• Relationship concerns were the leading reason for reaching out, followed by anxiety, workplace challenges and other mental health struggles.
• 63 per cent of clients lived in regional or remote areas, highlighting the value of initiatives like the Martins’ truck.
Awareness is growing, too. Seventeen per cent of clients first heard about TIACS through TradeMutt’s conversation-starting prints, while others were introduced by friends, family or workplace partners.
Martin’s lead has encouraged others to step up. At the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, Mack Trucks launched “Barkley”, its own TradeMutt-wrapped truck, extending the reach of the movement.
“It takes real courage to open up, especially in an industry where the culture often tells you to ‘just get on with it,’” TIACS CEO Sue Jankovic says.
“But every time someone reaches out, it chips away at the silence and barriers that have kept people from seeking support for too long.”
For TIACS, Martins and now Mack Trucks, the message is clear: starting the conversation works. With free, no-barrier counselling available, drivers and transport workers across the states are proving that support doesn’t have to be out of reach.
“Every time someone reaches out, it chips away at the silence and barriers that have kept people from seeking support for too long,” Jankovic says.
Australia
Martins Stock Haulage driver Aaron Girdler with "Muttley" at the recent Casino Truck Show. Image: Mack Trucks
Unit 1/71 Axis Place, Larapinta, Brisbane, QLD, 4110, Australia
Trevor Davis transforms an old 1960 International into a purple showstopper that can’t help but turn heads
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Trevor Davis
It’s hard not to stop and stare
The impressive evolution
You know when you’re driving along zoned out and listening to music, but then you see a rig so good that you’ve either got to slow down, brake and reverse, or just stop completely to have geez?
Well, Trevor Davis has one of those rigs. The one you stop and stare over.
It’s every truck enthusiast’s dream, and if you have just one look at it, it’s pretty obvious as to why.
If there’s one thing Trevor Davis knows how to do, it’s fix up a truck.
And he is damn good at it too.
This story is about his 1960AA Turbocharged International, and how he transformed it into the showstopper that it is today.
“The journey started on August 1 2020, the day the ring of steel was put up around Melbourne for Covid,” he says.
“I picked up the truck from Gippsland, and it was a really nice AA International. Once we were home, we quickly mocked it up to see how it would look.
“The colour was picked from a car on Wheeler Dealers. My son Ross mixed up model paints and painted a little resin truck. We then took that to the paint shop and asked them to match it.
So it truly is a one of a kind colour.”
One of a kind and never to be repeated. And just like that, the ‘Purple Petrol Eater’ was born.
The truck was picked up from Gippsland
The cab was taken off and painted
What a transformation!
This truck has come quite a long way
A turbo kit from the USA was next – but Covid’s grip meant air freight was the only way.
The highway cop was most impressed with Trevor’s truck
By June 2022, the full strip down had begun. Chassis, rims, axles and springs were all shipped off to Belkblast Melton for blasting and paint.
Back home, Trevor tackled the fibreglass bunk, a challenge he had never faced, but dove into headfirst.
“Because we decided to turn it around and access it from the rear, we had to build a completely new relief for the doors, manufacture them and fill in the bottom where it had been cut out previously,” he says.
“After all this, it was then time to get it ready for painting, many hours disappeared into the bunk alone.”
August 2022 brought the engine rebuild all done in-house, and then came the return of
the chassis in November with a reassembled frame.
“Next on the list was body work. First up was to paint strip all of the panels. We found a very solid base with very little rust,” he says.
“The rust areas were repaired and then all panels were sent out to have a fine sandblast and prime done again at Belkblast.
“Once these came back, it was time to high fill the panels and start the rubbing back, filling some low spots and then re-painting with more primer over repairs, then another coat of high fill panels were finally ready for paint.”
Ross started the mammoth job of painting in July 2023. The panels required under guard spray, then three coats of black, two coats of purple, finished with four coats of clear.
All done at home, panel by panel over 12
The many hours spent out in the shed certainly paid off
months between Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
where it even caught the eye of a highway patrol officer.
The International with another one of Trevor’s projects on its back
As each panel was completed, it was fitted to the chassis. The last five per cent of the project – those tiny, infuriating finishing touches –dragged out the timeline, as they always do.
But by September 2024, the truck made its debut appearance at the ATHS Echuca Show, not fully finished, but polished and rumbling.
Then came the setbacks. A scored number six bore on the way back from Echuca meant a round of engine repairs.
“Once this was completed, we still took the truck to shows and slowly added the last bits and pieces, like the exhaust system and sun visor, and also fixed the bonnet,” he says.
Still, the truck hit show after show including Geelong, Lancefield, Clunes, Colac, Ballan, Haulin the Hume in Sydney, Cars & Culture
St Kilda and the Autobarn Melton Car Show
What put the final icing on the cake was Heath Saunders, who did the hand painted sign writing for the purple International.
“The many hours Ross and I spent out in the shed certainly paid off,” Trevor says.
“The final result speaks for itself.”
And it certainly does. Hour after hour, year after year, Trevor and Ross built something that turns heads and stops traffic, and they’re not done yet.
They’re now slowly working on a new McGraph trailer to haul behind their Purple Petrol Eater.
So, they’ll spend a few more hours locked away in the shed, head down and hands black.
But to own a truck that looks this good at the end of it, is certainly all worth the time.
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When it comes to carrying bulk goods such as stock feed this 2018 Volvo FE280 with its walking floor cargo section and electric tarp could well fit the bill.
Scan with your Smartphone camera to check out this deal!
First registered in 2019 the truck has a full service history with Volvo Australia and just 539,001 kilometres on the clock. It is set up as a rigid format, has an automatic transmission and an aluminium bullbar and is being sold with a roadworthy certificate.
To find out more phone McGhie Truck & Machinery on 03 9999 5171.
Carrum Downs, VIC
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When it comes to new truck models that have made a splash the Iveco S-Way is up there.
With 550 hp this 6x4 model 2024 Iveco S-Way AS700 model offers Euro VI fuel efficiency and compliance and is rated to pull a B-Double.
It features the 16-speed ZF Hi-Tronix Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and the Iveco Hi-Cruise predictive driving system with GPS technology and all the latest safety features.
To find out more phone Prestige Iveco on 03 9212 5555.
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2015 Kenworth
Cummins E5 diesel
18-speed Roadranger
$148,500
Purga, QLD
07 3171 1897
Bold BIG &
This 2015 Kenworth K200 Big Cab had its Cummins E5 motor rebuilt less than 500,000km ago.
It features an 18-speed Roadranger gear box and a 46,000lbs Rockwell Rear End on Kenworth eight-bag rear end suspension.
It has been serviced every 250,000km with long life oil, and comes with the gear box having been updated, a new clutch pressure plate, new king pins and bushes.
That popular Big Cab features Ice Pack, a 3000w inverter, television and microwave too.
To find out more phone Purga Truck and Machinery Sales on 07 3171 1897.
Scan with your Smartphone camera to check out this deal!
4.500m long x 1.050m high approx.
QT450 Hardox steel
$52,800
Somerton, VIC
2025 Gorski Hardox Tipping Body with tow connection 03 9988 9139
Tough steel, fine engineering and the sort of experience that only comes from 50 years in the business is what drove the creation of the 2025 Gorski Hardox Tipping body with tow connection.
This “Gorski Premium” body is delivered with a custom built and contoured cab guard with integrated QT450 Hardox or equivalent tarp shroud.
The tow crossmember can be created for a minimum rating of 35 tonne, through to 47 tonne, with 50mm Rockinger coupling and Bartlett trailer attachments.
From the LED lighting mix to the electric tarp and customised hydraulics to suit whichever truck brand you have, the Gorski team have thought of it all.
To find out more phone Gorski Engineering on 03 9988 9139.
Mobile: 0418 721 165 Office: (07) 32889495
KENWORTHK200
K200BigCab,E5Cummins,18SpeedRoadRangerGearBox,46000lbsRockwellRearEndon Kenworth8BagRearEndSuspension,Bulbar.MotorRebuilt18monthsagoorunder500,000kms ago.GearBoxdone,NewClutchPressurePlate,Diffs are good.Servicedevery25000kmswith longlifeoil.NewKingPinsandBushes.DriveTyres75%andFrontSteerTyres70%.Willhavea currentQueenslandTransportInspectionoverthepitsnextweek.IcePack,3000Winverter,TV, Microwave..57HMT. TA1290709.
The distinctive raised sleeper of the 1998 Kenworth Aerodyne was something new when it was introduced to the Australian market 27 years ago.
The higher roofline increased head room and space for long distance drivers, while the cab over design maintained the tough look of its American cousins.
This version of the truck features a sturdy bullbar and a large beavertail tray with loading ramps. To
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Powered by an MP-10 engine with about 390,000km on the clock this 2019 Mack CLXT Superliner also features an mDrive transmission and 46-160 Meritor diffs built for strength and reliability.
Softening the ride for the driver in the cab, the truck features mRide spring suspension too.
Dressed in stunning green and featuring chrome exhaust stacks and fuel tanks, this truck is sure to catch the eye.
To find out more phone Universal Truck Wreckers on 03 9116 6707.
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Since 2005 this Kenworth T401 has been digging in to do its bit and move mountains for business. With a new engine installed, full cross locks and a Bartlett ball hitch, this day cab configured truck has all the classic Kenworth calling cards, including the popular diamond style upholstery.
To find out more phone EPJ Trading Co on 03 9988 9194.
Looking for an upgrade? Trailer Stonestar’s new curtainside drop deck trailer is built to last
When it comes to rugged Aussie roads, durability and trusted performance are truck and trailer musts.
two good-sized toolboxes to help keep all of the necessary gear neat and tidy in the one place.
High quality doors and built in cooling and easy to access connections are part of the package
Trailer Stonestar has built its reputation by delivering on both, doubling down on its ability to provide quality, functionality and value with its brand new curtainside drop deck trailer.
It is a trailer that the company says has been built to work hard.
It has been designed for general freight or palletised goods and can be easily loaded and unloaded.
As a proud Australian owned company with over 20 years in the game, Stonestar has carved out a name in manufacturing trailers and wholesaling wheels, cargo, machinery and even solar energy.
At first glance, the curtainside drop deck trailer impresses with its clean, all white finish, but it’s the engineering underneath that sets it apart.
The trailer has been fitted with a K Hitch 22.5 axle and a K Hitch air bag suspension, so it handles the roads with ease.
It has also been crafted to feature 10-stud steel wheels, dual rear doors, LED lights and
Purpose-built for Aussie roads, the trailer’s no road train setup makes it an ideal option for urban and regional logistics alike.
And for buyers, the value goes beyond the specs.
The trailer comes with a one year warranty and it’s in stock now, all customers need to do is organise rego and collection.
For operators looking to upgrade or expand their fleet, the new Stonestar curtainside drop deck trailer is a rare blend of high quality and function, a true workhorse that is built the Aussie way.
Aside from then new curtainside trailer, Trailer Stonestar offers a wide range of solutions including water tankers, construction tippers, wideners, drop decks, grain tippers and livestock trailers at competitive prices.
To find out more about Trailer Stonestar, go to www.stonestar.com.au, phone 03 9580 9788 or email sales@stonestar.com.au
Images: Trailer Stonestar
2025 Stonestar curtainside drop deck trailer features include:
• K Hitch 22.5 axle
• K Hitch Air Bag suspension
• Raise Lower Valve
• LED lights
• 10 stud steel wheels
• White curtain
• Stainless steel door hinges
• 2 Rear Door
• 2 x toolbox
• Steel Gates
• No Road train
• Customer to organise rego and pick up
• 1 year warranty
• In stock now
The toolboxes are ridiculously handy
Add it to your fleet today
The trailer is designed to work smoothly with a fifth wheel hitch
Stonestar is offering one year free warranty
The trailer features 10 stud wheels
DEALS Resto
Orange
ONE THE
Since he was a diesel mechanic apprentice, Gerard Kovic had his eye on a 1992 K100E – now he’s restored one to its former glory
Images: Gerard Kovic
The ‘Orange One’ needed a bit of work
“Some people play golf or tennis in their spare time,” truck lover Gerard Kovic says.
“Me? I like being around trucks and likeminded people.”
It started with a long, buried desire Gerard just couldn’t shake: A K100E.
“I’ve liked the K100E since it was first released in 1987,” he says.
“When I worked as a diesel mechanic apprentice, I saw that the K100E model was having substantial changes to its Kenworth cabover, and I had been looking for something in original order for some time, priced correctly of course.”
So, when one finally appeared at the right price, factory B-double rated, ABS-equipped and with no reserve? The decision made itself, and the 1992 Kenworth K100E that was sitting on an online auction, was his.
On the surface, the truck looked solid, but anyone who’s ever picked up a second-hand
vehicle knows, the devil usually lives in the rust.
“There were major rust issues in between chassis rails and rear suspension skin inserts,” he says.
“We removed both to find the rust was very noticeable in the lower parts of the rails, so we decided to replace the rails and inserts with brand new predrilled factory ones.
“The cab, bull bar, battery boxes, fuel tanks, brackets and P clamp harness was all removed. It wasn’t a full restoration, but we did what was needed for a roadworthy certificate.”
With some help, Gerard says he supported the radiator, engine and gearbox with a frame and forklift jib, while manhandling the actual rails, sliding them out one side at a time.
“During placing the rails into position, I noticed there were holes that needed to be drilled as some rear engine, spring hanger
Though it wasn’t found in a shamble, it needed some TLC – rust was found between chassis rails and rear suspension skin inserts
and shock absorber mounts had been missed when they were factory drilled,” he says.
“I marked out a measure up and with a magnetic drill got the components drilled, bolted up and fitted.
“The new rails were pre-painted black on the inside and sealed between the skin to prevent rust from forming again. Both diffs were removed, inspected and resealed due to them previously showing signs of leaks.”
New bolts, bushing and front shackle pins were fitted along with a New Horton fan hub aircon bracket and compressor engine mount fitted also. The gearstick tower was rebuilt along with the clutch shaft cab bushes.
The cab was refitted with all new cab mounts and a second hand bull bar and backing plate.
The Kenworth received stainless steel drive guards and wrapped tanks, polished battery box lids and bullbar, as well as big-hole Alcoa steer rims, polished buy Insane Shine.
“To create a newer look, different size second hand tanks and brackets were
obtained, and then the chassis and overall components were washed and prepared for painting,” Gerard says.
“We planned to paint the cab the same as my dad’s ‘74 cabover. By the time this story goes to print however, the cabin will be stripped down and will be in the process of being prepared for its new silver and orange look.
“All drive brakes and drum hub seals will be replaced. Super chrome rims and new drive tyres will be fitted.
“Then, the 1992 K100E will be named, the ‘Orange One’.”
This kind of work isn’t new to Gerard. Many years ago at Charter Freightlines in Prospect New South Wales, his boss let him do some repair work, conducting bare cab swap outs or chassis rail replacements.
“I had also rebuilt an ‘83 Kenworth cabover that I purchased as a repairable write off back in the day, so this type of work I was definitely familiar with.”
Today, the K100E wears historic plates,
The forklift jib at work
cruising with purpose on runs like Hauling the Hume, Clarendon Kenworth Classic, Coasting the Coast, Crawling the Hume, and maybe soon, Gerard says it will haul a few charity hay loads too.
Growing up, trucking was imprinted in his bloodline thanks to his parents’ family transport business.
“Mum and dad ran a few trucks predominantly through Sydney to Brisbane carrying White Wings food products and general freight out of Brisbane return,” he says.
“My journey was a natural progression just from growing up around them. That’s how I’ve stayed involved with the industry.”
But none of it was made possible without
the support he received throughout this resto journey.
“Without Colin and Marisa at Compas Transport Tomago NSW, my brothers and I wouldn’t have been able to take on such a project without their backing.
“Big thanks to RC Metal Craft for the tank wraps, Beau at Insane Shine, Scott Portelly from Brown and Hurley Coffs Harbour for hunting down the parts,” he says.
“And of course, I’m grateful for my understanding family for letting me do things like this.”
The ‘Orange One’ isn’t just a passion project for Gerard, but one that holds the memory of his family close – and it looks good too.
quite some time
This dazzling 1992 Kenworth was a rig Gerard had his eye on for
DEALS Resto
Expensive
TOY
A 1979 Acco popped up on the side of the road, and Darren Cramb gave it the fix up it needed
Some trucks are bought for business, others just for show.
Darren Cramb’s wife calls his 1979 2150B Acco an “expensive toy”, but he wouldn’t have his classic find any other way.
Darren has owned this rig for 13 years
This machine carries history in its steel and owns a soundtrack that only a Cummins V8 can deliver. It’s a truck that can turn heads not because of its shine and polish, but because it’s still kicking hard after decades.
Darren never set out to be a truckie. His trade is refrigeration, air conditioning and electrical work, but he somehow fell into it.
“My family told me to get a trade, so I did. But then I got introduced to restoring old engines,” he says.
“One thing led to another, and then I needed something to pull my engines around in because you sure can't do it with a car trailer, so the next obvious thing was to buy a truck.
The solution? A rig that could handle the loads, clock highway speeds and still carry that look of old-school cool.
That’s how the Acco came into his life.
Darren wasn’t after a showpiece, instead he was on the search for practicality.
“I was looking for a toy hauler to cart my tractors to shows, do a bit of tractor pulling, vintage engine displays and occasionally use it for work purposes,” he says.
“I knew what I was after and then this truck popped up on the side of the road. I took two weeks to think about it, then it was mine.”
Born a prime mover, the Acco was stretched into a body truck and had its driveline reworked, swapping the final drive from 6.5 to 4.65 and changing out the 10-speed for a trans 13 overdrive, giving it long legs and good fuel economy.
This truck travels approximately 900 to 2000 kilometres a year, and it’s on full rego, so Darren can drive it whenever, and wherever he likes.
And then there’s the sound. The Cummins 555 V8 barks to life with a crack Darren still gets a kick out of.
Darren’s owned the Acco for 13 years now and reliability has been its biggest strength.
Images: Darren Cramb
“During the Covid lockdown I had to do an out of chassis rebuild due to electrolysis which was a two-week project,” he says.
“The windscreen had to come out because there was a crack in it and a small amount of rust which was fixed, I repainted the cab to smarten it up again because there were these funny green stripes on the door and I’d much rather it be white.
“I also did the engine up about five years ago. This truck is no show pony. The tray needs a bit of touch up, I haven’t done it yet as I would rather scratch the old tray than a freshly painted one, but the cab’s always looking good.”
Though carting tractors is its main purpose, it’s a bit of the workhorse, dabbling in a bit of contract slashing also.
“If there's a job that's too far to drive to the slasher, we'll throw it on the back of the truck, and we'll take it to the job,” he says.
“The Acco is the perfect truck for what I do and not to mention if you want to fix it up, it’s easy getting parts off the shelf, and there’s plenty of old wrecks around if you get stuck.”
Darren’s trusty rig not only does what he needs it to do, but it’s his pride and joy. While it may be one of the most “expensive toys” he’s ever used, to him, it’s worth every cent.
This truck didn’t need much work
Darren at first didn’t set out to be a truckie
DEALS Resto
International
SHOWSTOPPERS
Red Johnstone has quite the collection of vintage rigs, but these two 1964 Internationals have a story of their own
Words: Tiane Gavillucci Images: Red Johnstone
This rig is a truck lover’s dream
If there’s one thing Red Johnstone knows how to do, it’s preserving a vintage rig the right way. And boy does his collection make a truck lovers’ head turn.
Red didn’t restore these trucks to win trophies, but rather to preserve some Aussie trucking history for the people who remember these rigs working, sweating and earning their keep.
“It’s a look back into the past, but it’s also for personal reasons,” he says.
“I have this collection of old trucks so people can also come and have a look, when and if they want to.”
So, Deals on Wheels sat down with Red to hear how he transformed two red 1964 Internationals from a rat’s home, into a truckie’s dream.
1964 AB International
Red had been hunting for an AB International – specifically with a Cummins engine – when he phoned a mate who knew a guy.
For 15 years it had sat idle in an open shed. Rats had claimed it too and the cylinder head was no good. But Red saw what it could be.
“The owner at the time said if it was worth 500 bucks it could stay in that shed. I said I’d give him a thousand and I ended up taking it home,” he says.
“It must have had an accident at some stage because it had a C line grill in it, which
is the later model of this version of truck, but I wanted to take it back to its original appearance, so that’s what we did.”
This one was a full ground-up rebuild, cab off, brakes fully refurbished, and seat reupholstered.
“My uncle used to own a 1942 Jailbar Ford, which I would have loved to restore, but I was too busy working on the International. I ended up swapping it for a complete engine that I fitted to the truck,” he says.
“I got parts for the door trims of a fella in St George who used to have a lot of International trucks out there.
“The door trims were brand new, still sitting in the International packaging they originally came in for probably 40 to 50 odd years. I gave him 100 bucks, and he sold them to me.”
Then the step tanks came off, dents were fixed, and the cab was painted.
But what sits behind the AB might be the most interesting part of the story. The red trailer it hauls was part of Red’s life 50 years ago and was behind a truck similar to what it is now.
“I actually towed that trailer around in 1975, it was bought by my cousin in Brisbane, and it was delivered to Englewood on the 11th of June 1963,” he says.
A full circle moment for Red – how funny life can be sometimes.
This 1964 AB International turns heads – the interior is just as good as the exterior
1964 Lodestar F1800
Front and back, the 1964 Lodestar F1800 is right on par with the International
Red had been sniffing around Pittsworth when he caught wind of it. A mate of his mentioned that his next door neighbour owned an old International, possibly a Transtar.
But Red knew better.
“He said the bonnet opens from the side, and I knew straight away it was a Lodestar,” he says.
And he was right.
It didn’t take much of a look to realise it was in very bad form and what followed was nothing short of a resurrection.
This truck has had a few previous owners, but before life with Red, it used to cart mainly gravel - and wheat when it was quiet - for the council.
“The body was completely shagged, so I bought it off the bloke and took it home,” he says.
“Originally it had a 345 V8 petrol in it and a bloke from Goondiwindi retrofitted it with a 6354 Perkins engine.
“It was covered in rat shit, behind the dash and all over the floor, so initially there was lots of cleaning up that needed to be done.”
The doors were pulled off, the Hendrickson suspension was remade, and the body was completely rebuilt.
“The body that was on it, was a similar style to what I have on it now, but I made it so you can unbolt the sides and use it for a flat top as well.
“I got the cab painted for me, but overall, I spent a lot of money on it. I think about $19,000 in parts and paint alone.
“The bumper bar is a bit of a standout feature. I got it cut down to how I wanted, folded, bent the ends and polished up for me.”
Red told Deals on Wheels that he was off to an airshow that coming weekend and was getting ready to whip the Internationals out to get them cleaned up.
“I was asked to bring them along, so people got something else to look at rather than airplanes,” he laughs.
And let’s just say, the crowds will definitely be looking.
Red’s restorations brought back two red, roaring reminders of Australia’s hard-working past. Trucks that hold decades of history and miles of memories within them.
This dazzler used to cart gravel – isn't she a beauty?
Yard, Workshop & Fabricating division located at Trentham, Victoria (Closed Saturdays). Please contact one of the above for an appointment.
Trucking
ROUND BEES
John Seton tells the tale of his father, Colin who after retiring became interested in apiary and found the perfect International for the job
Images: John Seton
It’s a whole new world after retirement.
After working 40 plus years, most retirees go on to indulge in the finer things in life, vacations or simply picking up a new hobby.
As John Seton tells Deals on Wheels, this retiree’s hobby, was quite unexpected.
“My father, Colin Seton – retired but restless
It’s one good looking rig!
– found himself drawn into the world of bees,” John says.
“What began as a passing interest soon grew into a passion. There were a few hives at first, then a few more, until it became part of his daily life.
“Books, videos, and long evenings of learning filled the gaps, and before long he had a modest apiary and was deep in the craft of beekeeping.”
It was through this new obsession that Colin crossed paths with John Ward, a professional apiarist from Heathcote, Victoria.
John says Ward had spent nearly half a century working bees and running hives, his steadfast companion this 1974 International Acco 1610A, an honest workhorse fitted with a beehive-lifting crane.
“Ward bought it brand-new in 1974 and kept it faithfully by his side until the age of
This 1974 International Acco 1610A is a vintage wonder
94, when he decided to hang up his hive tool and retire,” he says.
“The truck had hauled countless loads of hive boxes and stood as a trusted part of Ward’s livelihood.”
Ward mentioned to Colin there were some second-hand hive boxes he could buy in Heathcote, so off he went to Heathcote.
“With a sweep of the doors, there it was, the International. Timeworn, sturdy, and brimming with character,” John says.
“For Dad, it wasn’t just a truck, it was love at first sight. So, dad bought it.”
With the boxes loaded, the 1974 International Acco 1610A was transported
back to Sale, where Colin set about breathing life back into it.
“He tinkered, adjusted, polished, and patiently coaxed it toward roadworthiness,” John says. “It became his project, his joy.”
Under the cab sits a 345 V8 petrol engine with extractors, a four-barrel carby, and a five-speed gearbox.
The truck had been converted to dual fuel at some point; it has since been converted back to straight petrol. All its new LPG components are fitted, and the gas tank has been re-certified, so it can be returned to dual fuel operation if desired.
The truck needed a new dipstick, so Colin
John says a standout feature of the truck is the Ezy Loader hivelifting crane mounted on the tray
The interior ended up quite polished
DEALS Resto
bought one and it came with a spare motor, gearbox, radiator, and a couple of spare doors.
The truck was worked on, made roadworthy and serviced by Maffra Truck and 4WD, ensuring it was mechanically sound and ready for the road. Now, it’s currently on club registration.
The International stands ready to work
John says a standout feature of the truck is the Ezy Loader hive-lifting crane mounted on the tray.
“This robust system makes handling beehives effortless, even for an old bloke. It can remain in place for ongoing use or be removed and refitted to another vehicle,” he says.
“In 2024, dad proudly displayed this truck at the Maffra Truck Show, displaying it not only for show, but as a testament to his passion for machines – as well as bees.
“For Dad, his last years spent fiddling with the International were more than just mechanical work. They were decades of stewardship between John Ward and himself.”
Every scratch on the paint and every
hum of the V8 carried memories for Colin.
“Now with Dad gone, the time has come for the International to find its next caretaker. This isn’t just the sale of an old truck. It’s the passing of a torch,” he says.
“Whoever takes the wheel won’t just own a 1974 International with a hive-lifting crane – they’ll inherit a story. The story of John Ward, who gave it its first 50 years and then the story of my father, who gave it his last.
“And perhaps this is the beginning of a new chapter with someone who will love it just as much as they did.”
Whether you’re interested in working on it to further restore, display or preserve it, John says this truck is a prime example of Australia’s transport heritage, and shows the true durability of the International Acco line.
Its price tag may read $20,000 but what’s for sale is far more than wheels and steel, but a story of men, bees, and a good ol’ trusty rig.
If you’re interested in this truck, call John Seton on 0409 011 410.
To mark a milestone year of Jennings Livestock Carriers, the business purchased its very first Kenworth
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Aly Jennings
Here comes the celebrations!
It started a hundred years ago, with nothing more than a Jennings man, a horse and a cart.
Today, that same business, Jennings Livestock Carriers has recently taken delivery of its very first Kenworth, a stunning T659 that marks not only a new era for the company, but a tribute to the generations who have steered it through a century of change.
For CFO Aly Jennings and her husband Darren who runs the show as the company's Director, the arrival of the Kenworth is a full-circle moment, as a business that mainly owns International trucks, along with an Iveco and Transtar.
“Back in 2004, a salesman came out to the farm to try and sell us a Kenworth,” she laughs.
“He looked over at all the Internationals lined up and says, ‘oh I haven’t got a chance’.
My father-in-law at the time was running the business and basically told him where to go.”
Two decades later and a Cummins engine brought them back together.
“Five years into my husband taking over the business and we really wanted a new truck.
He said we should go down the Kenworth route seeing as though they have the Cummins engine,” she says.
“When we called the salesman, he couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘wow, 20 years later and I’m finally getting that sale.”
And the road to delivery didn’t come without its laughs either.
When the Jennings family travelled in April to see their new rig roll off the assembly line, they were met with a surprise.
“It came out painted bright blue,” Aly laughs. “The salesman had clicked the wrong button and ordered the wrong colour; we gave him hell.
“We decorated his office with blue jelly streamers, balloons, the lot. Poor bloke still can’t live it down.”
The truck itself pays tribute to another special cause. Inspired by one of the business’s earliest workhorses, the design draws from an old International 3070 painted in a similar grey, laced with touches of green and rose gold.
man I think I’ve turned into a Kenworth
(Top left) The business has come so far… (Above) The image of LR Jennings on the back of the truck
The beautiful image dedicated to the company founder, Leslie Ronald Jennings and his war service
On the back, a mural immortalises the Jennings’ grandfather at war in France crossing a bridge.
“I believe the Jennings family have now converted,” Aly says. “My husband even says, ‘I think I’ve turned into a Kenworth man.”
As mentioned, the year of 1925 is when the Jennings’ origin story took place, with a horse, a cart and Leslie Ronald Jennings.
He hauled potatoes, onions, chickens and farm produce for the local community, and even carted the Drysdale Football Club to their games, rattling his way to Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, and Portarlington.
The first ever Jennings’ truck was a Chevrolet, later joined by Internationals (AAs and ABs).
Away from transport, Leslie worked as a gravedigger at the local cemetery, which earnt him the name, ‘Digger’.
The second-generation Harold Leslie Jennings kept the wheels turning, and like his father, carted farm produce, but also expanded into sheep carting, adding the C1800 butter box trucks and trailers.
Ronald Jennings was the third generation to roll in and he introduced the first semi to the fleet, a 1910 International Acco 3070 which was Jennings Carriers’ first diesel truck-andtrailer.
Eventually there were four Acco 3070s on the road, with one later converting into a spreader which is still in use to this day. More rigs were added to the fleet including T-Lines, Transtars, and eventually two International Eagles.
Darren Jennings is the fourth generation of Jennings’ men to lead the company and has guided the business through one of its toughest challenges.
This Kenworth lights up like a Christmas tree!
They
The dealership rolled out the red carpet for this special delivery which was soon hard at work hauling livestock
“A devastating fire tore through the depot, destroying trucks, trailers, and the much-loved shed that had been the heart of Jennings Carriers for decades,” Aly says.
“What could have ended a family legacy instead became a story of resilience. With community support and determination, Darren rebuilt the fleet, adding another International Eagle and the now brand-new 2025 Kenworth T659.”
Today, the family runs a fleet of all different kinds of trucks and, for the first time, a Kenworth, moving livestock, spreading and carting hay bales and bulk farm loads just as they have continued to do throughout the many decades of being in business.
Jennings Livestock Carriers is a legacy that runs five generations deep and keeps on going.
“My husband's fourth generation and my son's the fifth,” Aly says. “It just keeps getting handed down through the family.”
Aly’s father-in-law, now nearly 78, and unwell, still insists on driving for the business.
“He’s been saying for years, I just want to get to the 100-year celebration. I just need to get there,” she says.
“And now we have. We’ve come a long way, and it’s been quite the journey.”
After Darren, the next, and fifth generation Ryan Jennings looks set to guide the company into the future.
With a century of stories to tell on the roads, and a fresh T659 added to the fleet, Aly and her family know that what started with a horse and cart, isn’t slowing down anytime soon, with the Jennings’ name sure to carry the legacy on for another 100 years.
The Jennings' fleet has included a variety of brands over the years
Convoy For Kids Sydney Inc. was started in 1992 by a small group of dedicated people from the transport and associated industries who had a desire to help sick children.
Today, 31 years later, it is still run by a volunteer committee who spend time to put together one special day, not only as a fundraiser but a family day for all.
Drivers and owner drivers travel from all parts of NSW with their families to participate in this great event each year. It is a spectacular sight to see 500 or more trucks in a convoy supporting the event.
Funds are raised on the day by truck entries, sales of food and merchandise, major raffle, donations and a giant auction. Taking part means you are helping raise funds for the NETS Ambulance Service and Kidzfix.
NOVEMBER
Brisbane Convoy for Kids
November 1. Brisbane, QLD
The Brisbane Convoy for Kids is back on November 1, travelling from Larapinta to the Redcliffe Showgrounds. Once it arrives, a family fun day will take place, with a wide range of activities on offer including live entertainment, auctions, food stalls, free kids’ rides, face
painting, animal petting, magic shows and a night lights display. Convoy participants also compete in a range of categories, with awards handed out on the day.
For info see brisbaneconvoyforkids.com.au
Ulverstone Truck Show
November 1, 2025 - Ulverstone Showgrounds, Tasmania
To all the truckers, ute and car enthusiasts, break out your wash and best polish and bring them to the Ulervstone truck, Ute and car show for 2025, at the Ulverstone Showgrounds on November 1.
Mullumbimby Truck Show
November 8, 2025 - Mullumbimby, NSW.
Held in conjunction with the annual Mullumbimby Agricultural Show on the second Saturday of November each year, you won’t want to miss the Mullumbimby Truck Show. This event will feature a truck parade through the town, a sideshow alley, kids’ rides, food vans, full bar facilities and live music. Other features include horse and cattle events including trotting.
For further truck show info see www.mullumbimbyshow.org.au
Goulburn Convoy For Kids
November 8, 2025 – Goulburn, NSW
For just over 25 years, Convoy for Kids Goulburn has brought the community together in a powerful show of generosity and heart. This annual charity fundraiser unites truckies, truck
lovers, families, and businesses to raise vital funds for children in need across the Goulburn region. With a colourful convoy of trucks and cars winding through town, fun-filled family events, and community spirit on full display, Convoy for Kids Goulburn continues to drive change and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local kids.
There’s plenty of fun for the day including the trucks driving down the Main Street (Aubarn Street), Carnival Day at the Recreation Area, food stalls, live entertainment, kids’ rides and activities, raffles, charity auction, and more. Trucks muster from 8:30am at Gateway Service Station, with the Lead Truck drawn at 9:30am. The convoy departs at 10:30am sharp, proceeding down Auburn Street. Truck registration is $100 (includes entry into the Lead Truck draw). Cars and other vehicles are $60. At 11:00am, the Carnival Day will commence at the Goulburn Recreation Area—adult entry $10, children under 18 free. Register online.
HCVCA Annual Display Day
November 9, 2025
Yarra Glen Racecourse, VIC
Come and join us with your historic commercial vehicle and display your pride and joy for the
day! Free entry for vehicle and driver and $10 per person for passengers and the public, and there will be free entry for children under 14 years. You’re welcome to join us Saturday afternoon to set up. Camping is available ($20 per person). Showers, toilets and early morning breakfast will be available.
You’re also welcome to join us for dinner Saturday evening in the Yarraview Dining Room (price TBA). Expect raffle prizes, guest speaker, tea and coffee, a great meal and good company! Drinks available at bar prices. Meal will be heavily subsidised for HCVCA members. Please book early as there is a minimum number required for the dinner to go ahead! Alternatively, we'll have a casual Pizza and BBQ outside.
Sunday entry from 7am for display vehicles, public entry from 9am. All vehicles must remain displayed until 2.30pm. Message us for further information!
Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show
November 15
Bathurst Showgrounds NSW
The 2025 Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show is back at the Bathurst Showgrounds. This event
Classics caught the eye at Heyfield.
Image: Heyfield
Vintage Machinery Rally
DEALS Events
brings together truck lovers, families, and the local community to remember Dane Ballinger and celebrate the trucking industry he loved. There’ll be a huge range of trucks on display –from old classics to custom rigs – plus food stalls, live music, kids’ activities, a charity auction, and awards for the best trucks. It’s a fun day out for all ages and supports a great cause.
Everyone’s welcome – whether you’re part of the transport world or just love a good community event. Come along, enjoy the day and help us keep Dane’s memory rolling strong.
Entry information and further details available soon from www.bathursttruckshow.com.au
100 Years of Caterpillar in Tasmania
November 15-16, 2025
Exeter Showgrounds, TAS
Celebrating 100 years of Caterpillar machines with a family friendly event showcasing the Beckett earthmoving and truck collection, alongside the greatest ever gathering of Tasmanian Caterpillar earthmovers in one
place, representing earthmoving, mining, underground, forestry and Antarctic exploration.
East Gippsland Heritage
Truck Display
November 15-16, 2025. Maffra Recreation Grounds
Open to all trucks of any age reflecting the history of transport in Australia.
What's included? There's free camping for exhibitors and catering is provided. There will be club merchandise available, along with live music to have a boogie to, model trucks and remote controlled trucks too.
Entry is free for children under 16.
Illawarra Convoy
November 16. Illawarra, NSW
Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Illawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families affected by potentially life-threatening medical conditions, together with charities that
The Fine-Form fleet put on a fine show.
Image: Ray Lawrence Photography
work with these people, and local hospitals. For more information on the event see illawarraconvoy.com.au
Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
November 29-30, 2025. Castlemaine, VIC.
Held at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve and organised by the Castlemaine Rotary Club, this year’s truck show is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees can expect plenty of well-presented trucks on display, as well as food, a licenced bar, kids’ rides, free health checks and live music.
For more information, visit rotarycastlemaine.org.au
DECEMBER
HVIA Awards Gala Dinner
December 4, 2025. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, QLD
At the Plaza Ballroom, HVIA will celebrate the industry with 10th Anniversary National Awards
Gala Dinner. The awards program will feature an expanded suite of categories celebrating excellence, leadership and innovation across all sectors of the industry, including suppliers, operators and employees.
First Annual Christmas Truck Show
December 6, 2025. Cypress St, Pittsworth
Bring your truck, light it up, and show it off! There will be awards, live entertainment, food, and fun for the whole family.
Spots are limited – book your truck in now to secure your place!
Let’s make this Christmas unforgettable – with trucks, lights, and festive cheer!
If you have an event you would like listed in our trucking events calendar, please email tiane. gavillucci@primecreative.com.au with all of the relevant details.
Kenworths lining up for show time.
Image: Ray Lawrence
Photography
DEALS Showcase
Rounds MAKING THE
Deals on Wheels loves to find out about the people behind the trucks and this month we met Jason Duell and Tony Murphy
Champion Kenny
Brisbane’s National Show and Shine Championship wasn’t just open to anyone.
There’s no doubt that this truck is a showstopper Image: Jason Duell
Running alongside the Brisbane Truck Show, the event saw trucks lined shoulder to shoulder with the country’s finest, and among them was Jason Duell and his 2020 Kenworth K200.
This event wasn’t just another truck show. Jason’s Kenny rolled onto a stage reserved only for champions. To qualify, you had to be the best of the best at a regional show.
“It was invite-only. You had to be a winner in a category at a regional truck show to enter,” Jason says. “And we won Best Rigid at the Koroit Truck Show in Victoria.”
So, Jason pulled up with his one truck, bought brand new and gleaming behind its horsepower and polish.
The paintwork is what first catches the eye of Duell’s head turning rig.
“Mum and Dad have had the business ‘Duell’s Furniture Removalists’ for 52 years, and they've always rocked purple,” he says. And that purple never fails to catch the attention of others.
For Jason, trucks weren’t always the plan. He recalls how far from the driver’s seat he once was.
“I haven’t always been a truckie, no,” he says. “I did an apprenticeship as a panel beater when I left school at 16.
“It wasn’t until I was 21 that I joined the family business. My parents wanted me to get an apprenticeship or to work for somebody else to start with and see what it was like.”
Though his parents wanted him to see the world outside of trucking, he found his way back, and quite quickly too.
He’s now behind the wheel of a winning truck that represents a family legacy, as well as a purple powerhouse that rules the roads and takes home gold.
Trucking addict
Tony Murphy told Deals on Wheels he suffers from a ‘serious disease’ most blokes tend to face.
Curiously, we asked him what?
“I can’t stop collecting trucks,” he says. “I buy one truck, and another one might just come home with me. It’s a bad habit.”
“My wife tends to get mad when she sees another rig in our yard.”
When we asked Tony just how many he’s got, his response was, “I don’t know, I’m going to have go home and count them.”
“All of them are my toys,” he says. “They’ve
done their bit for Australia and now they’ve retired and go around to all of these truck shows.”
And speaking about truck shows, his 1984 International made an appearance at the American Iron Echuca Truck Display.
His old rig is kept for shows or for a random occasion.
“If a young bloke needs to borrow it for some reason, I’ll let him have it.”
The truck is still in its working clothes, still roadworthy and looks ready to head out on a job the next day.
“The ridgy didge hasn’t stopped work, you can send it back to work in the morning,” he says.
“It’s basically how it was when it left the factory. There are some trucks out there that are more bling than truck. This International is more truck than bling.”
As a third generation motor mechanic, Tony’s love for engines runs deep, which led him to become President of the American Truck Historical Society, where he is part of the team leading the Echuca truck event.
“This show is a bit of an excuse for anyone to drag their vehicle out of the shed,” he says.
“I'm not worried about the brand of the truck; it’s just about displaying it.”
It’s a weekend dedicated to bringing the machines out, having a yarn and sharing the passion of transport with whoever wants to stop and have a look.
Tony’s International is a strong reminder of good old fashioned Aussie transport and hard-working rigs.
Under his care, that International is guaranteed a well-earned retirement – and let’s hope another doesn’t somehow follow him home.
Bright enough to captivate anyone’s attention. Image: Tony Murphy
The line up at Echuca. Image: Tony Murphy
Fun JOIN THE
Truck entries are now open for the 37th Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
The Sunday morning convoy of trucks through Castlemaine is a popular event with locals young and old.
Image: Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
Shane Wharton, Shamick Transport, major sponsor of the Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show 2025. Image: Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
Dig out the polishing rags, load up the buckets and put a big cross on the calendar for November 29 and 30 as the 2025 Shamick's Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show rolls into town.
Truck entries and ticket sales have opened at www.castlemainetruckshow.com as organisers prepare to welcome at least 300 trucks to the 37th incarnation of the popular Victorian country event.
This year marks a first for Shamick Transport who have come on board as the naming rights sponsor for the two day spectacular.
Shamick Transport’s Shane Wharton says the fleet have been attending the show for years and were proud to be invited to add their name to the event.
“We've been big supporters of the show for the last few years and were quite honoured to have naming rights offered to us for 2025 and moving forward to '26,” Shane says.
“Castlemaine Rotary has put so much effort into this show over the years we have been dealing with them.”
A measure of the quality of the trucks presented at Castlemaine each year is the recent success of Cornwill Transport's Kenworth Legend SAR.
Named 2024 Truck of the Show at Castlemaine, the Cornwills were invited to compete against other winning trucks from regional Australia shows at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show and took out Best of the Best in Australia.
This year the show will be launched with a Gala Dinner on the evening of Friday 28 November where the Golden Wheel Award will recognise six trailblazers — two posthumously — who played a pivotal role in founding and developing the Rotary Truck Show that has become a much-anticipated event for both Castlemaine and the wider trucking industry.
Sponsors and trade exhibitors, without whom the show could not continue in this form, have booked their spaces on the main arena.
While it is expected up to 300 gleaming, glistening trucks will be vying to catch the judges’ eyes and win a coveted trophy or two for their owners, the show is about more than
just trucks – it's about the owners, drivers and their families enjoying catching up with mates, sharing stories, 'tall tales and true', and having a yarn over a hamburger or a bevvie.
“We're just hoping to see as many people as we can. Come and support Rotary Castlemaine and see what we can raise and just have a good time and see all the effort that people put into their trucks,” Shane says.
Over the years the show has developed a reputation for live music entertainment and this year’s headline act has been named as Greg Champion OAM, singer, songwriter and long-time Coodabeen Champion. With 23 Tamworth Festivals, a dozen Port Fairy Festivals, dozens of Gympie Musters, Maldon Festivals, and Canberra fests to his credit, Greg is an established performer and his songs, “I made 100 in the backyard at Mum's” and “That's the thing about football,” are modern institutions.
Supporting Greg is Castlemaine Truck Show favourite, Sandee Facy and her band. Sandee took out the Australian Country Music People’s Choice Award for Best Song of the Year 2023 and ASA Country Song of the Year in 2024. With a new album just released, she will be singing up a storm for country music fans.
For families, there will be plenty of free rides and entertainment for the kids as well as food and refreshments available on site, so no-one need go hungry or thirsty.
While the trucks are clearly the stars of the show, the purpose of the event is to raise valuable funds for the community.
“We are so grateful to the trucking industry
Come and... see all the effort
that people put into their trucks
“It is a combined industry and community effort that allows us to support so many good causes.”
For more information and to sign up for Truck Show updates, go to www.castlemainetruckshow.com
Greg Champion. Image: Trevor Pearson
Sandee Facy. Image: Sandee Facy
Best of the Best, Cornwill's Kenworth Legend SAR wins in Brisbane. Image: Graham Harsant
and the 150+ community volunteers who assist at the show,” says Rotary Castlemaine president Trevor Bray.
HAULMARK2DT 1993,2available.S414.
BARRY STOODLEY TIPPER COMBINATION 2004,A-5.7mx 2500B-8.4mx 2600,airbag suspension,alloy.
After almost 30 years, the Rusty Iron Rally still receives all the buzz, with 20-30 vintage beauties rolling into the
What a buzz the 28th year of the Rusty Iron Rally was.
Vintage rigs came huffing into Macksville Showgrounds in New South Wales as nostalgia rolled thick through the air for the celebration of history on wheels.
About 20-30 rigs rolled up and put on a show
For two days engines purred, and chrome gleamed from inside the grounds. Crowds leaned over fences as big rigs made their way around the parade with little kids waving their arms in that universal sign for truckies to hit the air horn, grinning ear to ear as drivers happily obliged.
That buzz is what keeps the event going as
strong as it does year after year.
For event social media manager Calissa Keough, success isn’t measured in how many bodies walk through the gates, but in loyalty.
“It means we’re doing something right because people come back year after year,” she says.
“There are no dramas, we’re a friendly rally. Those that come you may see only once or twice a year at different shows, but when you see them again, it’s like you just saw them yesterday.
“People like coming to us because it’s a relaxed atmosphere here. If you are getting
Images: Calissa Keough
Macksville Showgrounds
Mack R600
Truck of the show winners Leanne Milligan and Dean Mavin from Mavin Truck Centre
Daniel Oram with his trophy for the Mack that was named Best Restored Truck
DEALS Events
This Merc is stunning in red people to walk through the gates at all, then you’re doing it right.”
For almost 30 years this show has only gotten bigger. From a small group of people who wanted to share their old machinery with their community, to a rally that receives visitors from all over the nation.
This year, people flocked in from all corners of the country like Far North Queensland and outback New South Wales where trucks, tractors and exhibitors filled the showgrounds.
While it was impossible for Calissa to pin down an exact headcount thanks to the sprawling layout, the sheer energy and movement gave her the answer; this was no small gathering.
And they were all there for the same reason; the 20 to 30 rigs. Some were still working, others, polished beauties. Either
way, they were old, rustic and great to look at.
This year, the rally even tried something new – a tractor run on the Friday before the main event and cruising their way into a local school, giving kids in town a rare chance to see an old tractor up close.
“A lot of kids wouldn’t normally see something like that,” Calissa says.
“This whole weekend really means something to us at the rally. It’s mostly about togetherness, and it doesn’t just unite everyone for a weekend, people camp here for a week.
“It’s great for the local community, the local shops and services we have around town. We look after each other.”
And at its heart, that’s what the Rusty Iron Rally is about. Old machinery yes, but community? Absolutely.
Wonders
OF WONDAI
Expectations were surpassed at the Wondai Truck Show as big rigs roared through the streets, stopping the country town in its tracks
Images: Trav’s Truck
Soot flying and wheels turning at Wondai as the White led the charge to go "Beyond It and Back"
It’s not just a truck show. It’s an event that brings a smile to the people of the small country town of Wondai.
“It’s been amazing to see how much joy it can bring to people,” event organiser Lauren O’Neill says.
She’s referring to the Wondai Truck Show that was held on August 23 and 24, and as Lauren recalls, it was a weekend to remember.
“This show was a big deal, everyone in town got involved,” she says.
“It made me proud of this small town, and everyone has had nothing but positive things to say about it as well.”
Time seemed to stand still when a convoy of rigs rolled through Wondai, with locals lining the streets and cameras flashing.
“It stopped our town,” Lauren says. “This small, country town, just simply stopped. The convoy was truly the showstopper of the day, that’s for sure.”
Mighty trucks cruised into the centre of town, around the roundabout and up to the grounds.
“This was the first year that we opened the convoy up to the whole crowd. We told attendees that if they want to be a part of it, to meet at a certain location, at a specific time and we'll travel into town together. And it was absolutely fantastic.”
The truck show only started five years ago as part of a section of the Wondai Show, but when the original organiser called it quits, Lauren and the team stepped up to the plate in 2023 and took it on.
And they didn’t just take it on; they made it theirs.
In this short time, the Wondai Truck Show has grown into the jewel of the town’s annual show calendar.
This year, 63 trucks lined up big and small.
“It was Kenworth galore,” Lauren laughs.
“We had Macks, Western Stars, Isuzu’s as well, but there was mostly just a sea of Kenny’s.”
But the trucks were only part of the spectacle. A full blown country fair unfolded around them. Dodgem cars rattled, motorbikes launched through the air in freestyle chaos, the cattle and horse strutted their stuff, but that wasn’t all. When the sun dipped, the dust wasn’t ready to settle just yet.
A bull ride kept the adrenaline pumping before fireworks lit up the outback sky.
And so, the show was a success. Businesses chipped in, families turned out and strangers became mates over a coffee and chat about chrome bumpers.
And that’s exactly what a truck show is all about.
Photography
The Gleich team had their Kenworth polished to a fine shine
The red, white and black of the Corbet's Group colours added drama to this cab over beauty
Ison Haulage's efforts certainly caught the eye
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The Gleich Kenworths were out in force
Truck Show Winners
Truck of the Show
1. A ndrew McBride, Gordonbrook
Sand Quarry, Kenworth T610
2. S&J McMahon, PHAT SAR
Best 0-3 Years
1. Greg from Sanbella, Kenworth T909
2. A ndrew McBride, Gordonbrook Sand Quarry, Kenworth, T610
3. Jack, Ison Haulage, C509 Best 4-9
1. Craig Rolfe, T900 Legend
2. Ben, BJC Transport, T659
3. Gavin Jesell, Jessell Haulage, 610SAR
Best 10-19 Year
1. Shane, Gleich Contracting, T908
2. Peter Goomeri Tranpsort, Western Star 4800
3. Liam Pickering, KQS, C509
Best 20-29 Years
1. S & J McMahon, T950
2. Graham, Powers Transport, T904
3. Scoot Russell, Jackls Trucking, 143M
Best Vintage
1. Liam Pickering, Van Damm, S2
2. Nev Turner, B61
3. Larner, L&T Haulage, C1800
Best Local Rig
1. A ndrew McBride, Gordonbrook Sand Quarry, Kenworth T610
2. Paul Keating, Seilers Transport, Kenworth T909
3. Daniel Webster, BJC transport, Kenworth T659
Best Fleet
1. Gleich Contracting
2 Masondale
3. Powers Best Lights
1. Zac, Powers Transport, Kenworth T909
2. S&J McMahon, PHATSAR
3. Shawn Liftin, Corbets, SAR No time for shine
1. Becker, Barambah Transport, Mack
2. Becker, Baramabh Transport, Mack
3. Dylan Kapernick, Western Star
Best Bling
1. S & J McMahon, PHATSAR
2. Greg Powers Transport, T909
3. Wayne Gleich Contracting, C509 Best Tribute
1. A ndrew McBride, Gordonbrook Sand Quarry, Kenworth T610
Aussies can’t help but love a shiny Kenworth, so when 853 of them rolled into Clarendon for the Kenworth Klassic many were shocked with the outcome
Words: Tiane Gavillucci
Images: Steve Haskell
A whopping 853
trucks made a lasting impression on the day
The paddocks of Clarendon shook as 853 Kenworths rolled in and lined up as a tribute to Australia’s favourite heavy metal workhorse.
Event organiser Bruce Gunter says that each year, the Clarendon Kenworth Klassic defies expectations and grows bigger, with around 1,200 vehicles in total making an impression this time around.
“Every year we say that last show’s numbers were a one off,” he says. “But it just keeps building.”
The Kenworth Klassic was born from passion. Back in 2012, Bruce’s mate David Chapman (Chappo) wanted to celebrate the 50 years since Ed Cameron had imported the very first Kenworth into Australia, a milestone Kenworth itself barely acknowledged at the time.
Chappo ended up wrangling together more than a hundred Kenworths, and even Ed Cameron along.
“Chappo’s a real Kenworth nut,” Bruce says. “He lives and breathes these trucks as he worked at Kenworth all his life.”
“He then approached me and said he wants to do a Kenworth-only show. He knows I’m quite anal with advertising and organisation and wanted me to help him run it.”
That conversation planted the seed, and by 2016, the first official Kenworth Klassic was born on a spare 40 acres in Clarendon.
Fast forward to this year, the town came alive with every kind of Kenworth you can imagine. From classics lovingly restored to showpieces worth a fortune.
“There’s a lot of money getting thrown at some of these truck nowadays,” Bruce says. “But for me, I love when they have restored their truck back to its original form.
“There are some beautifully modified ones out there, but truly they all appeal to me. I could probably rattle on about two dozen that were my favourites at the show.”
Among the highlights was the fully restored 1,000th Kenworth ever built in Australia, owned by Gippsland Truck Centre, as well as Mark Richardson’s flawless orange and white W model Kenworth.
There were plenty of good looking rigs from Blackhurst Trucking, and of course the show’s feature trucks, a T600 and T601, called the ‘ant-eaters’ (thanks to their “sloppy noses”).
Despite the hundreds of stunning rigs, Bruce and his crew choose not to hand out winners at this event.
“Everyone should be proud of what they’re driving,” he says.
It was clear, blue skies for this perfect weekend
Check out the reflection on this R & Trucking T909
Blue, green, white, any colour you could imagine, was there
This W Model turned plenty of heads
Bullbars were a popular accessory on the day
Jai Michelin Haulage's monster T909 put on a show
The Knight Transport fleet turned out
The Winston Express Haulage truck and trailer stood out
Dressed in red and ready to party
Wickhams had these red and white beauties
The 1,000th Kenworth next to Max Keough's rig
The distinctive Klos Bros colours were on show
“Their truck is their trophy. I think a lot of people who normally wouldn’t show up because they think their truck isn’t good enough, come along. They know they can come to this show, because we don’t judge, and I think that’s what makes this event so special.”
But there’s a deeper layer to it for Bruce.
“I’ve always said we do the show for mental health. I love watching everyone enjoy themselves and seeing all ages and families there, just walking around, relaxing and having a good time,” he says.
“From the very first show where we had about 200 trucks, I looked around at everyone chatting to each other and thought wow, what a great way to forget about life’s crap for a couple of days.”
This spirit carries through with traditions like the Dane Ballinger Memorial Award, named for a young driver tragically killed in an accident.
Each year, Dane’s family present this award to an operator that embodies his meticulous standards.
This year, it went to Trent Schaeffer from Schaeffer Transport, known for their creamand-blue tri-drives and spread trailers that work hard and look good doing it.
With so many trucks to see and thousands of people to cater for, this show is a lot of work
to organise, but Bruce wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’re humbled really. People tell us that the Klassic is a cracking event, some even say it’s the best truck show in Australia, which is crazy because there are a lot of really good events on in the country,” he says.
“We’re just four mates and a handful of volunteers that do it, keeping it laid back with no frills.”
At Clarendon, you don’t just notice the trucks, you realise the passion and respect the community has for the transport industry.
“We see guys detailing their trucks at the show, and it’s obvious that pride is still there for owning a truck,” he says.
“There’s still that camaraderie there also that everyone thinks has disappeared from the industry.”
From young people cleaning up their rigs to older truckies swapping stories besides machines they drove decades ago.
Bruce says every model made shows up and more people come every year, making it feel like the trucking industry grows closer together each time this event is held.
“When you see so many young people into it, it gives us hope for the future of the transport industry,” Bruce says.
And we have the Clarendon Kenworth Klassic to thank for that.
Check out the chrome stacks on this line up
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For the first time, Warren Aitken takes his readers on a journey through the Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay to raise money for children
Words & Images | Warren Aitken
CThe convoy is all about the kids, and Variety Fundraising. But there’s always room for a few prizes and the Mackay trophies are definitely something different
Parked up and applying the finishing touches early was Chris Gibbs from AOM Earthmoving & Heavy Haulage. (That Angry Old Man in case you wondered what the AOM stood for)
ards on the table here folks, I’m not a Mackay fan. It’s nothing personal about the heavy haulage carting capital of Queensland, but in order to get to Mackay you need to endure the iconic Bruce Highway, and the many kilometres from my house to Mackay can feel like the longest week of your life. There are unsubstantiated rumours that the architects of the Bruce Highway were also responsible for The Iron Maiden, The Pear of Anguish and the formation of The Spice Girls, (if you don’t know how painful those tools of torture are then drive the Bruce and you’ll get the gist).
Sadly, my reluctance to endure the frustration of endless grey nomads and countless Weetbix qualified drivers has kept me from getting up to Mackay and experiencing their biggest social trucking event of the year, the annual Mackay Konvoy 4 Kids, until now. And yes, it is spelt with a K.
Last year’s 2024 Mackay Konvoy for Kids was the biggest ever, cracking 200 trucks for the first time. The photos and stories that flowed online were enough to entice me to attend this year’s fantastic fundraising event.
It did help that I used the big tin taxi to get
to Mackay, thus keeping my patience and frustration levels in check.
First thing I did upon arrival in Mackay was track down Johanna Wood, one of the coordinators of the Konvoy.
“This is our 16th year organising the Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay” she says. “There’s me, my mum and dad, Ashley and Madonna Stevens. Plus, we have a team of about ten that help with sponsorships, getting donations for sausage sizzles and more.”
“We have a great team on the day that help look after our markets by setting them up and keeping the wheels turning.
“We also raise money for Variety, the children’s charity. Some of our convoy crew go to their Variety Bash, but in order to do the Bash each year, you need to fundraise a certain amount of money, and this is our main event that we fundraise for.”
Variety supports children and their families who are facing challenges like
The advantage of using the Mackay Showgrounds is the large covered area. With a 30-plus day beaming down sunshine it was great to have some shade
The registration tent was as busy as the coffee van on Sunday morning
DEALS Events
Another popular piece of the day was this 1973 W-model. Jason and Rhonda Cooper were piloting the big rig with a 1951 International on the back
They even had a petting zoo for the kids. Either that or It was one of those ‘choose your dinner’ places
The CLS, Camilleri Lifting Services team rocked up with their fleet of cranes and frannas
6 yr old Angelique was all smiles as she got to turn the sirens on in the police car. The line for this visit was longer than the sausage sizzle
The boss lady, Madonna Stevens was last line of organisation as she helped park up the endless convoy
On guard duty to the inside are was Mick Cebuski, Janelle Andrew and Amanda Manzelmann
Yup, there was plenty of Oversize amongst the big rigs
The future is in good hands, especially when you see the enthusiasm of you blokes like 5 yr old Noah and 7 yr old Hudson
Running the Rigs down Mackay's internal streets allowed for a much smoother convoy, whilst also allowing more people the opportunity to enjoy this year's event
DEALS Events
Camilleri Lifting Services had some of their specialty cranes cleaned up for the day. The kids loved getting up close to these big lifters
sickness, disadvantages and disabilities. Their work enables kids to get out and about in their communities, assist with their mobility, and help kids and their families achieve independence and assistance.
This is all done with grants for services and equipment, as well as scholarships and specialised programs. While Variety has multiple fundraising ventures, their flagship event is the annual Variety Bash, and that’s where the Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay fits in.
The Variety Bash is an eight to 10 day road trip with entrants piloting very old, very well decorated bush bashers, and typically includes a mix of on-road and off-road adventures through some of Australia’s most iconic and remote areas.
The teams make stops at schools and communities along the way to deliver donations and touch base with a lot of the children that benefit from Variety’s many programs.
The current Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay team have been supporting Variety for the last 16 years and run two very colourful kid friendly creations in the Bash, a 1966 HR Holden Wagon, dubbed Princess Barbie and a Peter Pan themed Valient station wagon with a custom-built pirate ship attached.
Trying to find a segway for the motivation behind Johanna, Ashley and Madonna’s Variety fundraising ideals, to one of North Queensland’s largest trucking events is a little thin.
Truth is, Johanna grew up with her parents’ main vocation revolving around Cane Farming and the horse racing industry.
There was a lot of machinery sure, but trucking hasn’t been a mainstay of the family, until now.
“My dad drives trucks for a living now, and so does my uncle,” Johanna says.
“We got behind this cause because someone before us had done it. We noticed it was a hugely popular event, so when they stopped, we decided to take over.
“We know a lot of people in the truck industry, so we were sure we would find participants to help bring it back to life.”
That was 16 years ago, and the Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay team have done nothing but grow the popularity of the event every year.
As I mentioned, they cracked 200 last year and this year they set another all-time record, officially running 234 vehicles.
I reckon that’s about all the behind-thescenes information I need to summarise, so let me put on my judgemental podcaster hat
and get into an in-depth review since I broke my ‘Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay’ cherry.
When it comes to chasing the ‘as advertised’ response to an event, the Mackay Konvoy 4 Kids nails itself perfectly.
The whole event is about the kids. It begins out at the Sarina Showgrounds, about 35 kilometres from the Mackay Showgrounds, with trucks starting to roll in from around 7am.
With every truck came a family happy to finish off some final detailing. There is an unwritten rule that family events like this require an onsite sausage sizzle and judging by the scores of young ones I saw with tomato sauce extended smiles, they were doing a roaring trade.
What added to the enjoyment for the kids, and many of us adults as well was the variety of vehicles attending the event. Mackay is a hub of oversize vehicles, mining activities and plenty of creative crane setups, which were lined up to enjoy this year’s event.
Of course there was also a gathering of emergency service vehicles, with lights and sirens to amuse the kids as well.
By 9:30am over 200 vehicles were lined up ready for departure and on the stroke of 10am the gates were opened, and the main road
became a rolling exhibition.
I did my best to keep jumping from spot to spot in order to capture a few different angles, although pulling up to park became difficult with the number of locals already camped out.
For the entire 35 kilometres there were kids of every age group, arms waving and pumping for a toot of the horn like their lives depended on it, and the truckies were happy to oblige.
The harmonious horns of 200 vehicles filled the North Queensland cane fields with vibrations that are still echoing as I write this.
The great thing about the Mackay Convoy route plan is that rather than send the miles long convoy up the main road of Mackay, they had the great idea to take a back street.
I’ll pretend I support this decision as it allowed more local enthusiasts to line the streets and wave the trucks in, truth is I support it because it meant after getting a heap of photos, I was able to jump the convoy and get into the Mackay Showgrounds in time to capture the majority of the big rigs rolling in.
Full credit once again to the Konvoy 4 Kids team and their parking plans. It’s never easy parking a massive amount of trucks, but throw in the entire JJ Richards rubbish truck
There was a constant cavalry of cool cruising into the Sarina Showground early Sunday morning
fleet as well as a collection of cranes capable of lifting everything from a backpack to a building, and you need to be a Tetris Grand Master to succeed.
worn drivers stepping aside and letting kids younger than there work overalls, climb up onto their massive cranes with grins bigger than the booms.
Check out the Variety Bash Valiant. It's helping get cars like this out to regional areas that the Variety bash is all about
Once everyone was parked up, I took the time to wander around the grounds and really appreciate how much the day is made for kids. Petting Zoo, free rides, inflatables and machines. There was face painting, colouring corners, arts and crafts and enough sugar packed edibles that the inflatable animals weren’t the only things bouncing off the roof by the time they were trying to close the doors.
Unlike many of the shows we experience, prizes and awards are secondary at this event, with 12 winners to be crowned.
Instead of manufacturers, awards were presented based on the trucks age, as well as the likes of best Prime Mover, Best Rigid, Best Large and Small Fleet and then a Best Overall, which went to Bradley Wren from Wrens Heavy Haulage.
The winners all deserved their moment in the sun, however it seems the collective view is, ‘we are just here to help the kids’ and that undercurrent of emotion was evident throughout the day.
From kids getting to sit in the police car and turn on bone chilling sirens, to well
To conclude, it was a pretty good show if I’m honest. The quality was there and the effort to prepare the trucks was evident.
The variety of vehicles was also a big plus. Your usual Kenworth dominance for sure, but there was a mix of Macks, Western Stars, Mercedes, Volvos, UDs, and nearly every other imaginable breed turned up.
Having the huge, covered arena at the Mackay Showgrounds mitigated the sunburn I normally acquire when I get too ensconced in trucks to remember to slip slop and slap. And it’s worth noting the catering extended well past the sausage sizzles as well. The waffle joint and the Rib Crib, definite Michelin Star options.
By the time I boarded the plane on Sunday night I was full of photos, sun stroked out and extremely pleased I’d made the effort to experience my first ever Konvoy 4 Kids Mackay. I don’t have the fund-raising figures yet, but with the support this small-town show gets, I’m sure it will be impressive.
Bring on 2026, heck, I may even consider tolerating the Broken Bruce next year to get a truck up there as well.
This year's event was greeted by magnificent Mackay weather, the convoy kept sparkling right along the route
The Airlie Beach Hotel stunning cabover drew a lot of attention across the day
Slow lane for sales
Truck and van sales are down on 2024 volumes, but still on track to be the third best year on record.
The market for heavy vehicles in Australia has contracted by 11.8 per cent, to the end of the third quarter in 2025 when compared to the record sales levels achieved in 2024.
As of September 30 the Truck Industry Council’s T-Mark truck market sales database had recorded a combined total of 33,727 trucks and vans sold this year, 4,527 less than were sold in the first three quarters of 2024.
Heavy Vehicles – Monthly Sales
Medium Vehicles – Monthly Sales
Light Vehicles – Monthly Sales
Isuzu continues to dominate the light and medium duty truck market. Image: Isuzu Australia
Hardest hit of all the segments was the heavy-duty truck segment where quarter three 2025 was down 668 sales when compared to the same quarter in 2024.
TIC CEO Tony McMullan says there has been a downward trend in sales since the start of this year, but quarter three’s results suggest it may be flattening out.
“The new heavy vehicle sales market was down 6.9 percent at the end of quarter one, dropping further to be down by 12.1 percent at the end of quarter two,” McMullany says.
“Hence the slight improvement that we saw in the market year-todate at the end of quarter three, down 11.8 percent, suggests that sales have steadied. Hopefully quarter two was the low point and that we will now witness stabilised, or increasing, sales for the last part of 2025 and into 2026.
“While 2025 has seen a noticeable downturn in new truck and van sales, with just three months to go until year end, the industry is still on track for its third best sales year here in Australia.”
Heavy duty
September 2025 sales of heavy duty trucks were down by 20.2 per cent (-309 trucks) when compared to September 2024 results. Year-to-date, the 10,563 sales recorded in 2025 are down 17.8 per cent when compared to YTD Q3, 2024. Year to date sales results see Kenworth (2,497 sales) in the lead with 23.6 per cent of the market. The remainder of the top 10 brands in terms of sales volume were Volvo (1,709, 16.2 per cent), Isuzu (1,687, 16 per cent), Scania (841, 8 per cent), Mercedes-Benz (631, 6 per cent), Fuso (604, 5.7 per cent), Mack (539, 5.1 per cent) and Hino (503, 4.8 per cent), DAF (391, 3.7 per cent) and UD Trucks (3.2 per cent).
Medium duty
The Medium Duty segment was down 28.4 percent, or 201 sales in September 2025 when compared with September 2024. The Q3 result was also poor with just 1,578 trucks delivered down 20.6 percent (-410 trucks) on the same three-month period in 2024. Isuzu continue to dominate the medium duty market with
2,568 trucks sold so far this year, accounting for 48.7 per cent of the market. Hino is second on the ladder with 1,714 sales (32.5 per cent of the market), followed by Fuso with 671 sales, Hyundai with 88, Iveco with 64, Mercedes-Benz with 50, UD Trucks with 47, MAN with 36, Volvo with 24, DAF with 13 and Kenworth with 1.
Light duty
Light Duty trucks sales have been more resilient. A total of 3,691 light duty trucks were sold in the July to September period, the second best Q3 result for the segment, behind the record 2022, Q3, result of 4,288 light trucks. The 2025 Q3 result was up 1.0 per cent (27 trucks) over Q3, 2024, although the month of September was down 3.3 percent (-44 trucks) compared to September 2024.
Isuzu is the leader with 52.5 per cent of the market and 5,205 sales to its name to September 30 this year.
A total of 1,353 sales has Fuso in second spot, followed by Hino with 1,133 sales, before a big drop to Iveco with 678 sales, Fiat with 568, Renault with 390, Mercedes-Benz with 198, Hyundai with 120, LDV with 101, Volkswagen with 88, Ford with 42 and Foton Mobility with 37.
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Thanks to recent global acquisitions, JLG Industries has introduced new machine categories to its ever-growing range, including site dumpers and rough terrain forkli s
JLG Industries – an Oshkosh Corporation business – is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of all-things access equipment, which is renowned for its elevating work platforms, including scissor and boom li s, as well as telehandlers.
Following recent global acquisitions of Italian OEM Hinowa in 2023 and Spanish OEM AUSA in 2024, JLG has signi cantly expanded and strengthened its product portfolio, adding tracked compact crawler boom li s, rough terrain forkli s and a range of dumpers to its o ering.
“This includes wheeled-articulated and tracked dumpers from 0.5-tonne and 1.5-tonne models all the way up to 10-tonne options,” JLG national sales manager Daniel Reeve says.
“We also have rough terrain forkli s from 1.5 to ve-tonne
models in many combinations, as well as our Australian manufactured lighting products.”
Reeve adds the expanded range will complement Australia’s construction, mining and civil industries. This re ects JLG’s decision to exhibit at Converge 2025, the only Australian-owned major event showcasing the latest tools and technology in the municipal works, civil and commercial construction sectors.
Converge 2025 was held in September at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, with JLG showcasing two of its newest machines on o er to the local market, the 2.9-tonne JLG TD6400 tracked dumper and the AUSA 2.5-tonne C251H rough terrain forkli .
The tracked dumper is powered by a 50hp (37.4kW) Kubota Stage V engine and can handle loads up
to 2,875kg, while the AUSA forkli sports a Kubota 49hp (36.5kW) engine and has a load capacity of 2.5 tonnes li ed to a height of 3.7m.
“We manufacture in North America as well as many other locations around the world, including here in Australia,” Reeve says.
“Our AUSA products are still manufactured in Spain, while our Hinowa products are manufactured in Italy. All our lighting products are manufactured here in Australia.
“We are a direct to market business and we have our Australian o ces and workshops set up in all major capital cities, as well as a dedicated in-house eld service network with capacity to service all areas across Australia.”
For more information on JLG’s expanded product range, visit www.jlg.com/en-au
AUSA’s 2.5-tonne C251H rough terrain forklift now falls under the JLG o ering
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