Weeks after the 2015 Lights On The Hill Convoy, organisers are still coming to terms with the success of the record-breaking event
The number of trucks taking part in this year’s Lights On The Hill Convoy on February 28 has been listed as 785 which, according to organisers is a new record, and around 200 more than the 2014 event.
The new venue of the Gatton Racecourse also proved to be a winner, the grounds swelling with the steady arrival of trucks streaming in from Brisbane and Toowoomba.
Lights On The Hill president Kerry Wilkins says the day was simply “incredible”.
As well as being praising the huge turnout of truck owners and drivers who participated, Kerry was appreciative of the effort of Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LBRC) mayor Steve Jones in embracing the event.
“He’s a truckie tragic,” Kerry says.
“He’s been tremendous, and in fact the LBRC, you couldn’t ask for better support.”
Former Lights On The Hill president, Gary Simpson, echoed Kerry’s remarks.
“It’s just getting bigger and bigger every year,” he says.
Gary had the honour of driving the lead truck, his special guest passenger being John ‘The Ferret’ Moran OAM.
“The Ferret has been the patron of the wall since it started, and has never been in the lead,” Gary says.
Kerry Wilkins suggested that Gary’s Kenworth T601 take pole position, followed closely by Geoff Richardson Refrigerated Transport’s Western Star 4900FXT, driven by Reuben Harrap.
“The Ferret was rapt,” Gary says.
The day stretched into the night as the entertainment ran until midnight. Artists performing live on stage included Adam Brand, McAlister Kemp, Jayne Denham, Paul Costa, Tanya Self, Jeff Brown and Kerry Kennedy & Double Barrel.
“The bar closed at 12, and everybody went to the campsite or to their truck,” Kerry says. “And from what I hear, quite a few partied on until 4 o’clock in the morning, including our artists.”
Monies raised from the event are still being tallied and will go to various charity and community groups around the Lockyer Valley and south-east Queensland, including the Brisbane Coast Guard and CareFlight.
For a full wrap-up of the Lights On The Hill event, see the April 2015 edition of Owner//Driver.
Photography: Greg Bush